Leadville

Take a Short Drive and Discover Historic Leadville

Explore Leadville
Come discover Leadville, located only about 30 miles south of Summit County and perched at an altitude of 10,200 feet. From Summit County, take Interstate 70 west to the Copper Mountain/Leadville Highway 91 exit 195. Continue south on 91 for about 23 miles. The scenery on the way is stunning – Clinton Reservoir, Mayflower Gulch, Fremont Pass, and the views of Sawatch Range are incredible.

Adventure in Leadville
Travelers can raft the Arkansas, hike a 14er, golf the highest golf course in North America, fly fish in glacier lakes and streams, hike through alpine meadows, or go for an off-road adventure ride. They can bike, picnic, go antiqueing, museum hopping, learn about history at one of the many museums, listen to ghost stories, go horseback riding or take the family on a memorable ride on the Leadville & Southern Co train.

Relax and Enjoy
With abundant sunshine, almost 35,000 acres within four nationally designated Wilderness Areas, and the state’s two highest Fourteeners, Leadville features numerous opportunities for year-round, high-country recreation. Mix in some of Colorado’s most colorful history, a National Historic Landmark District and quaint downtown shopping area, and this authentic mountain town known for its small-town hospitality becomes the perfect vacation destination.

High-Country Trails
A vast network of trails crisscrosses the county, perfect for hiking and biking. The highly acclaimed all-season, paved ADA-accessible Mineral Belt Trail offers unsurpassed views of the Sawatch and Mosquito ranges, along with a glimpse at some of the area’s most significant historic sites.

Affordable Places to Stay
Leadville and Twin Lakes have B&Bs, modern motels, lodges, an historic hotel, cabins and vacation rentals at affordable prices to make planning your vacation even easier.

Twin Lakes
Just 15 miles from Leadville you’ll find Colorado’s largest glacial lake. Ringed by Fourteeners, it’s without a doubt one of the prettiest spots in the state and is popular with hikers, anglers and camping enthusiasts. The drive over Independence Pass is not to be missed; it was rated “One of America’s Prettiest Fall Drives” by Forbes magazine.

History
If you’re a history buff, you’ll love learning about Leadville’s colorful past. The Walking Heritage Tour is a great way to stroll the sidewalks where Baby Doe, Horace Tabor and Doc Holliday once roamed. There are 70 square blocks included in the National Historic Landmark District of Victorian architecture, including the largest opera house west of the Mississippi, the saloon visited by Oscar Wilde, and two historic 1879 churches.

Shopping
The streets of Leadville are lined with antique shops, bookstores, bike and ski shops, along with specialty stores featuring Western fashions and accessories, gifts, souvenirs, clothing, sporting goods, accents for the home, and more. Several galleries and museums feature the works of local and regional artists.