Belle of Colorado
Air Quality: Good
This camping area features
19
first come first serve
campsites perched at an elevation of
9924ft in the state of Colorado.
If you're headed here today, be sure to check out
travel times and driving directions
before you go.
High altitude campgrounds like this one can get very cold at night, even during the warm summer months. Remember to pack accordingly.
Visitors may find numerous amenities toilets, clean potable drinking water, and a comfy place to pitch a tent. The surrounding area also offers outdoor enthusiasts the simple pleasure of being outside. Check out the map above to view nearby river levels, or head to the interactive map to explore the surrounding area.
Visitors may find numerous amenities toilets, clean potable drinking water, and a comfy place to pitch a tent. The surrounding area also offers outdoor enthusiasts the simple pleasure of being outside. Check out the map above to view nearby river levels, or head to the interactive map to explore the surrounding area.
| Toilets |
Yes |
| Dump |
No |
| Reservations |
No |
| Showers |
No |
| Drinking-Water |
Yes |
| Hookups |
No |
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Weather Forecast
Areas of Interest
Lady of the Lake Picnic AreaPicnickingDirections |
Located on the north shore line of Turquoise Lake. |
Matchless CampgroundRecreational VehiclesDirections |
Located on the eastern shore of Turquoise Lake, Matchless Campground accomodates larger recreational vehicles.Facilities include restrooms, potable water, picnic tables, and pedestal grills. This campground is adjacent to the boat ramp and parking areas.Itis named after one of the profitable silver mines in Leadville that made Horace A.W. Tabor one of the riches men in America. |
Maid of Erin Picnic AreaHikingDirections |
Located next to the Matchless boat rampon the easternshore ofTurquoise Lake, Maid of Erinis a beautiful area to enjoy a picnic with friends and family. Facilities include picnic tables, pedestal grills, fire rings, potable water, and flush toilets. You can also access the Turquoise Lake Nature Trail from this site for a leisurely walk around the lake. |
Crystal Lake OverlookWildlife ViewingDirections |
Located just off U.S.Hwy 24, south of Leadville at the Arkansas River Headwaters, the overlook provides gorgeous views of the highest peak in Colorado, Mt. Elbert. |
Ski Cooper Alpine Ski AreaWinter SportsDirections |
Ski Cooper, located atop Tennessee Pass 10 miles north of Leadville on U.S. 24, is a unique and affordable alpine ski area for the whole family. Five lifts serve 26 runs on 400 acres with slightly more intermediate than beginner or expert terrain. The longest run is 1.4 miles. The base sits at an elevation of 10,500 feet, with the summit at 11,700 feet. Ski Cooper averages 250 inches of natural snowfall a year and hosts a variety of fun-filled events throughout the winter season.Ski Cooper also includes a terrain park with seven different features, short lift lines anda variety ofruns. The base facilities include the Ski and Snowboard School which offers alpine, telemark and snowboard instruction; a day lodge with guest services, ticket offices, first-aid room, restaurant and bar; a ski rental shop; the Children's Center, featuring a children's ski school, rental equipment and day care for children ages 2-8; the Tennessee Pass Nordic Center with rental equipment for cross-country skiing, telemarking, and snowshoeing, and the Tennessee Pass Cookhouse.Ski Cooper Stats:Vertical drop: 1,200 feet;Acres: 400;2,400 acres of snowcat skiing on Chicago Ridge;Lifts:5- 1 double, 1 triple, 3 surface lifts;26 runs: 30% beginner, 40% intermediate, 30% advanced;Annual Snowfall: 250 inches. |
Buckeye GulchBikingDirections |
Approximately 2 miles, this road that can be walked, biked or driven. The section of the roadthat can be driven with a 4WD vehiclebegins 4.5 miles north of Leadville on Colorado Hwy91 and ends on a hiking trail about 1/4 mile before the lake. The first part of this road crosses private land. Please stay on the roadway and be respectful of private property. |
