Twin Lakes Reviews

Beautiful hike around the lakes and further if you choose. Cool old house to explore and other buildings too. Stunning views from northwestern shores looking east.

I made a quick stop here with my sister on our first visit from the UK. There was a popular general store, some interesting old cabins in a park area, and some vehicles at the side of the road selling food and drink. It seemed like a popular spot for people with an RV in particular stocking up on essentials.

We hiked the Interlaken Trail and it was "easy" however if you're from TX then it's a little more challenging than "easy." But it was GREAT. Tricky to find, though, unless you have a good map.

Stayed a week within view of the lake and surrounding Mountains. Did some fishing, kayaking on the lake. I expect this place could be named Little Switzerland when the snow covers the mountains.

Excellent get-a-way or even that day trip to remember

What a fantastic hike! Go to the Twin Lakes area. It's south of Leadville or north of Buena Vista..either way, head west on CO 82 for .8 miles from 82/24 intersection. Turn left onto County Road 25 and follow it until it dead ends. The road is "improved dirt" for a short period then turns a bit rocky. Really low clearance vehicles should find a spot to park out of the way and hike the rest. Decent ground clearance and taller vehicles can drive the rest of the way to the trailhead (the difference being about 100-150 yards guessing). Once at the trailhead, there is space to park quite a few vehicles. Look for the "Colorado Trail" trail marker and head in! Plenty of fantastic views along the way. Estimates show the roundtrip to be about 5.2 miles. Weather can change very quickly and at times, violently. Go prepared with food, water, and improvised shelter in the event of a down pour or hail. Also keep in mind, there are wild animals in the area. Reports show bear and mountain lion as possible encounters. We had no such encounters. What to see: Awesome mountain vistas, reservoirs of deep blue water, flowers, trees, and at the end, a really great "ghost town". Remnants of a resort from the late 1800's. Several buildings and informational signage are present. If you are an avid hiker and keep a good pace, it's an hour out and an hour back. For the "average" hiker, expect to take about 3-4 hours roundtrip. Would make an EXCELLENT fall hike because of all the Aspens that would be changing color. Elevation gains are reported to only be about 150+/- feet, so it's relatively easy in that respect. There are some sloped areas to use caution in as footing can get loose (sloped to drops towards reservoir). Walking sticks would be advantageous for less experienced hikers.

Gorgeous views from this incredible valley. Never feel claustrophobic or "trapped" - close to at least 5 trailheads. Quick drive to the top of Independence Pass for free and fabulous snow activities - cross country, downhill, snowboarding, or just simple family fun. Back to the cabin in 30 minutes and into the hot tub. Enough people around to feel safe, but no crowds. Lots of locals. Great general store open May-Oct. Quick trip to Sundays near Leadville for groceries, stunning drive to Buena Vista for more upscale eating, etc.

Quick ride as you get off independence pass. Nice view but the town is 4 store with a police car at both ends with a dummy in the police car. Whatever

Nice area to visit. Very scenic and good fishing. Old historic town, watch your speed through here. You pass through here on your way to Leadville from Independence Pass.

We stayed here for 10 days at a Vrbo in pan ark estates. High atop the mountain, spectacular views of the mountain range and lake. Convenient to Leadville and buena vista. Walked down by the lake to explore. Would loved to have canoed, boated on the lake, we were there in October. There is an old mansion on the property near the lake. Wish we were there in the summer to walk around and tour. The Aspen trees were still in bloom, weather was perfect, warm sunny. We drove over independence pass to Aspen. Wow, that's something to do if you haven't. Great views along the continental divide. More yellow gorgeous aspen trees. Abandoned Mining towns along the route. Very cool,to see, stop read about the history of those mining areas. Twin Lakes is a quaint town. Take the time to,atop, visit. Also take the trip,over independence pass, weather permitting, to Aspen. Visit st. Elmo ghost town, beautiful drive. Relax. Enjoy the beauty.

Had Din Din at the inn. Nice atmosphere, but prices were a bit much for what we got. The food was decent there, and the area is gorgeous !

We stayed for Christmas in a cabin overlooking the lakes. They were frozen and looked amazing. Plenty of hiking trails. Snow was plentiful. Snow shoes not really needed.

We have stopped here for years, neat old town. The general store is a nice visit. Lots of things to see and do. Slow down...

Fairly primitive camping. 1 vault toilet, 1 snap down faucet, and 1 bear proof dumpster per camping loop. No lights, no hookups. Firewood available from camp host. DO NOT leave campfire unattended. Have a bucket to carry water in from the snapdown faucet. Rules are strict to protect the forest, and must be observed. Do not tie anything to any tree. We enjoyed walking around and observing the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks foraging and scolding. The view of the lakes from our campsite was phenomenal. We slept very well, it was so quiet. It got pretty chilly that night (40s) which is normal for high elevation. Then the long predicted "Monsoon" rolled in, and we rolled out the next morning. Hope to return some day and stay longer.

Looking for good day hikes while staying in Buena Vista for a week, we were told about the trails around Twin Lakes. Here there are two primary trails to follow, the Continental Divide and the Colorado Trails. I prefer the Colorado Trail hikes, but both offer great hiking. We parked on the north side of the reservoir dam, just off of Highway 82. From there we walked across the dam and to the south around the lake. At the point where the trails divide, you can continue east on the Continental Divide trail or trek up the mountainside along the Colorado Trail. You'll see the confidence markers to know which trail you're on. The trail upward does have some areas in need of maintenance, but was no problem to hike, and the views of Mt. Elbert are awesome. If you continue instead westward along the Continental Divide trail, you'll have an opportunity to see Dexter's Cabin, an old structure from the 1890s.

Down by the lake only 19 people call this home. Check out lodging though, it is a beautiful, peacefull and friendly place!

We traveled past the lakes on our way through Independence Pass. Nice boat ramp area and plenty of parking.

Even though it was raining on the day we traveled to the lakes, we still had a great time skipping rocks and enjoying the beauty around us. We look forward to going back on a sunny day and taking off in a canoe!

We traveled over to Twin Lakes on Monday morning to hike about 3.5 miles. Great views and scenery. Saw antelopes & mule deer.

