Lakes, Trails & High Country
Turquoise Lake
Hike the shoreline, fish beneath the Sawatch Range, or use Turquoise Lake as a starting point for trails climbing deeper into the mountains west of Leadville.
Five Miles From Leadville
A Mountain Lake Beneath Colorado's Highest Peaks
Turquoise Lake sits in the forest west of Leadville at roughly 9,700 feet, with Mount Massive and the high Sawatch Range rising beyond its shoreline.
It is one of the easiest places near Leadville to combine mountain scenery with relatively approachable hiking. Trails follow long stretches of shoreline, short nature loops wind through the forest, and higher routes lead toward alpine lakes and the Colorado Trail.
The lake is also a major summer recreation area for camping, fishing, paddling, boating, picnicking, and simply spending a day beside the water.
You can come out for an hour-long walk or use Turquoise Lake as the beginning of a much larger high-country adventure.
The Basics
Turquoise Lake at a Glance
From Leadville
About 5 Miles
County Road 4 leads west from Leadville directly toward the Turquoise Lake Recreation Area.
Elevation
About 9,700 Feet
Even the shoreline sits at high elevation, with significantly cooler temperatures than many lower Colorado lakes.
Shoreline Hiking
6.4-Mile Trail
The Turquoise Lake Trail follows the north side of the lake between the dam and May Queen Campground.
On the Water
780 Acres
The lake provides plenty of room for boating, paddling, fishing, and other summer recreation.
On Foot
Hiking Around Turquoise Lake
You do not have to climb a fourteener to find good hiking around Leadville. Turquoise Lake offers everything from gentle forest walks to routes leading into much bigger mountain country.
Shoreline Trail
Turquoise Lake Trail
The main Turquoise Lake Trail follows roughly 6.4 miles of shoreline between the dam and May Queen Campground at the western end of the lake.
The route stays relatively close to the water and passes through lodgepole forest, open viewpoints, and traces of the area's mining past.
Hike the entire trail with a shuttle or simply use any portion as an out-and-back walk.
Easy Walk
Turquoise Lake Nature Trail
The 1.2-mile nature trail provides a gentler introduction to the lake. It loops through the forest and reaches the shoreline before connecting with the longer Turquoise Lake Trail.
This is a good choice for families, a shorter morning walk, or anyone who wants lake views without committing to a longer hike.
Mountain Lake
Timberline Lake
Near the western end of Turquoise Lake, the Timberline Lake Trail climbs away from the developed recreation area into the mountains.
The lake is roughly two miles from the trailhead and offers a much more secluded mountain setting than Turquoise Lake below.
Go Farther
Colorado Trail
The Colorado Trail passes through the mountains west of Turquoise Lake and can be reached from the Timberline Lake area.
This opens the door to longer day hikes, backpacking, and connections toward Tennessee Pass, Mount Massive, and the surrounding high country.
The Classic Lake Hike
Walk the Turquoise Lake Trail
The shoreline trail is probably the best introduction to Turquoise Lake if hiking is your main reason for visiting.
The route runs for about 6.4 miles between May Queen Campground and the dam, following the wooded northern edge of the reservoir.
Rather than climbing aggressively uphill, the trail spends much of its time moving through forest close to the water. Openings between the trees reveal views across the lake toward Mount Massive and the surrounding Sawatch Range.
You do not need to hike all 6.4 miles. Pick a section, walk as far as you like, and return the same way.
Choose Your Hike
How Far Do You Want to Go?
Keep It Easy
Walk the 1.2-mile Turquoise Lake Nature Trail for forest, shoreline, and mountain scenery without a major climb.
Spend a Few Hours
Pick a section of the 6.4-mile Turquoise Lake Trail and hike along the shoreline before returning the way you came.
Head Into the Mountains
Start near May Queen and climb toward Timberline Lake or connect toward the Colorado Trail for a more substantial high-country hike.
Western End of the Lake
May Queen & the High Country Beyond
The western end of Turquoise Lake feels noticeably closer to the mountains.
May Queen Campground sits near the end of the shoreline road and serves as the western end of the Turquoise Lake Trail.
The Timberline Lake trailhead is nearby, and the surrounding trail system connects into the Colorado Trail and higher terrain beneath the Holy Cross and Mount Massive wilderness areas.
If you want the lake to be the starting point rather than the destination, this is the side to explore.
Beyond the Trails
On the Water
Turquoise Lake is one of the major boating and fishing destinations around Leadville.
Paddling
Canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards offer a quieter way to explore the shoreline and surrounding mountain views.
Morning is often the better time to be on the water before afternoon mountain winds and thunderstorms develop.
Boating
The recreation area includes two boat ramps and allows motorized boating as well as sailing and paddling.
Fishing
Turquoise Lake supports several trout species and is especially known for rainbow trout and lake trout.
Fish from shore, launch a boat, or combine fishing with a hike along quieter sections of shoreline.
Where the Water Comes From
Part of a Much Larger Water System
Turquoise Lake may look like a simple mountain reservoir, but it is part of one of Colorado's major transmountain water projects.
Sugar Loaf Dam impounds the lake as part of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project. Water collected west of the Continental Divide is carried through the mountains by the Charles H. Boustead Tunnel and delivered into Turquoise Lake.
From here, water can continue through the Mount Elbert Conduit toward the Mount Elbert Forebay and Twin Lakes before eventually returning to the Arkansas River system.
In other words, some of the water you see beside the trail began on the opposite side of the Continental Divide.
Stay by the Lake
Camping at Turquoise Lake
Turquoise Lake is surrounded by developed Forest Service campgrounds, making it easy to turn a day at the lake into a longer stay.
East & North Shore
Several campgrounds sit among lodgepole pine near the eastern and northern shoreline, with easy access to fishing, boating, and the Turquoise Lake Trail.
May Queen
At the western end of the lake, May Queen puts you close to the shoreline trail, Timberline Lake trailhead, and higher mountain country.
Reserve Early
Turquoise Lake is one of the most popular summer recreation areas near Leadville. Campsites can fill quickly during peak weekends.
Turquoise Lake camping information →When to Go
Turquoise Lake Through the Seasons
Summer
Summer offers the easiest access to shoreline trails, campgrounds, boat ramps, fishing, and higher hiking routes.
Afternoon thunderstorms can develop quickly, even when the morning begins clear.
Fall
Cooler temperatures, quieter trails, and changing foliage make early fall an excellent time to explore the lake.
Cold nights and early snow arrive quickly at nearly 10,000 feet.
Winter
Snow and ice transform the recreation area, and many developed summer facilities close for the season.
The frozen lake is popular with ice anglers, while surrounding roads and trails become winter recreation terrain.
Spring
Spring comes slowly this high in the mountains. Snow and ice can remain around the lake long after lower parts of the Arkansas River Valley have dried out.
Check access and trail conditions before planning an early-season visit.
Before You Go
Remember the Elevation
Turquoise Lake is easy to reach by car, but you are still starting near 10,000 feet in a mountain environment.
Mountain Weather
Thunderstorms, wind, hail, and sudden temperature drops can develop quickly. Check the forecast and carry layers even on summer days.
Cold Water
Turquoise Lake remains cold even during summer. Wear appropriate flotation when paddling or boating and do not treat it like a warm low-elevation swimming lake.
Limited Cell Service
Do not depend on reliable phone service around every part of the lake or on trails heading farther into the mountains.
Explore More
More Around Leadville
Turquoise Lake sits at the gateway to some of the biggest mountain terrain west of Leadville.