9 Ideas for Summer Fun at Leadville & Twin Lakes
May 17, 2023Leadville-Twin Lakes, Colorado, is opening for summer! Plan a trip to this area of majestic beauty and outdoor adventure. Be sure to check out these 9 ideas for summer fun. All are expected to be open by Memorial Day weekend.
1) Hike
The Leadville-Twin Lakes area is full of trails for a simple stroll, a vigorous hike, or an exhilarating run. You can even climb a 14er and truly see the top of the Rockies!
Planning pro tip: High-elevation trails may hold snow well into June. Early in the season, choose trails closer to town like the Mineral Belt Trail, the National Fish Hatchery, Leadville’s East Side Mining District, the Interlaken trail and other routes near Twin Lakes.
📷: Justin Talbot
2) Splash
Fly fishing season on the Arkansas River is ramping up! Check the latest fishing report and book a trip with a local guide to catch a story-worthy fish.
Spring means snowmelt and the indescribable fun of white water rafting! You can take a thrill-filled trip out of Twin Lakes on the popular Arkansas River.
Paddle your way on Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake! Rent a canoe, kayak, or SUP to enjoy mountain waters ringed by mountain peaks.
Float across Twin Lakes with a Twin Lakes Interlaken Boat Tour, then explore the ghost resort on the lakes’ far shore. (Please reserve in advance.)
Bring your own boat, and you can put in at the Turquoise Lake boat ramp near Leadville and the Dexter Point boat ramp in Twin Lakes.
3) Roll
Biking season is here! Whether you prefer dirt or pavement under your wheels, Leadville-Twin Lakes has a route for you. You’ll find mountain biking trails galore, plus scenic road biking loops and challenging passes to climb. The Mineral Belt Trail, a paved loop around Leadville, is a great option for family cycling.
Go off-roading! Take an ATV tour with knowledgeable locals, bring your dirt bike to the motocross park, or explore rocky roads with your jeep or truck.
Did you know that downtown Leadville has a skate park, designed for all ability levels? And a new Huck Finn pump track for People on skateboards, scooters, rollerblades, roller skates, and bikes?
Come try some tricks against a backdrop of mountains!
4) Explore with Horses
Experience the Old West with a stagecoach ride, or ride a horse into the mountains with Halfmoon Packing & Outfitting LLC. Ride for an hour or half day, or book a longer trip for camping, photography, hunting, and fishing.
5) Fly
For the ultimate thrill, hook into a zipline, step off a platform at 11,000′ and soar above the valley below. Make a day of it with the rails and zip line combo tour, where you can ride a scenic train and zip on the same day.
Leadville has the highest-elevation public use airport in North America. For a special challenge and bragging rights, fly into Leadville in a private plane and get a certificate for your accomplishment. Then explore the many Leadville and Twin Lakes offerings on the ground.
6) Swing
Your golf ball flies farther at altitude—it’s true! So be sure to play a round. Your spirit will soar, too, at Mt. Massive Golf Course, America’s highest-elevation course. The views of surrounding mountains are out of this world.
7) Apres Adventure
This year, Twin Lakes is adding even more options for delicious food. Check out the new food court next to the Twin Lakes Inn & Saloon, as well as scrumptious pizza from brand-new Indy Pass Pies.
In downtown Leadville, check out the new Mineral 1886 in the Delaware Hotel. And choose from many other restaurants and saloons in Leadville and Twin Lakes!
8) Stay
Reserve a comfortable room in our wide array of hotels/motels, B&Bs, and cabins and rentals.
For a unique experience, stay in a yurt or a 10th Mountain Division Hut!
For camping, bring your RV, or reserve a tent site or cabin.
A note for your packing list: Our high-alpine weather may be cool into June, with refreshing nights all summer long, so plan accordingly.
9) Take the Adventure by Nature Pledge
Whatever outdoor fun you choose, please respect our forests, peaks, waters, and local community! Take our Adventure by Nature Pledge and help us protect this special place.
We can’t wait to see you this summer!
📷 (main photo to left): @shel8y
