Colorado · Camping · Near Leadville

May Queen

Photo: Recreation.gov (RIDB) / public domain

28
sites: Jun–Aug
best months

Is May Queen open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Leadville Ranger District. It doesn't name May Queen, so check the source for the area it covers.

Willow Fire Area Closure
Agency closure covering Leadville Ranger District · Order 02-12-01-26-39 · USFS · Leadville Ranger District
FSR 286, Radical Hill, is closed due to washouts and unsafe conditions
Agency alert covering Pike and San Isabel National Forests · USFS · Pike and San Isabel National Forests
Interlaken Hotel and Annex Area closure
Agency alert covering Leadville Ranger District · Order 02-12-01-26-19 · USFS · Leadville Ranger District
Interlaken Hotel Tree Hazards
Agency alert covering Pike and San Isabel National Forests · USFS · Pike and San Isabel National Forests
Sharpe Fire Update
Agency alert covering Pike and San Isabel National Forests · USFS · Pike and San Isabel National Forests

As of Nov 11, 2:40 AM MST · Source: USFS · Leadville Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

28 sites for RV and tent campingReservable on Recreation.gov
At 9,891 ftHigh camp: expect cold nights, even in summer
Near LeadvilleLeadville Ranger District · Pike and San Isabel National Forests

May Queen Campground is located at the far western end of Turquoise Lake in a shaded lodgepole pine forest. Conveniently perched near the Charles Boustead Memorial Tunnel, May Queen offers easy access to boating, fishing and hiking. Incredible views of the Holy Cross and Mount Massive Wildernesses can be seen from the area, and visitors are likely to see native wildlife like chipmunks, beavers and porcupines. The Charles Boustead Memorial Tunnel is a 5.5-mile tunnel that transports water from the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork River Basins through the Continental Divide to the Arkansas River Basin by emptying water into Turquoise Lake.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip

Sleep close
May Queen
Campground
Campground · < 0.1 mi from the trail
Eat after
La Mina Tacos Y Mariscos
Restaurant
On your way back · 8 mi
If it rainsCraig Talbert, CC BY 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
National Mining Hall of Fame and Museum
Museum
In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors · Photos: Craig Talbert, CC BY 3.0 (commons)

Local outfitters

Arrowhead Point Campground and Cabins31 mi away
Taylor Park Trading Post32 mi away

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
Also worth it near here
- BUSK CREEKHiking · Next doorPhoto: Altitude10k, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
- Galena MountainSummit · ~4 min drivePhoto: Clyde Charles Brown, CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
- Timberline LakeLake fishing · ~5 min drive
- Main WallRock climbing · ~6 min drivePhoto: foto3116, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
- Ddh Headgates RoadCross-country skiing · ~6 min drivePhoto: USFWS Mountain-Prairie, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Best time to visit May Queen
Best months: June–August. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
1. Jan
  31° / 3°
  8 wet
2. Feb
  33° / 3°
  8 wet
3. Mar
  39° / 9°
  8 wet
4. Apr
  44° / 18°
  8 wet
5. May
  55° / 27°
  9 wet
6. Jun
  68° / 34°
  9 wet
7. Jul
  73° / 39°
  12 wet
8. Aug
  70° / 38°
  12 wet
9. Sep
  62° / 31°
  8 wet
10. Oct
  51° / 23°
  6 wet
11. Nov
  39° / 14°
  7 wet
12. Dec
  31° / 6°
  7 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sugarloaf Rsvr, CO, 3.8 mi away at 9,738 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.