My sister and I spent the night at Twin Lakes and we went on the Interlaken Boat Tour. We enjoyed it very much and was much better than several other boat trips we took during our week in Colorado! They are very knowledgeable about the lake and the interlaken resort . We enjoyed the magnificent scenery, information about the geology of the area, wildlife, history, and folklore.

There is a visitor center, artist co-op gallery, and if nothing else stop at Punky's Trailer for some fast food - burgers, etc., and don't neglect the ribbon fries :-)

We stopped in Buena Vista to purchase lunch at the Subway and then drove to Twin Lakes to picnic and enjoy our meal. Stunning mountain views and peaceful setting. There was some boating and people on the shores either swimming, fishing or both. Later we drove to a higher point for more pictures. Can't think of a better place to picnic and enjoy the beautiful lake and mountain views.

The review is very sucky. You got a very hateful nasty manager who wants to use everybody else's power and don't. Cshe's trying to drain power from everybody else's trailers. And then telling us that we can't go down to the trailer that we bought. We'll guess what I don't care anymore. I'm sick and tired of everybody being hateful. It's been a little over 2 months, wish i'd hurt something back by now, and we paid the first month's rent and rent's coming to again. You gotta know that I'm coming. You want the 2nd month to rent your glass? Know something because a background check doesn't take 2 months due takes 48 hours to do.

We stopped at The visitor center in town before starting the interlaken trail. Very interesting history of this small community. Enjoyed walking around looking at the buildings. Highly recommend the 2.4 mile hike to the old hotel on the other side of the lake. Original buildings of the Interlaken resort. Beautiful hike overlooking the lakes.

Twin Lakes is a great quaint village that affords lodging, food, fishing, camping, hiking and great outdoor fun! Lake Creek provide great rainbow & brown trout and Twin Lakes have some great lake trout. The pace is slow, quiet and relaxed yet, there are plenty of activities for the whole family!

Beautiful views! I loved visiting here! We rode to the Columbine Mine and it was tough! A must see for sports enthusiasts.

The Colorado Trail crosses through the area and proved to be a delight to walk. We did a section that we picked up just outside the Lakeview Campground, where we spent the week. We also walked on the South Mt. Elbert Trail. From Twin Lakes, it's an easy jaunt to tons of outdoor recreation areas as well as Leadville and Buena Vista. It was very cold and windy when we were there, but we had checked the forecast ahead of time and were prepared.

There is a campground above the lakes but other facilities appeared to be lacking. Access to the lake shore is via dirt two tracks.

We took the day hike out to Interlaken Resort on the shores of Twin Lakes. Start at the parking lot next to the dam and follow the Colorado Hiking Trail signs. The day was cold and blustery, but the hike was delightful with incredible views of the surrounding mountain ranges. Because of the winding trail, you are treated to views of the three separate mountain ranges that converge at Twin Lakes.

The path is easy to moderate in grade and doable for most in moderate shape. Kids should have no trouble scampering up the slight grade. The path winds among mature trees and, as such, is well-protected from the weather for the most part. The prize for the hike is coming upon the restored buildings of the abandoned Interlaken Resort at the far end of the lake. It is very interesting to wander among the abandoned resort buildings imagining the vacations of the rich and famous from another era. You should plan to spend three to four hours for the hike and site visit.

We loved driving around the area, the Aspens this time of year are beautiful. The view of the lake with the mountains as a backdrop are spectacular. We took some jeep trails south of town that overlooked the lake and that was great, you could spend a day up there just exploring. There are lots of trails in the area to hike, a place to rent canoes/kayaks, and boat tours of the lake. You can go over Independence pass for a nice drive and even more scenery.
The thing about Twin Lakes is there is only one Restaurant. It is supposed to be just amazing, but you may not get in, its so busy that they stop taking reservations. If you plan to stay in Twin Lakes I would reserve a spot at the restaurant first or plan to drive over 30 miles to one of the nearest towns for dinner. Buena Vista has a good selection of restaurants, and Leadville had a few.
The town is small and the lodging is all right on the highway, can be noisy. The bed and breakfasts seem to be up away from the road and away from town. There is a small general store there that had the basics.

It is a gorgeous pair of mountain lakes. I strongly recommend a wetsuit however if there is any chance of falling in the water... and beware, the afternoon winds pick up the surf and you will have a rough ride home if you aren't prepared for choppy waves.

Twin Lakes is a small handful of buildings and homes nestled at the foot of Mount Elbert, Colorado's highest peak. It has a very cool little general store with a very nicely curated selection of local alcoholic beverages and a surprisingly extensive collection of outdoor gear. An adjoining shop rents canoes for paddling around on the stunning Twin Lakes. There is a visitor's center that had a nice selection of pamphlets of area attractions. It was manned by a very nice gentleman who knew a great deal about the area and answered all of our questions. Twin Lakes is at the foot of Independence Pass, one of the highest mountain passes in Colorado and which sports and amazing panoramic view of some of Colorado's highest peaks. Twin Lakes is close to a great deal of wonderful hiking, mountain biking and fishing. Not a place to stay but a terrific place to visit!

Twin Lakes is one big lake this year since the lake is so full with water that the ridge that splits into two lakes is covered with water.
Twin Lakes is also a small settlement on Highway 82 which leads over Independence Pass to Aspen and Glenwood Springs. That is one of Colorado's most beautiful drives in the summer and fall. The highway is closed by snow in winter and most of spring.

Twin Lakes (population about 40) is a very beautiful and peaceful area with a charming very small town. We wish we could have stayed longer.

We stopped at Twin Lakes as we drove by. We sat and enjoyed the terrific views. It was before the summer season and all was very quiet and peaceful. A most beautiful spot!

Our stay at the twin lakes inn was excellent. We got a lot of snow during the night we arrived the service the food and the views are unbeatable !!!

Twin Lakes is a pretty place to have a picnic, although, I enjoyed Turquoise Lake more. There is a $6 charge to enter the parks on the south side. I am not sure about the other parks.

We spent the night here and really enjoyed the town. Has a very heavy climber's stop to it. Areas to hike, boat, and great place to eat.

Beautiful area, historic, scenic, Native American stories and geologic evidence. Easy to hike near and around massive lake. Incredible river too with well marked and nice trails that were easy enough for our family of 4 with kids under age 12.