Mount MassiveSummitDirections |
Named by Henry Gannett in 1873 as part of the HaydenSurvey. (CO-T4/070694/p3D) |
Kuss PeakSummitDirections |
The name honors Adolph Kuss (1909-2002), who served on the Leadville City Council, the Lake County Commission, and the St. Vincents Hospital Board; he was also actively involved in the construction of the Mount Massive Golf Course, and was the first manager of Cooper Hill ski resort. |
Holy Cross City Jeep Road #759HikingDirections |
This extreme road starts off Homestake Road #703 and ends at Holy Cross City historic site. This is one of the more difficult and popular roads in the state. It is recommended to consult a 4-wheel drive guide book for a detailed description of this route and recommended vehilce specs. Stock vehicles should not attempt this one.Click here to see a Recreation Quicksheet for this road, complete with directions, description, map, and more. |
Resolution Road #702Auto TouringDirections |
This dirt road starts at Camp Hale and ends at Ptarmigan Pass: This is an easy graded road to the top of Ptarmigan Pass which is wide and flat. There are wonderful panoramic views here and you may also notice remnants of old buildings and saw mills in this area (they are old saw mills that operated near the turn of the century, and supplied many of the ranches and farms in this area with building supplies). There is room to turn around here and return the way you came.Click here to see a Recreation Quicksheet for this road, complete with directions, description, map, and more. |
Mount CosgriffSummitDirections |
Named for Peter Cosgriff (1931-1996), attorney, sportsman, and conservationist in Lake County, and in the Colorado high country. |
Twin Lakes Historic DistrictAuto TouringDirections |
Located next to Colorado's two largest glacial lakes, the Twin Lakes Village began as a stopen-route between the mining districts of Leadville and Aspen. In the late 1880s, however, mining magnate, James V. Dexter, built the nearby Interlaken Resort, a 100-acre complex featuring a dance pavilion, stables and servants' quarters. Soon after, the area became a haven for wealthy tourists who boated in the summer and skied in the winter. It remained popular until the 1950s, when enlargement of the lakes cut off access to the resort.Today, Twin Lakes Village as well as Interlaken Resort, have been carefully preserved for visitors. Interlaken was designated a National Historic Site in 1974 and is undergoing extensive restoration work. Twin Lakes Village, at the base ofMount Elbert (Colorado's highest 14,000 foot peak),has been preserved with many of its classic log cabins still standing. |
Monitor RockClimbingDirections |
Monitor Rock is a popular rock climbing area locatedon the north side of StateHwy 82, approximately four miles west of the town of Twin Lakes. |
Monitor RockClimbingDirections |
Monitor Rock is a popular rock climbing area locatedon the north side of StateHwy 82, approximately four miles west of the town of Twin Lakes. |
Independence PassAuto TouringDirections |
At 12,095 feet, Independence Passis one of the highest paved mountain passes in the United States. Independece Passis the summit of the Top of the Rockies National Scenic& Historic Byway, and is located between Twin Lakes Village and Aspen.Independence Pass serves as the eastern gateway to the Roaring Fork Valley, as well as an historic link between the Western Slope and communities on the Front Range. Thousands of people - from Colorado "locals" to international visitors - travel over the Pass from its opening in May to its closing inthefall.Facilities at the summit include vault toilets anda paved trail that provides pedestrian access to a scenic viewing platform, which providesbreathtaking panoramic views of the glacier-sculpted peaks and ridges of the Continental Divide. Don't forget your camera in the car! |
