Free Camping Collection
Dispersed Camping
Native Lake Primitive Camping
About
Mount Massive (14,421 feet), Colorado's second highest peak, and other mountains of the Sawatch Range have two distinctive characteristics: great height, and a huge, sloping bulk that makes them relatively easy to climb. Nowhere along the Continental Divide does the ground rise higher than the Sawatch Range, the crest of this continent. Just south of the Wilderness stands Mount Elbert at 14,443 feet, Colorado's highest summit. The divide marks the western boundary of this area, with the Hunter-Fryingpan Wilderness immediately to the other side. Dry lodgepole pine forests, typical of the eastern slopes of the divide, cover much of the lower elevations and give way to spruce and fir higher up before all trees yield to alpine tundra.
The Leadville National Fish Hatchery, managed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, comprises approximately 2,500 acres. The majority of the Fish Hatchery lies within the boundary of the Mount Massive Wilderness. The hatchery land inside the Wilderness boundary is co-managed by the U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS). The U.S. Forest Service is the principal land manager, protecting the Wilderness resources. The USFWS manages the fishery and water resources to protect and perpetuate native fish species.
There are multiple pre-established campsites around this lake which is part of the Mount Massive Wilderness Area. The campground is accessible only on foot and does require a 8.4 mile round trip hike.
Access
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
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Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Pets
- Fires
Great hike/camp
Doesn’t get above 40 in the middle of summer, so bring colder weather stuff to sleep in. Days are comfortable and sometimes hot. Although the times I’ve done this trail (I live in Leadville), the lake area is swampy; there are dryer spots but not on the “lake”.
One of Colorado's best kept secrets...
The hike to Native Lake is one of my favorites in Colorado. While all of the beauty of this hike can be enjoyed in a day, turning it into an overnight trip is the best way to appreciate the area without any rush. The shoreline of this alpine lake offers multiple dispersed campsites, each marked by a pre-established fire ring and plenty of space for multiple tents. The sites are well spaced apart and feel completely private even when other campers are sharing the lake. The views of Mount Massive from here are incredible!
Things can get a bit soggy down by the lake, so gathering firewood may require a bit of a stroll up the trail to higher (and drier) ground if there has been recent rain. On our last trip up to Native Lake the mosquitos were pretty ruthless, so bug spray is highly recommended around dusk and dawn.
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Location
Native Lake Primitive Camping is located in Colorado
Directions
From Leadville, follow signs to Turquoise Lake. Take the southern lake route (Lake County Road 4) to the junction of Forest Service Road 104. The trailhead is about 3 miles up the Hagerman Pass Road (Forest Service Road 105), with parking on the south side of the road.
Coordinates
39.225537 N
106.45913 W