Leadville sits at 10,152 feet — the highest incorporated city in the United States — at the very headwaters of the Arkansas River. It's a former silver-boom town turned high-altitude endurance hub (the Leadville 100 races, both run and bike, start here) with a remarkably intact Victorian Main Street and access to both Mt. Elbert and Mt. Massive, Colorado's two highest peaks.
Why come up here
Two reasons most travelers visit Leadville: to hike Mt. Elbert (14,440 ft, the highest peak in the Rockies) or to drive Independence Pass east-to-west and end up in Aspen. The Main Street itself is worth a stop — the Tabor Opera House, the National Mining Hall of Fame, and several quietly excellent coffee shops.
Local insider tips
- →Altitude is real here — 10,000+ ft. Sleep low if you're not acclimated.
- →Independence Pass closes in winter — Memorial Day to early November only.
Last reviewed: May 2026