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					Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands


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 Turquoise Lake Recreation Area
   Area Status:
 Sitting deep in the forest west of Leadville, Turquoise Lake takes its name from the Turquoise mines that produced the semiprecious stone in Leadville's not too distant past. A spot prized for its fishing, camping, and hiking, Turquoise Lake provides some of the most beautiful views on the Leadville Ranger District. The east end of the lake hosts the majority of campgrounds, while the west end of the lake hosts the popular May Queen Campgroundnear the Timberline Lake trailhead, which accesses the Holy Cross Wilderness. To the southwest of the lake rises the Mt. Massive Wilderness, along with such beautiful hikes as Native Lake and Windsor Lake. Snow in these areas can stay well into midsummer and possibly longer. Turquoise Lake is heavily visited, especially during the summer months. Reservations for the campgrounds on Turquoise Lake that take reservations are often filled early, especially for holiday weekends. Camping is only allowed in developed campgrounds in the Turquoise Lake Area. There is no dispersed camping available.
  At a Glance Operational Hours:
				Boat ramp hours for 2024 season:  

6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily May 24th-Sept. 2nd.
	7 am to 7pm Sept. 3rd-Oct 1stFees:
				Day use areas and campgrounds will charge fees.Open Season:
				May 24, 2024 - Oct 1, 2024Usage:
				HeavyBusiest Season:
				June-SeptemberRestrictions:
				A valid Colorado fishing license is required. Remember to check fishing regulations before fishing at any body of water. For stocking reports and more information on regulations or fishing licenses, check out the Colorado Parks & Wildlife website.Closest Towns:
				Leadville, COInformation Center:
				Leadville Ranger District
 General Information General Notes: Recreation facilities consist of 8 campgrounds, accommodating 300 campsites and 2 boat-launching ramps. Surface available for recreation includes 780 acres. Primary recreation activities include camping and fishing. Fish species available include mackinaw trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout. Facilities closed in winter due to ice and snow, but popular area for ice fishing. Turquoise Lake is a feature of the Fryingpan-Arkansas Project.
 Recreation Map Map showing recreational areas. 
		
			Map Information
 Activities Bicycling Road Cycling
 Camping & Cabins Campground Camping Baby Doe Campground
						
						Belle of Colorado Campground
						
						Father Dyer Campground
						
						Matchless Campground
						
						May Queen Campground
						
						Molly Brown Campground
						
						Printer Boy Group Campground
						
						Silver Dollar Campground
						
						Tabor Campground  RV Camping Baby Doe Campground
						
						Father Dyer Campground
						
						Matchless Campground
						
						May Queen Campground
						
						Molly Brown Campground
						
						Silver Dollar Campground
						
						Tabor Campground
 Climbing Mountain Climbing Bear Lake Trailhead
						
						Native Lake / Highline Trail
						
						Timberline Lake Trail #1495
						
						Windsor Lake Trail
 Fishing Lake and Pond Fishing Abe Lee Fishing Site
						
						Baby Doe Campground
						
						Belle of Colorado Campground
						
						Butcher Boy Picnic Area
						
						Lady of the Lake Picnic Area
						
						Maid of Erin Picnic Area
						
						Matchless Boating Site
						
						May Queen Campground
						
						Molly Brown Campground
						
						Sugar Loaf Dam
						
						Tabor Campground  Ice Fishing Sugar Loaf Dam
 Hiking Day Hiking Bear Lake Trailhead
						
						Colorado Midland Centennial Trail #1491
						
						Native Lake / Highline Trail
						
						Timberline Lake Trail #1495
						
						Turquoise Lake Nature Trail
						
						Windsor Lake Trail  Backpacking Colorado Midland Centennial Trail #1491
						
						Timberline Lake Trail #1495
 Nature Viewing Viewing Wildlife Bear Lake Trailhead
						
						Turquoise Lake Nature Trail
						
						Windsor Lake Trail  Viewing Plants Bear Lake Trailhead
						
						Turquoise Lake Nature Trail
						
						Windsor Lake Trail  Viewing Scenery Bear Lake Trailhead
						
						Boustead Tunnel Observation Site
						
						Maid of Erin Picnic Area
						
						Mosquito View Observation Site
						
						Shimmering Point Observation Site
						
						Tabor Campground
						
						Turquoise Lake Nature Trail
						
						Valley View Observation Site
						
						Windsor Lake Trail
 Picnicking Picnicking Butcher Boy Picnic Area
						
						Lady of the Lake Picnic Area
						
						Maid of Erin Picnic Area
 Water Activities Boating - Motorized Matchless Boating Site  Boating - Non-Motorized Matchless Boating Site
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	**Pike-San Isabel National Forests &
Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands
Forest Supervisor Office**

2840 Kachina Drive
Pueblo, CO 81008
719-553-1400
TTY: 719-553-1404
M-F 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

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