Carbondale is a small town in Garfield County in Colorado. It sits in central Colorado. It is 30 miles from Aspen and 170 miles west of Denver. It offers outdoor adventure in every season.
Carbondale sits at 6181 feet. Summers are pleasant. Winters are cold but moderate. The town has a lively local community. This guide covers the best things to do in Carbondale in every season.
Carbondale Year-round Activities
Marble Distilling
Marble Distilling runs a working distillery in Carbondale. It also offers hotel rooms. The site has a relaxed social scene. You may find live music. You may also find comedy and trivia nights. Check current listings before you visit.
Penny Hot Springs
Penny Hot Springs sits south of Carbondale on the banks of the Crystal River. Look for the parking area on the east side of Highway 133 near mile marker 55. The springs sit in a granite section of the canyon called The Narrows.
Dan Penny once ran a small hotel on the railroad line upstream of Avalanche Creek. The springs carry his name. Spring runoff can flood the pools. Summer and fall and winter are often better times to visit. Check current conditions before you go.
Carbondale Creative Districts
Carbondale has a strong creative community. Artists and makers work across the town. The Carbondale Creative District brings much of that work together. The Carbondale Council for Arts and Humanities supports the district.
Visit the Third Street Center. It hosts art galleries. It also hosts dance and performing arts. The Carbondale Mountain Fair takes place in July. It is a popular summer event in town.
Carbondale Local Breweries
Carbondale breweries offer a wide range of beers. They reflect a friendly local scene. Carbondale Beer Works sits in downtown Carbondale. It is a good place to start a tasting walk.
Roaring Fork River Fishing
The Roaring Fork River flows through the valley. It offers fishing in varied water. The river changes in size and character along its course. Check local fishing rules and river conditions before you cast.
Carbondale Historical Society
The Carbondale Historical Society and Museum records and preserves local history. It offers a short self guided walking tour. The tour is a good way to learn about the town past. Check opening times before you visit.
Carbondale Summer Activities
West Elk Loop Scenic Byway
The West Elk Loop is a scenic drive. One end sits near Mount Sopris. The other end reaches the Black Canyon of the Gunnison. Ute people lived in this area for many generations. Later settlers built farms and ranches here.
Towns on the route include Carbondale and Hotchkiss and Crawford and Gunnison and Crested Butte. The route gives a taste of Colorado history and scenery. It also gives access to national forests and parks. Read our Black Canyon of the Gunnison guide before you plan that part of the drive.
Carbondale Historic Coke Ovens
Redstone sits about 18 miles south of Carbondale on Highway 133. Mining shaped the town. Historic coke ovens stand on the west side of Highway 133. They once turned coal into coke for smelting.
Rafting Crystal River
The Roaring Fork River meets the Crystal River near Carbondale. Rafting trips run on both rivers. Calm sections suit families with young children. Those sections pass pastureland and bluffs with views of Mount Sopris. Choose a trip that matches your group and the river level.
Carbondale 14ers for Summit
Colorado has more than 50 peaks above 14000 feet. Carbondale is a good base for high peaks. The Elk Mountains include five 14ers. Mount Sopris rises to 12953 feet. It is not a 14er. It is still a major landmark. High routes need care and planning in every season.
Carbondale Hiking
Hiking near Carbondale suits many fitness levels. Trails offer views of Colorado scenery. You can stay near town for a short day hike. You can also head into higher country for a longer walk. Pick a trail that fits your time and fitness.
Carbondale Biking
Carbondale offers paved paths for biking. The paths suit fun rides. Mountain biking trails in the Roaring Fork Valley suit a wider challenge. Riders of many skill levels can find a route here.
Carbondale sits in the middle of the Roaring Fork Valley. Mountain riders can enjoy climbs and views. Trails include hand cut and machine built routes. Ride within your skill level and check trail conditions first.
Crystal Mills Falls
Crystal Mill is a historic watermill near Marble. The mill closed in 1917. It once supplied compressed air to nearby silver mines. It is now one of the most photographed sites in Colorado. The road from Marble is steep and rocky. Check road conditions before you drive it.
Carbondale Winter Activities
Carbondale Skiing
Skiing is a top winter activity near Carbondale. Aspen Snowmass offers four mountains. They are Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands and Snowmass and Buttermilk. Sunlight Mountain near Glenwood Springs is another option. Read our Glenwood Springs guide before you plan a ski trip there.
Cross-Country Skiing
Cross country skiing routes run in the Roaring Fork Valley and at Spring Gulch. Snow conditions shape the season. Groomed Nordic tracks appear when conditions allow. Check local trail reports before you set out.
Downtown Carbondale and Local Food
Downtown Carbondale is easy to explore on foot. Local shops and galleries sit close together. Breweries and places to eat give the town a relaxed feel. Allow time to browse between outdoor trips.
Day Trips from Carbondale
Glenwood Springs makes an easy day trip from Carbondale. Hot springs and river activities sit at its centre. Aspen also works as a day trip for skiing and arts. Check travel options before you set out.
Carbondale suits a slow trip and an active trip. You can hike and fish and raft in summer. You can ski and soak in winter. Plan around river levels and snow conditions. You will leave with a clear sense of this small Colorado town.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Carbondale in Colorado?
Carbondale sits in Garfield County in central Colorado. It is 30 miles from Aspen and 170 miles west of Denver. It sits at the base of Mount Sopris near the Crystal and Roaring Fork rivers.
Is Carbondale worth visiting?
Yes for a quiet base with outdoor trips and local arts and food. You can hike and fish and raft in summer. You can ski and soak in hot springs in winter. Downtown stays easy to explore on foot.
What is there to do in Carbondale in winter?
Ski near Aspen Snowmass or Sunlight Mountain. Try cross country skiing in the Roaring Fork Valley. Soak at Penny Hot Springs when conditions allow. Check snow and road reports before you set out.
When is the best time to visit Carbondale?
Summer suits hiking and rafting and biking. Winter suits skiing and cross country skiing. Spring runoff can flood Penny Hot Springs. Check river and snow conditions before you travel.
How do I find Penny Hot Springs?
Drive south from Carbondale on Highway 133. Look for the parking area on the east side near mile marker 55. The pools sit on the west bank of the Crystal River. Check current conditions before you go.
Is Carbondale a good base for Aspen?
Yes for a quieter stay near Aspen. Aspen sits 30 miles away. Aspen Snowmass offers four mountains for skiing. Carbondale also gives easy access to Glenwood Springs and the Roaring Fork Valley.
