Leadville Colorado, How to spend a Four day weekend

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Looking to check out a hidden Colorado area that has lots of cool outdoor recreation and history? Although places like Rocky Mountain National Park, Aspen, Crested Butte, and Telluride are amazing, it’s always nice to visit somewhere new that still has a lot of cool activities to offer. Less than two hours from Denver is Leadville Colorado a small mountain town with a community feel that has local restaurants, surrounding mountain views, and plenty of outdoor recreation. Leadville Colorado considered the highest incorporated city in North America, stands at 10,158 feet.

Once a bustling mining town, today you can still see lot’s of mining history as you explore the area. In this post I’ll be going over where to stay, where to adventure, and places to eat in your four days in Leadville Colorado. Alright lets doo thissss

Where is Leadville

Pretty close to central Colorado, Leadville sits at 10,158 (highest incorporated city in North America) and is in between Breckenridge and Buena Vista. If you’re coming from Denver or Summit County, you’ll take highway 91 past Copper Mountain and over Fremont Pass. The drive is pretty scenic and make sure to be careful when driving at night as there are a lot of deer. I listed times and distances from major areas. If your driving from Vail you can also go through Minturn to get there.

Denver- 2 hours/101 miles

Breckenridge-50 min/39.5 miles

Vail- 47 min/43 miles

Where to Stay

There are some awesome campgrounds close to the downtown area and also right on Turquoise Lake. Make sure to make reservations ahead of time (months in advance) for spots right on the lake. You can go to recreation.gov to make a reservation. I stayed at the Molly Brown site, and it had everything you needed for camping; a firepit, picnic table, and bathrooms.

If camping isn’t you’re thing, there’s also lodging options within walking distance to downtown. I stayed in a Tiny Home that I booked through VRBO as rates were pretty inexpensive and the units themselves are modern on the inside and a walkable distance to town. They come equipped with all the essentials you would need for a four day trip here.

Leadville also has larger lodging options too, if you have a bigger group, or just want something bigger then a Tiny Home. The Delaware Hotel, right on Main Street has been around since the 1800’s! With units that sleep 3 people all the way up to 9 people.

When is the best time visit

Early June through early October is the best time to visit Leadville. If you do visit in the winter there is Ski Cooper nearby as well as snowshoeing, cross country skiing, and snowmobiling.

What should we pack

Rain Jacket- Rain is common in the mountains, especially in the afternoon. I like Burton Rain jackets because they keep me dry and Burton also has cool designs.

Hiking Footwear- If you plan on doing any of the hikes I listed below you’ll want to have really good hiking footwear.

Bug Spray- You’ll need this, especially around Turquoise Lake

Lightweight Puffy Jacket- Temps drop at night at high elevations! If you want a jacket that is packable and doesn’t take up space. Any lightweight down jacket will work great.

Sunscreen- The sun at high altitudes is more damaging to your skin, make sure to always pack this!

Leadville Colorado Day 1 Itinerary

Walk around downtown

Once you’ve checked in to your accommodations, I recommend walking around the downtown area. Downtown Leadville is pretty unique and there is a historic feel as you venture through town.

Grab Dinner at High Mountain Pies

Once you’ve checked out the town a little, head over to the my favorite pizza shop in the mountains, High Mountain Pies. They have a killer back patio in the summer, with live music too on certain nights. The Pizza is incredible, so expect at least a 45 minute wait during busier nights.

Sunset at Turquoise Lake

Located just 15 minutes outside of town, this lake got its name from past turquoise mine deposits. The lake itself has a trail that is 13 miles around the entire lake with different entry points. I liked the entry point near the Molly Brown Campground. Right before you enter the campground there’s a parking lot on the left for the Nature Walk Hiking Trail. This trail will take you right to the lake with some pretty awesome views of Wildcat Mountain, Lyle Benchmark Peak, and Galena Mountain!