Pack a lunch and snacks in. Not many amenities but that's also why it's so nice and quiet. Really beautiful.

Breath taken, beautiful like I was in heaven.. wildlife area. This is the place I'd like to spend my life till I die.

Beautiful landscape, beautiful lake, Ramp attendants very nice, Lake is smooth in the morning, but aroud 11:15 or so, wind comes up on the lake, Ample camping area, restrooms only, you need to bring everything else

The village of Twin Lakes is a great location with wonderful views!
There is a general store and 2 restaurants available for travelers to the area.

By far this was the best excursion I've had in Leadville. Was able to rent a snowmobile from Leadville Ski Country - Marty and Tom (the owners) are real good, hospitable and genuine folks. As I didn't have my car, Tom was able to drive me to the lake along with the polaris. You can't miss this lake as it's in the shape of a pancreas.
The machines used were in very top shape and worked real well! Man they were one of the most powerful things I have ridden. Also was given a small map of the area.
I definitely recommend anyone coming to Leadville to come here, rent a couple of machines and head out to the Turquoise lake area for some good powder times!

Nice area to hike and enjoy the views from the heights above with little walking. Nice benches at the top of the trails.

Beautiful beyond words. Nice hikes around or near lakes. Throw on a wet suit and go for a swim. Great place to run. It's quiet. The mtns loom large.

Outstanding scenery for miles around. Park and walk around the area. If you go to the east entrance, a Lake County road that has access to it below the east dam, you can walk one of the many trails, even to Interlocken which was an old resort being restored on the south side of the lakes. This is about a mile and a half walk. Moderate trail. This is not a fee entrance. They have added this as a fee site, about $7 per car fi you enter just east of the power station. Can't miss that.. Not a lot but why charge for something you can see from the road. Also take the county road to the area above the power station and you can get great views from several areas.

The beauty of Twin Lakes is worth the drive. You can hike, picnic, drive to aspen, and camp. We love spending time here surrounded by the beautiful lake and mountains.

Fishing was good . The scenery speaks xxDont put a minimum on here , its ridiculous .A little more .

The views are magnificent. Take time to enjoy the beauty of the mountains as they touch the sky and caress the lakes. I noticed a lot of fishing going on.

Some of the best snowmobiling, hiking, and fishing I have ever had in my life. Twin Lakes Inn also has fantastic food as well.

Beautiful place. We come here to paddle and kayak, plenty of calm areas for the kids. We felt like we had the place to ourselves. Pet friendly.

We stop here and took some pictures because the views are breathtaking, specially when the mountains are snowed and in the middle of the day you can see the sun shining on top of them, I will not spend more than that one hour taking pictures but it is recommended to visit because The scenery is very good.

On the way back from Leadville we stopped here on a recommendation by Friends. Lovely views and a nice outlook.

We had been driving from Breckenridge on our way to Aspen when we came across Twin Lakes. This turned out to be a great stop.
We discovered the parking lot we were in was for the Twin Lakes Historic District. A nice place to walk around and see the historic buildings. It was a short hike up a hill which gave you great views of the Twin Lakes and Mount Elbert looming to the northwest.But, before we got back on the road we walked over to the Twin Lakes General Store for ice cream.

Calm water for low key water activities, sand beach areas. scenery is beautiful. A must visit place.

Beautiful views from every side of the lake!! Love the backdrop of Hope Pass :)

Great loop ride around the lake. Park just SE of the dam. Well marked signs. Rocky sections including one hike and bike to keep it real. Takes about two hours to complete if fit otherwise 3-4. Stunning views and you get to see the historic Interlokken resort.

The scenary is stunning. It wouldnt say it is typical Colorado - it is Colorado's best. The lake is quite sizable, great colors, the mountains are fairly steep and close to the lake, high altitude and you can enjoy the scenery from the historic town or driving by and making stops. There are a few good camping spots in the area, too. The lake itself was low on water when we were there and not great for fishing. The camping right at the water look a bit crowded and touristic. Overall the crorwd wasn't that big, however..highly recommend the area for a drive through or camping.

Lakeview campground is directly across the road from Twin Lakes. This is a very nice campground, plenty of trees with a few sites providing a good view of the Twin Lakes below. Lakeview Campground itself has multiple loops, each site will accommodate different sizes of tents, pop-ups, RV's fortunately Reserve America has photos of sites and very good descriptions. There are no hookups, but water is available dispersed throughout the loops. My husband and I fish either off shore or by boat, the lakes offer excellent fishing and peaceful unless you go up on a holiday, then it is quite a different experience. One of my favorite campgrounds in this area.

Spent the week camping across from Twin Lakes. There is a kayak and paddleboard rental as well as a guided boat tour available if you didn't bring your own. spent a day paddle boarding and kayaking. Vaulted facilities if you don't mind that. There are a couple of boat launches if you brought your own boat.
Spent another day hiking the south end.

We have traveled to Twin Lakes for many years since our normal, annual trek to Colorado typically includes traveling Independence Pass; one of the many spectacular viewing points. Twin Lakes is located just north of Buena Vista and just south of Leadville at the junction of Highways 24 and 82, The Top of the Rockies Byway. Twin Lakes provides the opportunity for many beautiful photo ops (especially during mid September [approximate] when the golden Aspen are in full force. The visitor center gives you a great chance to use a bathroom before heading up the mountain. Many bikers ride this route (an many other highways) so be aware of their presence and give them plenty of clearance when passing. Take your time and use the pull-offs to enjoy the scenic beauty! If you are in the area and don't mind heights with a few unblocked views for some great shots go for it! It is fascinating to me year after year!

Stopped here on our way to Leadville.. Late September and the Arsenal were a spectacular yellow. We picked up a picnic lunch and just hung out for hours. Must See!

We were looking for that place with a nice feel to it to enjoy the ambiance of the mountains. We certainly found that at the Twin Lakes Lodge. We had room number two and it was nicely decorated and well laid out. We had plenty of room for the two if us. They had coffee, juice and nice fresh pastries in the morning as well. We sat on the outside side porch to enjoy the beautiful view of the mountains and lake. We went for a walk around the town and also over to the park across the street. We certainly enjoyed our stay here and we recommend staying here. There is a nice restaurant next door that we had two great meals in and recommend that as well. It closes early so go eat before 8:00 PM!

