Gold Park

Air Quality: Good

This camping area features 11 first come first serve campsites perched at an elevation of 9246ft 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.

Toilets

Yes
Dump

No
Reservations

No
Showers

No
Drinking-Water

Yes
Hookups

No

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Areas of Interest

Holy Cross City Jeep Road #759
Hiking
Directions 		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 #702
Auto Touring
Directions 		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.
Ski Cooper Alpine Ski Area
Winter Sports
Directions 		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.
Lady of the Lake Picnic Area
Picnicking
Directions 		Located on the north shore line of Turquoise Lake.
Matchless Campground
Recreational Vehicles
Directions 		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 Area
Hiking
Directions 		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.
Buckeye Gulch
Biking
Directions 		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 Of The Holy Cross Overlook Observation Site
Auto Touring
Directions 		This observation deck, also known as Julia's Deck, is accessed by an easy 1/8 mile accessible trail. It provides views of the Mount of the Holy Cross and is often reserved for wedding ceremonies. The small wooden deck has 3 benches for seating and can hold approximately 30 people. The parking area can hold up to 10 vehicles and has a vault toilet. Call the Holy Cross Ranger District to reserve a 2-3 hour time slot during the summer months.Click here for a photo gallery.
Shrine Pass Road #709
Auto Touring
Directions 		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.
Yeoman Park Day Use Area
Auto Touring
Directions 		The Yeoman Park Day Use Area is set in a picturesque open meadow alongside East Brush Creek near the Yeoman Park Campground. The site has a fishing platform and serves as a trailhead for the easy Brown's Loop interpretive trail. As listed in the Colorado Wildlife Viewing Guide, Yeoman Park is also a good place to view an extensive beaver colony.
Crowley Point
Summit
Directions 		Named for Claude H. Crowley (1887-1977), lifetime area resident, rancher, and logger.
Nature Discovery Center atop Vail Mountain
Interpretive Programs
Directions 		Located in an all-seasons yurt adjacent to the Eagles Nest gondola atop Vail Mountain, the Nature Discovery Center has provided the visiting public with meaningful access to the wonders of the natural world since opening its doors in 2000. The mountain top nature center is open during the winter and summer seasons and features an array of natural history exhibits and artifacts related to Vail Mountain life zones. The Discovery Center also provides a variety of environmental education and interpretive programs led by trained naturalists. During the winter season, Vail ski school students visit the Discovery Center as part of the ski school's SKE-Cology program, which educates youth about mountain safety and mountain ecology. In winter and summer naturalists lead snowshoe tours and nature hikes that explore the subalpine habitat atop Vail Mountain. Naturalists also assist walk-in visitors and provide environmental education programs to Eagle County youth. The Nature Discovery Center is a partnership between Vail Resorts, Walking Mountains Science Center and the White River National Forest, and is operated by the Walking Mountains Science Center. Visit walkingmountains.org for more information.
Mount Massive
Summit
Directions 		Named by Henry Gannett in 1873 as part of the HaydenSurvey. (CO-T4/070694/p3D)
Davos Hill Climb #781
Biking
Directions 		This wide dirt trail begins at Cortina Lane and ends at a radio tower with views of the mountains to the southwest. It is rocky and rutted in sections with a constant elevation gain and a few short steep sections as it passes through aspens and open meadows with views of Dowd Junction. The ride ends at a radio tower with views of Mount of the Holy Cross and Meadow Mountain. Descend the same route.
Crystal Lake Overlook
Wildlife Viewing
Directions 		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.
Kuss Peak
Summit
Directions 		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.
Vail Ski Resort
Biking
Directions 		Vail is an alpine and cross-country ski resort that also offers summer activities of all sorts.
Red Sandstone Road #700
Auto Touring
Directions 		This dirt road begins at the paved Red Sandstone Road near Vail and ends at either Piney Lake or Hwy 131 north of Wolcott: This road gets heavy vehicle traffic and also a fair number of mountain bike riders, so please share the road. The climb is gradual and steady, and all but the very lowest of passenger cars can handle this relatively easy dirt road. The road winds its way up along Red Sandstone Creek and then Indian Creek with occasional views south over Vail Mountain, before reaching its high point near the trailhead for Lost Lake Trail. Here you can choose to head west toward Muddy Pass and Hwy 131, or head toward Piney Lake as your destination. Enjoy the peace and beauty here or take a hike up the Upper Piney River Trail, but remember that the lake is surrounded by the Eagles Nest Wilderness and is closed to bikes.
Vail Pass / Tenmile Canyon National Recreation Tra
Biking
Directions 		The Vail Pass / Tenmile Canyon National Recreation Trail begins at Gore Creek Campground and ends at Copper Mtn: This paved trail starts where Bighorn Road ends, follows what used to be old Highway 6 over Vail Pass, and then descends to Copper Mountain. It is a popular biking trail, so be careful to stay on the right side of the trail as bikers descend toward you.

