3-Day: Turquoise Lake Printer Boy Campground
Enjoy a 3-day group campout at Printer Boy Campground on the eastern shore of Turquoise Lake. With easy access to boat ramps and hiking trails, as well as being within driving distance of the Mt Massive and Holy Cross Wilderness areas, there are lots of options for excursions from this campground.
Note: This Route & Place is designed for leaders to organize group camping trips, and then plan specific hikes for days during the trip. Those hikes will can show up as separate activities in the CMC calendar; there will probably not be room for all campers to go on all hikes, as the campsites can accommodate 25-35 people each, and hikes only allow 12 people or less.
Group Size: 25-35 per group site
Number of vehicles allowed: At the time of writing, each group site allowed 15 vehicles. Not all sites are accessible for campers/trailers.
Elevation at camp: 10,000 feet
Permits for the Turquoise Lake Recreation Area may be required for vehicles, in addition to campground reservations. Group sites are $150/night for the 2023 season. Reserve sites here.
Suggested Backpacking Section (BPX) itinerary for 3-day trip to be used for CMC trips led by BPX leaders for BPX members.
Day 1: Drive to Turquoise Lake, Printer Boy Campground and set up camp. Option to spend the afternoon on the beach, kayaking, paddle boarding, hiking, or hanging out at camp. Cook group dinner and have a social evening.
Day 2: Lots of options for Day 2, such as: going to the beach, hiking, kayaking, paddleboarding, or getting an alpine start and summiting nearby Mt Massive or Mt Elbert. There is also a 5 mile roundtrip hike to a nice alpine lake below the Continental Divide called the Timberline Lake Trail, the nearby Native Lake and Windsor Lake hikes, as well as an easy trail that runs along the northern shore of Turquoise Lake. Cook a group meal and spend another social evening hanging out at camp.
Day 3: Break camp and say so long! Option to stop in Leadville to visit the National Mining Hall of Fame, or the famous Melanzana outdoor clothing store (note the store might require appointments, due to popularity).
- Suitable Activities: Camping
- Seasons: July, August, September
- Weather: View weather forecast
- Difficulty: varies
- 10,000 ft
-
Land Manager:
U.S. Forest Service
Leadville Ranger District (PSINF)
- Parking Permit Required: Other
- Recommended Party Size: 30
- Maximum Party Size: 35
- Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 35
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