The mountains behind the lakes had great fall color Sept. 24, 2015. The scene is beautiful but a picnic area is misleading. The toilets are locked, there are only two picnic tables which are down hill and up hill from the parking, to much of a walk for my husband who has COPD and this is over 10,000 feet altitude. The tables have no shade and are very worn I wouldn't sit on it because of possible splinters. We wanted to have lunch, but turned around and left after taking a few photos. We were disappointed because online it sounds like a nice picnic place, it is not. It's also 20+ miles from Leadville. Expecting to stay a while and spent a lot of time driving and turning around.

Not much there.........quiet little area....its not a town just a few inns and restaurants.........lake is beautiful

I have visited Twin Lakes twice, once for an overnight camp stay in August 2020 and Feb 21 for a quick visit.

The area is BEAUTIFUL year around, the surrounding mountains is what Rocky Mountain Post Cards are made of. In August we camped at one of the camp grounds and woke up to senic views. The Twin Lakes mercantile/general store was very nice and friendly. The store clerk even made a fresh pot of coffee and gave us a cup since it was rather cool that evening. In February the lake was frozen and the snow covered mountain's was breath taking. The highway leads to Independence Pass which is you direct pass into bougie Aspen. If you enjoy simple camp life then Twin Lakes should be on your list

Twin Lakes is an eye blink on the way down the mountain. I give them credit for hanging on, but not much here to see. Coffee, a quick lunch or gasoline. The lakes are nice, but Turquoise lake up the road in Leadville is a better option. If you are looking for solitude camping or staying an Mt Elbert lodge go for it.

We just drove over to Twin Lakes.. was beautiful from what we could see. Took some pictures. weather was nice.. we will return for sure

Came here again for a 2nd time back in 2012. Had a super blast of a time snowmobiling around Turquoise Lake! Again, just like the previous occasion, I rented a snowmobile from Leadville Ski Country - Tom and Marty's place. Very fine folk, got to know them a bit more this visit!
Always rent an RMK Polaris. Don't bother riding a Ski-doo. But no need to worry cos Leadville Ski Country don't do Ski-doos! :-)
Enjoy the ride and scenery!

Nice, but typical. It's unlikely that Twin Lakes is the first scenery, or even lake scenery, that one has seen in Colorado. That is, unless one has just dropped out the sky here. Though we like the best of such mountain and lake scenery, in this case we just drove on by, made some comments - but didn't even stop for photos (though we both like photography).

Spent many summer weekends camping at an old homestead near Twin Lakes. Enjoyed the peace and quiet.

We loved the town. OLD TOWN with beautiful lakes and old building around. GREAT PHOTO Area. Visit the Visitor Center to learn the history.

This was our third visit to area. It is gorgeous! Beautiful lakes, nice trails. We thought about the boat trip but decided against it this visit. Maybe next time. . .

I've been through here in fall, but wanted to come back for a summer view. This is a beautiful location with the mountains behind the lake. Great place for a picnic.

We booked this 2 hour boat tour of twin lakes. Well worth the trip. The lakes are beautiful and clean. Scenery can’t be beat with Mt Elbert in the background. Lexie and her husband took us out to the old Interloken Hotel and toured us around all the buildings. Their knowledge was extensive. This is a rare experience.

What a quaint little place, with cabins that are right out of the gold rush. Lovely little museum in the original Red Rooster Saloon. Alas didn't get chance to visit Interlakenhoheweg ... Ghost town nearby ... The hike there looks really good. Great little general store, alas the in. Didn't open for lunch until 2 pm ... That's pretty useless.

Views are wonderful here, especially in the fall with aspens changing colors.

We were driving from Aspen to Buena Vista and came across this beautiful area called Praying Angel fishing access. We drove down to the lake and found a lone tree with some shade to stop to have a picnic. It was a beautiful day with beautiful surroundings. Huge body of water with mountains surrounding it.

Great hiking or biking trails, beautiful scenery! Water is very low currently, hoping for heavy snow melt next spring!

Beautiful scenery. A couple nice places to stay with individual cabins, a quaint little general store, and a nice restaurant in the hotel.

We stopped at Twin Lakes on our recent trip to the Rockies. Our trip was full of intense activities. We spent a day on the southern shore of the eastern lake fishing, floating on tubes and just hanging out. It was just what the doctor ordered. The weather was perfect. Twin Lakes is in the shadows of Mt Elbert. so the scenery in unbelievable. We ate lunch on the shore and skipped stones in the water. It was one of the highlights of the trip.

This is a small community but has real CO charm with fall colors and beautiful views! Enjoy the Shooting Star gallery with local artists selling their reasonably priced works!

This is our favorite place to camp in the summer. The scenery is just beautiful. Also a good place to boat and fish.

This is a very small community on the way to Independence Pass and eventually Aspen. I saw this area on a planned drive over the pass to Aspen, and liked it so much that I came back the next day. There are a very few businesses here, very few. There are nice views of the mountains and this is a definite scenic section of the highway. I liked this side of the Pass the best (I would say it is the Eastern side). If you bring a lunch, there is a nice park to use. There are a couple of picnic tables in a nice sunny field that face the mountains. There is a restroom there as well and some parking. There are a couple of historical buildings and plenty of opportunity for good photos. There is potential for a speed trap in this area with kind of a funny twist that I will let you discover for yourself.

for the altitude this trail was fairly easy, good for families, cool historical point at the end of the trail

We drove from RMNP down to this campground as we were planning on tackling independence pass the next day. This camp is remote but beautiful and strangely has great phone service. It is a dry camping destination and has vault toilets and no showers. The campsites themselves were beautiful and probably one of my kids' favorites of our trip. Could've stayed longer here as there are some good hikes nearby. The lake is easy to get to as well by driving across the street from the camground.

I camped on the shores of Twin Lakes when I was a kid. Much has changed over the years. These are beautiful lakes easily accessible off of the road between Leadville and Buena Vista. My biggest complaint about Twin Lakes now is that every area has a fee. I just wanted an area to go take in the scenery and snap some photos. Otherwise nice area.

Aweseome photo opportunity, mirror image of sky and trees in the lake. Simply gorgeous. A quick side trip or stop from Leadville or Independence Pass.

