Top 11 Best Things to do In Twin Lakes Colorado

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It’s no secret that Colorado has some of the best camping and outdoor recreation, with numerous places to explore all over the state. A favorite that is a great spot to spend a day or weekend is Twin Lakes! In between Leadville and Aspen, the actual town is pretty small to say the least with a few lodging options, one restaurant, a food cart, and a general store. You’ll probably even see backpackers rolling through town that have been hiking the Colorado Trail.

Even though there isn’t much of a town, Twin Lakes still has a lot to offer and is a fun place to spend a weekend or even just a day in the Spring, Summer, and Fall. In this post I’ll be going over how to get to Twin Lakes, where to stay, what to do, and things to know before visiting this unique spot. Alright lets goooo.

Where is Twin Lakes

Twin Lakes is a very small town between Leadville and Aspen in the beautiful state of Colorado . In the summer when Independence Pass is open, you’re likely to drive through it on your way to Aspen or to the top of Independence Pass. Below I’ve listed times and distances from major areas in Colorado.

Denver- 2 hours and 15 min/117.5 miles/189 km

Summit County- 1 hour and 15 min/55.5 miles/89 km

Leadville- 27 min/22 miles/35.5 km

Aspen- 1 hour and 15 min/39 miles/63 km

Vail- 1 hour and 8 min/60 miles/95.5 km

Best time to visit

Twin Lakes is more of a summer destination place, so the best months for outdoor recreation here would be late May to early October. Campgrounds stop taking reservations around Labor Day through the end of September, however there is still BLM (dispersed) campsites around the lake or close by. Weekends will as expected be busier and campgrounds fill up quickly. Make sure to book reservations months in advance.

What to Pack

1. Sunscreen- If you’re outside in Colorado, especially at a higher elevation it’s important to protect your skin. I like Sun Bum, based out of California, because it is none greasy.

2. Sunglasses- Again, the sun will be more intense at a higher elevation so it’s important to have these on a hike or on the lake. Dragon is a favorite brand of mine for shades. They even make sunglasses that float in the water in case they fall off your face.

3. Teva Sandals- If you’re spending time on the lake, a pair of Teva’s are clutch. These sandals are also nice when you are just hanging out at the campsite.

4. Hiking Footwear- Avoid tennis shoes when hiking trails. Anything with good traction and support is what you’ll need. I recommend Merrell because they have many different styles and their soles are Vibram. Also make sure to pack socks that are not Cotton! I highly recommend Smart Wool because they will keep your feet dry and comfortable all day.

5. Rain Jacket- If there is one thing you shouldn’t forget in Colorado, it’s a rain jacket. You’ll want something that not only is waterproof, but also breathable. If you want to go the extra mile buy a jacket with Gore-Tex. There’s a lot of great brands out there however I like Burton rain jackets because they are packable and keep me dry on the trail.

6. Lightweight warm Jacket- Weather in the mountains can change quickly no matter what the weather channel calls for. Always bring a warm jacket. Down jackets are great for hiking because they are packable, lightweight, yet still really warm. I recommend the Baker Down because it packs into it’s left pocket and is great for when you’re doing longer hikes.

7. Headlamp- If you are camping, this is needed. I personally like Black Diamond. They will sell these at any outdoor store.

What to know ahead of time

• Due to weather, it’s not always safe to get on the lake. Keep this in mind if you’re interested in renting a kayak, canoe, or stand up paddle board for the day.

• Campsites book quickly, especially weekends. Make sure to book months in advance. You can make a reservation for campsite on recreation.gov.

• If you’re not into camping, there is lodging in town, however this needs to be booked ahead of time as well because options are limited!

• Download AllTrails for reviews, interactive maps, and trail information to navigate trails more easily.

• If you need to get food or supplies, do this in Leadville as there is only one small general store in town.

• If you need firewood, Campgrounds and the Twin Lakes General store both sell firewood, however it is more expensive and on days where it is really windy, they might not sell it. Point being, purchase firewood ahead of time if possible.

