Camping Areas in Lake Turquoise

Top picture is Father Dyer Campground the bottom picture is Belle of Colorado

Lake Turquoise

This is a great area to camp as there are lots of places to camp.There are sites by the water. The main boat ramp is the Matchless and the campground near that ramp is Silver Dollar. Molly Brown is in the center and quite large. It features a dump station and a fresh water. We did notice that the fresh water had a large leak that sprayed water on us while we tried to use it. The dump is not included in your camping fee and now costs 10.00 to use. Belle of Colorado is a tent only section and is great when you don't want to risk hearing generators. We normally stay at Father Dyer. This is one of the smallest campgrounds and has small sites just right for pop ups and tents. Very few sites can accommodate large RV's.Over the the 4th it was quiet during the day. There is also Baby Doe with sites by the water and the last campground is located where the river comes into lake and is called May Queen. We noticed that you can now reserve some sites there. They have walk up sites for tenting that are very nice. There is also camping at the Matchless ramp and at the Baby Doe Ramp Area that are not reserved but are actually a very large parking lot with tables are around the edge. Not the best for camping.They also have a large group camping area that offers several separate areas, called Printer Boy. There is a second dump and fresh water located there as well. Most of the campgrounds have stainless steel flush toilets. I would take some of the disposal papers to help with shock of the cold in the morning. I also put Downy Sheets in the bathroom as it seemed they needed to empty the tanks.

There are many activities for you to do there are great hiking trails, jeep trails and of course you can go to town (Leadville)and ride a train, see Baby Doe's Mine, some good restaurants are in town as well. At over 10,000 feet you will find this camping a little cool and you will need warm jackets, sleeping bags. We actually saw our breath on Sunday Morning.

We did see fox, deer, grouse,grey jay,chipmunk,squirrel and lots of mosquitoes due to lots of standing water around the area. It was very green and lush something we had not seen. There was lots of snow on the mountains and the wildflowers were everywhere. The lake was full but windy and boating in small boats was difficult.

Boyd Lake State Park

Easy location edge of Loveland Colorado. Large lake is used for irrigation and can be lowered to non boating by middle to end to summer depending on weather conditions. This year the lake is just 2 feet from being full. Excellent walleye fishing but also can fish for bass and trout. We were disappointed in the visitor center, more like an information desk with no displays or products for purchasing.

Jet skiers have their own area including a separate launch and parking area and nice beaching area. Did see a lot of water skiers more than most lakes. Boating was nice and not many out to fish early, but boat dock and launching was very busy on Sunday with a waiting period to launch and retrieve your boat after 10:30 AM. Large Marina with store and boat service for emergency battery start etc. This year with the water closer to edge you can bring your boat up near your campground for parking overnight or for quick access to your camping.

This park is very popular during the summer and you will need reservations for camping. They even offer Summer Concerts and the Beach. Several picnic areas and a nice shore fishing areas
some walk in from road. No group campground.

Some birds and wildlife but best to view in early morning before the larger boats are launched and the noise moves them away from the lake. We saw heron, grebes, pelicans, sea gulls, and mallard ducks, doves, medowlarks, swallows,robins and starlings. Not much wildflowers here
and wildlife is limited but we did see rabbits.

Campground has 148 sites. All sites have electricity. Small bathroom and shower buildings located throughout the campground. One larger bathhouse with parking. This building offers
outside and large inside area for eating. The showers were great. Hot and clean. We recommend the end of the loop sites as you have a view of the lake and can put a tent or screen room on this nice little area. You do have to reserve quite long time ahead to get these sites but it is worth it.
There was so much rain this last weekend that we turned our camper van around and had no
puddles and a great view. Larger green area to play games and nicely kept up campground.

Jackson Lake State Park June 2009

Jackson Lake State Park Early June 2009. The lake was full and though water was still coming in there was no water being let out. Some boaters were beaching their boats at their sites. It was cold at night and foggy both Saturday and Sunday. So green we saw lots of wildflowers and lots of birds. Fishing was fair. They are checking all boats for Zebra Muscle each time you launch. We did notice that the speed limit of 20 miles per hour was being enforced with tickets by the State Park Ranger. Saturday warmed up but Sunday remained overcast and cold. Not as many boats and jet skis on the lake. We also found plenty of non electric sites still open and unreserved. Though the channel is a popular fishing spot we found dead carp floating and a smell you will remember for some time. Not much fishing going on, mostly recreational boating. They had grated some sites and we did notice standing water near some sites. Birds spotted included: Pelican, Meadowlark,Great Horned Owl, Double Crested Cormorant,Sea Gulls,Common Nighthawk,Morning Dove, Starlings, Tree Swallows, Green Heron, and a Mallard Duck. Wildflowers spotted: Prairie Prickly Cactus in bloom,Prickly Poppy,Colorado Tansy-Aster, Common Sunflower, Prairie Spiderwort, White Lupine, White Penstemon, Goat's Beard, Ragwort and Orange Primrose

Jackson Lake Off Season Camping

Jackson Lake State Park is one of the best
parks to visit off season year round. You can find sites by the water and wildlife abounds. Jackson Lake is one of the major fly overs for ducks, Snow Geese, Canadian Geese and Pelicans. Off season water fowl hunting, and archery deer hunting is allowed. We have seen deer, coyotes,and pheasants. Water, electricity and newer vault toilets are available. Sometimes the bath house is open. Lots of stars to view and blue skies await the camper. You will be surprised how many campers use this campground in the winter. We have celebrated Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, St, Patrick's Day all at this campground. Watch for quick moving storms as we once got snowed in . Can be windy in the winter so look for protected sites. Ice fishing is also a popular sport with many campers. We have done goose hunting, archery deer hunting there as well. There is a special goose hunting blind area and often they will build blinds around the well known duck areas. We love the peace and quiet in the off season there. We also use this park in the summer season but reservations are necessary and the park does fill up.