The beached areas are great for exploring around or just grabbing a blanket to watch the sunset. During the day the lake is also home for activities such as fishing, boating, kayaking, and Stand UP Paddle boarding. Make sure to pack bug spray if you catch a sunset at the Lake!

Leadville Colorado Day 2 Itinerary

Grab Coffee at City on a Hill

Located right on main street, Uphill has a variety of coffee and espresso options as well as some baked goods and breakfast items too. It has a cool ambience on the inside and you can expect the inside to fill up with coffee enthusiasts and working professionals throughout the morning and afternoon. They also have a location in Canon City Colorado.

Take a Mining Tour

There’s a few places in Leadville that you can do a tour of the Mining history in Leadville. The Matchless Mine is Located right in town and they offer self guided tours or guided tours. During the late 1800’s most of the Silver in the world came from Leadville as well as the Matchless Mine;

Originally discovered by a man named Horace Tabor, the Matchless Mine was producing 25 tons of Silver/Day with a profit of $1,000 dollars in the late 1800’s ($254,000 today) . You’ll take a tour of the mining area including the Matchless Mine itself as well as the home of Baby DOE, who was the mistress of Tabor.

Ride the Leadville Train

A great activity for families or couples, the Leadville train runs year round. In the summer they offer am and pm times (mid June-Mid August), with times being more limited into the fall and winter. The train will take you through Prospect Mountain with views of the Sawatch Mountain Range including 14ers Mt Elbert and Mt Massive. They offer indoor and outdoor general seating as well as your own private lounge car if you want to pay more. The ride in total is about 2-2.5 hours with concessions on board too.

Grab Dinner at Treeline

Open Wednesday through Sunday from 3:30-9, Treeline is locally owned and has been around since 2017. They offer a wide variety of starters and entrees with local Colorado ingredients as well as a full cocktail, beer, and wine menu. You can make a reservation ahead of time for outside or inside dining and make sure to check out the rooftop patio that overlooks downtown Leadville.

Leadville Day 3 Itinerary

Hike the Timberlake Trail

Close to ten Miles west of Leadville, just past Turquoise Lake, this trail is awesome to hike early in the morning before people fill up the small parking lot at the base of the trailhead. I would pack sandals with you as there is a point in the trail where you have to cross a creek and your hiking boots will get wet. You’ll start the hike off by walking through the Holy Cross wilderness and about halfway to the lake it will open up and you’ll have some awesome views of Galena mountain on your right.

Once you get to the top, either find a place to hang out and relax or you can walk around part of the lake. You’re also allowed to fish at the top, just make sure to have a registered Colorado fishing license. Overall the hike is pretty moderate and doesn’t take very long, which is what I liked about it. Below I listed some trail details.

• 4.3 Miles out and back

• 869 Feet of elevation gain

• Dogs allowed, but on leash

• Best time to hike it is June-October

• Takes about 2.5 hours to complete

Grab coffee at Zero Day

Originally started by two backpacking enthusiasts who met on the Colorado Trail, the name is derived from the term Zero day, which means a rest day if someone is backpacking a trail. The two eventually decided to buy the coffee shop and provide a place for locals to hang out in. It’s honestly a perfect spot to post up and get some work done if you need to. They also sell a small amount of outdoor gear in the shop which is pretty cool.

Along with coffee there are also baked goods and breakfast burritos. Friday-Sunday the bar is open with beer and wine options from 5-9. The shop has a cool local vibe and I would def recommend checking it out if your in Leadville.

Check out the shops downtown

Like many Colorado mountain towns, Leadville has a number of cool shops to check out. One being Melanzana, a local outdoor clothing brand that is made and started in Leadville Colorado. In order to shop here, you must schedule and appointment months in advance! Although, you are still allowed to walk around and check out what they have to offer, including the factory process of how their stuff is made.

Also make sure to check out local small businesses Galena and Elevation goods. Galena is a local outdoor clothing company and Elevation goods will have locally made home goods (soaps, candles, blankets) as well as Colorado Mountain Apparel. If your looking for an outdoor gear specific store, go to Leadville Outdoors and Mountain Market. They’ll have packs, camping gear, backpacking gear, footwear, and outdoor clothing.

