479 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
At over 10,000 feet, Leadville is the highest incorporated city in the country, and that elevation shapes the camping calendar significantly. Snow closes higher sites from October through May in many cases, and even midsummer nights drop cold enough to matter. The Dyrt campers checking in around this corridor note that the short season concentrates demand hard, with the best sites booking out weeks or months ahead for July and August.
Turquoise Lake and the surrounding national forest roads are the main draws for tent campers and dispersed sites alike. Leadville's RV camping options cover the hookup sites for those who need water and electrical at the site. Twin Lakes, about 14 miles south, is worth checking if Leadville-area sites are full during peak season.
"Pros- Within walking distance of the lake (where you can rent canoes, SUPs, & kayaks), gorgeous mountain views, close to Leadville, vault toilets, dumpsters, potable water sources, no mosquitoes"
"The middle one seems to have the most privacy, the biggest one is very open but you are closest to the lake. Was there in September and it was in the 80s during the day and got to the 30s at night."
from $29 - $30 / night
Check Availability"You pull off the highway onto some dirt road and drive about 3 miles past the private land onto numerous beautiful drive up campsites."
"Tried spots by Twin Lakes first but SO crowded. Close to Twin Lakes and Leadville. Bring your huge RVs cause this is the place for that."
"Easily one of my favorite places to camp in Colorado! It’s a must stay every year for me. Killer views, great hiking, beach days and a peaceful location."
"Twin Lakes, outside of Leadville, is one of my go to spots within a few hours of Lone Tree (Denver)."
from $23 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $29 - $33 / night
Check Availability"This is a basic Forest Service campground, but it's good one with lots of space at the sites and ample room to drive in and out. Access to the South Mt."
"The surrounding area was lovely too only a 30 minute drive to Leadville and we went to the lake and did some fishing only wish we could have stayed longer!"
from $30 / night
Check Availability"The tallest mountain in Colorado is close by; I highly recommend the hike to the summit of Mount Elbert if you have half a day and nine miles in ya! It is an easier 14er, just long."
"I travelled to Twin Lakes the weekend after Memorial Day weekend to explore more of Colorado. The drive from Denver was beautiful and the Twin Lakes topped it all."
"Tucked up on the edge of the woods this little gem is only 3 miles from Leadville."
"Nice campground in Leadville about a 10 minute drive from town. They have a general store, water spout at each site, decent bathrooms & free showers."
from $40 - $150 / night
Check Availability"A short drive to leadville and a short walk to turquoise lake, great location in a wooded pine forest. Lots of locations. Some are marked off to maintain social distancing."
"A short drive to leadville and a short walk to turquoise lake, great location in a wooded pine forest. Lots of locations. Some are marked off to maintain social distancing."
from $30 - $33 / night
Check Availability"I live around the corner from Twin Lakes so it's literally my backyard getaway.. Most recently spent the 4th of July out here. It's all BLM camping equiped with fire pits."
"Immediate access to Colorado Trail, cycling, hiking, and Twin Lakes activities. The road can get rough, and is narrow in one spot. Accessible with smaller trailers. "
"This dispersed camping area boasts a trout stream that borders several of the camp sites I observed several trout in the shallows. The sites are private and a good distance between each site."
"With Minturn and Leadville not far away, obtaining additional supplies, if necessary, does not require much effort. The drive to both towns was very scenic. "
ScoutNice area with lots of spots, and a few that will work for a camper van. Gravel road that’s well maintained on the way up. Some road traffic but not too bad. No major views, but peaceful and easy to get to!
ScoutSmall campground with nice size sites.
RangerThis place was beautiful. The rough road was worth it. There were trails all around the grounds. The lake was beautiful and absolutely a fisherman’s paradise. There was no water available and the main water was turned off, but they had plenty of clean porta-potty’s. There were plenty of spots open and we were able to reserve our spot online after we picked it.
ScoutLake Wellington is a beautiful family and dog friendly campground just about 90 minutes from Denver. There are 75 sites, and even when it's pretty full they are decently spaced out that you don't feel too on top of other guests. We brought our dogs and a group of friends and had a great few nights, even seeing Bald Eagles mating!
