Twin Lakes Colorado

Everything To Do And See (By Coloradans)

The Complete Traveler's Guide to Twin Lakes in Colorado

A Guide To Everything You Should Know About Twin Lakes (Crafted By Coloradans)

Home to two glacial alpine lakes nestled underneath some of the prettiest peaks in Colorado, Twin Lakes is an absolute dream. Not only is this spot a natural beauty, with an adorable little mountain town right by the water, but the lakes are basically roadside, making them insanely accessible.

Add to this list the fact that there are SO MANY fun activities you can do at Twin Lakes (from hiking to camping to fishing to boating), and you have a Colorado local go-to spot. Let’s just say there’s a good reason this is one of the lakes we, as Coloradans, visit the most.

Our guide to Twin Lakes, Colorado will share all the must-know info about this spot, including epic locations nearby, the best times to visit, what to do, and our favorite lodging in the area. We’re sharing this expertise as adventurers who have been to Twin Lakes, CO more times than we can count, so you know you’re getting the nitty gritty details.

And as we always do in our travel and Colorado adventure guides, we’ll include plenty of pictures from our visits to Twin Lakes, so you can truly get a feel for the magic of this high alpine spot.

Disclosure: We’ve included gear and lodging recommendations in this guide to Twin Lakes, Colorado. If you choose to book or buy through our links, we may earn a commission, at no cost to you. Shopping through these links helps support our small business and allows us to continue creating this free content.

All recommendations in our guide are crafted with love and expertise, from platforms we use and trust for our own adventures, both in the Rocky Mountains and beyond.

Where in Colorado is Twin Lakes Located?

Directions To The Lakes

Twin Lakes is located in Lake County, Colorado, sandwiched between Leadville, CO to the north and Buena Vista, CO to the south.

There are really three different directions you can access Twin Lakes. During the late spring, summer and early fall, if you’re traveling from the western part of Colorado (specifically from Aspen), you can take Independence Pass (CO 82) east out of town, and it’ll end at Twin Lakes. But this route is closed for basically half of the year due to winter conditions.

To get to Twin Lakes from Buena Vista, Colorado, you’ll take U.S. 24 north for about 19 miles, and then you’ll hang a left on CO 82 and continue for about 6 miles, which’ll get you to the town center of Twin Lakes (note: the two lakes will be on the left hand side of the road before you get to the town itself).

To get to Twin Lakes from Leadville, Colorado, you’ll take Harrison Ave (the main road through town) south, and it’ll turn into U.S. 24. Take this for about 15 miles, and then you’ll hang a right on CO 82. Continue for about 6 miles and you’ll be at the Twin Lakes, CO town center.

GPS Coordinates (town center): 39.081842, -106.382059
Twin Lakes, Colorado Elevation: 9,199 ft
Cell Service: The Twin Lakes area (like most rural Colorado mountain spots) has super spotty service. If you plan on camping or hiking around the lakes, we recommend having a satellite communication device like this brand we personally love and use so you can contact emergency services if needed.

Seasonal Accessibility of Twin Lakes, Colorado

Must-Know Info On Road Closures

Twin Lakes, Colorado is open and accessible year-round, but some of the roads that lead to it may not be, depending on the time of year you visit.

As we mentioned earlier, the pass portion of CO 82 is closed for about half of the year (typically from November – late May) because of winter conditions in the Colorado high alpine, so you can’t use this road to access Twin Lakes from the west during that time.

And while U.S. 24 is open year-round, if winter weather conditions get too dicey, the road can temporarily close. This portion of road that cuts between Leadville and Buena Vista, CO is also pretty high elevation, so if you’re visiting in the colder months, an AWD or 4WD vehicle with all-weather or snow tires with a mud/snow designation is a really good call.

If you’re traveling in a 2WD vehicle, the tires we mentioned earlier or tire chains will be a must-have when there’s heavy snow or ice.

Note: The state of Colorado can implement its chain law at any time during inclement weather, so you need to ensure your car is equipped with the required tires and/or chains to follow these laws.

Is Twin Lakes, Colorado Worth Visiting?

