Kite Lake in Colorado 2025
A beautiful high-altitude lake with five campsites and some impressive peaks nearby
Best time: May–October
Kite Lake is a small alpine lake with turquoise waters that is located on an elevation of 12,139 ft (3,700 m), in about 5 mi (8 km) north-west of Alma, Colorado. Plenty of exciting trails nearby, including several fourteeners, make Kite Lake Campground a popular destination for hikers in south-western Colorado. Kite Lake can be reached via Buckskin Street, which requires a 4WD vehicle and is open only in the summer. The camping season on the lake generally runs from May through October, or until the road is snowed in. Early fall is probably the best time to visit the lake due to lesser crowds and beautiful fall foliage of the aspens.
Parking and camping at the lake is available for a fee. Five campsites have fire pits, toilets, and picnic tables. They aren't suited for trailer parking and are occupied on a first-come, first-serve basis. The eastern side of the lake is more exposed to harsh winds during the night. The most popular trails in the area include a loop encompassing Mt. Democrat (14,148 ft or 4,312 m), Mt. Cameron (14,238 or 4,339 m), Mt. Lincoln (14,286 or 4,354 m), and Mt. Bross (14,172 or 4,319 m). You can reach those four fourteeners in one day, covering just up to 9 mi (14 km), which is a quite accessible and enjoyable hike.
