May Queen

mayqueen1.jpg
mayqueen1.jpg
mayqueen3.jpg
mayqueen2.jpg
mayqueen4.jpg
mayqueen5.jpg
May Queen Campground, Leadville, co
810 Harrison Avenue Leadville Colorado 80461 US

May Queen Campground is located at the far western end of Turquoise Lake in a shaded lodgepole pine forest. Conveniently perched near the Charles Boustead Memorial Tunnel, May Queen offers easy access to boating, fishing and hiking. 

Incredible views of the Holy Cross and Mount Massive Wildernesses can be seen from the area, and visitors are likely to see native wildlife like chipmunks, beavers and porcupines. 

The Charles Boustead Memorial Tunnel is a 5.5-mile tunnel that transports water from the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork River Basins through the Continental Divide to the Arkansas River Basin by emptying water into Turquoise Lake.

The campground sits at an elevation of 9,900 ft. on Turquoise Lake. Most campsites are situated on a level, open field along a creek, feeding into the lake. Six first come-first, serve-sites are perched on the wooded hillside above the creek. 

Nearby is the Mount Massive Wilderness area, a 30,540 acre expanse encompassing Mount Massive, Colorado’s second highest peak at 14,421 feet. Much of the wilderness is above timberline with many alpine plant communities and permanent snowfields.

Reservation Information

For Reservations Call: 877-444-6777

Campground Information

Know Before You Go:

  • Be bear aware; keep all food out of sight in approved containers or locked inside your vehicle and remove all food from area after eating
  • This is a high elevation facility, please use caution when traveling from lower elevations
  • Limit 2 vehicles or 1 RV per single site; a $5 fee is charged for additional vehicles
  • No firearms or fireworks allowed
  • click here for more information on Pike and San Isabel National Forests
  • Don’t Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visitdontmovefirewood.org.
Camping & Recreation

Explore the 6.4-mile Turquoise Lake Trail, which parallels the shoreline of Turquoise Lake from May Queen Campground to the dam. The trail offers moderate hiking with spectacular views and a variety of flora and fauna. 

On the lake, sailing, boating and canoeing are enjoyed. Anglers seek out mostly mackinaw and rainbow trout.

Nearby is the abandoned bed of the Colorado Midland Railroad, built in the 1890s. The trail is hard to trace, but visitors may find artifacts in the gulch it once crossed. 

The town of Leadville, a historic gold and silver mining town, is a fun place to explore with the family. 

Drive on the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway to Independence Pass, one of the highest paved passes in Colorado. Continue over the pass to the town of Aspen, a well-known ski resort town.

Activities and Amenities

Within Facility
  • Boating
  • Campfire Rings
  • Drinking Water (Hand Pump)
  • Firewood Vendor
  • Fishing
  • Grills
  • Hiking
  • Historic Sites
  • Host
  • Picnic Area
  • Sailing
  • Self Pay Station
  • Swimming
  • Tables
  • Trailheads
  • Trash Collection
  • Vault Toilets
Services & Facilities

Drinking water is available from hand pumps and vault toilets are onsite. Each site comes with a campfire ring and picnic table. No electric hookups are available. 

Easy access to the lake is provided for canoes and other hand-carried boats. Trailered boats can use Matchless Boat Ramp located on the east side of Turquoise Lake.

Directions

GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
39.27861, -106.43222
39°16’43″N, 106°25’56″W

From Leadville, Colorado, head west on County Road 4 and follow signs to the Turquoise Lake Recreation Area.

mayqueen1.jpg 8 years ago
  • You must to post comments
mayqueen3.jpg 8 years ago
  • You must to post comments
mayqueen2.jpg 8 years ago
  • You must to post comments
mayqueen4.jpg 8 years ago
  • You must to post comments
mayqueen5.jpg 8 years ago
  • You must to post comments
Showing 5 results