Our Honest Thoughts

If you’re looking for gorgeous mountain views, a place where you can get out on the water (whether on stand-up paddle board, canoe, or motor boat), camp, admire summer wildflowers, and be in close proximity to wildly cool high alpine mountain pass drives, yes, Twin Lakes, Colorado is 100% worth visiting.

This spot is the perfect adventure home base for anyone looking to get away from it all, without being too far out from other epic CO mountain towns. There’s tons of hiking nearby, and you’re a short drive to some of our other favorite spots in Colorado.

The Best Way To See The Beauty of Colorado? Plan a Road Trip.

As Coloradans, we’ve driven all over the state, exploring the best-of-the-best. From our countless adventures, we’ve crafted the ultimate CO road trip guide, with all the must-add stops.

How To Get The Most Out Of Your Visit To Twin Lakes Colorado

Expert Tips From Coloradans

Our Favorite Season To Visit Twin Lakes, Colorado

Living in Colorado, we know a thing or two about the best time to adventure in the mountains and see them at their prettiest. If you ask us, summer is truly superior in the Colorado high country, and Twin Lakes is no exception to this rule.

For starters, the shoreline and the trees dotting the mountains are in their most lush and green state (a super short window at these high elevations). Add to that the gorgeous Colorado wildflowers that dot the hiking trails surrounding Twin Lakes (like in the picture below), and you have yourself a truly picturesque view.

But beyond pretty views, summer at Twin Lakes also has some other core advantages. This is when the hiking trails in the area are easiest to navigate and most accessible. No heavy snow (like in winter) or mud (like in spring).

And on top of that, Twin Lakes is at the start of one of our all-time favorite mountain passes in Colorado: Independence Pass, which is only open in late spring, summer, and early fall.

Haven't Decided On What Time Of Year to Come Out To Colorado?

Colorado seasons and weather are in a league of their own and tend to be wildly unpredictable. Our complete guide to the best time to visit the Rockies does a pros and cons breakdown of each season, so you can plan your trip with the confidence that you can actually do all the activities you want to.

Details on Camping + Campgrounds At Twin Lakes, Colorado

There are five campgrounds in the Twin Lakes Recreation Area, and all five of them have designated sites for RV camping as well.

It’s worth noting that each of these campgrounds typically opens in May and closes in September (specific dates vary from campground to campground, and can be weather-dependent).

Amenities are pretty consistent amongst all of them (you’ll want to bring your own water, but they all have vault toilets and picnic tables available for use). And fees for campsites are all pretty similar, ranging from $24 – $27 for two vehicles, and anywhere from $8 to $10 to add a third vehicle.

It’s worth noting that some of these Twin Lakes, Colorado camping sites can be reserved in advance, while others are first-come, first-served. Reservable sites include the Lakeview Campground and the White Star Campground. First-come, first-served campsites include the Dexter Campground, the Parry Peak Campground, and the Twin Peaks Campground.

As far as proximity to the Twin Lakes themselves, it’s worth noting that the Parry Peak and Twin Peaks campgrounds are technically west of the lakes along the pass, so they’re not really lakeside.

The closest camping areas to the shores of the Twin Lakes themselves would be the White Star Campground and the Dexter Campground. Lakeview is on the opposite side of the road from the lakes, but you still get stellar mountain views from there.

Our Top Camping Gear Recommendations (Our Go-To Must-Haves)

We’re big on camping, and over the years we’ve narrowed down our favorite camping gear to the items we just can’t get enough of. If you plan on camping in or around Twin Lakes, Colorado, we’re sharing some of our go-to items (this is not meant to be an exhaustive list by any means, but just something to get you started):

