It’s summer in Colorado’s high country! Visit Leadville-Twin Lakes for zipline adventures, scenic train rides, fascinating museums, concerts and plays, delicious food, comfortable cabins, great shopping, and more. Check out these ideas of ways to enjoy summer!
TWIN LAKES VILLAGE FOOD, ART, SHOPPING & STAYS
Businesses in the village of Twin Lakes are open for summer, and so is nearby Independence Pass! Check out 17 great things to do in Twin Lakes! Visit Twin Lakes for delicious meals and coffees, inspiring local art, and a genuine general store open since 1879.
Photo: Twin Lakes Inn & Saloon
SEASONAL EATS
Visit the Twin Lakes Inn & Saloon for scrumptious dinners with appetizers, soups and salads, and hearty entrees. Have a beverage from their bar on the patio, along with food truck goodies! Enjoy a pizza from Indy Pass Pies food truck and a burger or sandwich from Punky’s Mobile Food Trailer. Pick up a cuppa joe at Perkolated Peaks, a 1975 VW bus turned coffee shop. Don’t miss ice cream, specialty coffees, and porch-sitting at the Roadhouse Lodge in Twin Lakes.
ART & SHOPPING
Visit the Shooting Star Gallery and check out painting, photography, pottery, woodcraft, and more from talented local artists!
Stop at the Twin Lakes General Store, circa 1879, for clothing, maps, souvenirs, books, drinks and snacks, and more. Swing by Tenderfoot at Twin Lakes for gifts, teas and coffee, jams and jellies, locally raised meat, and much more. Check out the Mt. Elbert Lodge gift shop for snacks, unique gifts, and art from local artisans.
GREAT SUMMERTIME STAYS
Twin Lakes lodges and cabins welcome you for summer stays! Check out the Mt. Elbert Lodge, Roadhouse Lodge, Stay Twin Lakes Cabins, Twin Lakes Inn, and Winmar Cabins.
Photo: @lifewithlinnell
CAMPING
Area campgrounds have reopened for summer. Check our list of local campgrounds and reserve your spot today! Be sure to check our fire ban and fire safety information before building a campfire.
Photo: @k_degski
ENJOY TOURS & ADVENTURES
GO BIKING
Leadville-Twin Lakes is a great place for mountain biking and road biking! Check our biking page for information on trails and summer rentals at Cycles of Life, eBike Leadville, and Leadvelo Bicicasa in Leadville and SUP & Cycle in Twin Lakes.
Photo: @JustinTalbot
CATCH A FISH
Book a guided fishing tour on the Arkansas River or in alpine lakes with Colorado Fly Fishing Guides and Halfmoon Packing & Outfitting. Rent fishing equipment from SUP & Cycle and fish Twin Lakes.
PLAY GOLF
Enjoy the jaw-dropping views at Mt. Massive Golf Course, America’s highest golf course. Remember, your ball flies farther at altitude!
GET OUTSIDE WITH FURRY PARTNERS
Book a horseback ride, stagecoach ride, hunting camping trip, or a picnic with burros through Halfmoon Packing & Outfitting and Pack Burro Picnics.
ATV TOURS
The snow is melting, and the dirt roads are calling. Explore with ATV tours and rentals from Leadville Offroad Adventures and Leadville ATV Tours. Seeking big jumps? Check out the renowned Leadville Motocross Park.
Photo: @ashesnfo
RIDE A SCENIC TRAIN
Take a daily ride, wildflower tour, Devil’s Tail BBQ Special, Steak at Stork Ride, or all of the above! Relax and enjoy the beautiful views on the scenic Leadville Railroad.
Photo: @traceanngoodie
TAKE A BOAT TOUR OR PADDLE ACROSS TWIN LAKES
The water at Twin Lakes is looking good! Take guided Twin Lakes Boat Tours across Twin Lakes to Interlaken, a cool ghost resort that you can access only by water or by foot. Float on Twin Lakes or Turquoise Lake in a canoe or kayak from Mt. Elbert Canoe & Kayak. Explore Twin Lakes by paddleboard and kayak with rentals from SUP & Cycle.
GO WHITEWATER RAFTING
For whitewater thrills in our abundant summer runoff, raft the Arkansas River from the Twin Lakes area with Aspen Whitewater Rafting Company.
Photo: @kelseys_stellfies
ZOOM ON A ZIP LINE
Fly through forests with views of the continent’s highest peaks on Colorado’s only true backcountry zip line, the Top of the Rockies Zip Line. It is also the only place in the world where you can zip line over a train!
12) TWIN LAKES ROADHOUSE CAFE
Indulge with specialty coffees, soft serve ice cream, Belgian waffles and baked goods at the Twin Lakes Roadhouse Cafe. Enjoy a great snack and great views on the cafe’s porch!
FASCINATING MUSEUMS
In Leadville, you’ll find eight museums open in the summer! Visit them and experience the Colorado mining boom days, mining itself, and today’s arts and culture in an inspiring historic setting. Most are located in the downtown area and can be easily combined with a self-guided Leadville walking tour. Pick up a Passport to Leadville History at the Leadville Visitor Center; visit four or more museums and return the passport for a free Leadville gift.
WHERE TO STAY
13) MOUNT ELBERT LODGE
Mount Elbert Lodge has been serving guests for over 75 years. Situated at the base of Mt. Elbert’s Black Cloud Trail, the lodge is a perfect place to explore this beautiful part of Colorado.
Photo: @lifewithlinnell
CAMPING
Area campgrounds have reopened for summer. Check our list of local campgrounds and reserve your spot today! Be sure to check our fire ban and fire safety information before building a campfire.
Photo: Jim Evans
CONCERTS
Jam to live music at the Tabor Opera House, FREIGHT, Pastime Saloon, Scarlet Tavern, Before and After Leadville, Treeline Kitchen, and more! Check our calendar for great upcoming events!
Photo: @dariela_gutti
EVEN MORE LEADVILLE-TWIN LAKES FUN
We also have plenty of businesses open year ‘round for your vacation fun! Visit our website to learn about all of the great things you can do in Leadville and Twin Lakes, Colorado!
Cover Photo: @scene_mcbride
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