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About
Baby Doe
Baby Doe Campground is situated on the eastern shore of Turquoise Lake in the shade of a lodgepole pine and subalpine fir forest. The family-friendly campground is a popular summer destination for boating, hiking and fishing.
The campground was named after Elizabeth McCourt's nickname, Baby Doe. She made a name for herself in the Colorado mining community in the 19th century when she took on the rugged work of a miner, and was given her nickname.
Recreation
The 1.2-mile Turquoise Lake Nature Trail meanders along the shoreline is a gentle loop trail through the forest and down to the shoreline of Turquoise Lake. This trail connects to the 6.4-mile Turquoise Lake Trail that parallels the shoreline from Sugar Loaf Dam to May Queen Campground. Trail guides are available at the trailhead located about a mile south, at the entrance to Molly Brown Campground.
On the lake, boating, sailing, canoeing and fishing are favorite activities. Anglers fish for stocked cutthroat, rainbow, brown and lake trout. A boat ramp is located about a mile south of the campground.
Facilities
The campground offers single-family sites, some of which are accessible. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring with grill. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. Firewood is available for purchase from the host. Parking spurs are gravel or dirt.
Natural Features
Campsites are perched along the scenic lakeshore. The Mount Massive Wilderness Area, a 30,540 acre stretch of primitive land boasting Colorado's second highest peak at 14,421 feet, is nearby. Much of the wilderness is above timberline with many alpine plant communities and permanent snowfields.
Nearby Attractions
Venture to Independence Pass for a scenic drive with breathtaking views of the Rockies and surrounding alpine tundra habitat. At 12,095 feet, it is one of the highest paved mountain passes in the country and marks where the Top of the Rockies National Scenic and Historic Byway crosses the Continental Divide.
ADA Access: N
Sites
51
Operator
National Forest
Access
Drive In
Walk In
Boat In
Contact
Location
Baby Doe
is located in
Colorado
Directions
From Leadville, Colorado, drive west on County Road 4 about 3.5 miles, turn right on County Road 9C and follow signs to Baby Doe Campground.
8 Reviews of Baby Doe
Beautiful Moutain Camping
Quiet clean campground with gorgeous views of Turquoise Lake and the surrounding mountains!
Turquoise Lake
Just west of Leadville Colorado sits Turquoise Lake at an elevation of around 10,000 ft. Baby Doe Campground is one of the few camps that are situated around the lake on its east side. You camp under the pine trees beside the lake with beautiful views of Mt. Massive and Mt. Elbert to the south over turquoise water. Cost are $24 per night for car camping, bathrooms and water are provided. We camped on June 26th and 27th of 2018 and got to summit Mt. Sherman one of Colorado's 14ers on the 27th. I was really surprised at how bad the mosquito's were at the lake and at this elevation, definitely the worst mosquito experience I had while living in Colorado. If your in town while visiting be sure to check out Periodic Brewing and High Mountain Pies. Highlight: Being able to summit my 1st Colorado 14er was definitely the highlight of the trip, can't wait to go back for another one, I know where I'll be camping.
Possibly my favorite campground
Beautiful location! Close to Turquoise Lake. Camp hosts came around in the morning to give us parking passes for the park. Also, the cleanest, best stocked and least offensive smelling vault toilet bathrooms I've ever come across. Each camp site allows two vehicles, but could definitely fit three if you have a larger group. Nice, level spot for tents.
Beautiful views of Mt Massive + Mt Elbert
Some of the sites are close to each other. It is a short walk to the waterfront. The nature trail around the lake is awesome!
Beautiful campground can be buggy
Gorgeous campground with a few extra mosquitos, but not unusual for waterfront camping. Turquoise Lake is beautiful with fishing, boating, and hiking available. Short drive from Leadville. Be sure to bring warm clothes for nights because it’s gets chilly at night. Has vault toilets, potable water, and fairly level sites. Campground has larger sites so the generator noise from the larger rv’s can be loud, but family friendly.
Good campground
This is one of our favorite places to go. The campground is maintained very well and has beautiful scenery with the lake just walking distance from the campground. Bathrooms always clean. Love this place.
Pretty lake and Mountian views
Great spot on the East side of the lake, Not far from the town of Leadville where there is a Safeway, places to eat and places to shop. It was a bit windy the day we stayed but great views, lots of hiking trails and things to explore. Campground is located a high elevation.
Accessible Sites, Boating, Campfire Rings, Canoeing, Drinking Water, Firewood Vendor, FishingGrills, Hiking, HostLake AccessSailing, Self Pay Station, Tables, Vault Toilets, Waterfront Sites
Less Than 1 Mile: Boat Ramp, Interpretive Trails, Water Skiing
Fun Fact:
The campground was named after Elizabeth McCourt's nickname, Baby Doe. She made a name for herself in the Colorado mining community in the 19th century when she took on the rugged work of a miner, and was given her nickname.
