20 Attractions to Explore Near Sugar Loaf Dam

Turquoise Lake is one of Colorado’s favorite high-altitude recreation destinations. Dammed in the 19th century and named for the rare turquoise deposits found nearby, Turquoise Lake offers 1,800 acres or year-round recreational fun. Boaters can soak up the sun at 10,000 feet after launching from Matchless Boating Site, a boat ramp located on the southeastern shoreline of the lake. It is also an ideal fishing destination.

Turquoise Lake is a beautiful lake lcoated in the heart of Lake county and is named for its blue waters, this fresh glacial lake of nearly 1,800 acres once hosted a turquoise mine. Two boat ramps let you launch your boat, canoe, kayak, or SUP onto nearly 1,800 acres of sparkling blue waters. Surrounding the reservoir, Turquoise Lake Road provides motorists with ample opportunity to reach the many popular recreational facilities controlled by the San Isabel National Forest.

The California Gulch site consists of approximately 18 square miles in Lake County, Colorado. It is a unique thorn-scrub vegetated canyon, has been identified as an IBA in Arizona. It is accessed from Ruby Road by a rugged road south into the drainage. The canyon is unique with its dense shrub layer on its steep sides, and a perennial spring-fed stream draining into Mexico.

The Leadville National Fish Hatchery was established in 1889: at 117 years old, it is the second-oldest National Fish Hatchery in existence. It lies within the Mount Massive Wilderness, most of whose area lies within San Isabel National Forest and which is managed by the United States Forest Service. Leadville National Fish Hatchery was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.

The National Mining Hall of Fame is a museum located in Leadville, Colorado. It holds more than 250 stories of men and women who achieved lasting greatness in mining and natural resources. Major exhibits include an elaborate model railroad, a walk-through replica of an underground hardrock mine, the Gold Rush room, with many specimens of native gold,[5] a large collection of mineral specimens, a mining art gallery and a gift shop.

Temple Israel was erected at 201 West 4th Street in Leadville, Colorado, during the summer of 1884 in less than two months. The Temple Israel building is a rare example of a frontier synagogue. It is a mesmerizing tribute to a nearly forgotten Jewish generation. Situated at the front of the building, the Museum displays an array of personal, festive, communal, and everyday artifacts documenting Jewish life in a late-1800 mining town.

Healy House looks out over historic and scenic treasures of the storied mining town of Leadville. A majestic home built in 1878 by mining engineer and city father August R. Meyer for his bride, Emma. Currently it is a Colorado State Historic Site and is operated as a Victorian era museum by the state under History Colorado, together with Dexter Cabin. The restored house serves as an example of the "Elegant Eighties".

The Tabor Opera House was built in 1879 by Horace Austin Warner Tabor, one of Colorado’s most well known mining magnates. It was one of the most costly and most substantially built structures in Colorado history. The massive three-story opera house, constructed of stone, brick, and iron, was called "Leadville's finest brick structure". There are currently fourteen theatre collections identified at the Tabor Opera House, scenery and stage machinery dating from 1879 to 1902.

Leadville's Historic Mining District is located immediately east of downtown, at the ends of Fifth Street and Seventh Street. It is an architectural testament to the silver boom in Colorado. It is arguably on e of the most important cultural landscapes that remains from Colorado’s frontier mining days. The area has been designated a National Historic Landmark District. It was the location to one of the richest placer gold strikes in Colorado.

Galena Mountain rises to the west of the town of Leadville in the northern parts of the Sawatch Mountains of central Colorado.The range was extremely jagged and permanently topped with ice and snow. The mountains were rich in valuable minerals, and mining operations were among the most productive on Toril. Due to the extremely impassable terrain that constituted the majority of the mountain range.

Matchless Mine is the place where one of Leadville’s most notorious silver kings, Horace Tabor, struck it rich and where his mistress-turned-wife died alone and penniless in 1935.It made Horace Tabor's fortune. His wife, Baby Doe Tabor, died in the superintendent's cabin. The mine is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is part of the National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum.

Tennessee Pass is a high mountain pass in the Rocky Mountains of central Colorado in the United States. It is a premier Colorado destination for cross- country skiing, backcountry dining, and cozy overnight accommodations in our sleep yurts. The pass is traversed by U.S. Highway 24, allowing access between Leadville and Interstate 70 in the Eagle Valley. The pass has a gentle approach on both sides with few steep gradients and no major hairpin curves.

The Mount Massive Wilderness is a federally designated wilderness area in the Sawatch Range. The wilderness now contains over 30,000 acres, and it is co-managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The name comes from Mount Massive, the second highest peak in Colorado, located inside the wilderness. It is the only federally designated wilderness area within the National Fish Hatchery System.

Hagerman Pass is located in Pitkin County, Colorado. The pass is named for geologist Albert H. Hagerman, who surveyed the area in the late 19th century. Hagerman pass is situated at an elevation of 11,933 feet and it provides a crossing point for the Continental Divide. The pass is accessible by a 4x4 road and it offerst breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Although Hagerman pass is open all year round, it is recommended that visitors use caution when driving in winter conditions.

Timberline Lake is in the midst of the Pinelands, a 650,000 acre wilderness area abounding with wildlife, meandering rivers and tranquil lakes. Fresh and saltwater fishing, swimming and boating are favorite area sports, along with crabbing and hunting. It offers peaceful, quiet, and relaxing camping right in the heart of the New Jersey Pinelands and Shore Region.

West Tennessee Lakes is a 5 km blue singletrack trail located near Leadville Colorado. This hike primary trail can be used both directions. It takes off from Lily at a steep grade headed northwest from here. The route finds its way around a rocky hill towards the wide meadow which envelops West Tennessee Creek.

Mount Massive is the second-highest summit of the Rocky Mountains of North America. An iconic location which offers you astonishing views and also a good trekking destination.

Ski Cooper is an alpine ski resort in Colorado. There are no crowds, lift lines, high prices, high-rise condos, or hard man-made “snow. It is among the most affordable ski areas in the state, second to only Howelsen Hill in Steamboat Springs. The resort has 64 runs of varying difficulty serviced by two chairlifts , one Doppelmayr platter lift, one Leitner t-bar, and one Magic Carpet conveyor lift.

Slide Lake is a beautiful Alpine Lake situated at 11,740' in elevation. The area is flanked on the Southwest by Homestake Peak, and half of the lake is part of the Holy Cross Wilderness Area. Slide Lake and the surrounding area are​ popular among hikers, anglers, offroaders, and those looking to seek Wilderness Areas' solitude.

North Mount Elbert Trail is 4.3 miles long and is located off the Halfmoon Road southwest of Leadville. . Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 7 h 42 min to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking.