Turquoise Lake, in Lake County in central Colorado, slightly west of Leadville, presents itself as a stunning alpine reservoir with breathtaking scenery and offers an abundance of outdoor activities. The Leadville Ranger District is home to the Rocky Mountain Sawatch Range, the tallest mountain range in Colorado.
Turquoise Lake rests in Lake County, Colorado, 9,800 feet above sea level. The Rocky Mountain peaks of Massive and Galena tower over Turquoise Lake. The Mt. Massive Wilderness rises southwest of Turquoise Lake. Mountains, 14,000-feet high, and lush forests dominate Turquoise Lake’s surrounding landscape.
Lake County boasts four wilderness areas (Ws), Mount Massive W, and parts of Buffalo Peaks Ws Holy Cross W and Collegiate Peaks W. The latter three spread over into adjacent counties. Major hiking trails include the American Discovery Trail, the Colorado Trail, and a section, the Timberland trailhead, of the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST).
Mountains Around Turquoise Lake
Mount Elbert, south of Turquoise Lake, and Mount Massive, near Turquoise Lake, are the highest peaks on the CDNST in Colorado. Turquoise Lake is named for the turquoise mines in the region, and Leadville, Colorado, is named for lead mines. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (BR) operates Turquoise Lake and stores irrigation water for the lower Arkansas River in it.
Turquoise Lake is a feature of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project (Fry-Ark), a BR project designed as a multi-purpose water diversion, storage, and delivery system to serve southeastern Colorado. The U.S. Forest Service for Reclamation stocks Turquoise Lake with rainbow, brown, cutthroat, and brook trout.
Turquoise Lake recreation facilities provide eight campgrounds, with 300 total campsites and two boat ramps. Facilities close in winter due to ice and snow, but ice fishing takes over in winter. Turquoise Lake Road follows the lake’s southern shoreline, but there is no road hugging its northern shoreline.
Where Is Turquoise Lake Located?
Turquoise Lake lies in almost the exact geographical center of Colorado in Lake County four miles west of Leadville. US Route 24 runs north and south through Leadville. Turquoise lake is 105 miles west of Denver. I-70 runs west out of Denver. From I-70 west, take SH 91 south at Wheeler Junction. Go south on US 24 from SH 91 about a mile north of Leadville.
Take SH 17/Mountain View Drive west and then north on SH 9 to the junction of US 99 and stay west on SH 9, which leads into the eastern shoreline campgrounds. From anywhere south or west of Turquoise Lake, you have to go to US 24 through Leadville. That also is the only way to get to the western part of Turquoise Lake.
What Should You Wear to Turquoise Lake?
Visitors to high-elevation destinations need to layer clothing throughout the day and night.. When the sun is out and there is no shade, it is hot and sunburns are common. Carry a lot of water and wear a sun hat. You can find packable and smashable sun hats, which means it won’t lose its shape when crammed into a backpack while hiking.
When the sun tucks behind a cloud or goes down for the night, you notice an immediate drop in temperature. Bring warm clothes like hats, gloves, under layers, warm jackets, and good-quality hiking boots. The temperature at Turquoise Lake can drop into the 30s overnight, even in the summer.
Can You Swim in Turquoise Lake?
Visitors make a beeline to the 1,800-acre Turquoise Lake, a trendy recreation destination in the summer. Its high elevation provides an enjoyable, refreshing break from the heat. Popular activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking, relaxing on the beach, and swimming.
Can You Camp at Turquoise Lake?
Yes, multiple campgrounds feature a total of 300 campsites. The Forest Service allows camping in developed campgrounds in the Turquoise Lake area with no dispersed camping allowed. Most of the campgrounds are perched on the east end of the lake, and the west end of the lake is home to the popular May Queen Campground and the Timberline Lake trailhead. They accommodate tents and RVs. Some are first come, first serve, and others require reservations.
Are Boats Allowed on Turquoise Lake Colorado?
Yes, motorboats are allowed on Turquoise Lake in Colorado, along with canoes, kayaks, and stand-up paddleboards (SUPs). Launch at the Matchless Boat Ramp, on the lake’s southeastern shore, or at the Molly Brown and Silver Dollar Campgrounds on the eastern shore.
Can You Paddle Board on Turquoise Lake?
Yes, paddlers consider Turquoise Lake one of Colorado’s best lakes for paddling. You can launch paddleboards at the Matchless Boat Ramp and from the Molly Brown Campground and the Silver Dollar Campground.
Can You Bike Around Turquoise Lake?
The Turquoise Lake Trail is a 13-mile out-and-back mountain bike ride on at a 10,000-feet elevation in the San Isabel National Forest and covers half the distance around Turquoise Lake. The trailhead starts at Turquoise Lake’s Sugar Loaf Dam and turns around at May Queen Campground. There is an unpaved parking lot on the east side of the dam.
Bikers can follow the trail north along the shoreline over a smooth terrain with little elevation change. Watch out for campers and hikers who also use the trail. A couple sections of this trail meander through a maze of day-use areas. If riders stay close to the lake, the correct path will appear as it leads away from the campgrounds and day-use grounds.
Access the Turquoise Lake Nature Trail from the main Turquoise Lake Loop Road, travel to the east end of the Lake and turn west toward the Molly Brown Campground. The free-use Nature Trail parking lot is located on the left before entering the campground area.
Can You Ride Horses at Turquoise Lake?
Halfmoon Packing & Outfitting offers breathtaking views of Turquoise Lake on horseback. The company offers one hour, half day, and full day horseback rides through the area’s alpine wilderness. They also provide horse-camping services.
Are Dogs Allowed at Turquoise Lake?
Yes, Turquoise Lake is a dog-friendly with lots of biking, hiking, running, and hiking traffic.
Wildlife at Turquoise Lake
Over seventy species of birds and twenty-six species of mammals use dead trees for shelter, food, or rearing their young. Because of its recreational popularity, birding is limited near Turquoise Lake.
This alpine lake welcomes waterfowl like ducks, grebes, and loons, and high-elevation birds of prey like eagles, and other raptors. Turquoise Lake is home to a large variety of wildlife. Animals you might see around the lake and in the surrounding San Isabel National Forest include:
Mammals
- Elk: Often seen grazing in the meadows.
- Deer: Mule deer are common in the area.
- Black Bears: While sightings are less common, they do inhabit the region.
- Coyotes: These can be seen or heard, especially at dawn or dusk.
- Mountain Lions: Rarely seen, but they do roam the area.
- Marmots: Often found in rocky areas.
- Squirrels and Chipmunks: Common in the forests and near campsites.
Birds
- Bald Eagles: Occasionally spotted soaring above the lake.
- Ospreys: Known for diving into the lake to catch fish.
- Hawks and Falcons: Various species can be seen hunting in the area.
- Songbirds: A wide variety of smaller birds inhabit the forests and meadows.