TravelerThis is BLM land there are places to park and pick a spot. Set up your tent. Then you walk (about .66 miles) into the were Cache Creek is located. You can pan for Gold and rockhound. No mechanical dredge allowed. Camped here for three nights. No fresh water to drink you have to bring your own in. One lonely port-a-potty available. I brought our own port-a-potty. Made the visit run smoothly. No where to dump trash. You have to take the trash you make out with you. I am heading there fir a second time this fall.
TravelerSo beautiful, dispersed camping at 11,200 feet surrounded by mountains. Area is busy with day hikers, go past the parking lot and set up at one of the handful of spots. Definitely for small rigs or tents, don’t come up here with a non 4x4 vehicle, and trailers would be close to impossible.
GuideNo access as the site is chain-locked.
TravelerIf you are going to camp at a lakefront spot definitely have something you can sit in else you will be attacked by flies. Super quiet during the week - got busy over the weekend.
ScoutClose to the road but also the Arkansas river, decent service for the area. Not an area for trailers
Dispersed camping areas near Leadville offer more primitive options at elevations exceeding 9,600 feet. Forest Road 130 provides flat, accessible sites with cell service, making it popular for remote workers seeking solitude. Temperatures in this region regularly drop below freezing even in summer months, requiring proper cold weather gear regardless of season. Seasonal road closures, particularly on higher elevation roads, restrict access from approximately October through May each year.
Hike nearby 14ers: Mount Elbert, Colorado's highest peak, is accessible from Elbert Creek — Psicc campground. "Perfect location if hiking either of these two mountains. Great tent sites and multiple spots per campsite. As good a camping spot relative to a 14er trailhead as you can get," notes Clint P. The trailheads for both Mount Elbert and Mount Massive are within walking distance.
Explore the Continental Divide Trail: Lakeview Campground sits directly on the Continental Divide Trail, offering immediate access to high-altitude hiking. "The campground's location on the hillside allows for an excellent view of Twin Lakes and the surrounding mountains. Also close to the South Mt Elbert and Colorado Trail for easy hiking," reports Alex H.
Water activities on Twin Lakes: Paddleboarding, kayaking and fishing are popular at Twin Lakes, where waters remain cold year-round. "We had a wonderful time camping along the Twin Lakes beach! A high clearance vehicle is preferred but we made do without one. In the morning we hopped right into the crystal clear water," explains Sara W. Many dispersed sites allow direct access to the water.
Elevated views: Many campers praise the panoramic mountain views from White Star campground. "We tent camped here for two nights and picked a spot via recreation.gov. We were on the sage loop, spot 16. The views from our site were out of this world. Any of the even numbered sites looked to be in a great location," shares Matthew J.
Solitude away from crowds: Forest Road 130 offers quieter camping experiences compared to waterfront sites. "Definitely the place for some space and solitude without hiking out to a spot. Just up the road from Turquoise Lake and away from the apparent popularity of that spot you can drive up this well-maintained forest road for some peace and quiet and minimal bugs," reports Marasha L.
Low light pollution: The area's high elevation and distance from major cities creates exceptional stargazing opportunities. "Nights are very quiet and huge dark sky to gaze at the stars," notes Kurt K. about Sugar Loafin' RV/Campground & Cabins. The minimal ambient light allows for excellent views of the Milky Way on clear nights.
Early morning traffic: Campgrounds near popular hiking trails experience significant pre-dawn activity. "You will experience cars driving through late at night and even super early in the morning to get to the trailheads. I'm talking starting at 3:00am," notes a reviewer at Halfmoon East. This noise can disrupt light sleepers.
Weather changes rapidly: At elevations between 9,000-10,000 feet, conditions can shift dramatically within hours. "It can get cold some nights, bundle up! The tallest mountain in Colorado is close by," advises Mackenzie B. at Twin Lakes View Dispersed. Snow can occur any month of the year.
Fire restrictions vary: Many campgrounds implement seasonal fire restrictions, especially during dry summers. "Check fire restrictions in the area for campfire allowance," advises Grayce F. at Forest Road 130. Some established campgrounds prohibit fires entirely, while others allow them only in designated fire rings.
Limited winter access: Most Leadville camping options close completely in winter, with a few exceptions. "I drove up this past weekend for some mid January winter camping and was not disappointed. The road appeared to be rarely traveled and it took some effort just to get my Tacoma to the start of the dispersed camping with no hopes of making it further down the road due to deep snow," reports Grant B.