Popular Destinations

Campground Campsites Reservations Toilets Showers Elevation
Blodgett 6 8,836 ft
Lakeview - Twin Lakes 27 9,511 ft
Dexter 24 9,271 ft
Gold Park 11 9,246 ft
Father Dyer 26 9,953 ft
Belle of Colorado 19 9,924 ft
Elliott Creek 15 8,018 ft
Hornsilver 7 8,843 ft
Halfmoon 7 10,294 ft
Cataract Creek 5 8,578 ft
Baby Doe 50 9,913 ft
Molly Brown 49 9,897 ft
Tabor 44 9,897 ft
Silver Dollar 43 9,905 ft
Twin Peaks 37 9,615 ft
Halfmoon West 16 9,932 ft
Willows 35 7,973 ft
Parry Peak 26 9,430 ft
Tigiwon 9 9,994 ft
Elbert Creek 17 10,095 ft
Camp Hale Memorial 21 9,318 ft
Halfmoon East 6 9,923 ft
Mayqueen 27 9,884 ft
White Star 66 9,256 ft
Matchless 17 9,903 ft
Ski Area Snowpack Air Temperature 5 Day Forecast
Beaver Creek Resort 65" 26° 4.33"
Ski Cooper 31" 17° 1.19"
Vail 65" 17° 3.78"
Copper Mountain Resort 52" 17° 2.24"
Location Fish Habitat Craft Restrictions
Crystal Lakes Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout Non Motorized Hand-Launch
Green Mountain Reservoir Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Kokanee None
Spring Creek Reservoir Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout None
Cottonwood Lake (Buena Vista) Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout
Taylor Park Reservoir Northern Pike, Sockeye Salmon, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout
Mirror Lake (Almont) Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout All Boats Allowed
Lost Man Reservoir
Williams Fork Reservoir Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout Non Motorized Hand-Launch
South Fork Clear Creek
Grizzly Reservoir
Kiln Creek Brook Trout
Clear Creek Reservoir Tiger Muskellunge, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout
Homestake Reservoir Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout HP Restricted
Hayden Meadows Reservoir Rainbow Trout Electric Motors Only
Cottonwood Lake
Mount Elbert Forebay Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout
Wolford Mountain Reservoir Brown Trout, Cutbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout All Boats Allowed
Upper Cataract Lake Brook Trout, Rainbow Trout Non Motorized Hand-Launch
Lower Cataract Lake Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout None
Black Lakes (Vail) Rainbow Trout Non Motorized Hand-Launch
Turquoise Lake Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Lake Trout Electric Motors Only
Nottingham Lake Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout All Boats Allowed

Nearby Snowpack and Streamflow Levels

Streamflow and snowpack data for the watershed
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Gauge Streamflow Stage
Taylor River At Taylor Park
USGS 09107000 		51 cfs 1.2 ft
Taylor River Below Taylor Park Reservoir
USGS 09109000 		86 cfs 3.4 ft
Arkansas River At Granite
USGS 07086000 		145 cfs 2.6 ft
Williams Fork Below Williams Fork Reservoir
USGS 09038500 		50 cfs 1.2 ft
Snake River Near Montezuma
USGS 09047500 		38 cfs 1.4 ft
Walton Creek Near Steamboat Springs
USGS 09238500 		8 cfs 0.4 ft
Blue River Below Dillon
USGS 09050700 		91 cfs 1.0 ft
Beaver Creek At Avon
USGS 09067000 		8 cfs 2.0 ft
Taylor River At Almont
USGS 09110000 		135 cfs 1.5 ft
North Fork Fryingpan River Near Norrie
USGS 09078500 		20 cfs 2.7 ft
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Snotel Site Snowpack 24hr Change
Rabbit Ears
SNOTEL 709 		88" 2"
Whiskey Park
SNOTEL 859 		116" 0"
Copper Mountain
SNOTEL 415 		52" -2"
Moon Pass
SNOTEL 1124 		26" 4"
Middle Fork Camp
SNOTEL 1014 		49" 1"
Arapaho Ridge
SNOTEL 1030 		89" -2"
Rawah
SNOTEL 1032 		51" -2"
Upper Taylor
SNOTEL 1141 		74" -1"
Schofield Pass
SNOTEL 737 		141" -5"
Grizzly Peak
SNOTEL 505 		60" 0"
Willow Creek Pass
SNOTEL 869 		63" -1"
Loveland Basin
SNOTEL 602 		64" 0"
Kiln
SNOTEL 556 		52" -1"
Summit Ranch
SNOTEL 802 		51" -2"
Hoosier Pass
SNOTEL 531 		52" 0"
Rough And Tumble
SNOTEL 939 		20" -1"
Chapman Tunnel
SNOTEL 1101 		57" -1"
Phantom Valley
SNOTEL 688 		49" -2"
Bear River
SNOTEL 1061 		47" -1"
Stillwater Creek
SNOTEL 793 		39" 1"
Vail Mountain
SNOTEL 842 		65" -1"
Tower
SNOTEL 825 		147" 0"
Porphyry Creek
SNOTEL 701 		67" 0"
Elk River
SNOTEL 467 		82" -1"
Hayden Pass
SNOTEL 1102 		30" 2"
Crosho
SNOTEL 426 		60" -1"
Dry Lake
SNOTEL 457 		90" -1"
Buffalo Park
SNOTEL 913 		59" 0"
Webber Springs
SNOTEL 852 		94" 0"
Park Cone
SNOTEL 680 		57" -1"
Old Battle
SNOTEL 673 		130" -2"
Cochetopa Pass
SNOTEL 1059 		25" -1"
Middle Creek
SNOTEL 624 		78" -2"
Elliot Ridge
SNOTEL 1120 		76" -3"
Brumley
SNOTEL 369 		47" -1"
Fremont Pass
SNOTEL 485 		59" -1"
Lynx Pass
SNOTEL 607 		49" 0"
Mccoy Park
SNOTEL 1040 		65" -2"
Beaver Ck Village
SNOTEL 1041 		53" -2"
Independence Pass
SNOTEL 542 		62" -1"
Ivanhoe
SNOTEL 547 		61" -1"
Joe Wright
SNOTEL 551 		79" -5"
Buckskin Joe
SNOTEL 938 		31" 0"
Zirkel
SNOTEL 1033 		91" -2"
Jones Pass
SNOTEL 970 		57" -1"
Saint Elmo
SNOTEL 1100 		53" -2"
Roach
SNOTEL 718 		63" -3"
Blackhall Mtn
SNOTEL 1119 		111" -2"