Fish hatchery in Leadville, CO
The Leadville National Fish Hatchery was established in 1889 and is the second oldest Federally operated fish hatchery in existence today. Located just outside of Leadville on more than 3,000 acres, the hatchery is a great place to learn about history and enjoy the beautiful mountain surroundings.
The original 1889 hatchery building is still used for fish rearing. Up to a quarter of a million trout are raised here every year and sent to lakes and reservoirs throughout Colorado. Visitors are welcome to tour the building and the grounds, as well as to access the trail system and the Mt. Massive Wilderness Area.
There are three trails that access the Colorado Trail from the parking lot: Highline, Rock Creek and Kearney Park. The trails are open to hikers in the summer and snowshoers, Nordic and cross-country skiers in the winter. The Evergreen Lakes Nature Trail is a one-mile loop with interpretive signs; it starts out just east of the hatchery office. There is a network of old roads south of the hatchery that's open for mountain biking up to the boundary of the wilderness area.
Visitors can also feed the fish, view and photograph wildlife, and enjoy a picnic and play area with barbecue grills, horseshoe pits and a basketball court. Visit the Leadville National Fish Hatchery website for more information.
