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San Isabel/Silver Dollar
Overview
Overview
Situated in the heart of the San Isabel National Forest, Silver Dollar Campground offers a quintessential high-country experience near Leadville, Colorado. This Forest Service facility provides a serene retreat for RVers looking to immerse themselves in the rugged beauty of the Rocky Mountains. Unlike modern RV resorts, this park emphasizes a rustic atmosphere where the sound of the wind through lodgepole pines replaces the hum of highway traffic, making it a favorite for those seeking peace and quiet.
Location & Surroundings
Located at an elevation of approximately 9,900 feet, the campground is positioned just west of the historic mining town of Leadville. The site is nestled along the eastern shores of Turquoise Lake, offering stunning vistas of the surrounding Sawatch Range. The environment is characterized by dense forest cover and cool mountain air, making it an ideal escape from the summer heat found at lower elevations in Colorado.
Amenities & Park Features
As a traditional mountain campground, Silver Dollar provides essential facilities designed for self-contained travelers. While the park does not offer electrical or sewer hookups, it provides high-quality basics including:
- Potable water spigots located at central points for easy access.
- Multiple vault toilets that are well-maintained throughout the season.
- Paved parking spurs that can accommodate motorhomes up to 35 or 40 feet.
- Individual fire rings and picnic tables at every site.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
The primary draw is the massive Turquoise Lake Recreation Area, which offers world-class opportunities for trout fishing, kayaking, and sailing. Hikers and cyclists can easily access the Mineral Belt Trail, an 11-mile paved loop that winds through Leadville's historic mining district. For those seeking a challenge, the trailheads for Mount Elbert and Mount Massive, Colorado's highest peaks, are a short drive away, providing unforgettable alpine scenery and rigorous trekking opportunities.
Who This Park Is Best For
This campground is a perfect match for boondockers and outdoor enthusiasts who value natural beauty over luxury amenities. It is ideal for families wanting to teach their children about nature and for travelers with smaller to mid-sized rigs who are comfortable operating without full utility connections. If your travel style involves stargazing and lakefront recreation rather than high-speed internet and cable TV, Silver Dollar will likely be the highlight of your Colorado journey.
Features & Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
Reviews
Robert C
The place is just a bar. Don't go for the food. Maybe the steaks are good. But the sides were awful. The fries came out hard and raw. The server was really sweet and removed the fries. The other sides weren't anything to write home about. And they didn't give us refills on our drinks. Again the server was very nice. The food took ages to come out. The seats were like 150 years old. They were cute. But they were hard as rocks and not comfortable. They actually made my back sore.
Peter Lindholm
Such cool sport with incredible history. The staff is super friendly and the food is great. Menu has some really unique items. Also I really loved their French fries. I had a yak burger and my wife had a walleye po boy. Both fantastic.
Erisa Miola
We stopped in on a whim, which is honestly the best way to find a place like this. We'd been driving through Leadville and something about the exterior just made us slow down. Walked in and immediately felt like we'd taken a wrong turn into 1879, which sounds like a cliche but I don't know how else to describe it. The original bar, the floors, the stuff on the walls. You kind of just stand there for a second. We ended up staying for food, which we hadn't planned on. Got the Reuben and the pulled pork sandwich, plus an order of the wings. The Reuben is apparently a thing here and now I understand why. They brine and roast the brisket in house, slow roast it for a long time, make their own dressing. You can taste the difference. The pulled pork was solid too, good BBQ sauce, nothing overly complicated. The wings had this whiskey honey glaze that we were not expecting and that ended up being the thing everyone at the table kept reaching for. The bartender told us some of the history while we ate. Doc Holliday used to come here. So did Oscar Wilde, which is a strange pairing to think about. The booths are apparently from the train that originally brought in supplies to build the bar. That kind of detail either matters to you or it doesn't, and for us it really did. Check the kitchen hours before you go, they close earlier than you'd expect. But if you time it right, do not skip the food. It surprised us.
Maddy Fanning
run, don’t walk!!! go get the pulled pork sandwich — i don’t care if you’re not hungry! kidding, i kindly suggest it 🤭 wanted to stop at the legendary silver dollar saloon for a while + finally made the stop. very worth it / highly recommend it! a couple cold beers + yummy food + nice vibe. sat in the dining area but would sit at the bar next time, for sure.
Samara Overvaag
I ordered the apple french toast. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But wow! I never order french toast at restaurants, but this was legendary. It’s given me hope again! (I ate this the night before hiking Mt. Elbert) It was very warm inside this place, but it’s an old building. So I’ll cut it some slack!