Summer programs coming to Aspen Center for Environmental Studies

The Aspen Center for Environmental Studies has rolled out a comprehensive lineup of summer programming designed to engage community members of all ages with nature, art, science, and wellness. 

This year’s schedule includes guided hikes, creative workshops, family classes, farm tours, birding outings, and wellness experiences. 

The Catto Center at Toklat will host a community celebration on July 11, welcoming visitors to its wilderness setting with programming that reflects its legacy as both a creative retreat and environmental gathering place.

Creative workshops

The season begins with a two-day mushroom workshop led by mycologist Dr. Andrew Wilson on July 31 and Aug. 1. Participants will explore mountain meadows and forests while learning how to identify and understand the ecological role of fungi.

On July 23, birder Ted Floyd will guide participants through the Frying Pan River Valley during a one-day workshop focused on bird identification and field craft. Earlier in the month, on July 14, a guided walk atop Independence Pass will introduce visitors to the flowers, birds, and small mammals of the alpine tundra.

Nature journaling and watercolor classes also return this season. Artist Missy Prudden will lead an immersive two-day workshop in mid-August, while Amy Beidleman will teach plein air painting on June 25 and July 30. For a more physically active experience, artist and long-distance hiker Nika Meyers will guide participants on a watercolor hike through the Castle Creek Valley on July 13.

Wellness offerings

Mind-body programs continue at Hallam Lake and Toklat with weekly sound bath and forest bathing walks led by Megan DiSabatino. These evening experiences combine natural immersion with restorative sound.

Throughout the summer, ACES will host weekly Wild Yoga sessions on Tuesday evenings, blending asana, philosophy, and guided reflection in a scenic outdoor setting. A bilingual version, Yoga Salvaje, will be held on select evenings at Rock Bottom Ranch, welcoming both Spanish- and English-speaking participants.

Community and family programs

At Hallam Lake, Bird of Prey Demonstrations will take place Monday through Saturday throughout the summer, offering insight into the lives of raptors and their ecological importance. Additional nature-based learning is available during Know Your Trees walks, which focus on identifying local conifer and deciduous species.

A new program for 2025, the Nature Explorers Family Class, provides young children and their caregivers with an opportunity to engage in nature discovery together. For evening outings, Sunset Beaver Walks allow families to observe the resident beaver population and other wildlife at dusk.

Rock Bottom Ranch experiences

Rock Bottom Ranch offers rotating educational experiences for all ages. From June through Sept, visitors can collect eggs from the resident hens, take guided hayride farm tours, and get hands-on with regenerative agriculture during Volunteer Saturdays. The ranch is also open for self-guided tours during business hours, with a farm store offering eggs, produce, and meats mid-week and on Saturdays.

Guided hikes

Free, naturalist-led hikes begin June 15 and continue daily through early September. At Aspen Mountain, tours depart hourly from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. from the top of the gondola. In Snowmass, visitors can participate in the Wildflower Walk at 10 a.m. or the Ice Age Discovery Hike at 1 p.m., which includes details about the fossil dig site.

At the Maroon Bells, two daily options are available: the Maroon Lake Walk, a gentle one-mile hike with panoramic views, and the Crater Lake Hike, a more strenuous two-mile route with an elevation gain of 500 feet.

Birding programs

ACES continues to offer its popular birding excursions throughout the summer. Led by Rebecca Weiss and guest instructors, these outings rotate among Hallam Lake, Rock Bottom Ranch, and other local habitats. Morning Birding sessions take place each Tuesday and include both beginner-friendly outings and more focused programs such as Birding by Habitat, Evening Birding, and Mindful Birding. Members are also invited to join the ACES Bird Club for year-round learning and community engagement.

Private Ashcroft tours

For those seeking a more personalized adventure, ACES offers private guided tours of the historic ghost town of Ashcroft and the surrounding Castle Creek Valley. These 3.5-mile hikes include sweeping wildflower views and an optional gourmet lunch at the Pine Creek Cookhouse.

Limited availability remains for select summer camps and backpacking trips. While many activities require advance registration, self-guided visits and free hikes are open on a first-come, first-served basis. 

A full schedule and registration details are available through ACES.