Conundrum Hot Springs Hike Guide: Permits and Best Campsites
I’ll cover everything you need to know about the Conundrum Hot Springs hike. Permits, campsite tips, required gear, and more.
Conundrum Hot Springs Hike: The Ultimate Guide to Colorado’s Most Scenic Soak
The Conundrum Hot Springs hike is quintessential Colorado. Tucked deep inside the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness near Aspen, this 17.1-mile round-trip trail rewards hikers with alpine meadows, wildflowers, and a natural hot spring soaking at 11,200 feet.
➡️ Discover more adventures on my Colorado outdoor guide.
But this isn’t a casual trek. The Conundrum Hot Springs trail is long, challenging, and requires an overnight permit if you plan to camp near the springs. Campsites sell out within minutes, parking is limited, and there are a few important safety considerations before you soak.
In this guide, I’m sharing everything you need to know about hiking to Conundrum Hot Springs. Including permits, campsite tips, the best time to go, what to pack, and whether it’s actually worth the effort.
➡️ If you want to do a longer multi-day backpacking trip in the Maroon Bells area, check out my comprehensive post about backpacking the Four Pass Loop.
Conundrum Hot Springs Hike Overview
The Conundrum Hot Springs hike follows the Conundrum Creek Trail through the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness near Aspen. This backpacking route climbs steadily through forest and alpine meadows before reaching the natural hot springs at 11,200 feet. Most hikers complete the Conundrum Hot Springs hike as an overnight trip due to the distance and elevation gain.
The first few miles of the trail are gradual, making it easy to find a steady rhythm. Around mile six, the trail begins climbing more consistently toward tree line. The final approach to the springs feels steeper, especially with a full pack.
Conundrum Hot Springs Trail Stats
Distance: 17.1 mi round trip
Elevation Gain: 2,762 ft
Difficulty: Hard
Trailhead Location
The given distance applies only to hiking to the hot springs. Backpacking this trail is ideal, though, and your campsite might be farther or closer than that.
When I tracked my hike on the Conundrum Creek trail to campsite 10, it was about 9.5-10 miles one way.
➡️ Check out the Maroon Bells Crater Lake trail if you’re looking for an easier day hike near Aspen.
Conundrum Hot Springs Hike Map
Before You Hike Conundrum Hot Springs
Here are a few key takeaways to consider before you embark on the Conundrum Creek Trail.
- Parking at the trailhead fills early in peak season
- Cell service is unreliable
- Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer
- Water crossings may be high in spring and early summer
- Overnight campsite permits sell out within minutes of release
Do You Need a Permit to Hike Conundrum Hot Springs?
Day Hike vs Overnight Permit
As with every trail in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, you only need a permit if you are camping overnight. If you’re only doing a day hike, you don’t need a permit.
That being said, I’d highly recommend backpacking this trail to have adequate time to soak in the hot springs and explore the surrounding area.
How to Secure a Conundrum Hot Springs Camping Permit
Permits for camping in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness are available on Recreation.gov. Check availability for Conundrum Hot Springs.
These bookings are first-come, first-served and sell out within minutes. Be ready on the day and time permits are released to have a chance at securing one.
When Permits Are Released
| Permit Date Range | Release Date |
|---|---|
| April 1 to July 31 | February 15 at 8:00 am Mountain Time |
| August 1 to November 30 | June 15 at 8:00 am Mountain Time |
| December 1 to March 31 | October 15 at 8:00 am Mountain Time |
Camping at Conundrum Hot Springs
Campsite Map Overview
You must camp in a designated site near the hot springs. Not all campsites are created equal. Check out the Conundrum Hot Springs Designated Campsite Map to see where the sites are.
My husband and I hadn’t seen the map before making our booking, and picked site number 10 because it was available. We had to hike up a steep hillside above the springs to get to our spot. It made this challenging trail even longer.
Best Campsites Near the Hot Springs
If you’re backpacking with two people, I’d recommend booking sites 1, 2, 5, 7, or 8. These sites are the closest to the springs, with minimal additional elevation gain. For groups of four, sites 3, 4, and 6 are the best.
Campsites to Avoid
Sites 17-20 are considerably farther from the hot springs and require you to hike uphill to visit the main pool. If you have a large group of six people, sites 17 and 18 are your only options.
Sites 9-11 are above the hot spring area and require steep hiking. The view from site 10 was great, but not worth the trek with a heavy pack.
Sites 12-16 looked alright, but you’ll still need to hike a distance to visit the springs. Better than sites 17-20, though.
Study the map carefully before applying for a permit, and have a couple of backup site options in case the one you were eyeing sells out too quickly.
Best Time to Hike Conundrum Hot Springs
Wildflower Season (July)
The Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness is known for its incredible wildflowers. My husband and I backpacked to Conundrum Hot Springs in mid-July, and the wildflowers were popping off.
Book your permit for early to mid July to see the wildflowers at their peak. I had never seen so many columbines in one field before.
