Molly Brown

Campground · Colorado · 45 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

San Isabel National Forest (NF) · Open Access

45
Bookable sites
40 ft
Max rig length
up to 8
People per site
9,885 ft
Elevation
Crystal Clear Waters Support a Variety of Recreation Activities
Photo: Mark Salansky · Recreation.gov

Overview

Named after the "unsinkable" Molly Brown on the Titanic, Molly Brown Campground, on the eastern shore of Turquoise Lake, sits in a shaded lodgepole pine forest. The campground offers access to boating, fishing, and hiking.



The famous Molly Brown lived in the town of Leadville, just 5 miles east of the campground. She became wealthy from her husband's mining success and took on a life as a philanthropist, socialite and activist.

Recreation

The 1.2-mile Turquoise Lake Nature Trail is a gentle loop trail through the forest and down to the shoreline of Turquoise Lake. This trail connects to the 6.4 mile Turquoise Lake Trail that parallels the shoreline from the dam to May Queen Campground. It is recommended that hikers pick up a trail guide prior to departure to learn about the flora and fauna along this trail. On the lake, sailing, boating and canoeing are always enjoyed. Anglers seek out mostly mackinaw and rainbow trout.

Facilities

The two-loop campground offers single family sites. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and campfire ring. Vault toilets and trash collection are provided. Firewood is for sale at the Host site.

Natural Features

Campsites are perched along the scenic waters of the lake. Nearby is the Mount Massive Wilderness area, a 30,540 acre stretch of forest land which encompasses Colorado's second highest peak, Mount Massive at 14,421 feet. Much of the wilderness is above timberline with many alpine plant communities and permanent snowfields.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (661) 702-1420.

Nearby Attractions

The town of Leadville, a historic gold and silver mining town, is a fun place to explore with the family.

Drive on the Top of the Rockies Scenic Byway to Independence Pass, one of the highest paved passes in Colorado. Continue over the pass to the town of Aspen, a well-known ski resort town.

Charges & Cancellations

Cancellations

Individual Campsites: Cancellations up to 2 days before a reservation start date incur a $10.00 cancellation fee. 

A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's use fee including tax and applicable add-on for a campsite.

Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee.

No-Shows

A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date.

No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite.  

Refunds

Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Refunds will not be issued after the 7 days has ended.

Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay.

For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. 

In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.

The facts

  • 45 bookable sites
  • 50 sites in total, including non-bookable
  • Vehicles up to 40 ft
  • Up to 8 people per site
  • Loops: MANAGEMENT, MOLL

Site types

  • 43 Standard Nonelectric
  • 5 Management
  • 2 Tent Only Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, campfires allowed, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

50 campsites at Molly Brown

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceMax rigPeople
034MANAGEMENTManagement————
045MANAGEMENTManagement————
XXXMANAGEMENTManagementBack InGravel40 ft8
001MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel20 ft8 🐾
002MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft8 🐾
003MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft8 🐾
004MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel20 ft8 🐾
005MOLLManagementBack InGravel25 ft8 🐾
006MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
007MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
008MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel20 ft8 🐾
009MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft8 🐾
010MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
011MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft8 🐾
012MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft8 🐾
013MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel20 ft8 🐾
014MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft8 🐾
015MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel20 ft8 🐾
016MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft8 🐾
017MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel20 ft8 🐾
018MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel40 ft8 🐾
019MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
020MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft8 🐾
021MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft8 🐾
022MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel40 ft8 🐾
023MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft8 🐾
024MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel40 ft8 🐾
025MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft8 🐾
026MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft8 🐾
027MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft8 🐾
028MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft8 🐾
029MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
030MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel20 ft8 🐾
031MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
032MOLLTent Only NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft8 🐾
033MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft8 🐾
035MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel40 ft8 🐾
036MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
037MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel40 ft8 🐾
038MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel35 ft8 🐾
039MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel20 ft8 🐾
040MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft8 🐾
041MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
042MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel25 ft8 🐾
043MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel40 ft8 🐾
044MOLLManagementBack InGravel35 ft8 🐾
046MOLLTent Only Nonelectric—Gravel30 ft8 🐾
047MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel30 ft8 🐾
048MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel40 ft8 🐾
049MOLLStandard NonelectricBack InGravel40 ft8 🐾

Getting there

From Leadville, Colorado, head west on County Road 4 and turn right on County Road 9C. Follow signs to Molly Brown Campground on the right.

39.26639, -106.34972 · 39°15'59.0"N 106°20'59.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 73°F in Jul, down to 31°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F323339445568737062513931
Low °F33918273440383124146
Precip in1.01.41.31.71.40.91.92.11.41.11.31.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.7 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

Extra Vehicle Fee $10.00

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

More photos

Member photos

Common questions about Molly Brown

Can you reserve a site at Molly Brown?
Yes, Molly Brown is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Molly Brown have?
50 sites in total, of which 45 can be booked.
What is the maximum RV length at Molly Brown?
40 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Molly Brown?
Yes, pets are allowed at Molly Brown.

Also listed by

Molly Brown also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Molly Brown's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • $30 nightly fee per site ($33 for campsites 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 9, 10, 12, and 13), which includes two vehicles. A third vehicle is an additional $11 per night. RVs and ATV/boat trailers count as one vehicle.
  • Fees are payable by cash, check or money order. Self-servicing fee tube is available.
  • First-come, first-served sites must be occupied the first night.

Restrictions:

  • Maximum of eight people per site
  • Maximum three tents per site or one RV and two tents
  • Dogs, including service dogs, must be leashed at all times
  • No discharge of firearms or fireworks
  • Only licensed vehicles can operate inside campground
  • Camping is not allowed behind a locked gate
  • Remember to check fishing regulations before fishing at any body of water. For stocking reports and more information on regulations or fishing licenses, check out the Colorado Parks & Wildlife website.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Molly Brown

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.