• Which brings me to my next point. There are times where Colorado summers are extremely dry and with those conditions come fire bans. There’s a chance you might not be able to have a campfire depending on fire danger.

Summer Activities at or near Twin Lakes

1. Hike the Interlaken Trail- This trail is great if you’re looking to do something different from most other Colorado hiking trails. The trail is right on Twin Lakes and will take you to a Historic group of buildings and a home. The buildings were once a place for the wealthier class to vacation at in the late 1800’s. Purchased by Millionaire James Dexter who built the home and had hopes of turning the area into a destination resort, eventually passed away, and with it the resort.

The trail is a little over four and a half miles out and back with 213 feet of elevation gain, perfect for families or people looking for an easier hike. The best time to hike this trail is late spring (May) through Early Fall (October). To get to the parking lot I would recommend AWD or having a vehicle with good tires as the road is somewhat rocky. For more details on this hike, I wrote a detailed blog post that you can find here.

2. Rent a kayak, Canoe or Stand up Paddle board- If the weather is good, a pretty fun thing to do for the day is to rent a kayak, canoe or stand up paddleboard. In town there is Twin Lakes Canoe and Kayak Adventures (also known as Johnny Canoe). There is also a second location right on the lake that is walkable from the White Star Campground. There will be parking close to Johnny Canoe that is paid. If you have a campsite, parking will be free. Just leave your parking pass on the dash.

A life jacket will be provided and I recommend bringing a dry bag to pack your lunch, a jacket, car keys, or even a camera. Hang out on the lake or paddle through the channel to Interlaken. It takes about 45 minutes to an hour one way to Interlaken. Rentals are offered in 2 hour and 4 hour increments.

3. Take a Scenic Drive to the top of Independence Pass- 17 miles west of Twin Lakes is the top of the Continental Divide where Independence Pass is. The drive alone is incredible, especially in the evening! It’s a perfect place to catch a sunset. There are no guardrails and the road itself has a number of switchbacks, so make sure to be careful and drive slowly!

Once you get to the top you will be at 12,095 feet so make sure to bring warm clothing and a rain jacket with you! Parking shouldn’t be an issue as there is a parking lot as well as restrooms at the top. Once you’ve parked, there will be a short paved path you can walk on that ends up overlooking the Sawatch Mountain Range. Peaks such as Ouray Peak, Star Mountain, and La Plata Peak can be see off in the distance.

What is the Continental Divide

The Divide is the topographic line that separates the drainages to either the Pacific Ocean or the Atlantic Ocean. This line runs down the Rocky Mountains between Alaska and Mexico. Your probably wondering “what does this have to do with Independence Pass?'“ Well Independence Pass is the highest paved road in North America that intersects with the Continental Divide.

The earliest recordings of travel over the pass were in 1879, when miners found gold near the pass. If you keep driving towards Aspen you will be able to see a small historic mining town on your left. These abandoned mines can be seen scattered through out your drive over the pass. Eventually the pass became abandoned when mining ran its course. The road was resurrected in 1920 and realigned to what it is today.

If you’re looking for a hike on Independence Pass, you can hike the Ridge Line. You’ll notice a dirt trail on the right side as you starting walking up the paved path. This trail is a 4.7 mile out and back hike that has 1,200 feet of Elevation gain that overlooks both sides of the pass with 360 degree views of the Rocky Mountains! I would recommend either doing this hike in the morning or during the day because it takes 2-3 hours to complete. The hike itself is moderate and the trail was pretty smooth the whole way up (Colorado hiking trails typically have a lot of rocks that you have to step over when hiking).

4. Hike the Bartlett Gulch Loop Trail- This trail is great for those looking for something that overlooks the lake and surrounding mountains, but isn’t too difficult or long. You can park at the South Mount Elbert Trail and start byhiking on the 4X4 road. This road will go through Aspen trees, taking you to the top of where the parking is for the start of the South East Mount Elbert Trail. Having All Trails will be beneficial for this hike so that you can see where to turn and Loop back around to the parking lot.