Choose sites with playground access: Sugar Loafin' RV/Campground provides dedicated play areas for children. "The kids play area needed attention. The restrooms were very clean. Helpful staff lead us to our spot and helped us park," notes Sarah J. These facilities provide entertainment options for younger campers.
Consider toilet access: Matchless — Psicc offers toilets cleaned multiple times daily. "There are dumpsters and bathrooms that are cleaned three times a day," reports Hayley K. Vault toilets are standard at most established campgrounds but completely absent at dispersed sites.
Plan for mosquito protection: Waterfront sites typically have more insects than higher elevation dispersed camping. "This area likely gets VERY crowded in peak season, but when we visited it was just us and a handful of people spread out over all the sites. The sites are a short walk from the water and the views from the lake were amazing," shares Megan V.
Pack extra warmth for kids: Nighttime temperatures drop significantly even in summer. "The weather was awful this past weekend with snow, rain, and cold temps, but we had a great time. Sites were clean with a table and pit. The hosts sold firewood which was a huge plus, as the cold temps had us burning more wood than normal," shares Zach Y.
4WD roads for dispersed sites: Many dispersed areas require higher clearance vehicles. "This is a great area for campers of all types. You can pull big rigs in but also pitch tents. If you go on 130S, only go to the first big site you see on the left if you have a trailer. If you go past that, there is NO good turnaround and the road ends. I learned this the hard way," warns Kevin M.
Seasonal availability: Hookup sites are extremely limited in the Leadville area, with Sugar Loafin' Campground being one of the few options. "The sites were a bit small but full hook ups with a lodge and general store on-site. Only about 5 minute drive the lake and Leadville," reports Greg T. Reservations are essential during peak summer months.
High altitude affects generators: Some campers report generators functioning less efficiently at Leadville's high elevation. Expect increased fuel consumption and potentially reduced power output when operating at 9,000+ feet elevation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find the best camping spots near Leadville, Colorado?
Leadville offers exceptional camping at lakeside locations like Baby Doe on the beautiful Turquoise Lake, which features fishing, boating, and hiking opportunities with vault toilets and potable water. Another popular option is May Queen Campground, located close to a lake and surrounded by amazing trails, making it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. Both campgrounds are a short drive from Leadville, allowing easy access to town amenities while enjoying mountain wilderness. For those seeking more alpine adventures, several campgrounds along Halfmoon Creek and near Twin Lakes offer spectacular mountain views and access to hiking trails, including paths to Colorado's highest peaks.
What is the best time of year to go camping in Leadville?
The prime camping season in Leadville runs from late May through early September, with most campgrounds like Parry Peak — Psicc typically opening in late May or early June and closing after Labor Day. Summer offers the most comfortable temperatures, though nights remain chilly at this high elevation (9,200+ feet). Matchless — Psicc is particularly accessible during the warmer months, just 10 minutes from town. Late June through August provides the most reliable weather, while September offers beautiful fall colors but cooler temperatures. Weekends can be crowded during peak summer, especially holiday weekends, so consider midweek visits or September for more solitude. Always pack warm clothing for nights, as temperatures drop significantly after sunset even in summer.
Is dispersed camping available around Leadville?
Yes, excellent dispersed camping options exist near Leadville. Road 240 - Dispersed is considered one of Colorado's best-kept secrets for dispersed camping, offering numerous wooded spots with shade along the road leading to a lake, with some sites positioned right along the river. Halfmoon East — Psicc area provides beautiful dispersed sites with access to Halfmoon Creek under groves of pines, located about 30 minutes from Leadville. Most dispersed sites around Leadville feature designated fire rings. The Camp Hale National Historic Site area also offers opportunities for more remote camping. Remember to follow Leave No Trace principles, pack out all trash, and check local regulations as some areas require permits.
What campgrounds are available in Leadville for RVs and vehicles?
Sugar Loafin' RV/Campground & Cabins is an excellent option for RV camping, located just 3 miles from Leadville. The outer edge sites offer better views and space, though all sites are reasonably spaced with tables and fire pits. The campground includes a small general store for emergency supplies. Another option is Twin Peaks Campground, which sits at 9,600 feet with 35 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis. Many Leadville-area campgrounds accommodate vehicles, but road conditions and site sizes vary, so check specifications before arrival, especially for larger RVs. Most developed campgrounds offer basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets.
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