Just a short drive from Breckenridge, Camp Hale offers one of Colorado’s most fascinating and historic day trips. Nestled between Red Cliff and Leadville at an elevation of more than 9,200 feet, Camp Hale was established in 1942 as the training ground for the U.S. Army’s legendary 10th Mountain Division. There, thousands of soldiers learned skiing, mountaineering, snowshoeing, and cold-weather survival skills in preparation for combat in some of the harshest terrain of World War II.
The 10th Mountain Division became one of the Army’s most effective specialized units. After rigorous training in Colorado’s rugged Rockies, the division deployed to Italy in 1945, where it helped break through German defensive positions in the Apennine Mountains and contributed significantly to the Allied victory in Europe.
Today, visitors can explore the former camp site along Highway 24, approximately 30 miles from Breckenridge. Interpretive signs, building foundations, and the surrounding alpine landscape help tell the story of the soldiers who trained there. The area is now part of the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument, preserving both its military history and natural beauty.
A visit to Camp Hale is more than a scenic mountain excursion. It is a chance to stand where America’s elite mountain troops prepared for war and where many veterans later helped build Colorado’s modern ski industry, including resorts that shaped the state’s outdoor recreation legacy.
