You Can Both Swim and Hike on This Colorado Trail—It’s Summer Perfection

Swimming and hiking are two summer activities that everyone loves. Going out into nature to explore on foot is wonderful, and diving into a beautiful lake on a hot summer day is so special. When you can combine these two things into one summer adventure, bliss ensues! If you're looking to have a summer day that you'll never forget in the near future, then you'll love hiking the Turquoise Lake Trail and then diving into Turquoise Lake itself to cool off. Read on to learn more about this perfect outing.

Man-made Turquoise Lake near Leadville, Colorado, is truly spectacular. It was created in 1967 by the damming of Lake Fork Creek, and today, the lake is a huge draw for recreation. Numerous campgrounds, including nearly 300 campsites, are on its shores. In the summer, the lake is open to boating, fishing, and swimming; in the winter, people come to Turquoise Lake for ice fishing, snowmobiling, and Nordic skiing.

Most people think that Turquoise Lake gets its name from its stunning turquoise waters, but it is actually named for the turquoise mine that existed on this site before the reservoir was created. This body of water has 1,780 acres of surface area, making it the 13th largest reservoir in the state.

The trails around the lake are great for both hikers and cyclists. Bikers will love the 12-mile singletrack that runs around the entire lakeshore. Alternatively, they can bike a 15-mile paved loop road that goes all the way around the lake.

Hikers, though, come to hike the Turquoise Lake Trail. This trail is six miles long one way, or 12 miles long if you wish to hike it out and back from its beginning to its end. Compared to other trails in this region, especially those of similar length, it's relatively flat; hikers will only experience 475 feet of elevation gain en route.

Still, the hike is considered moderately challenging, likely due to the somewhat high elevation. The lake is 9,865 feet. Dogs are welcome, but they must remain leashed at all times. Along the way, hikers will walk through open meadows and thick stands of pines. The lake and mountains are within view for most of the hike. Much of the trail is shaded, and there are plenty of places to sit and rest when necessary, making this a great trail for families.

Much of the shoreline around this lake is sand. Of course, this sand is not natural. It was trucked in when the reservoir was created. Still, it creates a nice beach landscape for Turquoise Lake.

There are so many reasons why Turquoise Lake is a great place to enjoy both a hike and a swim on a summer day. In my opinion, the best place to swim on Turquoise Lake is by the Belle of Colorado Campground. The beach is sandy and pleasant. However, remember that the water will be COLD even in the middle of the summer. This is a mountain lake, after all, in the Rockies. It never really gets warm, but it will certainly be refreshing!

After your hike and swim, stick around for the sunset. Sunsets at Turquoise Lake are fantastic, and watching the sun go down over the mountains will be the cherry on top of your perfect summer day.

If you want to stay even longer, plan to camp in one of the campgrounds along the lake. Most require reservations, but a few are first-come, first-served. If you can't find one or don't wish to camp, you might stay at the historic and iconic Delaware Hotel in nearby Leadville for the night.

The Turquoise Lake Trail and Turquoise Lake itself are calling your name! So, what are you waiting for? Put on your hiking boots, pack your swimsuit and a towel, and prepare for a truly memorable and epic adventure.