Alta Lakes & Alta Ghost Town
Alta Lakes
Several emerald alpine lakes in the high mountains south of town, with picnic and camping spots by the shore, and along the way the preserved log cabins of Alta, a 19th-century mining ghost town.
Alta Lakes lies in a high alpine basin south of Telluride at about 3,400 meters. Several small lakes reflect the snowy peaks around them, and in summer the area is popular for picnics, fishing, and free camping. The gravel road to the lakeshore passes the ghost town of Alta, once home to miners of the Gold King mine. It still has wooden cabins and boarding house ruins, making it one of the better-preserved ghost towns in the San Juan region. Turn onto Alta Lakes Road from Highway 145 and drive about 7 km; high-clearance vehicles can make the trip, though conditions depend on the weather. Autumn, when the aspens turn gold, offers superb scenery.
Opening hours
Jun–Oct (depends on snow)
Nearby sights
- Mountain Village
- Bear Creek Trail & Falls
- Telluride Ski Resort
- Telluride Gondola
- Telluride Town Park
- Sheridan Opera House
- Trout Lake
- Telluride Historic District