Autumn Hiking
If you want more solitude at the springs, book your permit for late fall after the autumn colors have disappeared. October or November can be decent months to hike the trail if there isn’t much snow. The hot spring water maintains a constant temperature year-round.
Is Conundrum Hot Springs Open in Winter?
While you can technically book backpacking permits for the Conundrum Hot Springs hike all year, snow can make the trail impassable. This is an avalanche area! You should be an expert winter camper and know what to do in the case of an avalanche.
What to Expect on the Conundrum Hot Springs Trail
Trail Profile
Although the Conundrum Creek Trail has some elevation gain, because it’s long, you don’t feel like you’re hiking straight up the entire time. There are some meadows and forest sections that are nearly flat.
The end of the trail leading up to the hot springs felt like the steepest to me. You’re also tired from hiking at that point, which adds to the difficulty.
Water Crossings
There are some water crossings on the Conundrum Hot Springs hike. Usually, I recommend not bothering to bring an extra pair of shoes (on my list of what NOT to bring backpacking), but for this trail I ended up packing my Chacos.
I wore my Chacos for the significant water crossings and for walking to and from the hot springs. It was nice to have a pair of water shoes on this occasion.
Parking and Trailhead Tips
The parking lot at the trailhead is small, with room for about 25 cars. Parking on the gravel road leading up to the trailhead is illegal, and you will get a ticket. Arrive early to secure a spot.
Hiking to Triangle Pass
If you have time, book two nights of camping. People we talked to at the hot spring said it was worth hiking a little bit farther on the Conundrum Creek Trail to Triangle Pass for the views. You can hike to the Pass and soak more in the springs on the middle day, and then hike out on the last day.
It was sad to work so hard to get to the hot springs, only to turn around the next day. When I do this trail again, I will definitely book two nights.
Conundrum Hot Springs Safety
Don’t submerge your head in the hot spring water. The pools have tested positive for E. Coli and fecal coliform in the past. We talked to one couple while we were soaking in the pools, who said they got severely ill the previous year.
They were so sick they weren’t sure if they were going to have the strength to hike out. This time, the couple wasn’t risking anything and not even submerging their hands in the water.
As always, use hand sanitizer before eating and after using the restroom, and especially after soaking in the hot springs.
Required Gear for Conundrum Hot Springs Hike
Bear Canister
You must carry a bear canister in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. If you don’t have a canister, you can rent or buy one. The Forest Service recommends nearby sporting goods stores for renting bear canisters and provides more details about why they are required.
REI in Glenwood Springs usually has bear canisters in stock if you want to buy one there.
WAG Bag
Although not strictly required, Human waste bags (WAG bags) are recommended for use on the Conundrum Hot Springs trail. Instead of digging a cat hole, you pack out your solid waste, keeping this wilderness area clean of contaminating bacteria.
Free WAG bags are provided at the trailhead. If you are digging a hole for waste, just make sure it is 6-8” deep and at least 200 ft away from campsites and water sources.
Backpacking Essentials for This Trail
You’ll want to check out my posts on what gear to bring backpacking and my ultralight hygiene kit for your backpacking toiletries.
Definitely bring a raincoat! The Colorado mountains are famous for afternoon summer storms. We had to take shelter from the rain while hiking in.
Is the Conundrum Hot Springs Hike Worth It?
Short answer: Yes, the Conundrum Hot Springs hike is worth it. With the caveats of booking permits for two nights instead of one, and making sure you’re being safe around the hot spring water.
This is a gorgeous trail with a rare opportunity to take advantage of a backcountry hot spring. I would recommend this trail to any fit hiker looking for a unique backpacking experience.
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Conundrum Hot Springs Hike FAQ
How long does the Conundrum Hot Springs hike take?
Most hikers complete the Conundrum Hot Springs hike in 6-9 hours as a day hike. If backpacking, expect 5-7 hours (one way) with a full pack, depending on fitness and campsite location.
How hard is the Conundrum Hot Springs hike?
The Conundrum Hot Springs hike is considered hard due to its 17.1-mile round-trip distance and 2,762 feet of elevation gain. The trail is gradual at first but becomes steeper near the hot springs.
Can you hike Conundrum Hot Springs in one day?
Yes, you can hike Conundrum Hot Springs in one day without a permit. However, most hikers prefer backpacking to fully enjoy the hot springs without rushing.
Do you need a permit for Conundrum Hot Springs?
You only need a permit if camping overnight in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. Day hiking does not require a permit.
How hot are Conundrum Hot Springs?
The pools at Conundrum Hot Springs typically range from 98°F to 102°F, depending on water flow and weather conditions. It felt good to soak for a couple hours, even in July.
Are dogs allowed at Conundrum Hot Springs?
Dogs are not allowed in the wilderness-designated zone of the Conundrum Creek trail. Your furry friend can hike about 5 miles into the trail, but can’t go all the way to the hot spring.
