Leadville is a city in Lake County, Colorado.

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Map of Leadville

Leadville is a former silver mining town that lies near the headwaters of the Arkansas River in the heart of the Rocky Mountains. Leadville is the highest incorporated city and the second highest incorporated municipality in the United States. It was the second-largest city in Colorado in the late 19th century, so its Historic District has beautiful late 19th-century buildings that are well worth your viewing if you are in the area.

Now it is about tourism, especially outdoor recreation. In the winter, multiple ski areas are within driving distance. In the summer, hikes abound. The Continental Divide Trail and the Colorado Trail pass near enough to Leadville that through hikers can rest and receive supplies here.

As Leadville is a small town set deep in the Rocky Mountains, driving is the only practical way in or out.

• 39.2235-106.31551 Lake County Leadville Airport (KLXV), 915 County Road 23, ☏ +1 719-486-0307. 7AM–5PM local. KLXV is famous among general aviation in North America for being the highest-altitude airport open to the public in North America. At 9,934 feet above Mean Sea Level, flights here start at altitude which many recreational aircraft from the flatlands can barely reach. There is no scheduled airline service, but pilots with their own aircraft are welcome. It is wise to be familiar with mountain flying, prepared for cold weather, and have an aircraft equipped for the altitude. When you land here, the FBO here will be happy to issue you a certificate commemorating your accomplishment. (updated Jul 2025)

The heart of tourist-centric Leadville is only a kilometre across, so distances are walkable. However, with the altitude, you may find a gentle uphill stroll to be more of a strain than you expect. Sidewalks and streets are narrow, not offering much room for bikes. Cars, however, will find roads and plenty of parking.

Leadville Historic District includes 67 historic mines to the east of town and a number of striking late 19th- and early 20th-century buildings in Downtown Leadville.

• 39.25087-106.287771 Leadville Railroad, 326 E 7th St, toll-free: +1 866-386-3936. Trips generally 10am, 2pm and last 2.5 hours; season late May–early Nov. A special sightseeing train with open cars runs out from Leadville, through rugged mountain scenery, and returns 2.5 hours later. Packages combine the trip with zip line or rafting adventures. The railway line is a lingering remnant of what started in 1884 as the Denver South Park & Pacific Railroad "highline". Adult $59, child $36, more for lounge car. (updated Jul 2025)
• 39.2248-106.31682 Leadville Scenic Flight Tours (Leadville Flying Club), 915 County Road 23 (at KLXV Leadville Airport), ☏ +1 (970) 389-5686. Fly in a small Cessna 182 single-engine propeller plane on a circular tour near Leadville. See the Climax Mine, Mount Elbert, Independence Pass, the Copper Mountain ski area, and more rocky, mountainous peaks than you can count. The local flying club includes pilots who are certified to conduct the tours. $350 for one person, $475 for two, $550 for three. (updated Jul 2025)

Walk along Harrison Avenue, the main street, and you will pass any number of restaurants serving the tourist trade.

• 39.24155-106.300111 The Grill (The Leadville Grill and Cantina), 715 Elm Street (On the south side of town), ☏ +1 (719) 293-2161. Mon–Thu 11am–8pm, Fri–Sat 8am–9pm, Sun 8am–8pm. Give The Grill a try to eat Mexican food with the locals. A neighbourhood staple since the 1960's (the current owners claim, since 1938), don't leave without enjoying a dessert sopapilla. (updated Jul 2025)
• 39.24658-106.291232 The Famous, 313 Harrison Ave, toll-free: +1 719.224.0427FORMAT. Mon–Sat 11am–10pm, Sunday 11am–10pm. A sports bar vibe, a skilful kitchen, and patio with glorious mountain views. This historic building was recently renovated, and this is the result. (updated Jul 2025)
• 39.24977-106.292073 Mineral 1886, 700 Harrison Ave, ☏ +1 719 427 2194, [email protected]. Daily breakfast 7:00–11:00am, lunch 11:30am–2:00pm, Thu–Sun dinner 5:00–9:30pm. Nestled in a historic Delaware Hotel, Mineral is popular for hearty breakfasts. (updated Jul 2025)
• 39.25006-106.292274 Golden Burro, 710 Harrison Ave, ☏ +1 (719) 293-2034. Sun–Thurs 7am–3pm, Fri–Sat 7am–8pm. A diner vibe combined with vegan options and limited outdoor seating on Harrison Ave. An economical choice for breakfast or lunch. (updated Jul 2025)

Head to the Silver Dollar Saloon to enjoy a drink or two in a historic bar. Free pool and shuffleboard

There are many listings for whole-house rentals in Leadville on AirBNB, VRBO, and the like. Perhaps this reflects the popularity of groups renting a house as a base for trips to local ski areas during the winter.

• 39.25129-106.285321 Inn the Clouds Hostel & Inn, 500 E 7th St, ☏ +1 (719) 427-4888, [email protected]. Check-in: 3pm, check-out: 10am. What looks like an enlarged, rambling ranch house contains a selection of rooms with private bath, rooms with shared bath, and dorm rooms for mixed or single gender with shared bath. A generous all-access kitchen offers a fridge to store groceries and stoves and utensils to cook. A large dining room table, and some outdoor tables, offer places to eat in the company of other travellers. They are particularly welcoming to hikers from the nearby Continental Divide Trail. The management has a friendly, family feel. Some of the infrastructure (plumbing, air conditioning) is straining from the load. Free parking in front of the inn, or on the street nearby. (updated Jul 2025)