McLain Flats
McLain Flats is a prestigious and expansive residential area located west of downtown Aspen and north of the Roaring Fork River and Rio Grande Trail. Once a hub of ranches and farmland, the area now offers a blend of horse properties and single-family homes, seamlessly integrated among pastures and rolling hills. McLain Flats boasts breathtaking south-facing views of all four Aspen Snowmass ski areas and the Elk Mountain Range, with ample open space to take in the scenery. The area is comprised of several subdivisions, including White Star Ranch, Star Mesa, White Horse Springs, W/J, and Starwood—the latter being Aspen’s only gated community.
Lifestyle
McLain Flats offers a relaxed, private lifestyle just eight to ten minutes from downtown Aspen. Residents enjoy vast acreage, expansive views, and a rural, ranch-like atmosphere while still being minutes away from town via Cemetery Lane. Equine enthusiasts will feel right at home, as many properties are equipped for horse stabling, and those that aren’t have easy access to nearby barns. Horseback riding trails, with access to the Rio Grande Trail below McLain Flats, are another notable feature for many properties in the area.
Activities
McLain Flats offers plenty of outdoor activities. The Roaring Fork River provides world-class trout fishing year-round, while the Rio Grande Trail offers a scenic route for biking, trail running, and horseback riding, stretching from Aspen to Glenwood Springs. In winter, the trail is popular among cross-country skiing enthusiasts. Locals also frequent the Sunnyside trail, a hiking and mountain biking route that begins on the east side of Red Mountain at Four Corners and extends all the way to McLain Flats, offering stunning views of downtown Aspen, the Elk Mountain Range, and spectacular fall foliage.
Dining
Although Aspen’s renowned dining scene is just ten minutes away, McLain Flats residents enjoy several notable restaurants even closer. The first is Plato’s at the Aspen Meadows Resort, accessible via the Rio Grande Trail. Open to the public, this restaurant offers locally sourced, sustainable dishes from Chef de Cuisine Rachel Kappelman. Another local favorite is the world-famous Woody Creek Tavern, located just minutes down W/J Hill in Woody Creek. Frequented by the likes of Hunter S. Thompson, Kurt Russell, Goldie Hawn, and Glenn Frey, the tavern is an iconic slice of Aspen history that transports visitors back to the 1970s and '80s. Finally, whether you exit McLain Flats from the east or west, you’re only five minutes from the Airport Business Center, home to Mawa’s Kitchen. Since making her mark on Aspen’s dining scene in 2006, Mawa has been serving up artisanal, French-inspired cuisine, making it a go-to spot for pre-ski breakfasts and delicious lunches.