Experience Colorado’s Two-Season Spring in Leadville Twin Lakes

April 30, 2025

In most places, spring means saying goodbye to winter. But in Leadville and Twin Lakes, it means you can get both seasons in one incredible day! Here, snowshoes and sun hats live in harmony, and you don’t have to choose between warm-weather fun and cozy winter charm, but you might have to pack in your biggest suitcase.

Twin Lakes; Photo Credit: Scott Anderson

A Perfect Two-Season Day: Basecamp in Leadville, Sunshine in Chaffee

Looking for the ultimate spring adventure in Colorado? Make Leadville and Twin Lakes your home base and enjoy the best of both winter and spring in one unforgettable day. With cozy overnights in the snow and sunny day trips just down the road in Chaffee County, you don’t have to choose between seasons, you can experience both!

Morning: Wake Up to Winter in Leadville

Start your day at 10,000 feet, where snow can still be easily found and cover the nearby mountain peaks. Brew a cup of coffee and grab breakfast on historic Harrison Avenue. Take a stroll in the crisp morning air, admire the alpenglow on Mount Elbert, or patrol for snow to build a snowman.

Webcams views found on LeadvilleTwinLakes.com let you check the conditions in real time before you head out. With one glance, you’ll know whether to grab your snow boots or your trail runners—or both. *Many uphill trails will contain varying conditions of dry, mud and snowpack.

Afternoon: Springtime Fun in Chaffee County

By late morning, hit the road and drop a few thousand feet in elevation into Chaffee County, just 30 – 45 minutes away. The lower elevation means warmer temps and drier trails, making it the perfect spot to soak up the sun. Here’s are some great ways to spend your afternoon:

Trail run or hike the Arkansas Hills above Salida
Mountain bike the Fourmile Recreation Area near Buena Vista
Soak in the hot springs to soothe your muscles
Catch live music or relax on a sunny riverside patio

It’s a full dose of spring—just in time to head back to your winter-like basecamp.

Cottonwood Hot Springs

Evening: Return to Your Mountain Retreat in Leadville

As the sun begins to dip behind the Sawatch Range, head back uphill to Leadville. Watch the temperatures drop and snowflakes may swirl as you roll back into town. Wrap up your day with:

A peaceful walk and dinner on Harrison Avenue
A hot cocoa or craft beer in a historic saloon
A cozy room to snuggle up with a warm drink and snowy mountain views

Silver Dollar Saloon on Harrison Ave

Bonus Trip! If you time your visit right, you can also hit Copper Mountain’s Slush Rush—just a short drive from Leadville—for sunshine, plenty of fun costumes, and of course, slush. It’s the perfect way to double down on your two-season adventure.

Why It Works

Staying in Leadville gives you easy access to both worlds: the quiet magic of a historic, snowy high-alpine town and the sunny trails and hot springs of the Arkansas River Valley. You get the contrast, the comfort, and all the adventure, with a little less mud.

Traveling from Chaffee County? Head uphill to Leadville and Twin Lakes for a scenic change of pace, a dose of local history, and cool mountain air.

Plan Your Dual-Season Getaway

Check out the new webcams, pack your snow boots and your mountain bike, and prepare for a Colorado day like no other. Leadville and Twin Lakes are ready to be your launchpad for sunshine and snowstorms.

Learn more at www.LeadvilleTwinLakes.com and start planning your two-season getaway today.

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