Turquoise Lake Trail

Turquoise Lake Trail is a short-to-medium shoreline hike on the north side of Turquoise Lake near Leadville, Colorado, built around easy grades and a rolling tread that stays close to the water.

The route is commonly done as an out-and-back, running from the dam area out to May Queen Campground along the lake’s edge, with the shoreline serving as the main navigation cue for much of the trip.

At a typical “single-lake outing” length, expect a minimal elevation-change profile; the trail is described as having little gain overall and gradual on-trail movement rather than sustained climbs.

Access is tied to Turquoise Lake Recreation Area and nearby USFS campgrounds around the lake; the dam and the May Queen side provide straightforward starting points for shorter or longer turnaround plans.

The trail is non-motorized and supports hiking and biking; the surface is described as ground, and some sections can be rocky, so plan footwear accordingly.

It’s a popular local corridor and is used as part of the Leadville Trail 100 race, which aligns with the trail’s consistent, rolling shoreline character and frequent use during the main season.

Seasonally, the shoreline trail is primarily a warm-season option; winter use is possible with snow travel, but it’s not heavily used in cold months and can be harder to follow when snow covers the ground.

More information: Turquoise Lake Trail | Shoreline Hike & 2026 Updates, Turquoise Lake Shoreline Trail, Turquoise Lake Trail #708 | Condon, Montana