Rinker PeakSummitDirections |
Named for Robert Lee Rinker (1911-1985), who lived at the base of the peak for 52 years. |
Hayden Gulch TrailheadHikingDirections |
This trailhead is located east of Granite, Colorado at the end of Hayden Gulch Road 396, 4-wheel drive access only.Provides access to Hayden Gulch Trail #1470 heads east into Buffalo Peaks Wilderness to meet withRich Creek Trail #616and Rough and Tumbling Creek Trail #617. |
Mount BlaurockSummitDirections |
Named for mountain climber Carl Blaurock (1894-1993), who was a co-founder of the Colorado Mountain Club and the first to climb all of Colorado's 14'ers. |
Ouray PeakSummitDirections |
Ouray is the name of a distinguished Ute chief. (CO-T4/042793/p5A) |
Ervin PeakSummitDirections |
Named for mountain climber William F Ervin (1884-1943), who climbed every peak over 14,000 feet in the United States. |
Shrine Pass Road #709Auto TouringDirections |
This dirt road starts at Vail Pass and ends at the town of Redcliff. It can be traveled in either direction, but for biking it is much easier starting at Vail Pass. This dirt road is passable by all but the lowest passenger cars and is relatively easy for mountain bikers. It offers views of Mount of the Holy Cross in the Sawatch Range, access to the Shrine Mountain Trail, and access to the short, accessible trail to "Julia's Deck."Click here to see a Recreation Quicksheet for this road, complete with directions, description, map, and more. |
Popular Destinations
| Campground | Campsites | Reservations | Toilets | Showers | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cottonwood Lake | 24 | 9,586 ft | |||
| Blodgett | 6 | 8,836 ft | |||
| Belle of Colorado | 19 | 9,924 ft | |||
| Camp Hale Memorial | 21 | 9,318 ft | |||
| Matchless | 17 | 9,903 ft | |||
| Twin Peaks | 37 | 9,615 ft | |||
| Gold Park | 11 | 9,246 ft | |||
| Hornsilver | 7 | 8,843 ft | |||
| Tigiwon | 9 | 9,994 ft | |||
| White Star | 66 | 9,256 ft | |||
| Dexter | 24 | 9,271 ft | |||
| Halfmoon | 7 | 10,294 ft | |||
| Father Dyer | 26 | 9,953 ft | |||
| Halfmoon East | 6 | 9,923 ft | |||
| Tabor | 44 | 9,897 ft | |||
| Elbert Creek | 17 | 10,095 ft | |||
| Gore Creek | 25 | 8,720 ft | |||
| Baby Doe | 50 | 9,913 ft | |||
| Silver Dollar | 43 | 9,905 ft | |||
| Halfmoon West | 16 | 9,932 ft | |||
| Parry Peak | 26 | 9,430 ft | |||
| Lakeview - Twin Lakes | 27 | 9,511 ft | |||
| Collegiate Peaks | 56 | 9,837 ft | |||
| Mayqueen | 27 | 9,884 ft | |||
| Molly Brown | 49 | 9,897 ft |
| Ski Area | Snowpack | Air Temperature | 5 Day Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Mountain Resort | 52" | 17° | 2.24" |
| Vail | 65" | 17° | 3.78" |
| Ski Cooper | 31" | 17° | 1.19" |
| Beaver Creek Resort | 65" | 26° | 4.33" |
| Breckenridge Ski Resort | 52" | 17° | 2.24" |
| Monarch Ski & Snowboard Area | 67" | 12° | 1.17" |
| Location | Fish Habitat | Craft Restrictions |
|---|---|---|
| Clear Creek Reservoir | Tiger Muskellunge, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout | |
| Kiln Creek | Brook Trout | |
| Needle Creek Reservoir | Rainbow Trout | All Boats Allowed |
| Turquoise Lake | Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout | Electric Motors Only |
| Crystal Lakes | Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout | Non Motorized Hand-Launch |
| Cottonwood Lake | ||
| Montgomery Reservoir | Cutbow Trout, Rainbow Trout | Non Motorized Hand-Launch |
| Hayden Meadows Reservoir | Rainbow Trout | Electric Motors Only |
| Green Mountain Reservoir | Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee | None |
| Williams Fork Reservoir | Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout | Non Motorized Hand-Launch |
| Mirror Lake (Almont) | Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout | All Boats Allowed |
| Cottonwood Lake (Buena Vista) | Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout | |
| Wolford Mountain Reservoir | Brown Trout, Cutbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout | All Boats Allowed |
