Resting in the shadow of Colorado’s tallest peak, Twin Lakes is one of our most scenic locations. The community lies adjacent to the state's two largest glacial lakes along the Top of the Rockies scenic and historic byway.
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Twin Lakes
An old cabin near Twin Lakes along the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway
Once a mining-transportation hub that served the communities of Leadville and Aspen, today Twin Lakes is a place to get away from it all. The area is especially popular for camping, fishing, ice fishing, boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, hiking, biking, snowmobiling, stargazing and photographing quintessential Colorado scenery.
Twin Lakes' village offers dining, camping, cabin rentals, bed and breakfasts and an inn, as well as a general store. Head to the Red Rooster Visitor Center to learn about the area; the visitor center is also the starting point of the Historic Twin Lakes Village self-guided walking tour, with stops including a log cabin, blacksmith shops and the schoolhouse, built in 1895 and used through the 1950s. The schoolhouse has been rehabilitated by The Friends of Twin Lakes, and today it hosts a variety of educational and community events.
Just west of the Red Rooster Visitor Center is Mount Bump — a stargazing site that can be accessed via stairs and a ramp. The site offers bench seating and a flat area that’s perfect for setting up a telescope.
Hiking in Twin Lakes runs the gamut from Mount Elbert — the highest mountain in Colorado — to the Continental Divide Trail and the Colorado Trail to a serene 4.6-mile trek along the lakes to Interlaken, a famed resort area championed by mining magnate James Dexter. Follow the Colorado Trail along the south side of the lake beginning at the dam to explore some remains of this historical summer vacation spot. The Interlaken complex's most significant structure is Dexter's nautical-themed 1890s cabin. A hotel, two granaries, a stable, laundry, privy and cow barn are also preserved.
Nearby, Lake Creek Valley leads directly to Independence Pass, the awe-inspiring back route to Aspen. A drive up this stretch of road (summer only) reveals panoramic views and some of the most spectacular scenery in the state.
In addition, Leadville, one of Colorado's most authentic mining towns, is just 15 miles from the Twin Lakes area. Downtown Leadville is filled with historical hotels, saloons and an old theater, in addition to repurposed historical buildings now housing gift shops, restaurants and museums. In the winter, the local ski area, Ski Cooper, is also open to the public. And Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument, designated in 2022 and the site at which the U.S. Army's famous 10th Mountain Division trained for World War II, is just a 20-minute drive from Leadville.
Lodging around the Leadville and Twin Lakes areas include historical and modern hotels and motels, rustic cabins, Victorian-era B&Bs, RV parks and campgrounds.
Learn about the nearby city of Leadville
Check out our Leadville & Twin Lakes Colo-Road Trip Itinerary
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As the highest incorporated city in North America, Leadville's Victorian beauty is is even more unique due to the high-elevation grandeur all around it. Just 100 miles east of Denver, it's accessed along with neighboring Twin Lakes on U.S. Hwy. 24 via the Top of the Rockies Scenic and Historic Byway.