What’s the latest in Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado? Read our blog to find out!
Camping Guide to Leadville & Twin Lakes, CO
July 23, 2020[Updated August 1, 2020] In this summer of social distancing, camping in Leadville and Twin Lakes is a popular getaway. As Colorado continues in the Safer at Home and in the Vast, Great Outdoors phase, we share this guide to help you plan your own camping trip. Where to Camp Explore the campgrounds near Leadville and Twin Lakes, or book a ...
Leadville Named a “Best Historic Small Town” by USA TODAY
July 16, 2020Leadville is honored to be a winner in the 2020 USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Travel Award Contest for “Best Historic Small Town”! Leadville was the only city in Colorado to win in this specific category. How Winners Were Chosen Twenty nominees were chosen by a panel of relevant experts, which included a combination of editors from USA TODAY; editors from ...
Stay and Play Golf for Less!
July 6, 2020Stay at Grand West Village Resort or the S.L.umber Yard, and play golf at North America's highest and most-scenic course for less! The Stay and Play package includes reserved tee times and a 20% discount on all golf green fees, cart and other rentals at Mt. Massive Golf Course. Set at the foot of Colorado's two highest peaks, this ...
5 Reasons to Visit Us This Summer
June 10, 2020Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado, are open! And we can’t wait to see you again. Here are five reasons this is the perfect place to visit this summer. 1) Our elevated beauty brings joy. Spectacular views abound at North America’s highest-elevation city. Refresh your body and soul with our uplifting, wide open views. All roads into Leadville and Twin Lakes are ...
On Racial Equality and Human Justice
June 9, 2020In response to George Floyd's death and protests, the Lake County Tourism Panel would like to share our thoughts on the way forward. At Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado, we join the nation in calling for change. For racial equality and human justice. Yes, Black Lives Matter. Just as travel encourages new experiences and stepping outside comfort zones, we encourage the ...
Summer 2020 Travel Guide to Leadville & Twin Lakes
June 9, 2020[Updated July 16, 2020] Summer is underway and Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado, is open for business. We are taking precautions to ensure you have a safe and healthy trip. Please use this Summer 2020 Travel Guide to know what to expect. Then plan your visit! What’s Open Lodging, dining, shops, campgrounds, and most tourist attractions are now open. So are ...
What’s Open in Leadville & Twin Lakes, Colorado
June 7, 2020[Updated July 16, 2020] Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado, are excited to welcome you, safely! Please be aware that face coverings are required in public, indoor spaces in Colorado, starting July 17. Please see what's open: Lodging Lodging is open. Now you can spend the night in hotels and motels, vacation rentals, B&Bs, and more. Or camp! Please check directly with ...
Lodging Reopens June 1st in Leadville and Twin Lakes, CO
May 29, 2020Summer is kicking off in the high country, and lodging is reopening in Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado! As of June 1, 2020, lodging properties may reopen if they’ve received approval from Lake County Public Health Agency. This means that when you stay in Lake County, you can do so with confidence that your room meets careful and thoughtful guidelines for ...
10 Reasons to Visit Twin Lakes
May 25, 2020If you haven’t been to Twin Lakes, Colorado, add it to your bucket list. These large glacial lakes lie at the foot of Colorado’s highest peaks and offer a wealth of recreation. In addition, the mountain hamlet of Twin Lakes offers intriguing history, delicious food, and charming places to lay your weary head. Whether your taste for adventure is wild or ...
Summer of 2020 in Leadville and Twin Lakes
May 15, 2020[Updated June 2, 2020] This summer, things will look a little different in Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado. We’d like to tell you what to expect—and how you can enjoy Leadville, Twin Lakes, and our miles of forests, mountains, and sparkling waters. Plan to Come See Us, Safely We continue to reopen slowly, within safety guidelines, and are excited to continue ...
New: Meet the Characters of California Gulch, Online
April 30, 2020If you love the mining history in Leadville, Colorado, don't miss this new online exhibit from the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum. The painting depicts California Gulch, just to the southeast of downtown Leadville, where you can still see remnants of the famous mines. Within this simple painting are stories of colorful characters from Leadville's mining days. Colorful Characters ...
6 Virtual Visits to Leadville & Twin Lakes
April 8, 2020We miss you and are looking forward to when we can safely welcome you back to Leadville and Twin Lakes. For now, though, we ask you to enjoy our area through a virtual visit. Here are some ways you can experience the mountains and lakes from the comfort of your own home. Take a Quick Virtual Tour! Leadville and Twin Lakes ...