Our 4-Person Marmot Tent – For the longest time, we stuck with our 2-person tent, and between us and our dog, it was always a bit cramped. We upgraded to this one and it’s a 10/10 experience.
This Super Comfy Air Mattress – We’ve done enough camping over the years to know that those camp sleeping pads just don’t provide good comfort (especially if you’re a side sleeper and easily get shoulder cramps). When some friends suggested an air mattress, we decided to test it out, and it’s a game-changer. This is the one we use, and it’s a big reason we opted for a 4-person tent.
Backpacker’s Pantry Meals – When we don’t feel like creating an elaborate camping meal, our go-to is Backpacker’s Pantry meals in a bag. Literally just add boiling water, and you’re golden, and they taste so much better than the other bagged meals. Plus, we love that they’re a brand local to Colorado.
Headlamp – We use our headlamps for navigating camp in the dark, hiking before sunrise or after sunset, and as a light source in our tent when it gets late. They’re so versatile and a total must-have. This is the headlamp we personally use, and we’ve tried out many. It has an amazing high beam for those extra dark nights, and the battery life is better than ones with comparable light intensity. Not to mention, price-wise it’s a solid deal when stacked up against comparable options.
Deet-Free Bug Spray – Even though Twin Lakes, Colorado is in an arid climate, it is still a massive water source. And it does attract mosquitos, so bringing bug spray with you to camp is always a good idea. This is the bug spray we’ve been using for several years, and it comes with us on pretty much every hike and all our camping trips.

Other recommended items if you’re camping at Twin Lakes include: hand and foot warmers (while the mountains of Colorado may be warm in the middle of the day, summer at elevation still means chilly temps in the early mornings and evenings) and a lightweight yet sturdy nano puff jacket to give you that extra protective layer when the temperatures fluctuate wildly throughout the day.

The Outdoor Community Is Notoriously Elitist

For whatever reason, outdoors adventurers are highly elitist and love to gatekeep their knowledge. Our guess is that you’ve probably noticed this while doing your research on Colorado and Twin Lakes, which can make tough to learn the essentials and get acquainted with adventure culture.

That’s exactly why we’ve created a dedicated weekly newsletter whose core purpose is to make the outdoors genuinely approachable.

Lodging and Hotels Near Twin Lakes in Colorado

The Most Unique and Memorable Stays

The town of Twin Lakes, Colorado is extremely tiny, so lodging is quite limited. For the best experience, we recommend staying at a vacation rental home with a full kitchen, washer/dryer, and all the essentials you need to live off-the-grid, because this is not a town with all the amenities, to say the least.

This lovely modern home has all the essentials, and the view of Twin Lakes from the patio is absolutely unreal.

If you’re visiting Twin Lakes, Colorado in the summer months (when Indy Pass is open) and want a more luxurious travel experience, Aspen is a little over an hour drive (and what a scenic drive it is). Hotel Jerome is the oldest (and most charming) hotel in the town, and it’s an absolute stunner. It’s our top Aspen recommendation, and one of our favorite coffee shops in the state, Felix Roasting Co., is attached to the lobby.

But our true #1 choice of hotels for visiting Twin Lakes, Colorado? It’s the Surf Hotel (see the picture below), located about 30 minutes away in Buena Vista. This is our favorite hotel in the entire state (we love it so much, we even wrote a full review of all the reasons it’s so awesome).

Sneak A Peek At Our Complete Review of The Surf Hotel

It’s honestly one of our favorite hotels in Colorado, but it’s also only about 30 minutes away from Twin Lakes. Read our full review of The Surf Hotel for all the details on why this is a must-book spot.

Go-To Adventures - What To Do In Twin Lakes, Colorado

The lakes are an outdoor adventurer’s paradise, with tons of activities for people of all experience levels. From laid back and easily accessible to more challenging adventures, these are some of the go-to things to do in Twin Lakes, Colorado (note: most of these activities are best during the summer months):

Boating – Motorized boating is allowed on Twin Lakes, but there’s nothing quite as peaceful as taking a kayak or canoe out on the waters at sunrise and enjoying the alpenglow.
Stand-Up Paddle Boarding – Twin Lakes, Colorado is a local favorite for SUPing. And if you’re visiting from out of town, board rentals are available, too.
Fishing – Twin Lakes, Colorado is a go-to fishing spot for trout. There are 10 designated fishing sites at the lakes, but we’d argue that the Moache Fishing Site is the most scenic.
Swimming – Fair warning: the Twin Lakes are glacial alpine lakes, so the water is pretty much always cold. But if you’re up for a chilly dip, swimming is allowed.
Picnics + Cookouts – For access to fire rings with grates, you’ll want to swing by the Mount Elbert Picnic Area. This is technically the only designated picnic area in Twin Lakes, Colorado. But if you plan on packing in all your food and drinks, you can plan to picnic really anywhere along the shoreline.