Near the Elbert Parking lot at the top you will see a sign on the left that says Colorado Trail NO 1776, South Elbert TRHD 2 1/2, Take a left here and you will walk through forests with views overlooking Twin Lakes. My favorite time to do this hike is in the late afternoon to evening to catch the Golden Hour as you head back to your car. The Trail is 3.9 miles with 859 feet of elevation gain. Dogs are allowed, but required to be on leash. If you don’t want to hike on the Service road you can do an out and back starting at the trailhead instead of the service road.

5. Wake up early and Hike Mt Elbert- One of the more challenging hikes I’ve done, yet most rewarding, Elbert is the second tallest Peak in the Lower 48 and tallest 14er in Colorado. If you’re unfamiliar with a 14er, it is a mountain peak greater then 14,000 feet. It’s no walk in the park, but Elbert has a well maintained trail that makes it easier to reach the Peak.

There’s 3 different routes, but one of the more scenic routes is the East Ridge Trail. You’ll want to arrive as early as possible, especially on weekends. The earlier the better because you want to reach the summit before potential thunderstorms roll in. In Colorado, Summer afternoons can be notorious for rain showers and storms.There is a small parking lot at the Trailhead and if you have high clearance with AWD, you can drive up the service road to save time and park at the actual start of Mt Elbert.

The trail is a 14.7 mile loop with 4,895 elevation gain and you can read the full detailed guide here. This hike has a lot of variety, starting out right next to the lake then through Aspens and then eventually above tree line with vast 360 degree views of the Sawatch mountain range. Make sure to pack enough water, use sunscreen, and bring warmer clothing as well as a rain jacket.

6. Eat Lunch or Dinner at the Twin Lakes Inn and Saloon- Open for dinner starting at 4pm 6 days a week, Fridays/Saturdays for lunch, and Sundays for Brunch this restaurant is one of the best I’ve been to in Colorado. It’s pretty old fashion on the inside and the property itself has been there since 1879! It even use to be a stagecoach stop and even a brothel.

Although the menu isn’t extensive there’s a lot of creative flavors and great options for apps, salads, entrees and desert. A must stop if you are in Twin Lakes, just make sure to book a reservation ahead of time!

7. Go Camping- There’s plenty of camp spots in the area. If you’re looking for dispersed camping with no facilities there will be sites near the South Mount Elbert Trailhead as well as along the service road near the trailhead. Just make sure to have a high clearance vehicle with AWD if you plan on camping off of the service road. There’s also dispersered camping on the other side of the lake near the Interlaken trailhead. Just make sure to pick up your trash and to pack out what you packed in. Please note there is wildlife in the area so don’t leave any food or trash out unattended.

If you’re looking for campsites with facilities you’ll want to book through recreation.gov asap. Sites will fill up quickly on the weekends in the summer, certain ones being first come first serve. The three main campgrounds near the lake are Whitestar, Dexter, and Lakeview with White Star and Dexter being right on the lake. Campgrounds will provide restrooms, a picnic table, water, and fire pit. If you forgot firewood, chances are the campground ranger will have a stack for sale.

Dispersed Camping (free)

Coordinates: 39.0992854, -106.3673805

Paid Campsites: White Star Campground and Dexter Point will both be right on the lake which eliminates having to drive down to the lake and pay $7 for parking.