This area will stop you in your tracks. It's like being in a fairy tale where colors are amplified somehow, and everything looks brighter and deeper. The midsummer wildflowers are gorgeous, there's a lot to do and it's not overdeveloped or even crowded like every other destination. The actual village is a few buildings with a police car, but no one comes here for the party scene anyway.

It's a little off the beaten track but not inconvenient, so if you're coming from Denver, this is a fun and easy weekend trip. You could spend the whole time here, or do one night at the lakes, a day of nature stuff, then stay in Leadville and visit the historic district the second night. However you experience it, don't miss out!

Twin lakes are very beautiful, and the town is so adorable! We drove through here on Independence Pass, and totally fell in love with it!

Two experienced river pilots -- Jim and Lexie McMillen -- started a boat tour of the Twin Lakes in the mid-summer of 2013. (Lexie had been a pilot on the famous Delta Queen which plied the Mississippi and feeder rivers for many years from New Orleans to Pittsurgh.) Their craft, the Molly Brown, is a simple, but sturdy boat which holds up to 20 passengers and the McMillens give a great 2-hour tour of both Lakes for the money ($20 for aduts, $18 for seniors (over 65), $15 for teens, and $10 for children 4-12, as of this writing). Not only are these glacially formed Lakes (over 90 feet deep at points) and their accompanying mountains magnificent, but about half the tour is spent at the difficult-to-access Interlaken Resort on the other side of the Lakes. Interlaken is a collection of now-closed but highly interesting 19th century buildings which were a turn-of-the-century mountain playground for the rich and famous both locally and nationally, including Teddy Roosevelt. Tours are held daily -- weather premitting -- at 10 am and 1 pm and the McMillens are great folk (and exceptional and informed tour guides) who deserve our support.

This is such a beautiful area and worth a stop. The surrounding 14ers are incredible and you cannot get enough of the scenery!

Very nice place to visit. Nice camp grounds and the lakes are great for fishing. Take your kids there allow them to experience things that we did as kids. This is a perfect place to introduce your family to the out doors, camping and fishing. You'll love the place!!!

Its a cool little place and small town? on the Lake's sandy beaches and small sites to hang on the water or in the water, A little out of the way so bring everything you might need for the day. Enjoy.

On the way to Aspen with beautiful fall colors .The blue waters of the lakes are nestled between the mountains covered with yellows, oranges and greens. The air is so clean you think the whole body would be cleansed with one breath .

Grab the steel home Airbnb for the weekend, you will not regret it! Nice place to keep our stuff while on the lake.

Amazing little find in the middle of nowhere! Peaceful and quiet to just sit and take in nature's beauty. Even saw a rainbow over the lake on our drive back through.

One lake is almost non-existent right now. The other is very low. Go in early June. August is too late. It looked very sad.

Kayaking around both lakes was easy and beautiful. Suggest renting kayaks from Jonathon Gwaltney right in town

Campground with nicer amenities was full. We stayed at at a tent site on top of a hill . It was quite a walk up to site and then also down to water. Scenery is like nothing I'd ever seen before. Absolutely beautiful. Mountains surround you. Water is clear. Cold night in tent though. I would recommend reserving tent site at campground with amenities next time.

These are two huge lakes connected by a small channel and set right at the foot of Mts. Elbert and Massive. I spent a few hours here fishing, picnicking, and swimming as a day trip from Leadville, which is only about a 15 minute drive. There was a lot of room to get away from other people, and they had many nice picnic areas complete with grills and picnic tables. I didn't have any luck fishing, but was told by a local that you need to get out before 10am otherwise the wind starts to blow across the lakes and fishing isn't as good. Boating is allowed and there are a couple campgrounds right on the lake. The area has a $6 day use fee.

Beautiful setting ringed by hills and mountains with gold Aspen patches. The drive around town and lake and up into Independence Pass was breathtaking. Be sure and stop at the Shooting Star Gallery featuring only local (as in Twin Lake resident's) art.

The campsites are large and spaced so that you wouldn't know you had a neighbor , It is extremely quiet at night, Campfire wood is sold at the Camp Host Trailer. Getting away from city lights the stars are brilliant,

Beautiful, woody trails above the lakes. We used these trails to help us acclimate before a longer mountain hike and I'm so glad we did. There were plenty of inclines and challenging areas, but hikers of all ages/skill levels could handle these paths. Lots of mountain streams and beautiful views along the trail. Bring bug spray, though, there were lots of mosquitoes in the woods.

We drove down to the water and stopped at the little store in town but unfortunately it was closed. There wasn’t any activity on the lake but it looks like it would be a fun place in summer.

A lovely place to stop and hike or picnic on your way through the pass. Near a quaint little town too

A beautiful drive and view of Twin Lakes! The little gas station had a nice selection of gifts and more.

The clear waters of these lakes are framed by sweeping Alpine beauty. Great place for hiking or picnicking!

We spent two days in Twin Lakes and found the village and landscape to be a great place to relax and unwind. We kayaked and hiked. It is gorgeous and very much a hidden gem, with minimal visitors on the lakes, even in peak season.

Kayak/canoe rentals were a little pricey, and we got rained out. But they’re friendly and helpful at the shop
The trails were just a tad hard to find and a little hard to drive to trailhead in a regular (non SUV) car. Ask a local how to find and get on the trails.
We also enjoyed the visitor center in the village (very friendly), short historic walking trail, and overlook

We really enjoyed this as a multi-day getaway but it could also work as a day trip. You can take a quick swim on a particularly hot day. The lakes are glacier fed (pretty cool!), but also on the cold side.

These two lakes at the foot of the pass to Aspen are a perfect place to stop and take a dip in the water or cast a line to try your luck on catching a fish. The beaches are sandy in places and sometimes pebbles.

The water is very clean and flowing from the mountains. The two lakes are connected by a small byway.

You can stop off on one of a few areas to park and walk into the lakes.

I was only a few days into getting used to the altitude in Leadville when we hiked Twin Lakes. The trails are fairly level and the hike was completely manageable even though it took us longer than the recommended 45 minutes. The hike takes you to Inter-Laken which is an old resort for the rich and famous that is in the process of being restored. It was an enjoyable hike. The only thing lacking was any sort of restroom facilities, but there were plenty of trees!

