Turquoise Lake

Turquoise Lake is a 1,788-acre, boot-shaped reservoir on the Lake Fork of the Arkansas River west of Leadville. The high-altitude lake is part of the Fryingpan-Arkansas water development project, delivering water to Front Range cities from the western slope. Turquoise Lake lies in the shadow of high mountains, including Mount Elbert and , Colorado’s two highest peaks. A 4,928-acre Forest Service recreation area surrounds the lake and includes eight campgrounds with 269 campsites, picnic areas, and two boat launches. Campers and fishermen, who angle for brown, rainbow, cutthroat and lake trout, as well as hikers, primarily use the area.