Leadville

About Leadville

Leadville, Colorado is one of the state's many old frontier mining towns that attracts thousands of visitors each year because of its colorful history and beautiful scenery. Leadville is an easy, scenic drive from Denver and Colorado Springs. It is located 10,430 feet about sea level in a valley at the base of Colorado's highest Rocky Mountain peak. This lofty altitude makes Leadville the highest incorporated town in the United States. Leadville is thought to be at the forefront of the history of Colorado. People got rich here from all the highly productive mines that are within 20 square miles of the town. Downtown Leadville is one of Colorado's biggest National Historic Landmarks Districts and is full of quaint Victorian architecture. These historic buildings were built by some of the very men who got rich in those mines. These buildings now house museums, antique stores, gift shops, and bed and breakfasts. Its location in the mountains and the fact that Leadville sees the sun 310 days out of the year makes the area one of the best places in the country for outdoor activities. In the summer, locals and visitors alike enjoy hiking, camping, fishing in the Arkansas River and its tributaries, rafting on the Arkansas, four-wheel drive trips through the mountains, and horseback riding. The winter provides ideal conditions for more hiking, snowshoeing, hunting, skiing, and snowmobiling. The old LC&S railroad takes daily trips in the summers along the Continental Divide. The views of the Arkansas River Valley and the surrounding mountains are spectacular, and along the way passengers are given talks about the history of Leadville and the area.