Aspen ghost tour: Murder & Mayhem since 1879
Walk Aspen's shadowed streets and hear the stories the town keeps quiet
Aspen's DarkSide Ghost Tour is a guided walking tour through historic downtown Aspen that traces the town's violent past—murders, mining disasters and the displacement of indigenous people—from 1879 to the present day. The tour meets at the Wheeler Opera House on the brick pedestrian mall and follows sidewalks and walking paths through the city center. A live English-speaking guide leads the full route, which takes about an hour and operates in all weather.
1h
Step-by-step itinerary
Evening historic ghost tour in Aspen
- Meet across from Wheeler Opera House
- Stroll through historic downtown Aspen
- View Smuggler Mountain and learn mining history
- View Aspen Mountain and learn local history
The Experience
The tour starts across from the Wheeler Opera House on Aspen's brick pedestrian walking mall and moves through downtown on sidewalks and pedestrian paths. Your guide walks you past the places where Aspen's worst moments happened—the murders, the mining accidents, the sudden reversals of fortune that shaped the town. You'll get views of Smuggler Mountain while hearing about its dark mining history, and views of Aspen Mountain while learning how the Roaring Fork Valley's indigenous people were removed after silver was discovered. The stories are real, documented events, not invented drama.
The route takes about an hour and stays on flat, accessible ground. The tour runs regardless of weather, so dress for whatever the evening brings. Because it's a walking tour on downtown streets, you move at a steady pace through the historic district—no vehicles, no stops to board anything, just the guide and the stories tied to the places you're standing in.
What’s included
Professional live guide in English; all taxes, fees and handling charges.
Operated by Dean's Aspen Tours
Is this one for you?The tour is a steady one-hour walk on flat downtown sidewalks, so it suits anyone comfortable with a moderate pace through the city center. If you want the stories without a long hike or elevation gain, this route keeps you in historic Aspen proper.
Traveler reviews
Top questions
What is Smuggler Mountain's connection to Aspen's history?
Smuggler Mountain has a dark, dangerous mining history that the guide covers during the tour, including views of the mountain from the walking route through downtown.
Where exactly does the Aspen ghost tour meet?
The tour meets and leaves from across the corner of the Wheeler Opera House on the brick pedestrian walking mall in historic downtown Aspen.
How long is the ghost tour?
The tour lasts about an hour and follows pedestrian paths and sidewalks through historic downtown.
Does the tour run if the weather is bad?
Yes, the tour operates in all weather conditions, so bring clothing appropriate for rain, cold or wind.
What stories does the guide tell on this tour?
The guide uncovers true tales of Aspen's ghosts, murders and mayhem from 1879 to today, including the town's mining disasters and the removal of indigenous people after silver discoveries.
Is the ghost tour accessible for people with mobility challenges?
Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible; all areas and surfaces along the route are accessible, and the walking paths are on sidewalks and pedestrian malls in downtown Aspen.