A 'must see' if in the area, the view was just striking. Decided to drive by as an afterthought, and we couldn't believe the view. Didnt have much time and with others who weren't up for hiking. I would definitely love to explore the area.

We saw some wildlife in the area. Deer mostly. There are plenty of places to pull off, take photos, take hikes. There is a campground and also picnic spots.

If you're going to hike the Colorado Trail here at Twin Lakes, do not part on the north side and walk across the dam......drive further east below the dam and take the road back up to end up on the south side of the lake. There are plenty of parking spots here and trails that are more shaded. Some signs are there, several have been removed by vandals it appears. Word of caution - many mountain lion sightings lately - so pay attention.

We have traveled many times through the twin Lakes area on our way to Aspen from Leadville. This trip, we made reservations to take the boat ride across the lakes to Interlaken. We were given a tour of the historical home and hotel that serviced the well-to-do in the late 1800"s. Beautiful tour!

It is a wonderful area and the drive to Aspen via Independence Pass leads through real high mountain locations with appropriate flora. For Europeans, where the highest mountain is just 4000 m high and has to be climbed with great effort, it is of course something special to drive around over 4000 m high.
Note: The Independence Pass, and thus the road between Twin Lake and Aspen, is only open in the warmer months. (Look at the Internet beforehand).
Twin Lake is a tourist resort. There are ample parking facilities for motorhomes directly on the lake, but few and expensive hotel rooms.
I took my inflatable kayak to Interlaken. This is a former meadow hotel, now a ghost town across the lake.
An experience!
While you’re there, climb Mount Elbert, Colorado’s highest mountain. I had to cancel it twice before because thunderstorms were coming at noon.
It's really special, and I say that as someone who knows Colorado pretty well.
A star less than 5 because the hotel situation is really not good. Nearby Leadville is not my case, but the mining museum there is interesting. Buena Vista is nicer.

After a morning in Leadville we continued on to Twin Lakes on our way over Independence Pass to Aspen. Gorgeous mountain drive - stop at beautiful Twin Lakes to take in the view.

We've stopped here several times on our way to/from Aspen to have a picnic lunch beside the lakes. The area is beautiful, especially in fall. There are several primitive camping areas along the lakes.

This was the first trip I've made to the area in 20 years and it was sad to see the lakes so low but the views are still amazing! We drove around and found a nice place to have a picnic with the kids. Sun, water, mountains...who could ask for more?

Great area away from the crowds. The lake is clean and one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Many hiking options and campgrounds in the area. I hope the crowds never find this special place.

They actually are twin lakes! This is such a serene spot. The town itself is only about one street long, but the lakes are what people come for. You can go fishing, swimming, or boating along the lakes, and you'll be surrounded by the towering mountains above you - perfect!

Twin Lakes is close to Leadville (about 20-25 minutes away) and is a gorgeous area! Fishing and little hotels/cabins, beautiful Fall- colored leaves right now, and you can hike up the south side of Mt. Elbert from this area. Awesome!

Take a hike and look at the shops and stay at the cabins. Great views and not crowded. You can take the kids!

It was a very nice afternoon!! Depending on where you are at around the lakes. It is very peaceful, some beach-like areas, the water is frigid!!

Beautiful place! Gorgeous views and stunning scenery. Hiking from novice to advanced all within a short drive.

The lakes are really so awesome and surrounding by lovely mountains. .
Amazing natural place and really worth to visit..
Wildlife

We stopped by the Twin Lakes Visitor Center on our latest trip to Colorado to find out about some "back" roads in the area. The person in the Visitor Center knew much less about the Colorado highways than we did. We ended up having to go to the next town to get any good information. It is just a place for show..... no information.

These lakes appear to be beautiful although during this trip, they still had ice on them on 6/1/17. The drive is easy to get to them.

Took some amazing scenic pictures. Absolutely gorgeous on a clear day. Very relaxing to enjoy a nice a peaceful day

I went kayaking at Twin Lakes and it was absolutely beautiful with the backdrop of enormous snowcapped mountains. Be careful of the weather as you can get trapped in a storm at any time. Just be sure to watch what the clouds look like over the mountains. So much fun and so peaceful.

Twin Lakes is just a short distance from Hwy 24 on Hwy 82. The beautiful views are well worth the drive. The information house was staffed by friendly and helpful staff. There is a unique VW cafe along the highway. I was there a short time and saw two vehicles pulled over by the police. The speed limit is low here, so may want to closely observe it.

Breath Taking! We stayed in the town of Twin Lakes for 4 days and got to see the lakes each day as we were coming and going to different activities. The view never got old. Each time of day the lake would look different. Just beautiful!

We visited Twin Lakes on a cloudy, blustery spring afternoon. The scenery is stupendous, and there is a lovely overlook where one can view the lake, the mountains, and the tiny historic town. Lots of snowy peaks, spring wildflowers, birds, and aspen trees just beginning to bud. Be sure to stop in the little general store for a great selection of reasonably priced Colorado souvenirs. The friendly ladies behind the counter even helped us identify a wildflower we had seen. Well worth the drive; I wish we had had more time to explore some of the hiking trails.

We stayed in Twin Lakes for a couple of days as we toured Colorado. What a quaint little place! The views were magnificent! We enjoyed hiking, paddle boarding and kayaking. It was off the beaten path and very conducive to a couples getaway. I definitely will be back.

Breath taking views of mountain and lakes.
A small quaint village with a few stores and local art gallery which is a must!!! Food truck with ribbon fries was yummy and the outdoor seating was relaxing. Enjoyed the flowers, birds and hummingbirds flying around while eating our lunch.
Take bug spray / twin lakes has lots of mosquitoes

Beautiful scenery! Quaint town with a little museum that is a must to go to. The lake was up and everything was green!

These beautiful lakes are nestled below the surrounding mountains. They have restrooms, picnic tables and parking areas. If you are going to use the lake I believe they charge. If you are on the way to Independence pass it is a good stopover. Really beautiful!