• Dexter Point

  • First Come First Served

  • Bathrooms and picnic tables on site, no water available (make sure to bring your own)

  • Check-In: 2pm/Check-Out: 12pm

  • Open Late May/Early June-Tuesday after Labor Day

  • 8 people max, Two Tents/Cars max

  • $20/night, payable by check or cash

  • tent camping, camping trailers

• White Star

  • Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov, up to four days in advance

  • Bathrooms, Fire Rings w/ grates, picnic tables and water available

  • Check-In: 2pm/Check-Out: 12 pm

  • Open Late-May/Early June-End of September

  • 8 people max, two tents/cars max

  • $24/night for Sage Loop, $23/night for Ridge and Valley Loop, payable by check or cash

  • Tent camping, camping trailers

• Lakeview

  • Reservations can be made at www.recreation.gov, up to five days in advance

  • Bathrooms, water, and picnic tables available

  • Check-In: 2pm/Check-Out: 12 pm

  • Open Late May/Early June-Tuesday after Labor Day

  • 8 people max, two tents/cars max

  • $24/night, payable by check or cash

  • Tent Camping, Camping trailers

8. Stop by the Visitor Center and check out the historic parts of Twin Lakes - Although small there’s a historic area in town worth checking out. Stop in at the visitor center for a brief history on Twin Lakes or to talk to the visitor center guide. There’s a parking lot right next to the visitor center and behind the building there will be a trail that leads to a lookout above the lake.

9. Interlaken Boat Tour- Not looking to hike to Interlaken or Kayak to it either? not an issue, as you can take a two hour boat tour to this historic area. Tours range in prices depending on your age, but for adults it will be around $50. Boat Tours will start in June and end in September and can be booked through Twin Lakes Boat Tours.

Tours require a 3 person minimum and can hold up to 11 passengers. You’ll depart from the Red Rooster parking lot and plan to arrive 20-30 minutes before your reservation time.

10. Bring a Beach towel or camping chair and hang out at the lake for the day- Bring a cooler, cards, or a book and just relax at the lake for the day. There is parking at different parts of Twin Lakes, but I like to park near the White Start campground at Deception Point. There is a fee for parking if you don’t have a campsite and you’ll pay when you first enter the parking area.

There is also a trail that goes around this area of the lake that doesn’t have a name, but is perfect if you have a campsite nearby and want to go for a walk in the evening or morning.

11. Grab coffee at Perkolated Peaks- Can’t miss the VW van as you roll into town, especially the bright orange one. This unique van sells coffee, breakfast burritos, and sandwiches making it a quick way to start the day if you don’t feel like cooking.

Alright that’s it for Twin Lakes Colorado, if you have anything to add or have a question please leave a Comment below! Thanks reading the blog and I’ll see you on the next post. Also, if you like the blog subscribe to our email list below for the latest outdoor content!

Colorado 14ers, Everything you need to know about Hiking Mt Elbert

Disclosure: When you buy something through the Affiliate product links I have created below, I earn a small commission. I only promote products and companies I support as well as believe in.

Not gonna lie the first time I heard about people waking up at 4am to hike mountains greater than 14,000 feet (4267 meters), I thought they were crazy and it wasn’t something that I would ever even consider doing. However, as I spent more time living in Colorado and hearing about 14ers I became intrigued and decided to hike one. With Elbert being my second 14er it was also one of the hardest hikes I’ve done, yet very rewarding when you make it to the summit. What I liked most about this hike is the variety of terrain and views you get, along with a designated trail all the way to the summit.

Mt Elbert is the highest peak in Colorado and the second highest in the lower 48 of the United States, standing at 14,443 feet (4,402 meters). The first being Mt Whitney in California, which stands at 14,505 feet (4,421 meters). If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to hike a mountain this tall this guide is for you. With that being said, in this post I’ll go over where Elbert is located, how to get there, what the hike is like, what to know, and preparation/packing tips. Alright lets goo.

Where is Mt Elbert and how many routes are there to the Peak

Elbert is located right on Twin Lakes just outside of Leadville Colorado. No matter where you’re driving from you end up on CO 82 that takes you through Twin Lakes and Ultimately Aspen if you were to keep driving. There’s three different routes, but after reading reviews on All Trails it was clear that the East Ridge Route was the better trail to take. Below, I’ve listed times and distances from major areas to the South Mount Trailhead. You’ll need AWD with High Clearance if you want to park at the East Ridge Trailhead. I recommend parking in the South Mount lot and then hiking to the East Ridge trailhead.