Lunch at Golden Burrow

A staple in downtown Leadville, The Golden Burrow has a classic diner look on the inside with diner items that are all plant based. The restaurant was purchased in 2020 by locals Marcee and Dan who renovated the inside but kept the same old school feel. Their goal is to make a better planet by providing opportunities for their employees as well as cutting out meat consumption. The food is honestly great and the service is awesome. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner depending on the time of year, just make sure to check the hours ahead of time before you show up!

Hike Mayflower Gulch in the evening for Sunset

This is one of my favorite hikes I’ve done in Colorado because it isn’t too hard, yet takes you to some amazing historical cabins with surrounding mountain views in all directions. Because this is a popular hike, if you go in evening, there will be a lot less people on the trail. Pack some snacks, bring a headlamp, and enjoy the trail.

This trail will be off of highway 91, about 20 minutes from downtown Leadville with a pretty decent size parking lot. The trail starts off with a slight incline through the woods and then ends up at the old mining area. Straight ahead is the Iconic Fletcher Mountain and if you turn around, you’ll be able to see Tucker Mountain and Jacque Peak.

The best part about this hike are the old mining cabins as you get above tree line. This is my favorite area to walk around and catch golden hour. I listed some trail stats below.

Trail Stats

Route Type: Out and Back

Elevation Gain: 1,548 Feet

Length: 6.1 Miles

Dogs Ok

Time: About 3.5 Hours

Best time to hike: Year round however in the winter you’ll need snowshoes and understand that you can’t snowshoe past the cabins without proper avalanche knowledge and gear!

Leadville Day 4 Itinerary

Fly fishing

Start your morning off with Colorado Fly Fishing Guides, whose shop is located right in downtown Leadville. You’ll get set up with waders, boots, and a reel/pole for the day. The guides are very knowledgable and down to earth. You’ll go out with a guide and they’ll be able give you plenty of pointers to catch fish on the river.

They offer 2 hour, half day, and full day sessions. I went with half day as it is a good amount of time to get a feel for fly fishing. If you’re a complete beginner they will give you a casting lesson at a local pond spot. A good way to understand the basic fundamentals of fly fishing!

Once you do a casting lesson, the guide will take you to a river spot in the Leadville area and you’ll wade through the river, casting and searching for fish. It’s a pretty fun experience catching fish with mountain backdrops.

Lunch at Buchi Cafe

After fly fishing grab lunch in downtown Leadville at Buchi Cafe. Open until 3 pm their menu is inspired by Cuban Cafes. Enjoy the outside patio in the summer or grab a window seat at the High Top table inside. Another recommended lunch spot in town is Tennessee Pass Cafe.

Check out the Mining Museum

For $15 you can check out Leadville’s Mining history as well as the history behind mining in the surrounding area. They have exhibits on the tools used, minerals, old mining towns, and the overall history of Mining in Colorado and out west. Sometimes you get rain in the mountains and this is a cool activity to do indoors.

Walk the Mineral Belt Trail

An easy walkable path around the town of Leadville as well as some old mining spots, this is a path that can be walked, ran, or biked on. It’s about 12 miles total on a paved path, but I parked my car just past the Matchless Mine on the right and started walking at Mile marker number 2. You don’t even have to go the whole way. It’s nice to just walk two or three miles in the evening. Mount Massive, Elbert, and Prospect Mountain will all be in the background as you walk the path mixed with old mining structures.

Grab a drink at Two Mile Brewery

End your trip at Leadvilles only Brewery, Two Mile. It has a local hangout feel and they also have small menu if your hungry for classic bar food. With the nights being longer in the summer it’s nice to grab a seat outside and have a cold one at high altitude.