We are from Minnesota and were simply meandering across the mountains seeing the sights. We came down Independence Pass and stumbled upon people beaching and kayaking. This is a state park and you need $7.00 cash or check to put in the box if you don’t have a State Parks pass. It is a short walk down to the lake on a gravel hill; not suitable if you are in wheelchair or use a walker. The beach is beautiful, it is part smooth rocks and part fine sand. I would have grabbed my water shoes from the car for beaching, but it’s really nice and soft on the bottom. The water is mountain runoff and I didn’t anticipate that the water would be so cool (not cold) after this horrendous heat here this summer. Bring your beach chairs. There is no food here and none close by. There are no fires allowed due to the stage 1 fire danger in Colorado at this time. People were boarding and kayaking on the lake and the water is not so cold to present a danger. We really loved this laid back place to let our dog take a dip. We saw a few pups galloping around and there is a lot of room for dogs and people to stay away from each other. We were there late in the afternoon and a lot of kayaks were getting off the lake at 4:00 pm. There is a sign and some regulations about dog feces (they are considered to attract invasive species) and about human waste. There is a bathroom in the gravel parking lot which we didn’t think was working, but then a family pulled up off the highway and went in the other side. We really loved this place and the cool dip before heading onto Leadville.

One of my favorites of our vacation. Such a beautiful place. It's amazing to see. Love this area and the people that live there.

This little village and large lake are just astounding! I have camped next to the lake for several years and am always blown away by the beauty and awesomeness of this area. I have not fished here but have been told by several who have that the fishing is quite good. There adventures to be had ALL AROUND this area and you can't go wrong staying. You will NOT be disappointed!

Nice views, good stopping place for a leg stretch. Couple of places to stay (closed), little shop (quite expensive). Number of walks to do. Worth a quick stop unless you want to have a good hike.

Twin Lakes has a nice view, a bit of a walk and a general store. 2 very old,unmoving,none talking people ran it. The old lady said, 9 dollars, no more.. it was a very strange place.

This lake is just as I remember it as a kid. It was windy the day we went fishing, but it was still fun. Awesome scenery around the area. Was nice to get out and explore.

Absolutely stunning views! Just 2 miles west on Hwy 82, off of Hwy 24, you can see amazing vista's of the surrounding mountains and Twin Lakes at a roadside pull off and there's a public restroom too. Even if you are short on time when traveling to a different location take a few minutes and check out this view of classic Colorado mountain scenery and Twin Lakes. Of course, if you can make this a destination even better.

It’s a beautiful place, very nice for sundowners, pick nicks, honeymooners and nature walks around the lakes. I would recommend it to everyone.

Who knew? Just north of highway 82 and "the twin lakes" is a third lake at the foot of Mount Elbert. Easily accessible by paved road, the smaller lake boasts glorious fall color and an easy dam walk. On a calm day, the mountain reflections in the water are wonderful.

Stayed at the twin Lakes Lodge across from twin Lakes with a beautiful view of the lake from their porch. Sun was up early and we had a delightful breakfast with homemade cinnamon buns and all kinds of fresh fruit on the porch
We had room #three, with two queen size beds and a very comfortable futon for my granddaughter. Beds were the best and wonderful bedding. Lots of air circulation with hi Windows that can be left open overnight with blackout shades. Two sinks and good size bathroom with shower. The owners are delightful and we took the 10 AM boat cruise on twin Lakes. It was fabulous with Lexi and her very knowledgeable husband on the area. And they give a great tour of the old twin Lakes hotel. Definitely worth the price of going. ($20)

We had dinner both nights at the Twin Lakes Inn next door.
We had the lamb carbonara - both nights and it was incredibly delicious and the chili was great also and fresh local veggies cooked to perfection. very pleasant place to dine.

Went to Buena Vista for lunch one day and it's a great little town - be sure to check out the newly developed area down by the river. Just wonderful and food was great too.

We always drive though here on the way to/from Aspen. They have very few amenities. Gas pump, a small store, public restrooms and a visitor center. Great place to take a photograph. Watch out the cop car parked at the edge of town - has nobody in it.

We just went through here twice in Sept. 2016. Both times the local was shooting Radar. No need to speed the views of the town are worth slowing down for.

We were on our way back to Avon from driving Indepence Pass. We decided to make a quick stop at the lake, just to enjoy the beauty. The breeze felt so cool. The waters were blue and calm. Would be interesting to camp around the area

These lakes were natural twins divided by a land bridge. When the hydroelectric dam went in the land bridge was no longer of any use. Make sure you go across the first lake (or take the hiking trail) to the old motel. The story of the motel is on placcards placed about the area.

Great place for paddle boarding, camping and hiking. Amazing views! My dog and I had a ton of fun!!!

The Twin Lakes lie in a valley overlooked by Mt. Elbert. The Lakes are beautiful when viewed from the surrounding mountains above, or from the highway, or from the beach. I would recommend coming in the fall to view the resplendent Aspen trees that lie in abundance around the Lake. Their is a small "town" with boat tours.

Stopped here on a gorgeous drive through the mountainside. Beautiful views and I would spend longer next time!

We needed to get some fresh air and get out of town a little bit. Staying in Buena Vista, a friend recommended the drive, and boy, was it worth the view.

Very Scenic. One of the prettier lakes in the state.When the leaves change it's an awesome drive. Until winter closes the road this is the way to Aspen (Hwy82) Photo tip...By the power plant is CR26..turn up and stay on pavement until you reach Forebay (small lake made by power plant) Awesome photo op's of Mt.Elbert and the changing aspens.

Nice easy hike on rolling dirt path. Views of the leaves in the fall are striking! The restored house is interesting and beautiful and the buildings are fun to wander around. Wish there was a retreat here now!

Nice for sunrise and sunset shots. Not easy to find the right trails. Seemed to have a tour boat. There are nice areas around the lake to take photos and hikes. Nice aspen grove opposite the hwy from the lake. Didn't care for restrooms or the locked gates before sunrise.

This is a beautiful area. We only drove through, but we did stop at the towns country store. Before leaving we did drive into the neighborhood near the store and saw some old and unique homes.

We were passing through Mt Elbert on the way to Aspen from Sand Dunes and got to stop here for couple of pictures. My god !! The scenic locations were amazing, may be looking more naturally beautiful because of Fall season.

Go again drive !!