Denver- 2 hours 15 minutes/115 miles/185 km (If I70W is congested take 285 South)

Summit County- 1 hour and 15 min/53 miles/85 km

Leadville- 25 min/22 miles/35 km

Aspen- 1 hour and 15 min/39 miles/63 km

Vail- 1 hour and 8 min/63 miles/101 km

Trail Stats

As mentioned, there’s three main routes that will take you to the peak of Elbert, each w/ different mileage for the hike. These routes are the East Ridge, Southeast, and North Mount Trails. Not only did the East Ridge route get great reviews on All Trails, but it also seemed to have better parking. For the Southeast route there isn’t really a designated parking lot and the North Mount trailhead will be North of Twin Lakes on the other side of Elbert. Reviews on Alltrails also does a great job of giving you an idea of what each route will be like. Below I’ve listed stats for each trail to the summit.

North Mount

Trail type- Out and Back

Length- 10.4 Miles (17 km)

Elevation Gain- 4,468 feet (1,362 meters)

East Ridge

Trail type- Out and Back with a loop towards the beginning/end of the hike

Length- 14.7 miles (24 km)

Elevation Gain- 4,895 feet (1492 meters)

South East Ridge

Trail type- Out and Back

Length- 11 miles (18 km)

Elevation Gain- 5,111 feet (1558 meters)

What is parking like

There are parking lots for the North Mount, South Mount, and East Ridge trail head starting points. As mentioned earlier the East Ridge Trailhead requires AWD and High Clearance and will be a dirt lot while the North Mount and South Mount lots are paved. Starting the hike at the South Mount Trailhead will eventually lead you to the East Ridge Trailhead (somewhat confusing, but will make sense if you do this hike)The Southeast Ridge Trailhead is somewhat off the beaten path and doesn’t really have designated parking.

On weekdays these lots won’t fill up too much, however on weekends when the weather is good, I can imagine them filling up. The earlier you get to the parking lot the better!

Is the hike Difficult

The short answer is Yes, this is a pretty difficult hike, especially towards the very top where this isn’t much oxygen, but a lot of elevation gain. Before you hike Elbert I would recommend doing some easier hikes in Colorado with less mileage and elevation gain. Also make sure to pack enough water and take breaks when needed. Listen to your body and don’t over due it!

Best time of year to hike this trail

Because of how long winters are in Colorado the Best time to hike this 14er would be late May to Late September, weather dependent. Snow can sometimes still cover trails as late as mid-late May. Although it melts pretty quickly, I’ve still seen it snow over a foot in May a number of times.

The best time of day to hike this trail is EARLY. Due to the fact that thunderstorms can pop up in the afternoon you typically want to reach the summit by noon. I would try to get to the trailhead by 5am and no later then 7am. Depending on which route you take, the East Ridge route takes about 9.5 hours round trip meaning you have to start hiking as early as possible.

Trail Details and what we should Expect

What I really like about this trail is the variety of terrain it had to offer throughout the hike. If you park in the South Mount Trailhead lot you’ll start the hike on a narrow trail that ends up taking you through some Aspen Trees. During a sunrise when the light starts to peak through the trees it’s pretty cool. The beginning part of this trail is also part of the Bartlett Gulch Loop trail.

Once you Hike through the Aspens you’ll eventually reach the East Ridge Trailhead with a parking lot. This is really the start of the trailhead and you’ll start to walk through Alpine forests at this point. As you start hiking you’ll want to stay on the S. MT. Elbert TR. No 1481. You’ll also notice on the sign -> Lily Ponds. This is a cool little detour spot to take a break if needed. It’s a tiny pond with some man made areas to sit. I checked it out on the descent back down.

As you start to hike from the East Ridge Trailhead you’ll continue to walk through the woods for a little longer, coming across a stream or two along the way. The elevation gain starts to pick up at this point and you’ll pop out of the trees with amazing views of Twin Lakes down below. By this point your getting closer to getting above tree line which is a little over 4 miles into the hike and 11,800 feet elevation. Don’t worry about getting lost because the trail is well marked.