| South Fork Clear Creek | ||
| Rich Creek | Brook Trout | |
| Lower Cataract Lake | Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout | None |
| Nottingham Lake | Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout | All Boats Allowed |
| Upper Cataract Lake | Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout | Non Motorized Hand-Launch |
| Homestake Reservoir | Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout | HP Restricted |
| Grizzly Reservoir | ||
| Mount Elbert Forebay | Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout | |
| Curtain Ponds | Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout | |
| O`Haver Lake | Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout | None |
| Black Lakes (Vail) | Rainbow Trout | Non Motorized Hand-Launch |
| Lost Man Reservoir | ||
| Officers Gulch Pond | Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout, Tiger Trout | Non Motorized Hand-Launch |
| Taylor Park Reservoir | Northern Pike, Sockeye Salmon, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout |
Nearby Snowpack and Streamflow Levels
Streamflow and snowpack data for the watershed
| Gauge | Streamflow | Stage |
|---|---|---|
|
Williams Fork Below Williams Fork Reservoir
USGS 09038500 |
50 cfs | 1.2 ft |
|
Gore Creek At Mouth
USGS 09066510 |
48 cfs | 5.1 ft |
|
North Fork Fryingpan River Near Norrie
USGS 09078500 |
20 cfs | 2.7 ft |
|
Piney River Below Piney Lake
USGS 09058500 |
3 cfs | 3.1 ft |
|
Roaring Fork River Near Aspen
USGS 09073400 |
14 cfs | 0.6 ft |
|
Eagle River Near Minturn
USGS 09064600 |
44 cfs | 2.9 ft |
|
Fryingpan River Near Thomasville
USGS 09078600 |
27 cfs | 1.8 ft |
|
East River Bl Cement Creek Nr Crested Butte
USGS 09112200 |
98 cfs | 0.7 ft |
|
Keystone Gulch Near Dillon
USGS 09047700 |
2 cfs | 1.9 ft |
|
Fraser River At Upper Sta
USGS 09022000 |
8 cfs | 0.5 ft |
| Snotel Site | Snowpack | 24hr Change |
|---|---|---|
|
Ivanhoe
SNOTEL 547 |
61" | -1" |
|
Blackhall Mtn
SNOTEL 1119 |
111" | -2" |
|
Elliot Ridge
SNOTEL 1120 |
76" | -3" |
|
Chapman Tunnel
SNOTEL 1101 |
57" | -1" |
|
Grayback
SNOTEL 1058 |
14" | 1" |
|
Grizzly Peak
SNOTEL 505 |
60" | 0" |
|
Park Cone
SNOTEL 680 |
57" | -1" |
|
Willow Creek Pass
SNOTEL 869 |
63" | -1" |
|
Willow Park
SNOTEL 870 |
75" | -2" |
|
Porphyry Creek
SNOTEL 701 |
67" | 0" |
|
Hayden Pass
SNOTEL 1102 |
30" | 2" |
|
Stillwater Creek
SNOTEL 793 |
39" | 1" |
|
Whiskey Park
SNOTEL 859 |
116" | 0" |
|
Long Draw Resv
SNOTEL 1123 |
63" | -3" |
|
Beaver Ck Village
SNOTEL 1041 |
53" | -2" |
|
Arapaho Ridge
SNOTEL 1030 |
89" | -2" |
|
Joe Wright
SNOTEL 551 |
79" | -5" |
|
Copper Mountain
SNOTEL 415 |
52" | -2" |
|
Zirkel
SNOTEL 1033 |
91" | -2" |
|
Phantom Valley
SNOTEL 688 |
49" | -2" |
|
Vail Mountain
SNOTEL 842 |
65" | -1" |
|
Fremont Pass
SNOTEL 485 |
59" | -1" |
|
Dry Lake
SNOTEL 457 |
90" | -1" |
|
Deadman Hill
SNOTEL 438 |
64" | -1" |
|
Independence Pass
SNOTEL 542 |
62" | -1" |
|
Cochetopa Pass
SNOTEL 1059 |
25" | -1" |
|
Jones Pass
SNOTEL 970 |
57" | -1" |
|
Upper San Juan
SNOTEL 840 |
133" | -1" |
|
Wolf Creek Summit
SNOTEL 874 |
141" | -2" |
|
Elk River
SNOTEL 467 |
82" | -1" |
|
Moon Pass
SNOTEL 1124 |
26" | 4" |
|
Berthoud Summit
SNOTEL 335 |
66" | -1" |
|
Rabbit Ears
SNOTEL 709 |
88" | 2" |
|
Brumley
SNOTEL 369 |
47" | -1" |
|
Loveland Basin
SNOTEL 602 |
64" | 0" |
|
High Lonesome
SNOTEL 1187 |
69" | -2" |
|
Mccoy Park
SNOTEL 1040 |
65" | -2" |
|
Saint Elmo
SNOTEL 1100 |
53" | -2" |
|
Tower
SNOTEL 825 |
147" | 0" |
|
Jackwhacker Gulch
SNOTEL 935 |
45" | -1" |
|
Buffalo Park
SNOTEL 913 |
59" | 0" |
|
Lynx Pass
SNOTEL 607 |
49" | 0" |
|
Summit Ranch
SNOTEL 802 |
51" | -2" |
|
Middle Fork Camp
SNOTEL 1014 |
49" | 1" |
|
Upper Taylor
SNOTEL 1141 |
74" | -1" |
|
Rawah
SNOTEL 1032 |
51" | -2" |
|
Buckskin Joe
SNOTEL 938 |
31" | 0" |
|
Roach
SNOTEL 718 |
63" | -3" |
|
Rough And Tumble
SNOTEL 939 |
20" | -1" |
|
Kiln
SNOTEL 556 |
52" | -1" |
|
Hoosier Pass
SNOTEL 531 |
52" | 0" |