Other Activities in Leadville Colorado

Monarch Mine

This was probably one of my favorite things to check out in Leadville. Monarch Mine is just outside of the downtown area surrounded by other old mines. The road can be a little rocky and steep so I would recommend having AWD. It took me about 30 minutes, but I’m a slow driver lol. I recommend going in the evening when the light is golden a few hours before the sun sets.

Fish hatchery

Located on 3,072 acres, the fish hatchery ensures that Colorado has healthy trout populations! The hatchery is open Monday-Friday from 7am-3:30am. There are also hiking trails nearby along with areas to fish, hunt, and picnic if you chose to.

Bike the Mineral Belt Trail

Rent and E-bike or regular bike at one of the bike shops downtown and bike the Mineral Belt trail that I mentioned earlier. Bike shops in town include; Leadvelo Bicicasa, Cycles of Life, and E-Bike Leadville. I rented a bike at Leadvelo for 4 hours, which is about the time it took to Bike around the entire Mineral Belt trail with breaks in between.

Silver Dollar Saloon

Opening in 1879 a lot of the original building is still intact today. As you walk in, it’s like a walk through time with pictures and old memorabilia. Even if you don’t drink it’s worth checking out.

Hike Mt Elbert

If you’re ok with waking up at 4am and hiking the tallest Peak in Colorado, then this is for you. Depending on the route you take, Elbert can be a challenging hike but with very rewarding views thoughout. Just make sure to start early due to afternoon thunderstorms! For a complete guide check out the blog post I did on Mt. Elbert.

That’s it for a four day trip to Leadville and if you have any questions or info to add leave a comment below. It’s always cool to connect with other people looking to get outdoors! Looking for other Colorado trips? Check out Twin Lakes not too far from Leadville, for hiking, camping, hanging out at the lake, and kayaking.

Top 11 Best Things to do In Twin Lakes Colorado

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It’s no secret that Colorado has some of the best camping and outdoor recreation, with numerous places to explore all over the state. A favorite that is a great spot to spend a day or weekend is Twin Lakes! In between Leadville and Aspen, the actual town is pretty small to say the least with a few lodging options, one restaurant, a food cart, and a general store. You’ll probably even see backpackers rolling through town that have been hiking the Colorado Trail.

Even though there isn’t much of a town, Twin Lakes still has a lot to offer and is a fun place to spend a weekend or even just a day in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. In this post I’ll be going over how to get to Twin Lakes, where to stay, what to do, and things to know before visiting this unique spot. Alright lets goooo.

Where is Twin Lakes

Twin Lakes is a very small town between Leadville and Aspen in the beautiful state of Colorado . In the summer when Independence Pass is open, you’re likely to drive through it on your way to Aspen or to the top of Independence Pass. Below I’ve listed times and distances from major areas in Colorado.

Denver- 2 hours and 15 min/117.5 miles/189 km

Summit County- 1 hour and 15 min/55.5 miles/89 km

Leadville- 27 min/22 miles/35.5 km

Aspen- 1 hour and 15 min/39 miles/63 km

Vail- 1 hour and 8 min/60 miles/95.5 km

Best time to visit

Twin Lakes is more of a summer destination place, so the best months for outdoor recreation here would be late May to early October. Campgrounds stop taking reservations around Labor Day through the end of September, however there is still BLM (dispersed) campsites around the lake or close by. Weekends will as expected be busier and campgrounds fill up quickly. Make sure to book reservations months in advance.

What to Pack

1. Sunscreen- If you’re outside in Colorado, especially at a higher elevation it’s important to protect your skin. I like Sun Bum, based out of California, because it is none greasy.

2. Sunglasses- Again, the sun will be more intense at a higher elevation so it’s important to have these on a hike or on the lake. Dragon is a favorite brand of mine for shades. They even make sunglasses that float in the water in case they fall off your face.

3. Teva Sandals- If you’re spending time on the lake, a pair of Teva’s are clutch. These sandals are also nice when you are just hanging out at the campsite.