Very nice drive from Vail area, and got a chuckle out of the town of Twin Lakes. Across from the general store and visitor center sits a real sheriffs car tucked under the trees, appearing to the wary as a speed trap. As the area has a 35 mule an hr speed zone thru , the sheriffs car and the MANNEQUIN in it do a great job of keeping people speeding thru town! Stores have no public toilets and one has to hike thru parking lot of the visitors center to a separate facility. Local stores carry 'junk' food only so eat before you get there. Lovely view, nice drive.

Twin Lakes is a beautiful area not too far from Leadville on the way to Independence Pass. It sits in a valley with 14ers all around and two lakes. There was still a ton of snow on the peaks which added to the majestic beauty. There are some historical buildings in the little village which are interesting to visit.

Beautiful place to relax! We rented paddleboards with the family and really enjoyed our time on the lake. Even caught a few rainbows!

We spent two days in this spectacular town and can't wait to return in the spring. When you visit, don't forget to bring your camera!

Breathtaking beauty at the foot of so many 14,000 foot peaks surrounding. The village in Twin Lakes -- especially the Twin Lakes General Store -- is not to be missed. Perfect departure point to drive up and over Independence Pass and down into Aspen. Scenery is incredibly beautiful to see. Highly recommended drive!

Absolutely beautiful view with snow covered mountains in background. Pictures don't do it justice! Looks like it would be a great place to fish and boat during the warmer months.

We have visited twin lakes twice and it never fails to impress the family. The town is so quaint and the views amazing! We enjoy lunch at the little cafe/hotel in town and then hike around the area. My husband and I keep saying we will retire here. I sure hope so!

If you are staying anywhere near Twin Lakes, you must take some time to take a relaxing drive up the Top of the Rockies Byway. It's breath taking!

Twin Lakes is one of the prettiest places in all of Colorado. So many things to do and see. Hiking, fishing, paddle boarding, all of these and more can be done here. The area is so beautiful, you may want to sitback, relax and enjoy time with the family. Take a picnic lunch and spend the day. You won't be sorry.

Absolutely gorgeous - two lakes surrounded by mountains. Fishing, kayaking, boating available. You can hike part of the Colorado Trail to the historical Inter-Laken resort & Decker House - about a 5 mile roundtrip that's not too strenuous. Not at all touristy or crowded.

Loved the lake and mountain view then drove the few miles up to the continental divide! Amazing and breathtaking!

In September as the aspen turns gold, the drive from Twin Lakes to Aspen is off the charts. The vertical climb to Independence Pass offers a palette of color, including burgundy heather and huckleberry, dark green forests, contrasting waves of golden aspen with a collection of rushing streams, expansive lakes, and steep rocky cliff-sides. Near Aspen visit the natural "grotto". There was minimal traffic as the Twin Lakes area offers little in restaurants or lodging. A perfect place for a leisurely scenic drive, hiking, camping, and especially photography.

Pictures do not do this place justice. Simply breathtaking and worth the trip. Also went to Twin Lakes Village to the tourist info center and the lady was really helpful. Don't miss this scenery if you are in the area

You can just walk and admire the landscape, have a time to have reflextion, just a place to be and relax...

not much of value down there unless your fishing. its pretty but not a big deal . almost no services in the village

We got lucky, the weather held. The view at the lake was breath taking. I forgot just how beautiful this state is, this was a great reminder.

This is a great recreation area. The lake is gorgeous, with great views. There are also great recreational sites nearby, such as camping, boating and Leadville historical sites.

Delicious lunch at the inn, lots of hikers from the Colorado Trail, beautiful scenery. From Aspen the road goes over Independence Pass, breathtaking.

This area reminds me of being in the Swiss Alps with the quaint village of Twin Lakes situated right by these beautiful lakes! There’s hiking and camping galore and if one so chooses, you can just enjoy the view and do absolutely nothing! I love that unlike ski resorts and a lot of towns there’s not much commercially. If one needs a variety of restaurants then Buena Vista isn’t far away, but for those who love the call of nature this is perfect!

My favorite thing to do in Twin Lakes is to follow the trail from the east end of the lakes running on their south side to the old Inter-Laken Resort, being restored as a labor of love by local volunteers with the partnership of the Forest Service. (Unless you have a high clearance vehicle, be alert on the drive to the trailhead - it is passable for standard passenger vehicles, but the large rocks [really, small boulders in places] still make it an adventure.) For those not into a 2.5 mile hike each way, the historic district in Twin Lakes Village is also worth a stop. One word of warning as you drive through the village - Though I've never run afoul of the speed limit here, I've seen plenty of evidence that these folks and the county sheriff are really serious about the 30 mph limit, appropriately so due to the large number of people who wander back and forth across the main road between the historic district and the businesses.

Absolutely gorgeous this time of year! Take a picnic lunch and an umbrella because it's very sunny and bright and just relax by the lake! You can drop a boat in and there are porta-potties and picnic tables -- make a day of it!

If you happen to be driving from Leadville to Buena Vista or traveling down independence pass I would definitely stop in this unique little town. The general store there is definitely worth checking out. The owners are very friendly and helpful. I also here there are some nice cottages in town.

This is a phenomenal area! Mountains are all around you! The lake is accessible from many points along the side roads with not a lot of traffic on it. The Colorado hiking Trail cuts a path along the southern shore and a spur trail leads you to the old hotel that was a destination in the early 1900’s. Great place to photograph the changing Aspens!

Twin lakes is a great place for views. We went in winter so the lake was frozen but there were some people on snowmobiles. Cool area will have to come back in the summer to see it then.

the air b n b was above exceptional. I enjoyed the time away from Denver's big city noise and congestion. This home was perfect. Every day I enjoyed myself like being on a special far away mini vacation. The fireplace, couch, smart outlets, and several cozy blankets to cover up with made the stay worth it. Easy access in and out of the home and location was simple. I took my sons dog Bella, she too felt at home. We both fit right in. Along with taking drives and walks daily to explore the scenery, we feasted on the towns marketplace and other fast dining's. I must mention the availability for me to see a dog nutritionist was the best ever. I was able to walk in, talk about Bella's diet and learn so much on her lifestyle and what food to engage in and how to intergrade it into what she has been eating. We drove to the mini airport and walked around. Such a neat town to go see, spend time and take pictures. Altitude is breath taking, take it easy and enjoy.