See a Virtual Exhibit – Copper: Mineral of the Future
April 8, 2020Did you know the Statue of Liberty contains more than 62,000 pounds of copper? Or that the average American uses 1,800 pounds of copper in their lifetime? Take a virtual tour of a new exhibit at the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum to learn more about this fascinating metal. This exhibit is bilingual, English and Spanish. For more than ...
Take a Virtual Tour – Perspectives: Aerial Photographs of Nevada Mine Sites
April 2, 2020From the comfort of your home, you can virtually travel to Nevada and Leadville, Colorado, to view aerial photographs of mining sites. Leadville's National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum presents an online tour of "Perspectives: Aerial Photos of Nevada Mine Sites" by the late F.E. “Bill” Dubois. Bill began flying solo at age 16 and later built a homemade ...
COVID-19 and Travel
March 18, 2020[Updated May 29, 2020] Leadville, Twin Lakes, and Safer-at-Home We miss you all, and we look forward to seeing you this summer and fall! We are now operating under the Lake County Safer-At-Home Public Health Order. For everyone's safety, Lake County Public Health is advising against non-essential travel in May by non-residents, including second homeowners. That way, Lake County can ensure ...
Summer Road Trip to Twin Lakes!
March 14, 2020For a great road trip, head to Twin Lakes, Colorado, this spring! Set near the edge of two of Colorado’s largest glacial lakes, this historic village is both picturesque and welcoming. Businesses in Twin Lakes, and the jaw-dropping drive over Independence Pass, re-open by Memorial Day weekend, depending on snow conditions. Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway The Top of the ...
Leadville History Month: Explore the Mineral Belt Trail
March 14, 2020In honor of Leadville History Month, in April, we’re bringing you a few of the many, many history highlights from the Cloud City’s colorful past. We'll start with the Mineral Belt Trail, a family-friendly 12-mile trail encircling Leadville that showcases both the stunning natural beauty in North America's highest city and its rich mining heritage. In winter and early spring, the ...
8 Great Ways to Explore History this Winter in Leadville & Twin Lakes
February 15, 2020If you'd like to learn more about Colorado's past, explore Leadville and Twin Lakes history this winter and spring! Here, links to the past abound. From museums to winter trails to Victorian architecture, you’ll find unique character in our genuine and historic mountain towns. If you're on a ski vacation and need a break from the slopes, or your family members ...
Ski Cooper Opens New Advanced Runs
January 17, 2020Ski Cooper has now opened new double black diamond ski runs! Come discover 70 skiable acres of new advanced terrain! New Tennessee Creek Basin Double Black Diamonds Meet some of the new runs: Powder Stache and Solstice: Glades with steep grades Bumpus Rumpus and Swan Song: Two of the area's eight new chutes Maverick and Viper: Cleared runs At the new ...
Romantic Fun in Leadville, Colorado
January 17, 2020Valentine’s Day is on the way, and there’s no shortage of romantic fun in Leadville, Colorado! Check out February parties, couples’ ski deals, romantic meals in yurts, and cozy places to stay. Valentine's Day Events Cozy up for a warm, fun February movie night picnic inside Leadville's newest event venue, FREIGHT, on Feb. 14 from 6-9 p.m. Bring a blanket ...
Have Your Wedding in Leadville, Colorado
December 18, 2019Planning a wedding in Colorado? Leadville and Twin Lakes offer the perfect blend of beauty and simplicity for a unique and special day. The area’s historical roots and stunning views make it a magical place to bring together family and friends for an unforgettable event. And several new small businesses have made it easier, more cost effective and environmentally friendly than ...
Fun Things to Do in Winter in Leadville, Colorado
December 14, 2019Experience winter in Leadville, Colorado, for a trip you'll never forget. The highest city in North America has the best snow around, plus tons of ways to enjoy it. Watch our Colorado Public Television series to learn just how much there is to do in winter! In Leadville, City in the Clouds, we'll check out the great skiing at Ski Cooper. Discover ...
5 Ways to Snowshoe Leadville, Colorado
December 6, 2019It’s snowing in Leadville, Colorado, and it’s time to play outside. There’s nothing better than strapping on snowshoes and tromping through the fluffy stuff! Here in North America’s highest city, at 10,152', the snow's so great that we were chosen to host the 2020 Dion Snowshoes US National Snowshoe Championships! Whether you’re a seasoned snowshoe racer or it’s your first time ...
Why Winter in Twin Lakes Is Double the Fun
November 20, 2019This year, come celebrate TWIN-ter in Twin Lakes, Colorado! This tiny historic village has outsized views of Colorado’s largest glacial lakes. The state’s tallest peak, 14,433’ Mt. Elbert, towers overhead. And you’ll get a true small-town feel in Twin Lakes, which claims only 23 full-time residents—counting dogs. Weather is often a bit warmer in Twin Lakes than in nearby Leadville, which ...
