Frequently asked questions
- Where are you located?
- How do I make a reservation?
- Reserve Online. Visit the Rates Page or SUP / Bike pages
- Reservations need to be booked by 5pm the day before
- Can I walk-in without a reservation?
- Walk-In’s are welcome, but can be limited during busy days. We do not hold gear without a reservation.
- I called & no answer?
- Phone service is spotty up here in the mountains. Drop us an email or send a text we'll follow up promptly.
- Can I bring my dog?
- Yes! We offer K9 PFD’s first come first served & recommend a two or multi-person board for most dogs.
- Please keep your dog leashed in the shop.
- What is included with a rental?
- For SUPs & Kayaks - Paddle, PFD, SUP leash, emergency whistle, dry bag & vehicle rooftop transport pads with straps if needed.
- For Bikes - Helmet, flat repair
- Safety briefing including weather, beaches, trail conditions, gear tutorial map & trail tips.
- Additional accessories are available by request
- After hours drop-offs are available
- Where do I go on the Lake?
- We give custom recommendations based on your group. Twin Lakes covers 2,700 acres, so depending on your parties' expectations & weather conditions we recommend a place to launch 2-5 min away.
- You can transport our equipment wherever you wish to explore outside of Twin Lakes!
- We can not transport gear for you (special permit required). Under permit of the National Forest Service, we operate at Mountain View in Twin Lakes & the Dam at Turquoise Lake, during these times we supply gear beachside. We announce these events on social media.
- How do I Transport a paddleboard?
- We show you step-by-step how to safely transport boards & bikes. We want you feeling confident knowing it is an easy process!
- For vehicles without crossbars, we supply soft pads to protect your vehicle & your SUP.
- You have the option to pick up a deflated board. This is popular for motorcycles.
- All rentals include roof (cam) straps. They hand tighten only. For the safety of your vehicle & our gear, ratchet straps are not permitted.
- For bikes, you can hit the trails from the shop or we can attach a hitch or trunk rack.
- All rentals include a brief demo on how to attach boards to your vehicle. This is very easy and gives you freedom to explore, find the best beaches & views.
- After hours drop-offs are available. An added benefit for sunrise, sunset & fishing paddles & pedals.
- Convertible cars, bicycles and motorcycles are unique and need deflation of a board for transport.
- Ratchet straps are not allowed to be used with our equipment. We offer cam straps free of charge.
- Under a permit from the National Forest we are approved to rent beachside on occasion. During this time, there is no required transport.
- Can I take my board or bike to a different lake or area?
- Yes! Within your rental time, our gear is for you to enjoy. Please be respectful of wildlife areas & private property.
- Can I swim in Twin Lakes? Is the water cold?
- We recommend splashing near the shore before diving in. Twin Lakes is over 90' deep and freezes over in the winter. Through July & August T.L. warms up, but variable weather is frequent in the high country. Always use caution & wear your life jacket. We have shorty wetsuits for rent & for sale. Safety briefings offer these recommendations.
- Do you rent life jackets?
- Yes! Rentals include USCG approved PFD
- PFDs without a rental are available for a small fee
- Do you rent paddles and accessories?
- Yes! We have a wide variety of accessories available - first come first served. Folding seats, SUP & kayak paddles, SUP pumps, shorty wetsuits, dry bags, bicycle bags, youth, adult & k9 life jackets, bear canister, random stuff, etc..
- What clothes and shoes should I wear?
- Shorts & T-shirt
- Base or mid-layer "hoodie" - for afternoon winds and sun protection
- Rain jacket
- Sandals for paddling / athletic shoes for riding
- The beach is rocky in places and sandy in others. Inclement weather can move in at any time. During the rainy season, there is typically an afternoon storm.
- What Should I Bring?
- Bring the 10 Essentials
- Navigation (map)
- Sun protection
- Illumination (headlamp)
- First aid
- Fire starter
- Hydration
- Food
- Repair kit (knife, multi tool)
- Emergency shelter
- Extra clothing (base layer, rain jacket)
- Bring the 10 Essentials
- Reservation / Cancellation Policy?
- Book Online for Reservations - You will be charged the full amount at the time of reservation
- Please Arrive on Time - We recommend arriving 15 min. early
- We space out reservations so you & others do not have to wait. If you are running late, no biggie, just let us know. You may have to wait behind reservations that showed up on time, but we will get you out there ASAP.
- Cancel with at least 48 hours notice to receive a refund minus 5% transaction fee
- Cancel within 48 hours 20% fee
- no call / no show / no refund - sorry folks, other people want to play too. We hold your boards, bikes, safety equipment & accessories denying others the opportunity to enjoy the fun times. We are very flexible & understand traffic, weather & life stuff sometimes happen. We love to work with you, please let us know if your plans change so we can share a fun experience with other visitors!
- What happens if something gets damaged or lost?
- Accidents can happen, but they don’t happen often. We do not charge additional fees, only the cost for us to replace it. During our equipment briefing, we go over how to take care of the equipment. This is covered in your liability waiver.
- Where can I paddle, cycle or hike?
- There are several bodies of water in the area. Twin Lakes is Colorado's 7th largest lake covering 2,700 acres & is across the road from the village. We give custom recommendations based on your group. Depending on your parties' expectations & weather conditions we recommend a place to launch 2-5 min away OR you can transport our equipment wherever you wish to explore outside of Twin Lakes!
- The trail system is vast. the Colorado trail & Continental Divide Trail are right outside the village. Riding or hiking around the lake, to the Interlaken & hiking a 14er is very popular. click for trail & water info
- Where can I camp?
- Where can I eat? Where's a hotel?
- Where can I park?
- Parking varies depending on the time of year. There is always a place to park. Don't be worried unless you are visiting during the Leadville Race Series in August.
- Restroom?
- The visitors center has the only public restroom in the village. Most of the lake access areas also have restrooms.
- We do not have a restroom in our shop (it's an old building folks)
- Where can I throw away trash?
- Pack-in / Pack-out
- The Twin Lakes visitors center has a pay dumpster during open hours
- You can pick up a "yellow" Lake County trash bag at many local stores in Leadville including Ace Hardware, Saturday's & the Lake County Landfill. These pre-pay bags can be dropped of off at the trash/recycling center 15 minutes from town on County Road 10.
- The next closest trash service for a non-paid bag is the Leadville Landfill. We do not have a dumpster, we commute our garbage & recycling.
- This is small town life folks, we don't have big city amenities - Please Pick Up After Yourself - keep our village lakes, rivers & forests clean!
- Are campfires allowed?
- Check with your camp host in designated campsites or call the San Isabel Ranger Station 719-486-0749
- Be aware this is a dry area & it can be very windy, a recipe for spreading fire!
- Know how to properly extinguish a campfire before you start one!
- PLEASE DO NOT START A WILDFIRE!
