Off The Grid/Remote Property Statistics
| Average Price | $6.2M |
|---|---|
| Lowest Price | $22.5K |
| Highest Price | $300M |
| Total Listings | 409 |
| Avg. Price/SQFT | $4.4K |
Property Types (active listings)
Search Off The Grid and Remote Properties
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Off The Grid Properties Highlights
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01Peace and tranquility in one of the most luxurious regions in the country
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02Access to cities and other communities, including Glenwood Springs and Aspen
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03A mixture of architectural styles, from traditional ranches to contemporary estates
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04Unparalleled opportunities for outdoor recreation within gorgeous Colorado scenery
Off the Grid Properties At A Glance
Most people who consider visiting or moving to Aspen love the downtown scene, but not everybody wants to live amid the hustle and bustle—especially during tourist season. Those looking for some peace and solitude are in luck, as the Roaring Fork Valley is more expansive than most people think. Just within the Aspen area, the real estate market includes ranches, estates, equestrian centers, rustic cabins, and everything in between, all hidden deep in the hills. These properties range from just 10 minutes to over an hour from the downtown core.
The advantages of remote living in the Roaring Fork Valley cannot be overstated. Beyond the desirable peace and privacy, these homes offer exceptional scenic views (of Mount Sopris, Capital Peak, and the Elk Mountain) to the redstone hills of the Fryingpan River Valley. Plus, residents are able to travel to Aspen’s downtown area easily.
Aspen Off The Grid Properties For Sale
There are innumerable off the grid properties tucked away in the hills of the Roaring Fork Valley and its tributary valleys, all within an hour’s drive of Aspen. Some of the largest and most well-known communities include the following:
Castle Creek Road (Highland Ranch): Castle Creek Road. is one of the ultimate remote communities around Aspen—even though some properties are just 8 minutes from downtown by car.
Scores of rural estates are tucked into the forest alongside Castle Creek Road. These properties are private estates situated on large lots, usually more than an acre in size. One of the area's crown jewels is the 83-acre Highland Ranch, which sold in 2020 for $15,000,000.
Old Snowmass: Old Snowmass is an unincorporated town that features ranchland, estates, and artist retreats. Notably, it is also home to the Benedictine Monastery, which is located on the largest and most valuable property in the Roaring Fork Valley.
The 3,739-acre ranch was purchased by Benedictine Monks in the 1950s. Since then, they’ve managed the cattle ranch and tended to their monastic duties. However, in 2023, the monastery announced its closure, and the property listed at $150 million. Those priced out by the St. Benedict’s Monastery still have a number of off the grid properties for sale to choose from.
Basalt: Basalt is known for its charming downtown, as well as being the place for locals to do their grocery shopping. The town also has numerous off the grid and remote properties. Frying Pan Road is a prime example, with large, private estates scattered along the Fryingpan River.
On the opposite side of Highway 82, West Sopris Creek Road has become a hotspot for those looking to escape. Listings include estate homes and working ranches, as well as plenty of undeveloped lots for sale for those looking to build a custom home. The trailhead to climb Mount Sopris sits at the end of the road.
Crystal River Valley: Located south of Carbondale, the Crystal River is a bastion of farm and ranching culture that once dominated the Roaring Fork Valley. It’s also been the site of much luxury estate development, with buyers drawn by the natural beauty, milder climate, and views of Mount Sopris.
The valley now includes cattle ranches, hay fields, mountain homes, and riverfront estates. The Crystal Valley Trail runs along the river and is open to cyclists and pedestrians. The River Valley Ranch golf course, one of the best in the Aspen area, has also increased demand for Crystal River real estate.
Things to Consider with Remote Aspen Properties
Naturally, there are many factors to consider when buying a remote Aspen property, but here are a couple of important ones specific to Aspen.
Many Aspen properties are sold with conservation easements. Conditions vary, but it generally means that buyers cannot build on certain parts of the property. Oftentimes, landowners take a loss when they sell their property with an easement but are willing to accept that in the name of conservation.
As idyllic as life can be in an off the grid Aspen property, things can also get real, especially in the winter. Depending on where a property is located, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that homeowners could be trapped at home or unable to access their property by vehicle, even with 4-wheel drive. That might sound like a dream to some prospective buyers, but it's a big no-no for others.
The Aspen Remote Lifestyle
Part of the appeal of an off the grid/remote property is spending time out in nature. Although homeowners might be further away from the luxury shopping and fine dining of Aspen, there are still location benefits—particularly being in the midst of some of the world’s most beautiful wilderness.
Hiking, Horseback Riding, And Cycling
Setting forth into the mountains on foot is what Aspen is all about in the summer. Fortunately, there is plenty of room to spread out. Those who live in a remote Aspen community will likely be next door to some great hiking trails that are less accessible to those living downtown. For example, Old Snowmass is a stone’s throw from the Maroon Snowmass Trailhead and the Capital Creek Trailhead, both gateways to the Maroon-Bells Snowmass Wilderness.
For fit cyclists, it’s hard to beat the Roaring Fork Valley, and living off the grid in Aspen will put you in a prime place to step out the door and start pedaling.
Highway 133 from Carbondale to Redstone is a 60-mile out-and-back classic, following the Crystal River Valley and some of Colorado's best remote real estate. Frying Pan Road, which follows the Fryingpan River, is another 64-mile classic known for always having a headwind, both on the way in and the way out. And no, that’s not a typo; for reasons unclear, the road is two words and the river is just one.
Similarly, Castle Creek Road is a launchpad for the celebrated Conundrum Hot Springs. This is one of the world’s great backcountry-soaking paradises. It’s also home to the American Lakes Trailhead and the Ashcroft ghost town.
Horses helped build Aspen and remain an essential fixture in the greater Roaring Fork community. The valley is peppered with equestrian estates, and because horseback riding is permitted in wilderness zones, Aspen is home to a vast network of trails for horses and riders to explore.
For those who don’t have their own estate or have never ridden a horse, exploring is also possible with local outfitters like T-Lazy-7, Maroon Bells Guide and Outfitters, and Snowmass Creek Outfitters.
Fly Fishing And Cross-Country Skiing
Aspen’s version of meditation is the fine art of fly fishing. Anglers come from all over to fly fish for rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout in these clear, cold waters. The Roaring Fork River and its numerous tributaries, like the Crystal and Fryingpan Rivers, have some of the highest-quality trout fishing in the country. Not coincidentally, most remote Aspen properties are proximate to a stream or lake teeming with trout.
Living off the grid in Aspen likely means being a bit farther from the ski resorts in the winter. But that doesn’t mean that remote residents can’t strap boards onto their feet. The Roaring Fork Valley is filled with cross-country ski opportunities, such as the Castle Valley Nordic track featuring 21 miles of groomed trails.
Buying A Remote Property in Aspen
The market for remote properties in Aspen ranges from luxury estates to working farms to developable land. Navigating building codes and conservation easements will require a true expert's help and guidance. Of all Aspen real estate agents, none has a better track record for success than Ryan Schwartz. For more information regarding Aspen homes for sale and Aspen real estate trends, or to list your home with a premier Aspen real estate agent, contact Ryan Schwartz today via phone or email.