New Year’s Eve & Holiday Fun
November 19, 2019Start 2020 a little closer to the stars, with fun New Year's celebrations in Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado! Escape to North America's highest city for New Year's parties, dinners, skiing, and more! New Year's Eve Celebrations Tuesday, Dec. 31 Join a New Year’s Eve celebration at Ski Cooper on Dec. 31, 2019. Check back soon for details! In years past, ...
5 Businesses Celebrate 140 Years!
November 19, 2019History in Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado, is the real deal. And this year five Lake County businesses are celebrating 140 years! Make sure you see these 5 history spots on your next trip to town. Twin Lakes: 1) The Twin Lakes Inn & Saloon Over the years, The Twin Lakes Inn & Saloon has been a stagecoach stop, a hotel, ...
Have a Happy Halloween in Leadville
October 24, 2019Celebrate Halloween in Leadville, Colorado, for a spooky good time! Its storied history is full of miners and outlaws, who are bound to have left some ghosts. Its National Historic Landmark District has 70 blocks of original Victorian homes and businesses, and stories of spirits abound. Plus, you're up on a remote mountaintop for All Hallow's Eve when you stay at ...
7 Fun Things to Do In Leadville in the Fall
September 24, 2019Fall is a quiet season in Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado, after the summer vacationers and before the snow-lovers. Trails and restaurants are calm, and lodging rates are lower for shoulder season. If you need more reasons to visit, here are seven things you can do on a fun fall mountain escape: 1) Enjoy Great Weather Fall in Leadville means everything ...
Explore our New Exhibit: Women at Historic Colorado Mining Sites
September 22, 2019Be sure to catch a new exhibit on women in mining, in Leadville, Colorado. “Human Imprint: Women at Historic Colorado Mining Sites” opens Sept. 30, 2019, at the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum. This exhibit explores the role of women at Colorado mining towns at the turn of the 19th century. Like prospectors, women were trying to forge better ...
7 Sweet Spots for Fall Colors Near Leadville
August 19, 2019Leaves are starting to change color in Leadville, Colorado, with hints of gold on the mountains. Fall comes early in North America’s highest city! Make sure you catch the fall colors in the mountains this year. Here are 7 sweet spots where you can see them: 1) Scenic Drive 1: Twin Lakes and Independence Pass: In the fall, bright yellow aspen light ...
Celebrate Labor Day in Leadville & Twin Lakes!
August 13, 2019Take a Labor Day getaway to Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado! Here are some ideas of ways to spend a fun-filled holiday weekend. Things to Do Celebrate the lakes. Eke out another weekend of summer on big blue Twin Lakes and Turquoise Lake. Float in a boat, fish from the shore, walk or relax on the beach, or rent a kayak, ...
7 History Tours to Take in Leadville, Colorado
August 12, 2019Leadville, Colorado, was one of the West’s wildest silver boomtowns in the late 1800s, and many reminders of its history can still be seen today. Check out these seven kinds of history tours in Leadville and nearby Twin Lakes, Colorado. 1) Downtown Museums Plan a full day to explore Leadville’s many museums—all within walking distance of each other—and learn the area’s ...
12 Reasons You Can’t Miss Leadville Boom Days
July 26, 2019This year marks the 70th running of the burro races at Leadville Boom Days, a three-day festival to celebrate mining heritage in Leadville, Colorado. And this long-standing festival truly has something for everyone! Themed "70 Years of Haulin' Ass," the event kicks off Friday, Aug. 2 and goes through Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019. In addition to the best-known events—the burro races, ...
July 4th Week in Leadville & Twin Lakes
June 24, 2019July 4th is coming, and Leadville, Colorado, has a full week of holiday fun! North America’s highest-elevation town marks July 4th with small-town fun. Dash through a Firecracker 5k Run at 8:30 a.m. Cheer a rousing parade at 10 a.m. along historic Harrison Avenue. Cheer fireworks at dusk with a backdrop of Colorado’s two highest peaks! With July 4th ...
Tabor Opera House Season Opens May 25
May 6, 2019Vintage-American singer Eilen Jewell will kick off the summer season at the historic Tabor Opera House in Leadville, Colorado, on Saturday, May 25, 2019, at 8 p.m. In a world where pop country music dominates the radio waves, Eilen goes back in time and uncovers a sound that is both warm and familiar, as well as fresh and new. She ...