4. Hiking Footwear- Avoid tennis shoes when hiking trails. Anything with good traction and support is what you’ll need. I recommend Merrell because they have many different styles and their soles are Vibram. Also make sure to pack socks that are not Cotton! I highly recommend Smart Wool because they will keep your feet dry and comfortable all day.

5. Rain Jacket- If there is one thing you shouldn’t forget in Colorado, it’s a rain jacket. You’ll want something that not only is waterproof, but also breathable. If you want to go the extra mile buy a jacket with Gore-Tex. There’s a lot of great brands out there however I like Burton rain jackets because they are packable and keep me dry on the trail.

6. Lightweight warm Jacket- Weather in the mountains can change quickly no matter what the weather channel calls for. Always bring a warm jacket. Down jackets are great for hiking because they are packable, lightweight, yet still really warm. I recommend the Baker Down because it packs into it’s left pocket and is great for when you’re doing longer hikes.

7. Headlamp- If you are camping, this is needed. I personally like Black Diamond. They will sell these at any outdoor store.

What to know ahead of time

• Due to weather, it’s not always safe to get on the lake. Keep this in mind if you’re interested in renting a kayak, canoe, or stand up paddle board for the day.

• Campsites book quickly, especially weekends. Make sure to book months in advance. You can make a reservation for campsite on recreation.gov.

• If you’re not into camping, there is lodging in town, however this needs to be booked ahead of time as well because options are limited!

• Download AllTrails for reviews, interactive maps, and trail information to navigate trails more easily.

• If you need to get food or supplies, do this in Leadville as there is only one small general store in town.

• If you need firewood, Campgrounds and the Twin Lakes General store both sell firewood, however it is more expensive and on days where it is really windy, they might not sell it. Point being, purchase firewood ahead of time if possible.

• Which brings me to my next point. There are times where Colorado summers are extremely dry and with those conditions come fire bans. There’s a chance you might not be able to have a campfire depending on fire danger.

Summer Activities at or near Twin Lakes

1. Hike the Interlaken Trail- This trail is great if you’re looking to do something different from most other Colorado hiking trails. The trail is right on Twin Lakes and will take you to a Historic group of buildings and a home. The buildings were once a place for the wealthier class to vacation at in the late 1800’s. Purchased by Millionaire James Dexter who built the home and had hopes of turning the area into a destination resort, eventually passed away, and with it the resort.

The trail is a little over four and a half miles out and back with 213 feet of elevation gain, perfect for families or people looking for an easier hike. The best time to hike this trail is late spring (May) through Early Fall (October). To get to the parking lot I would recommend AWD or having a vehicle with good tires as the road is somewhat rocky. For more details on this hike, I wrote a detailed blog post that you can find here.

2. Rent a kayak, Canoe or Stand up Paddle board- If the weather is good, a pretty fun thing to do for the day is to rent a kayak, canoe or stand up paddleboard. In town there is Twin Lakes Canoe and Kayak Adventures (also known as Johnny Canoe). There is also a second location right on the lake that is walkable from the White Star Campground. There will be parking close to Johnny Canoe that is paid. If you have a campsite, parking will be free. Just leave your parking pass on the dash.

A life jacket will be provided and I recommend bringing a dry bag to pack your lunch, a jacket, car keys, or even a camera. Hang out on the lake or paddle through the channel to Interlaken. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour one way to Interlaken. Rentals are offered in 2 hour and 4 hour increments.

3. Take a Scenic Drive to the top of Independence Pass- 17 miles west of Twin Lakes is the top of the Continental Divide where Independence Pass is. The drive alone is incredible, especially in the evening! It’s a perfect place to catch a sunset. There are no guardrails and the road itself has a number of switchbacks, so make sure to be careful and drive slowly!

Once you get to the top you will be at 12,095 feet so make sure to bring warm clothing and a rain jacket with you! Parking shouldn’t be an issue as there is a parking lot as well as restrooms at the top. Once you’ve parked, there will be a short paved path you can walk on that ends up overlooking the Sawatch Mountain Range. Peaks such as Ouray Peak, Star Mountain, and La Plata Peak can be see off in the distance.

