Turquoise Lake
- Elevation
- 9,900 ft
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Entry fee: Day-use areas and campgrounds charge fees (example: Lady of the Lake Picnic Area $11 per car). Turquoise Lake is a lake cove in Lake County, Colorado.
Before you swim
| Water type | Lake cove |
|---|---|
| Current | None |
| Water clarity | USFS emphasizes fishing, camping, hiking, and boating; sandy shoreline at Lady of the Lake Picnic Area. Swimming not stated as a primary designated use on the recreation-area page. |
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Road note | Turquoise Lake Recreation Area west of Leadville; follow signs from town. East end holds most campgrounds; west end has May Queen Campground near Timberline Lake trailhead. |
| Parking | Day-use and campground parking around the recreation area. |
| When it fills | Heavily visited in summer; campground reservations fill early, especially holiday weekends. |
| Fee | Day-use areas and campgrounds charge fees (example: Lady of the Lake Picnic Area $11 per car). |
| Hours | Day-use picnic areas typically 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; many facilities closed in winter due to ice and snow. |
| Reservation or permit | Not required |
| Reservation window | Campground reservations via Recreation.gov (often four days minimum advance for reserved sites). |
| Elevation | 9,900 ft |
| Seasonal closure | Most developed facilities closed in winter; ice fishing remains popular. |
| Managed by | USDA Forest Service (Pike-San Isabel National Forests, Leadville Ranger District) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Showers | No |
| Shade | Yes |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | Eight campgrounds (~300 sites), two boat ramps, picnic areas; camping only in developed campgrounds (no dispersed camping in the Turquoise Lake Area). |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Turquoise Lake open?
Seasonal closure: Most developed facilities closed in winter; ice fishing remains popular. Hours: Day-use picnic areas typically 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; many facilities closed in winter due to ice and snow.
Can you swim at Turquoise Lake?
No current is reported here.
How do you get to Turquoise Lake?
The road in is paved. Turquoise Lake Recreation Area west of Leadville; follow signs from town. East end holds most campgrounds; west end has May Queen Campground near Timberline Lake trailhead. Parking: Day-use and campground parking around the recreation area. Heavily visited in summer; campground reservations fill early, especially holiday weekends.
Do you need a reservation for Turquoise Lake?
No reservation or permit is required.
Is there a fee at Turquoise Lake?
The fee is Day-use areas and campgrounds charge fees (example: Lady of the Lake Picnic Area $11 per car).
What facilities are at Turquoise Lake?
Restrooms, shade structures, and picnic sites. No showers. Eight campgrounds (~300 sites), two boat ramps, picnic areas; camping only in developed campgrounds (no dispersed camping in the Turquoise Lake Area).
What are the rules at Turquoise Lake?
Dogs are allowed and camping is allowed.
Nearby
Nearby
Camping nearby
Fishing nearby
Public land
Turquoise Lake is inside Pike and San Isabel National Forests .
Sources
3
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/psicc/recreation/turquoise-lake-recreation-area (accessed September 28, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName / recreation area overview, access.fee day-use charges / camping only in developed sites / seasonalClosure, swimmerNotes.waterType / waterClarityNote / current, rules.camping allowed / parkingPattern summer crowds)
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/psicc/recreation/lady-lake-picnic-area (accessed September 28, 2026; backs access.fee example Lady of the Lake $11 per car / hours / dogs leashed)
- https://www.fs.usda.gov/r02/psicc/recreation/may-queen-campground (accessed September 28, 2026; backs elevationFt ~9900 / amenities campgrounds, access.roadSurface / roadNote Leadville signs)
More: Colorado swimming holes