6 Great Ways to Play in Leadville’s Spring Snow
April 9, 2019Spring snow is still deep and rideable in Leadville, Colorado. And we're often still topped with a layer of freshies! If you'd like to play in fresh snow and warm sunshine, Leadville is just the place. Here are six great ways to play in our abundant spring snow. 1) Snowmobile: Take a snowmobile tour or bring your own sled! Zoom around ...
Get Your Passport to Leadville History
April 9, 2019If you love Colorado mining history, the Passport to Leadville History is just the ticket for you. Buy a Passport and save $20 on historic tours and museums—plus weeknight discounts at a historic hotel. The Passport is good for the entire 2019 summer season and is transferable to others. Here’s what you get with your Leadville Passport to History! Scenic Train ...
Spring Break in Leadville, Colorado
February 28, 2019It’s almost time for spring break, and that means spring snow! Leadville is always an affordable option for a Colorado trip, with extra specials this time of year. Come for skiing, winter mountain biking, backcountry hut and yurt trips, and more! Spring Skiing At Ski Cooper, lift tickets top out at $56, with extra savings this spring. Come for $30 Thursdays ...
Don’t Miss “Spirits in the Shaft: A Wine, Beer & Whiskey Tasting Event”
January 26, 2019A glamorous event on Friday, Feb. 8, 2019, brings exquisite drinks, psychic readings, and a new exhibit to the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum. Spirits in the Shaft: A Wine, Beer & Whiskey Tasting Event opens the museum after hours, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Come roam the museum’s many rooms to taste the libations—a nod ...
Winter Races in Leadville, Colorado
January 24, 2019This winter, race to Leadville, Colorado, to test your mettle in a wide array of winter sports! When the snow flies, you can zip through backcountry alpine touring, fat bike, mushing, and Nordic ski races. Come for the Twin Lakes Ice Fishing Derby and Leadville’s famed Ski Joring and Crystal Carnival Weekend! The nation's highest-elevation city, Leadville is a top spot ...
Spend the Holidays in Leadville and Twin Lakes
December 16, 2018The holidays are fast approaching, and so are creative ways to celebrate them. Spend the holidays in Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado, at the very rooftop of Colorado! Ski under the full moon or take a snowcat to dinner in a yurt, enjoy special theater performances at Twin Lakes, a torchlight ski parade, ski tours with rangers, New Year’s Eve parties, ...
Leadville Holiday Parade of Lights Nov. 30
November 8, 2018
Tabor Opera House, Leadville, CO
Light up your holidays with a sparkling Parade of Lights in Leadville, Colorado! The parade floats down Harrison Avenue just after sunset on Friday, Nov. 30, 2018, starting at 6 p.m. Afterwards, kids can tell Santa and Mrs. Claus their wishes. Everyone can warm up with hot cocoa and holiday cookies at the Courthouse and enjoy the carols. Downtown shops ...
Catch Leadville Winter Activities on Colorado Public Television
October 4, 2018Get a taste of winter activities in Leadville, Colorado, with special new videos from the Colorado Public Television (Channel 12) Street Level series. In the first episode of this intriguing two-part series, host Juliana Broste will explore the “City in the Clouds,” honor the famed heroes of the 10th Mountain Division, hop on a snowcat for an exciting tour on Chicago ...
FREIGHT: Leadville’s Hip New Event Space
October 3, 2018If you’re looking for a cool new space to hold a wedding or meeting in Leadville, Colorado, check out FREIGHT, a lovingly restored railroad depot just blocks from the historic downtown that opened this fall. You might get to visit if you attend an event in town, as FREIGHT is quickly becoming a popular venue in the community. An appealing blend ...
Have a Working Vacation You’ll Enjoy – in Leadville
August 30, 2018Ready for a vacation, but need to keep in touch with the office? Two new amenities in Leadville, Colorado, make a working vacation a little easier. Enjoy a scenic new co-working space and access reliable Internet. When you're off the clock, unplug with a full array of outdoor adventure, historical sites, and jaw-dropping scenery. Work with a View Now you can work ...
Mosquito Pass 4WD Road
August 24, 2018Brave the Highway of Frozen Death Leadville, Colorado, is known for extremes, and the four-wheel-drive (4WD) road over Mosquito Pass is no exception. With a high point of 13,185’, it’s the fourth-highest road in Colorado—with mountain weather to boot. Known as "The Highway of Frozen Death," it is open from July through September each year, depending on snowfall. The route requires ...
3 Reasons to Love Spring in the Rockies
May 3, 2018In North America’s highest city, we’re embracing the in-between season, when winter hasn’t quite left and summer hasn’t quite arrived. Come see for yourself why this playful season is a great time to visit Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado. 1. You can enjoy winter or summer sports—on the same day. Early spring is the best of both worlds. Want to sneak ...
