Entry No. 188 — the Denver file — filed under: abandoned-resort

Interlaken Resort Ruins & Dexter Cabin

In 1883 a Leadville mining millionaire named James Dexter bought a luxury resort on the south shore of Twin Lakes, and when the dam ruined the waterline, everything just stayed. Walk the flat Colorado Trail 2.2 miles and the door to his cabin is unlocked: walnut woodwork, a wood-paneled soaking tub, a glass cupola you can climb for a 360 of the Sawatch. Out back stands the resort's pride, a hexagonal outhouse with a private door for each seat.

The move: Hike the flat 2.2 miles (or paddle straight across the lake) to Dexter's cabin, climb into the cupola together, and split a thermos over the view the millionaires abandoned.

📍 Before you go The trailhead sits at the end of dirt CR 25 off CO-82 just south of the Twin Lakes dam; passenger cars handle it in good conditions. The route follows the Colorado Trail along the south shore, flat but gently rolling, about 4.7 miles round trip, or you can kayak or paddleboard straight across from the north shore. The cabin door is simply unlocked with no gate or booking, and the site is a Forest Service historic district, so leave everything in place. In winter the road and trail snow over and it becomes a snowshoe or ski tour; pair the walk with the Twin Lakes general store on the way out.

• 📍 Twin Lakes (Leadville)
• 💸 Free
• ⚡ Up for anything
• 🌗 Outdoors

Where: Interlaken Trailhead, County Rd 25 off CO-82 (south of Twin Lakes Dam), Twin Lakes, CO 81251

Hours: Added 2026-06-11 — confirm current hours before you go.

Plan a visit & invite your people →

Proof: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4

last checked: 2026-06-11