What is the Continental Divide

The Divide is the topographic line that separates the drainages to either the Pacific Ocean or the Atlantic Ocean. This line runs down the Rocky Mountains between Alaska and Mexico. Your probably wondering “what does this have to do with Independence Pass?'“ Well Independence Pass is the highest paved road in North America that intersects with the Continental Divide.

The earliest recordings of travel over the pass were in 1879, when miners found gold near the pass. If you keep driving towards Aspen you will be able to see a small historic mining town on your left. These abandoned mines can be seen scattered through out your drive over the pass. Eventually the pass became abandoned when mining ran its course. The road was resurrected in 1920 and realigned to what it is today.

If you’re looking for a hike on Independence Pass, you can hike the Ridge Line. You’ll notice a dirt trail on the right side as you starting walking up the paved path. This trail is a 4.7 mile out and back hike that has 1,200 feet of Elevation gain that overlooks both sides of the pass with 360 degree views of the Rocky Mountains! I would recommend either doing this hike in the morning or during the day because it takes 2-3 hours to complete. The hike itself is moderate and the trail was pretty smooth the whole way up (Colorado hiking trails typically have a lot of rocks that you have to step over when hiking).

4. Hike the Bartlett Gulch Loop Trail- This trail is great for those looking for something that overlooks the lake and surrounding mountains, but isn’t too difficult or long. You can park at the South Mount Elbert Trail and start byhiking on the 4X4 road. This road will go through Aspen trees, taking you to the top of where the parking is for the start of the South East Mount Elbert Trail. Having All Trails will be beneficial for this hike so that you can see where to turn and Loop back around to the parking lot.

Near the Elbert Parking lot at the top you will see a sign on the left that says Colorado Trail NO 1776, South Elbert TRHD 2 1/2, Take a left here and you will walk through forests with views overlooking Twin Lakes. My favorite time to do this hike is in the late afternoon to evening to catch the Golden Hour as you head back to your car. The Trail is 3.9 miles with 859 feet of elevation gain. Dogs are allowed, but required to be on leash. If you don’t want to hike on the Service road you can do an out and back starting at the trailhead instead of the service road.

5. Wake up early and Hike Mt Elbert- One of the more challenging hikes I’ve done, yet most rewarding, Elbert is the second tallest Peak in the Lower 48 and tallest 14er in Colorado. If you’re unfamiliar with a 14er, it is a mountain peak greater then 14,000 feet. It’s no walk in the park, but Elbert has a well maintained trail that makes it easier to reach the Peak.

There’s 3 different routes, but one of the more scenic routes is the East Ridge Trail. You’ll want to arrive as early as possible, especially on weekends. The earlier the better because you want to reach the summit before potential thunderstorms roll in. In Colorado, Summer afternoons can be notorious for rain showers and storms.There is a small parking lot at the Trailhead and if you have high clearance with AWD, you can drive up the service road to save time and park at the actual start of Mt Elbert.

The trail is a 14.7 mile loop with 4,895 elevation gain and you can read the full detailed guide here. This hike has a lot of variety, starting out right next to the lake then through Aspens and then eventually above tree line with vast 360 degree views of the Sawatch mountain range. Make sure to pack enough water, use sunscreen, and bring warmer clothing as well as a rain jacket.

6. Eat Lunch or Dinner at the Twin Lakes Inn and Saloon- Open for dinner starting at 4pm 6 days a week, Fridays/Saturdays for lunch, and Sundays for Brunch this restaurant is one of the best I’ve been to in Colorado. It’s pretty old fashion on the inside and the property itself has been there since 1879! It even use to be a stagecoach stop and even a brothel.

Although the menu isn’t extensive there’s a lot of creative flavors and great options for apps, salads, entrees and desert. A must stop if you are in Twin Lakes, just make sure to book a reservation ahead of time!