10 Top Ideas for a Memorable Memorial Day Weekend
May 3, 2018For the ultimate summer kickoff, spend Memorial Day weekend a little closer to the sun. Leadville, the highest city in North America, fully opens for the season on this special holiday weekend. Revel in these just-opened-for-summer activities. 1. Camp out. Campgrounds open May 25 for your tent camping and RV fun. Come see the stars in the Rockies. 2. Fish or ...
Walk Back in Time in Downtown Leadville
April 27, 2018To wrap up Leadville History Month, let’s share some fun facts about this 1880s silver mining boomtown. Did you know that a popular Harrison Avenue jewelry store once offered one of Queen Isabella’s diamonds for $10,000, way back in 1880? (In that location, you can now buy or rent two-wheeled human-powered machines that let you access the gems of Leadville trails, ...
Plan a Spring Adventure Sampler
April 5, 2018Spring is in the air—and the water and the land. Plan your own adventure sampler for a late spring or early summer getaway to Leadville and Twin Lakes! Shape your ideal trip with fishing, rafting or paddling, mountain biking, hiking, ziplining, and more. Pick two or more to make your own mountain biathlon, triathlon, or enduro race and a trip you'll ...
Nordic Ski the Leadville Loppet — Now a Birke Qualifier!
January 26, 2018Calling all Nordic skiers—the 15th Annual Leadville Loppet is on the way, and for the first time ever it’s an American Birkebeiner qualifier! This year also marks the first-ever Summit to Lake Nordic Ski Challenge. Join us Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, for a fun family ski race high in the Rockies that ends with our world-famous blueberry soup. The Loppet runs ...
Sip Wine at the Mine
January 15, 2018
120 West 9th Street, Leadville, CO | 719-486-1229 | Website >
The evening of Friday, Feb. 9, 2018, join us for Wine at the Mine, a special after-hours event at the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum (NMHFM). You can explore the entire museum while sampling tastings from Colorado wineries, breweries, distillers, and distributors—along with bites of culinary delights from local restaurants. Enjoy these 2018 Wine at the Mine highlights: Special ...
Happy 75th Birthday, Ski Cooper!
December 22, 2017The 2017-2018 season marked the 75th birthday of Ski Cooper and the winter of 1942-1943, when Cooper Hill first was used for ski training. Ski Cooper’s Younger Days So what happened in Cooper’s first year? The area played an important role in World War II—it served as a training ground for ski troopers who ultimately helped turn the tide of the war. ...
7 Great Ways to Celebrate New Year’s in Leadville
December 22, 2017For a 2018 to remember, ring in the New Year in Leadville, North America’s highest-elevation city! Here’s a list of New Year’s events at 10,152’! Dec. 31, 2017 - New Year's Eve Ski Cooper's 75th Birthday Party Ski Cooper is celebrating its 75th year! Start off a season of celebration on New Year’s Eve, with live music from the Trading Fours ...
Chop, Chop: Cut Your Own $10 Christmas Tree
December 7, 2017For some Leadville locals, it wouldn’t be the holidays without a journey into the forest to choose and cut their own Christmas tree. You, too, can share in this time-honored tradition. For the low, low cost of $10, you can buy a permit to enter National Forest land in Lake County. Trek in old school—shouldering a saw or ax—and engage your ...
7 Intriguing Facts About Camp Hale
November 8, 2017On Veterans Day, you can honor those who served our country by exploring Camp Hale. Did you know this picturesque valley is where World War II soldiers learned to fight on skis—and where the CIA secretly trained Tibetan fighters? That Camp Hale may soon have a first-of-its-kind historic designation? And that it’s a great place to hike and bike (and soon, snowmobile)? Read ...
Thanksgiving Weekend: Yurts, Trails, and a Shop Small Extravaganza
November 7, 2017For a unique Thanksgiving, head to the hills! Local favorite Tennessee Pass Cookhouse and its luxury sleep yurts open for the season on Thanksgiving day. For a unique holiday experience, Nordic ski, or snowshoe a mile through the pines to a candlelit yurt for a gourmet dinner of turkey and the traditional fixings, or elk, trout, or more tasty entrees. Spend ...
12 Great Reasons to Visit Leadville This Summer
July 28, 2017Summer is underway in North America's highest-elevation town. Explore these top 12 reasons to visit Leadville, and plan your trip today. Cultural Events at the Tabor Opera House: Concerts, plays, comedy, ballet, and more in the Tabor Opera House's first season under Leadville ownership, plus revamped tours six days a week. See the 2017 schedule. Leadville Colorado & Southern Railroad: Special ...