As you start to get above tree line you will encounter a number of switch backs until you reach the peak. This is honestly when the hike was the most challenging, but if you take breaks and go at a pace that you’re comfortable with the hike is doable. As you get to the top you might even encounter snow, even in July.

Once you make it to the top, congrats you’ve hiked all the way to 14,439 feet or 4,401 meters. Grab some photos at the top and take in the amazing views of the Sawatch mountain range. There’s a chance that weather can roll in right around the time you reach the summit, make your own judgement call, but I wouldn’t hang out for too long at the summit if that is the case.

On the way back towards the end of the hike I took the service road instead of the trail because it will be a faster way to get to your car since the hike is pretty long.

Are there any False Summits

I didn’t experience any on the East Ridge Trail, but I read that there are a couple on the North Mount trail. If you’re like me and aren’t the best at reading maps downloading an app like All Trails will be helpful in preventing you from going off trail or taking a wrong turn. Bad cell service?, download the trail on your phone ahead of time to navigate the hike when needed.

Is there camping nearby

Yep, there is some awesome campgrounds either right on the lake or close to the Lake. The closet campground to the South Mount trailhead is the Lakeview Campground. There’s also BLM camping close to the trailhead. Other campgrounds in the area include White Start and Dexter Point. You can visit recreation.gov to make a reservation in advance. Weekends tend to book out pretty early and weekdays are a little more open.

Not into camping? There is also lodging nearby that you can book through VRBO.

Is this a crowded trail

Depending on the time of year and what day of the week you go, I would say weekdays aren’t very crowded. I only saw a handful of people as I made my way to the Summit and almost no one on the hike down. That being said 14ers continue to grow in popularity each year, so I would arrive to the parking lot as early as possible. The Southeast Ridge route is an alternative route if you don’t want to deal with more people while hiking. Keep in mind that there isn’t really a parking lot for this trailhead.

Do you need a permit

You do not need a permit to hike Elbert or a parking pass

Any recommended websites to check the weather forecast ahead of time

Noaa or Mountain Forecast are great online resources to check weather ahead of time when going on hikes or doing anything outdoors.

What Class 14er is Elbert

Elbert is considered class 1, meaning it has a designated trail all the way to summit. The class system (1-5) goes from a Hiking trail to scrambling (using hands to navigate up boulders) to technical climbing.

Any Downsides to this hike

The only downside I experienced was the number of switchbacks towards the summit. Other then that amazing views, not many people on the trail, easy to access parking, and plenty of camping options in the area.

What are the best tips for hiking a 14er

• Start with smaller hikes first that have less mileage and lower elevation gain, use All Trails to look for local hikes in your area or your destination of choice

• Pack enough water, but not too much that the weight is overbearing while hiking. I use a Hydroflask as well as a Hydrapak when hiking 14ers.

• Start hiking EARLY. Waking up at 3:30am isn’t ideal, but ALWAYS worth it. Plus, weather can roll in at any moment in the afternoon so you want to reach the summit as early as possible.

• Pack Snacks that will give you fuel while you hike

• Make sure to pack a rain jacket, extra layer, and hiking pants or shorts for when the weather changes

• I don’t own a pair of hiking poles, but I would highly recommend using these as they are an added bonus

• Only use a good pair of hiking boots with great traction and support

• Go at your own pace, not only will you enjoy the hike more, but your body will thank you later

• Pack out what you packed in by not leaving any trash or waste behind

• Have fun and be ready to push yourself physically and mentally!

That’s it for for hiking Elbert, if you have any information to add or have questions, leave a comment below! If you’re looking for to grab some food after your hike (You’ll probably be hungry), a restaurant in the Twin Lakes Inn. If you liked the blog post subscribe to our email list below for more outdoor adventure info.

Looking for other hikes to do in the Twin Lakes area, check out A complete guide to the Interlaken Trail. Thanks for reading and I’ll see you on the next post!