It’s Hard To Get More Colorado Than This Great Aspen, Colorado Park

Henry John Deutschendorf, better known as John Denver, adopted the state of Colorado as his own when he moved to Aspen in 1971. His five-acre Starwood estate would be his home until he died in 1997.

The state officially returned the favor in 2007 when the Colorado state legislature adopted Denver's iconic song "Rocky Mountain High" as a second state song. Today, a special memorial pays tribute to the pop star in one of the most 'Colorado' ways possible.

Rio Grande Park in Aspen, Colorado

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When you arrive at Rio Grande Park, simply walk towards the Roaring Fork River, and you will find the entrance to the Sanctuary. As of 2025, there is no charge to visit the John Denver Sanctuary in Aspen. John's song garden and reflecting place along the Roaring Fork River is open from dawn to dusk daily, the same hours as the park itself.

The John Denver Sanctuary

I've included a few clips of the gardens around the sanctuary in the video above. I enjoyed loading up a best of John Denver playlist, putting on some earbuds, and walking the grounds and reading the tablets. There is a tablet down on the bank of the Roaring Fork River with the words to Rocky Mountain High. More than once, I had the feeling John Denver was still close by to this place. Listen to the song here.

After his passing, John's ashes were scattered over the Maroon Creek Valley southwest of Aspen.

The Trick To An Easy Visit & Parking

You'll need to navigate through a roundabout and then a couple of turns to make your way to Rio Grande Park in Aspen. On a busy day, this can be tricky, and public parking is not guaranteed when you get there. My summer visits to Aspen have been far easier when I go on a Sunday morning.

What about parking? Well, the Rio Grande Parking Plaza is located directly across Rio Grande Place from the Park. Parking is free in the garage on Sundays unless otherwise specified. You can easily park for free and spend as much time as you like in the sanctuary. It's a must-see for fans and Coloradans alike.

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