 Leadville, Colorado is the highest incorporated city in the United States. Sitting at 10,200 feet above sea level, this old mining town holds a rich history and features a cute town center in a beautiful mountain setting. Whether you visit in summer or winter, there are many places to explore around the Leadville area. Being only an hour and a half from Denver, this is the perfect place to plan a quick trip into the Rocky Mountains!  Photo from The Leadville Ski Joring Festival. Year-round activities:Ride the train! Learn about the fascinating pioneer and mining history aboard The Leadville, Colorado & Southern Railroad. Take a scenic train ride up a 19th century mining track and discover what made Leadville a booming city, one that only lost the vote for capital of Colorado by two votes! Soak in a hot spring! After a long hike or day skiing, there is nothing more relaxing than soaking in naturally hot spring water. Enjoy one of Mount Princeton's many relaxing pools, including natural pools along the river side. You can also stay in a cabin on site and enjoy the waters all day long! Eat or stay in a yurt! Hike or ski up Tennessee Pass to find quaint yurts inviting you to dine and spend the night on the mountain pass. You can enjoy brunch, lunch, or dinner in the main dining yurt after the quick, one-mile hike or skin up from The Nordic Center.
Visit Downtown! No trip to Leadville would be complete without some shopping and downtown dining. Walk down colorful Harrison Avenue to get a feeling of walking through an old western town. Pop into all of the downtown shops and stop at the historic Golden Burro or Silver Dollar Saloon to grab a bite to eat.
Winter:See Ski Joring! Every year, Harrison Avenue transforms into a snow-packed ski course on the first weekend of March to host The Annual Ski Joring & Ice Crystal Festival. Watch skiers be pulled down main street by horses as they try to jump off of ramps and collect hanging rings in this fast-paced Nordic competition.  The 2022 Leadville Ski Joring Festival. Hit the Slopes! Ski Joring might not fit your skiing skill level, but no matter if you are a beginner or expert, there are places for you to go enjoy the slopes! There are two places to ski or snowboard near Leadville: Copper Mountain and Cooper Mountain. They may have similar names, but they are very different mountains! Discover which mountain best fits your ski level and get out to hit the slopes: Check out Ski Cooper's website here and Copper Mountain's here!
Go Dog Sledding! Leadville’s high elevation in the mountains makes it perfect for different modes of exploration. One way to see the mountains in the winter is by dog sled! Visit a dog-sledding ranch and take an expedition through the snowy wilderness.
Summer:Checkout Twin Lakes! When the weather turns warm, take a mountain swim in nearby Twin Lakes. You can kayak, canoe, or boat around the conjoined alpine lakes. Spend the day fishing, picnicking, and relaxing and stay nearby at a campsite or in a rental cabin.
Hit The Trail! There are many trails around the Leadville area perfect for hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking. I recommend downloading the AllTrails app to find one near you that fits your goals and skill level. You can even follow the trail map offline to keep you on track when you lose cell service!  Climb a Mountain! For the more experienced adventurers, try hiking or climbing a 14’er. A 14’er is a mountain that peaks over 14,000 feet above sea level. Mount Elbert is nearby and a great first peak to bag. You can also check out Mount Massive or La Plata Peak for more intense ascents. Be sure to check the weather and be prepared! Watch our attempt of nearby Mount Sherman in winter of 2021. As you can tell, there are activities for everyone during every season in Leadville, Colorado. Start planning your trip today! Checkout these other places to visit in Colorado:
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Talkin' 'bout Tacos:
I'm Taylor, aka Tacos! I am sharing my journeys and experiences from across the world hoping to inspire travel and adventure in all who read. Archives
June 2024
|
