The town of Twin Lakes is a special place to visit, along with the gorgeous glacier-made lakes that you will also find there. Camping out amongst the stars is the best way of visiting the area. Not only will you be closer to nature, but you will stumble upon the escape that your family has been desperately needing. There are several great spots for Twin Lakes Colorado camping fun!
There are five Twin Lakes campgrounds in the area, all of which have amazing views, and so many activities that will keep you and your kids busy. Hiking, biking, boating, and fishing are just the tip of the iceberg. Here’s a closer look at Twin Lakes Colorado camping destinations that more than deserve to be your family’s next vacation destination.
Insider Tip: Twin Lakes is a great basecamp to explore Colorado’s ghost towns. Twin Lakes is its own ghost town. And, there are a couple of others in the area.
Dexter Campground
If you’re searching for the perfect campground to park your camping trailer inside the San Isabel National Forest, Dexter Campground is what you’ve been looking for. Each morning you’ll wake up to absolutely stunning mountain and lake views. The campground has 22 RV sites, 22 tent campsites, fire rings, vault toilets, picnic tables, and drinking water available.
Some of the activities that you can enjoy there include hiking, fishing, canoeing, and kayaking. Many visitors take advantage of the boat ramp that’s located adjacent to the campground. Dexter’s sites are all first-come, first-served, and are not reservable.
Twin Peaks Campground
Just a short distance to the west of Twin Lakes, Twin Peaks Campground is situated just off of scenic Highway 82. Many hikers treat this campground as their basecamp for climbing Mt. Elbert and also La Plata Peak. When you’re in the area, make sure that you take the time to drive on Independence Pass. As you reach the summit you’ll witness incredible views of the Elk and Sawatch Mountains as you’re standing in its tundra.
This is a first-come, first-served campground, suitable for both tent and RV camping. Toilets, picnic tables, and drinking water are included. If Twin Peaks Campground is completely full when you visit, keep in mind that there’s free pull-off camping just a bit further to the west down the highway.
Lakeview Campground
Lakeview Campground is another popular camping location that has beautiful views and scenic overlooks. The lakeshore also happens to be only a small walk from the campsites. Year-round fishing, hiking, boating, and picnicking are some of the things you can do there. The general store also has boat rentals available if you’re interested in boating on the Twin Lakes Reservoir. Mountain biking is also permitted starting on Halfmoon Road, heading south to Twin Lakes.
Not too far from there is the Mount Massive Wilderness area, where you can climb Mount Massive, Colorado’s 2nd highest peak. Other nearby attractions include the historic mining town of Leadville, and also The Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway.
A few of the amenities in the campground include a fire ring, grills, vault toilets, picnic tables, and drinking water. Camping options include standard nonelectric, RV nonelectric, and overnight. Always be alert. Bears are common in the area, so be sure that you keep your food in a container inside your vehicle. You can find this campground 29 miles to the north of Buena Vista, Colorado.
Parry Peak Campground
Sleeping nearby the relaxing sounds that run along Lake Creek, anglers, hikers, and nature enthusiasts alike enjoy the scenery and activities that are available near Parry Peak Campground. The campground is a first-come, first-served, and is also conveniently located close to the Continental Divide Trail.
The campground has both RV and tent camping, with a number of amenities including vault toilets, picnic tables, and spacious sites. Unfortunately, there is currently no drinking water available at this campground, but campers do have the option of getting water at the Twin Lakes Campground, which is only a mile to the west on Highway 82.
White Star Campground
Nestled at the feet of Mt. Elbert and along the northern shore of the Twin Lakes Reservoir, the White Star Campground provides a picturesque setting that awaits their campers. The campground has vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings with grates, and water that is available through their handpumps. Hiking is especially popular in the San Isabel National Forest area, including the Mt. Elbert Trail and the Continental Divide Scenic Trail.
Biking, mountain climbing, horseback riding, hunting, and kayaking are a few other summer activities. There are fishing opportunities and a boat ramp located just down the road from the campground as well. Be aware that altitude sickness at this elevation (9,300 ft) does occur with some people.
Tips to Keep in Mind When Twin Lakes Colorado Camping
If you’ve never been camping in Colorado before, there are some things to keep in mind.
- Respect the wildlife. Don’t leave out food. And, don’t feed the wildlife.
- Water danger is something really to pay attention to. Wear life jackets.
- Go with someone when you are camping in Colorado. Or, bring along your dog and make sure someone knows where you are headed.
- Have the right equipment on hand. In order to make your Twin Lakes Colorado Camping experience superb. Wondering what to bring. Check out our gift guide for camping.
- Leave no trace wherever you camp. Haul out any trash. Be sure to fully douse any campfires. Know if and when you can have a camp fire.
- Know how to prevent altitude sickness! There are things you can do to keep yourself as healthy as possible whenever you are that high up. Like drink lots of water.
You’ll be certainly glad that you visited Twin Lakes should you decide to make one of these campgrounds your family’s next vacation destination. If any of you have already visited any one of these campgrounds before? If you would recommend any of these campgrounds, make sure you leave a comment below!
