Leadville National Fish Hatchery

Facility Activities

In addition to the hatchery experience, visitors also have a bounty of nearby recreational opportunities to explore!

Leadville is located at the main trailhead access into the Mt. Massive Wilderness Area, with access to the 14,000-foot peak, Mt. Massive. There are many hiking opportunities including the Rock Creek, Highline, and Kearney Park Trails, which all originate on hatchery grounds. These three trails intersect with the Colorado Trail in the Mt. Massive Wilderness Area, offering different routes to hike a loop starting and ending on the hatchery.
Be sure to bring your binoculars for the spectacular wildlife viewing, such as mountain blue birds, juncos, jays, hawks, eagles, waterfowl, elk, deer, porcupines, fox and pine martins.
Educational programs/tours may be provided for organized programs and school groups during business hours by appointment. Tours are dependent on staff availability.
The hatchery also participates in local public outreach activities, such as the Annual 5th grade Pathways to Fishing Program, and supports local community activities, such as the Fish Hatchery 5K running race. Partnerships with Friends of the Leadville National Fish Hatchery, Lake County, Trout Unlimited, U.S. Forest Service and Colorado Outward Bound School continue to help provide many recreational opportunities for visitors.

Leadville National Fish Hatchery is open for hunting in accordance with Colorado Parks and Wildlife hunting regulations. All hatchery land will be open to big game, furbearer and upland game bird hunting with the exception of a 100-yard distance from an occupied building or parking lot for...

Fishing

Leadville National Fish Hatchery provides exciting visitor opportunities. Fishing is allowed on Rock Creek, about a one-mile hike from the hatchery compound. The hatchery also participates in local activities, such as the Annual 5th grade Pathways to Fishing Program, and supports local community...

Hiking

Leadville acts as a main trailhead access into the Mt. Massive Wilderness Area, with access to the 14,000-foot peak, Mt. Massive. There are many hiking opportunities with the Rock Creek, Highline, and Kearney Park Trails all originating on hatchery grounds. These three trails intersect...

Snowshoeing

Many refuges in the country's northern tier have backcountry trails that can be used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in season. Some refuges loan out gear or rent it at low cost.

Cross-country skiing

Many refuges in the country's northern tier have backcountry trails that can be used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in season. Some refuges lend gear or rent it at low cost.

Fish viewing

Fish viewing is available at a number of FWS facilities in the form of aquariums, tanks, and streams.

Wildlife watching

Be sure to bring your binoculars for the spectacular wildlife viewing, such as mountain blue birds, juncos, jays, hawks, eagles, waterfowl, elk, deer, porcupines, fox and pine martins.

Birding

Be sure to bring your binoculars for the spectacular wildlife viewing, such as mountain blue birds, juncos, jays, hawks, eagles, waterfowl, elk, deer, porcupines, fox and pine martins.

Picnicking

A few sites allow picnicking at designated areas.

Photography

Whether you wield a smartphone or a zoom lens, you’ll find photo-worthy subjects at national wildlife refuges and national fish hatcheries. Wildlife photography is a priority public use on national wildlife refuges, so you’ll find wildlife drives and blinds and overlooks to help you get the images you’re after.

Snowshoeing

Many refuges in the country's northern tier have backcountry trails that can be used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in season. Some refuges loan out gear or rent it at low cost.

Ranger-led programs

Educational programs/tours may be provided for organized programs and school groups during business hours by appointment. Tours are dependent on staff availability.