Twin Lakes, Colorado - The Best Summer Camping Destination

Twin Lakes, CO

Beat the heat this summer and camp at Twin Lakes, a mountain paradise only 2.5 hours away from Denver. Camping near water is a MUST for me and I’m so happy that I found this camping spot. If you also love camping, here’s everything you need to know about camping in Twin Lakes, Colorado.

Where to Stay

Where to camp: Parry Peak Campground, Twin Peaks Campground, or White Star Campground

My group secured a first come, first serve site at Parry Peak Campground just outside of Twin Lakes around 2pm on a Friday. It was a gorgeous campground with mountain views and a nearby creek that created a calming, peaceful atmosphere. 

I found the campground to be well maintained, although there was occasional traffic noise since it sits right next to the main road. There are two pit toilets available which was another plus. Sites also had one picnic table and a fire pit with grates which can be used if there is no fire ban in place. 

Our campsite was flat with plenty of space for several tents. There was also plenty of trees which offered a good amount of shade. You can even walk down to the nearby creek, Lake Creek, in the heat of the day to cool off. 

When planning to snag an open first come, first serve site, make sure you have enough cash on you for your stay. The cost per night is $27. There is a station by the entrance where you self pay.

Check out Parry Peak Campground’s website for all the details.

Lake Creek at Parry Peak Campground

Things To Do

Hike: This is the perfect campsite if you’re wanting to hike Mt. Elbert, a 14er, among other nearby trails. If you’re looking for something less intense, I’d recommend the Interlaken Trail. 

Paddle: Twin Lakes is absolutely spectacular, with turquoise blue waters outlined by gray peaks. Bring your own paddle board or kayak or rent from Twin Lakes Adventures if you don’t have one.

We took advantage of the hot weather we were having in August and set up a day camp on the shore of the lake, which is a little rocky but it works. The water is freezing cold so you can’t swim for too long but it’s a great way to cool off. You can find this spot if you drive towards White Star Campground, but go past the camp entrance toward the lake.

We were given day passes from the campground staff at Parry Peaks to park for free, but if you don’t have one you will have to pay to park at Twin Lakes.

Hit the town: Leadville is a little mountain town situated at 10,119 feet above sea level, the highest city in North America. And it’s by no means a sleepy town. The main street, Harrison Ave., is dotted with plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars - enough to keep you busy for a good portion of the day. 

We checked out High Mountain Pies, since we heard such great things about their pizza, and it did not disappoint. It had nice indoor and outdoor space that was good for families and allowed dogs.

Other Need To Knows

General Store: There’s a little general store across from Twin Lakes (6451 CO-82, Twin Lakes, CO 81251) if there’s any last minute camping gear or food items you need. There is also an ATM which is handy, especially if you need cash for your campsite. You can self pay online, but there is no internet service at some of the campsites, so be prepared.

Weather: Despite being hot during the day, temperatures plunged to the low 40’s at night. Bring plenty of warm clothes, low temp sleeping bags, and blankets to sleep comfortably at night. Additionally, storms can come out of no where in the mountains, especially in the mid afternoon. If you’re leaving your campsite, make sure all items are stored away that you don’t want getting wet. Also, if you plan on hiking, it’s best to leave very early in the morning and be done by noon to avoid being caught in a storm.

Food Storage and Waste: Properly store away food at night so you don’t attract bears or other wild animals to the campground. You can store food in your car or there are trash bins at the campsite where you can dispose any waste.

Water: There are no water pumps or wells where you can access clean water. Please plan ahead and bring enough water for your stay.