7. Go Camping- There’s plenty of camp spots in the area. If you’re looking for dispersed camping with no facilities there will be sites near the South Mount Elbert Trailhead as well as along the service road near the trailhead. Just make sure to have a high clearance vehicle with AWD if you plan on camping off of the service road. There’s also dispersered camping on the other side of the lake near the Interlaken trailhead. Just make sure to pick up your trash and to pack out what you packed in. Please note there is wildlife in the area so don’t leave any food or trash out unattended.

If you’re looking for campsites with facilities you’ll want to book through recreation.gov asap. Sites will fill up quickly on the weekends in the summer, certain ones being first come first serve. The three main campgrounds near the lake are Whitestar, Dexter, and Lakeview with White Star and Dexter being right on the lake. Campgrounds will provide restrooms, a picnic table, water, and fire pit. If you forgot firewood, chances are the campground ranger will have a stack for sale.

Dispersed Camping (free)

Coordinates: 39.0992854, -106.3673805

Paid Campsites: White Star Campground and Dexter Point will both be right on the lake which eliminates having to drive down to the lake and pay $7 for parking.

• Dexter Point

  • First Come First Served

  • Bathrooms and picnic tables on site, no water available (make sure to bring your own)

  • Check-In: 2pm/Check-Out: 12pm

  • Open Late May/Early June-Tuesday after Labor Day

  • 8 people max, Two Tents/Cars max

  • $20/night, payable by check or cash

  • tent camping, camping trailers

• White Star

  • Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov, up to four days in advance

  • Bathrooms, Fire Rings w/ grates, picnic tables and water available

  • Check-In: 2pm/Check-Out: 12 pm

  • Open Late-May/Early June-End of September

  • 8 people max, two tents/cars max

  • $24/night for Sage Loop, $23/night for Ridge and Valley Loop, payable by check or cash

  • Tent camping, camping trailers

• Lakeview

  • Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov, up to five days in advance

  • Bathrooms, water, and picnic tables available

  • Check-In: 2pm/Check-Out: 12 pm

  • Open Late May/Early June-Tuesday after Labor Day

  • 8 people max, two tents/cars max

  • $24/night, payable by check or cash

  • Tent Camping, Camping trailers

8. Stop by the Visitor Center and check out the historic parts of Twin Lakes - Although small there’s a historic area in town worth checking out. Stop in at the visitor center for a brief history on Twin Lakes or to talk to the visitor center guide. There’s a parking lot right next to the visitor center and behind the building there will be a trail that leads to a lookout above the lake.

9. Interlaken Boat Tour- Not looking to hike to Interlaken or Kayak to it either? not an issue, as you can take a two hour boat tour to this historic area. Tours range in prices depending on your age, but for adults it will be around $50. Boat Tours will start in June and end in September and can be booked through Twin Lakes Boat Tours.

Tours require a 3 person minimum and can hold up to 11 passengers. You’ll depart from the Red Rooster parking lot and plan to arrive 20-30 minutes before your reservation time.

10. Bring a Beach towel or camping chair and hang out at the lake for the day- Bring a cooler, cards, or a book and just relax at the lake for the day. There is parking at different parts of Twin Lakes, but I like to park near the White Start campground at Deception Point. There is a fee for parking if you don’t have a campsite and you’ll pay when you first enter the parking area.

There is also a trail that goes around this area of the lake that doesn’t have a name, but is perfect if you have a campsite nearby and want to go for a walk in the evening or morning.

11. Grab coffee at Perkolated Peaks- Can’t miss the VW van as you roll into town, especially the bright orange one. This unique van sells coffee, breakfast burritos, and sandwiches making it a quick way to start the day if you don’t feel like cooking.

Alright that’s it for Twin Lakes Colorado, if you have anything to add or have a question please leave a Comment below! Thanks reading the blog and I’ll see you on the next post. Also, if you like the blog subscribe to our email list below for the latest outdoor content!