Photography – As professional photographers, we know a thing or two about what makes a great photo opp. And needless to say, Twin Lakes, Colorado seriously delivers. To see the dreamy alpenglow lighting up the tips of the peaks, plan to arrive at sunrise. This is a go-to spot for us in the summer. And for gorgeous fall colors, plan to visit around the end of September to very early October (specific peak times will vary by year) to see the aspens dotting the mountainsides in their iconic yellow hues.
Hiking Trails – There are tons of hiking trails in the general Twin Lakes area of Colorado, but if you want a hike that’s literally lakeside, the go-to is definitely the Interlaken Trail, where you can see the historic Interlaken Resort, built in 1879. For the ultimate bucket list hike, you can also summit the highest peak in Colorado, Mt Elbert, from Twin Lakes. Nearby Indy Pass is also home to some of our favorite hiking trails in the area, and we go over more details in our guide to that pass.

One Of Our Favorite Hikes, Less Than An Hour Drive From Twin Lakes, CO

Mayflower Gulch is quite possibly one of the most-loved hiking trails in all of Colorado (and for good reason!). We’ve done this hike several times, and our trail report covers all the details you need to know.

Twin Lakes Colorado FAQs

Are There Fees For Visiting Twin Lakes, CO?

This depends on where in Twin Lakes you plan on exploring. You can expect day use areas and campgrounds to charge fees for entry.

That said, sometimes these fees only apply for part of the year. Take the Mt. Elbert Picnic Area as an example, which has a $10 fee, but that fee only applies from the Friday before Memorial Day through Labor Day (even though the site is technically open year-round).

As a general rule, when visiting Twin Lakes, Colorado, it’s always best to keep some cash on hand, so you have the flexibility to visit several sites without having to be limited to areas that don’t require fees.

Can You Have Your Wedding At Colorado's Twin Lakes?

Yes, weddings are permitted at Twin Lakes, Colorado. That said, we generally advise only having very small weddings or elopements here, as there isn’t really the space or accommodations for larger events.

The shoreline near the Moache Fishing Site is one of our favorite spots for wedding ceremonies at Twin Lakes, but it’s worth noting that water levels vary throughout the year in this Colorado spot, and higher water levels limit standing room for wedding attendees. This is another big reason why we advise keeping groups extremely small when getting married here.

Wedding Pro Tip: Depending on your group size and whether or not you plan on having professional pictures taken, you may be required to get a special use permit from the Pike-San Isabel National Forest for your Twin Lakes wedding.

Planning to Drive From Twin Lakes to Aspen, CO?

Colorado is home to so many cool ghost towns, and Ashcroft is one of our favorites. It’s a short drive outside of Aspen and one of our favorite spots to see the fall colors.

Colorado Scenic Drives Near Twin Lakes That You Can't Miss

Twin Lakes is an excellent jumping-off point to so many gorgeously scenic Colorado mountain pass drives. These are a few of our favorites we highly recommend adding to your list:

Independence Pass – This gorgeous Colorado mountain drive starts at Twin Lakes and takes you all the way to Aspen, CO. Prepare for the prettiest high alpine tundra landscapes and superior fall colors (thanks to the countless aspen trees lining the road).
Cottonwood Pass – This one’s home to some of the prettiest stretches of winding mountain roads in the state. Highly underrated with insanely stunning vistas and hikes.
Fremont Pass – This one’s for the hikers. Fremont Pass is the corridor to some of our favorites, including Mayflower Gulch and Clinton Gulch.

And if you need some more dreamy Twin Lakes inspo, we’re sharing more pictures from our adventures to this beautiful Colorado alpine lake down below.

We're Your Guides To An Epic Colorado Experience

We’re Sheena and Ed: outdoors adventurers, hikers, and professional photographers who call Colorado home.

There’s nothing we’re more passionate about than writing the most in-depth, informative, and helpful guides about our favorite spots throughout Colorado. No gatekeeping here.

These are a few of our favorite resources:

Our guide to the best Colorado mountain towns shares what we believe to be the best-of-the-best our state has to offer, from our extensive time traveling all over CO.
There’s no denying it: Rocky Mountain National Park is a Colorado icon. But if you’ve never been, it can be a challenge to figure out which spots in the park are worth the visit. Our full guide to the best spots in Rocky Mountain NP breaks down all the details.