Twin Lakes
Twin Lakes is high-country Colorado at its most cinematic: two glacial reservoirs at about 9,200 feet below the massive bulk of Mount Elbert, with aspen-gold shorelines, a tiny historic village and trailheads that feel a world away from the Front Range.
Twin Lakes, Colorado: Alpine Lakes Below Mount Elbert
The Twin Lakes sit in Lake County on Highway 82 between Leadville and Independence Pass. The reservoirs were enlarged for water storage, but the setting still reads as wild: sagebrush benches, pine forests and views straight up to Colorado’s highest peak. The Colorado Trail and Collegiate West routes skirt the south shore, and the Interlaken Trail leads to the ruins of a turn-of-the-century resort with James Dexter’s cupola-topped cabin still standing.
Summer brings hiking, paddling, fishing and camping; fall lights the hillsides in aspen yellow; winter turns the area into a quiet snowshoe and ski-tour base. Climbers aiming for Mount Elbert often stage from the South Elbert Trailhead above the lakes. Nearby Leadville offers lodging, restaurants and the Lake County Visitor Center when the seasonal Red Rooster Visitor Center in Twin Lakes is closed.
Insider tip: For classic photos, catch sunrise or late-afternoon light from the north shore pullouts on Highway 82, then walk a stretch of the Interlaken Trail for lake reflections without the roadside rush.
Photo Gallery
Photo credits: 1- Twin Lakes by Khoshhat (CC BY-SA 4.0); Twin Lakes, Colorado2 by Domenico Convertini (CC BY-SA 2.0); Twin Lakes, Colorado5 by dconvertini (CC BY-SA 2.0); Twin Lakes, Colorado7 by dconvertini (CC BY-SA 2.0); Twin Lakes, Colorado8 by dconvertini (CC BY-SA 2.0); Twin Lakes, Colorado11 by dconvertini (CC BY-SA 2.0); Twin Lakes, Colorado12 by dconvertini (CC BY-SA 2.0); Twin Lakes, Colorado15 by dconvertini (CC BY-SA 2.0); Twin Lakes, Colorado16 by dconvertini (CC BY-SA 2.0). Images via Wikimedia Commons.
News & Events
The Red Rooster Visitor Center in Twin Lakes (south side of Hwy 82 and CR 26) operates Memorial Day through early fall. The Leadville Visitor Center at 460 Harrison Ave. keeps winter hours Thursday through Monday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Check trail and pass conditions at leadvilletwinlakes.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Twin Lakes, Colorado?
Twin Lakes is in Lake County on Highway 82, about 20 minutes south of Leadville and roughly two and a half hours from Denver via I-70 and Highway 24.
Can you hike to Interlaken from Twin Lakes?
Yes. The Interlaken Trail is about 4.4 to 5 miles round trip from the trailhead on County Road 25, leading to the historic Interlaken resort buildings on the south shore.
Is Mount Elbert near Twin Lakes?
Yes. The South Mount Elbert Trailhead is above Twin Lakes on County Road 24, and many climbers use the area as a base for Colorado’s highest peak.
When is Independence Pass open near Twin Lakes?
Independence Pass (Highway 82 west of Twin Lakes) typically opens in late spring and closes for winter. Check CDOT for current status before you go.
Where do I get visitor information for Twin Lakes?
In summer, stop at the Red Rooster Visitor Center at Hwy 82 and CR 26. Year-round info is available from the Leadville Visitor Center at 460 Harrison Ave., 719-486-3900.
Visitor information: Leadville/Lake County Visitor Center, 460 Harrison Ave., Leadville, CO 80461 (Twin Lakes area 81251). Call 719-486-3900 or visit leadvilletwinlakes.com.