Turquoise Lake serves as a central feature for glamping in Climax, Colorado, with the main camping areas situated at approximately 10,200 feet elevation in the Rocky Mountains. The high-altitude location creates significant temperature variations throughout the year, with summer daytime temperatures typically ranging between 60-65°F and nighttime temperatures dropping to around 40°F. The proximity to Leadville provides convenient access to services while maintaining the remote wilderness experience that draws visitors to the area.
What to do
Mountain biking along reservoir trails: Peak One Campground connects directly to both dirt and paved trails circling Dillon Reservoir. "Convenient to town and all that Frisco/Dillon has to offer, but also right on the perimeter trail (6-mile dirt) and also the Dillon Reservoir loop (18-mile paved)," notes Hillary B. from Peak One Campground.
Trout fishing in alpine waters: Cast your line at Turquoise Lake where the fishing is excellent, particularly after stocking periods. "Lake recently stocked with trout, caught 2 salmon in the runoffs," shares Mark R. from Baby Doe, adding that the "clear Alpine lake full of trout" makes for productive fishing.
Summit a 14er: Several famous Colorado 14,000+ foot peaks are accessible from the area's campgrounds. "We camped on June 26th and 27th of 2018 and got to summit Mt. Sherman one of Colorado's 14ers on the 27th," reports Fain H., noting it was their "1st Colorado 14er" and they "can't wait to go back for another one."
Explore historical sites: Camp Hale Memorial Campground provides access to WWII military history. The campground sits on "an old military training camp" according to Karen B., making it an educational opportunity while enjoying the outdoors.
What campers like
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds in the area offer generously sized sites that accommodate multiple tents and vehicles. At Gold Park Campground, "sites were a bit close together but it was still in a beautiful area right on the river," and according to Morgan M., "site #7 was by far the best of them. On the river, and backed up to trees and a rock face and the most secluded."
Clean facilities: Despite the remote locations, campground hosts maintain facilities well. At Baby Doe Campground, "the campground host was awesome. Clean flushable toilets," notes Lydia O., while Craig R. mentions "lots of clean toilets. Sites are well placed with space between them."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area's high elevation provides unique ecosystems for various wildlife. "Each site has a food locker which was very convenient along with a fire ring and a picnic table," notes Morgan M. about Gold Park Campground, indicating the presence of bears in the area.
Easy town access: Many campsites provide a balance of wilderness and convenience. According to Michael H. at Turtle Rock Campground, the location is "great campground with a lot of space at each site" and is "free and easy to get to from Buena Vista."
What you should know
High elevation impacts: The elevation at many campgrounds exceeds 10,000 feet, which affects both temperature and physical exertion. At Halfmoon Campground, Juliette notes "use extreme caution choosing when to hike in regards to weather; hikers are exposed for a long time across scree fields and a windy ridge."
Limited cell service: Most campgrounds in the area have minimal or no connectivity. "Be mindful that there is no cell service until you reach Como so bring some playing cards!" advises Megan W. about Selkirk Campground.
Reservation requirements: Many popular campgrounds fill up months in advance. Mark R. warns that at Baby Doe, "sites get locked in 6 months in advance, for good reason!"
Unpredictable weather: Even summer days can see significant weather changes. "Be sure to bring warm clothes for nights because it gets chilly at night," advises Hillary M., who also mentions the campground "can be buggy" but that's "not unusual for waterfront camping."
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require traversing unpaved roads. The road to Halfmoon Campground "was dirt, bumpy, rocky and has several low dips that would definitely fill after rains," notes Juliette, though it was "totally passable in my low-clearance 2WD old pickup."
Tips for camping with families
Look for lake access sites: Campsites with water features provide built-in entertainment for children. Mackenzie B. says of Baby Doe, "This is a very family friendly campground! Sites are kind of close together, but you are beside the lake! And some spots have trail access to the lake, so bring your water toys!"
Choose campgrounds with basic amenities: For families, having reliable facilities makes the experience more enjoyable. Kevin G. from Peak One explains, "Peak One has all the amenities you need - water, (really) nice bathrooms with running water, and a fire pit with a picnic table. A simple campground that would be great for kids, Peak One is safe, comfortable, and a great family spot."
Consider mosquito protection: Some lakeside campsites have significant insect activity. "Gorgeous campground with a few extra mosquitos, but not unusual for waterfront camping," notes Hillary M. about Baby Doe Campground, adding it's "family friendly" despite this minor inconvenience.
Scout for exploring opportunities: Kids enjoy campgrounds with natural features to investigate. At Camp Hale Memorial Campground, Erin G. shares, "Strolled around the grounds, it's one of my most favorite camping memories. The host visited us and offered tea, she was very pleasant."
Tips from RVers
Check site accessibility: Many campgrounds have limited space or challenging access for larger vehicles. Hillary M. notes that Baby Doe "has larger sites so the generator noise from the larger RV's can be loud, but family friendly."
Prepare for off-grid camping: Most glamping sites near Climax lack hookups. "No water or electricity as this is a campground," explains Jenifer J. about Camp Hale, adding "our battery on our trailer did fine and was at 100% when we departed with our solar panels."
Consider campground elevation: High-altitude camping affects vehicle performance. At Baby Doe, situated at "10,200 feet up in the Rockies," Mark R. mentions "big sites, clear Alpine lake full of trout" making the destination worth the climb.
Research road conditions: Some campground access roads present challenges for RVs. Henry K. warns that "Turtle Rock is a bit difficult to get to in an RV, but is a great spot with climbing mountain bike and hiking trails."
