Difficult Campground
Campground
3.8 mi
4.6 (176)
665 Difficult Campground, Aspen, CO 81611
Public restroomRestroomRunning waterTent sites
Falls Fed PoolCO
Devils Punchbowl
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Explore the Aspen Devil's Punchbowl with three reviewed gorge photos, Independence Pass travel checks and guidance distinguishing it from the Schofield Pass namesake.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
Water-entry permission was not established by the reviewed sources. A historical cliff-jumping description is not an operating rule or a safety assessment. Do not jump or dive into the gorge.
Water type
Falls Fed Pool
Access
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Parking charges and permitted parking at the exact approach were not established. Confirm before departure.
Best season
Choose daylight and suitable weather, and verify the road and permitted approach before departure
Nearby towns
Aspen
Water body
Roaring Fork River
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Aspen
Access location not verified
39.119156, -106.7086462
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
A closer look
Photos of Devils Punchbowl
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Current swimming permission has not been independently confirmed for this listing. Check with the land manager before entering the water.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
A gorge visit starts with the right destination
The 2014 Aspen Trail Finder account distinguishes this Roaring Fork corridor location from another Devil's Punchbowl near Schofield Pass. Check that your route and images refer to the Aspen destination before planning the outing.
Use a current road check
Read CDOT's Independence Pass travel information and follow its link to COtrip before departure. Typical seasonal opening dates are not a live road report. Check the published vehicle restrictions if traveling with a trailer, and confirm parking separately from whether the highway is open.
Enjoy the rock and water scenery
The selected gallery focuses on rounded gorge walls and flowing water. Contrasting mountain-gorge photos were withheld rather than silently mixed into the Aspen gallery. Choose an authorized dry-land viewpoint without moving onto slick edges to recreate a camera angle.
Keep photographs separate from swim advice
A dramatic pool image cannot reveal submerged obstacles, current water quality or a reliable way out. Neither the historical jumping description nor the reviewed travel page establishes current swimming permission. Do not jump or dive, and choose a confirmed managed swimming location if a swim is the purpose of your trip.
Getting There
Confirm the Aspen destination along Highway 82, not the same-name gorge near Schofield Pass. Check COtrip for route status and confirm designated parking and the authorized pedestrian approach locally. The retained coordinate is not a verified parking space or water entrance; roadside parked cars do not establish permission.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
Reviewed October 8, 2026: the location account is dated September 2014. CDOT describes recurring winter closure of Independence Pass and directs travelers to COtrip for current status. Its typical seasonal dates are not confirmation of today's road opening or of a 2026 closure date.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Water-entry permission was not established by the reviewed sources. A historical cliff-jumping description is not an operating rule or a safety assessment. Do not jump or dive into the gorge. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Smuggler Mountain Trailhead
Hiking area
7.3 mi
4.7 (89)
401 Co Rd 21, Aspen, CO 81611
Rio Grande Parking
Parking garage
7.7 mi
4.5 (129)
Aspen, CO 81611
Restroom
Public bathroom
7.7 mi
4.8 (11)
419 S Mill St, Aspen, CO 81611
Rio Grande Trail
Park
7.9 mi
4.9 (67)
Rio Grande Trl, Aspen, CO 81611
Hunter Creek Trail Head
Hiking area
8 mi
4.8 (79)
255 S Hunter St, Aspen, CO 81611
Aspen Ranger Station
Forestry office
8.4 mi
2.5 (4)
806 W Hallam St, Aspen, CO 81611
White River National Forest - Aspen-Sopris Ranger District
Government office
9 mi
4 (4)
199 Prospector Rd, Aspen, CO 81611
Restroom
Frequently Asked Questions About Devils Punchbowl
Is this the Devil's Punchbowl near Schofield Pass?
No. This listing concerns the Aspen and Independence Pass corridor destination. Check the full location name when planning a route.
Is swimming permission verified?
No current official swimming permission was established by this review. A historical jumping description is not authorization or safety guidance.
Does an open highway confirm parking and water access?
No. Check road status and confirm the exact permitted approach separately.
Do all saved photos show this gorge?
No. Candidates with unresolved destination identity were withheld; three visually consistent gorge views were selected.
Highlights
Rounded rock gorge
Roaring Fork corridor scenery
Aspen versus Schofield identity guidance
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Keep away from wet rock edges and turbulent channels
- Turn back if the route would require an uncertain scramble or entry into fast water
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
A wild retreat that showcases the enduring beauty of Colorado’s wilderness, contrasting the luxury of nearby Aspen and Glenwood Springs.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Three reviewed photos show rounded gorge rocks, a cascade and a closer water channel. Several contrasting mountain-gorge candidates were withheld because their destination identity was unresolved. No selected image verifies water depth, a usable exit or permission at the camera position.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Stay on permitted routes, avoid disturbing stream banks, leave rock surfaces unmarked and carry out rubbish.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Choose daylight and suitable weather, and verify the road and permitted approach before departure.
Difficulty Level
The exact authorized approach has not been independently verified. No accessible water entrance established.
Fee
Parking charges and permitted parking at the exact approach were not established. Confirm before departure.
Facilities
A photograph of the nearby Grottos Day Use Area sign was withheld because it does not establish this listing's entrance or services.
Activities
Permitted gorge scenery and photography from an authorized viewpoint; swimming unverified
Phone
Not verified for this specific water-access point.
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
No overnight permission verified at this point. Reserve an authorized campsite separately.
Loading weather data…
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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