The sparkling gem of Leadville is the Turquoise Lake area west of the town. It’s a very busy place. Don’t expect to get a campsite if you show up on a busy weekend or several weeks in the summer. Here’s what I did to beat the crowds and avoid paying some very expensive fees to camp in the area.
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Turquoise Lake Camping
Turquoise Lake is a Forest Service Recreation Area that is very popular for camping, biking, hiking, and entry into the two nearby wilderness areas. There are several campgrounds around the area and are a mix of first-come-first-serve to reservation sites. Each campground also has a variety of amenities so make sure to check the official website of the campground you’re staying in.
There are several hiking areas around the lake. Biking and running are big activities people do when they’re at the lake. Boating and fishing are popular too. Leadville is just up the road and offers most big town amenities and restaurants. There will also be lots of people to join up and enjoy visiting with your camping neighbors!
Options Outside of Turqoise Lake for Camping
I stayed here while I was in the area. There is BLM land located to the east along the Tennessee Creek allows boondocking. The cell service is very minimal for Visible by Verizon and AT&T. The area has dispersed camping but still allows easy access to the lake and the town.
The area is along Tennesse Creek which combines with the East Fork Arkansas to form the Arkansas River. There was ample water flowing through the creek and very little traffic going up and down the gravel road. It was really tranquil! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did when you visit!
No, you must camp in approved campgrounds on Turquoise Lake.
Yes, BLM land is located along Tennessee Creek to the east of Turquoise Lake and dispersed camping is allowed.
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