ACES Wilderness Retreat at Toklat
The ACES Wilderness Residency at Toklat is designed to advance and share the work of one individual at a time who is working at the intersection of environmental challenges and artistic expression, offering them unencumbered time to think, work, and create in an inspirational setting. These four-week residencies are situated at 9,500 feet in the historic Castle Creek Valley at the Catto Center at Toklat.
Toklat has a rich history built upon rustic simplicity and self-reliance. While the area offers many amenities, the Toklat Residency is best suited for individuals whose efforts will thrive in the relative quiet and isolation of the place.
Toklat is located 12 miles upstream of Aspen, Colorado near the end of Castle Creek Road. The road is paved and well maintained. Access to the area is frequently serviced by county snow plows, however a vehicle with 4wd/awd and winter tires is imperative from Oct thru April. Please note, the valley is typically draped in snow from October through April and it can snow any month of the year at Toklat.
Toklat is relatively isolated at an elevation of 9,500 feet and is adjacent to the Ashcroft Ghost Town It is nestled amidst thousands of acres of National Forest and Wilderness offering ample opportunities for hiking, nordic skiing, and snowshoeing. Additionally, it is a frequent destination for backcountry skiers and cyclists. The area is also home to Ashcroft Ski Touring, Pine Creek Cookhouse, and the Braun Hut System.
100 Puppy Smith Street
Aspen, CO 81611
United States
Residency Program Information
Residency Program Summary
Application Information
Ideal Candidates:
- Must demonstrate excellence in their field.
- Reflect diverse areas of expertise, cultural identity, or lived experience.
- Have projects that highlight – and inspire solutions to – environmental challenges.
- Are willing to engage and share their expertise/passion/work with ACES/Toklat community formally or informally.
Residencies are intended to be working retreats. Spouses/partners, guests, and pets are not permitted to stay with the Resident.
Residents are responsible for:
- Providing and preparing their own food.
- Providing their own transportation to and from Toklat for the duration of their stay. Support may be provided by an ACES Ambassador, including Staff, Board of Directors, or Volunteers on a limited basis when available.
- Any supplies they may need during their residency.
Residents will be expected to dedicate the majority of their time to their project.
Residents are encouraged to engage, formally and informally, with our staff community, program participants, and the public to a comfortable degree.
Upon awarding a residency opportunity, ACES will provide a contract agreement that details the expectations of the Resident and of ACES.
Accessibility
Residents are given lodging in Jessica’s Cabin, our 400 sq/ft Residency Cabin, constructed in 2024. The cabin is comfortably heated with a radiant wood floor. The cabin includes a twin-size trundle daybed, dresser, desk, table, a reading chair and bathroom (no shower). The cabin is ADA compliant and is located up a winding pathway above the main facility and adjacent to the caretaker’s residence.
Housing & Accomodation
Residents are given lodging in Jessica’s Cabin, our 400 sq/ft Residency Cabin, constructed in 2024. The cabin is comfortably heated with a radiant wood floor. The cabin includes a twin-size trundle daybed, dresser, desk, table, a reading chair and bathroom (no shower). The cabin is ADA compliant and is located up a winding pathway above the main facility and adjacent to the caretaker’s residence.
Residents are provided an efficiency kitchenette in their cabin for basic food preparation. This includes: minifridge, microwave, double-burner hot plate, toaster oven, coffee maker, sink, and basic cooking and eating utensils.
Residents will have access to laundry facilities in the staff’s quarters, showers in the main facility, and our Chef’s Kitchen is available when not in use by ACES programming priorities. The Chef’s Kitchen includes a walk-in fridge, chest freezer, induction hot plates, chef’s oven, and commercial dishwasher. The Chef’s Kitchen is a place where participants will frequently engage with other Toklat staff.
Residents are welcome to engage with the main facility and the property. The main facility includes the Toklat Land Library, reading room, sun room, gallery art, potbelly stove, fireplace, garage and large screen projector. Outside amenities on the property include picnic tables, several decks, covered terrace, fire circle, little pond, wood-fired grill, and small creek.
Please note, all access and use outside of the Residency cabin is dependent upon ACES site calendar, program needs, and public hours – all of which may vary by day, week, and month.