Twin Lakes, Census-designated community in Lake County, Colorado.
Twin Lakes consists of two glacier-carved alpine lakes connected by a creek, spanning a large valley near Mount Elbert. The two bodies of water sit at high elevation and together with their surroundings cover approximately 2,700 acres.
The area was developed as a transportation route between the mining regions of Leadville and Aspen in the 1860s. It became important when miners and traders used this passage to travel between the two growing centers.
The Inter-Laken Hotel, built in 1883, reflects how the valley attracted mountain tourists during Colorado's early boom. The building still stands as a memory of when wealthy visitors traveled here seeking mountain lodges and outdoor recreation.
You can fish, kayak, hike, and ice fish here throughout different seasons. The lakes remain accessible for outdoor activities year-round, though winter brings heavy snow that affects hiking trails.
Beyond their recreational value, the lakes serve as crucial water storage for communities across Colorado's plains. This hidden role means these mountain waters support distant cities that rely on what flows from this remote valley.
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