The alpine lake community of Dillon is the perfect setting for a day of adventure and fun. Come share the magic of the Colorado high country and fall in love with Dillon. No matter what adventure you seek, let this beautiful town on the shores of scenic Dillon Reservoir be your vacation headquarters. Recreation, entertainment, relaxation, and pure fun are all at your doorstep, no matter what your age. Dillon is the perfect family getaway close to Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, Copper Mountain, Vail, Beaver Creek, and Denver.

Dillon Parks: 

The Town of Dillon parks are free and open daily during summer and winter from sunrise until one hour after sunset. Each park has unique amenities for all ages and free parking. Dogs on leashes are welcome, but we ask that you please pick up after your pets. The Town plows selected trails in the winter for year-round outdoor enjoyment and easy access to snow-play areas.

Wedding, group, and special events can be held in the parks. Facilities, such as the Marina Park Pavilion is available for rental. Reservations are required. Visit our Pavilion, Shelter and Park Reservations or call 970-468-2403 for more information. If you are organizing a fundraising event, such as a charity walk or bike ride, you may reserve park facilities, this type of event requires a Special Event Permit.

Enjoy paved multi-use trails, lake shore access, hiking trails, picnic tables, playgrounds, lawns, a basketball court, four tennis courts, baseball diamond, two bocce courts, volleyball court, outdoor events, and beautiful natural settings all with spectacular mountain views unlike anywhere else in the world.

Explore Each Dillon Park:

Marina Park & Pavilion

Dillon Town Park

Dillon Nature Preserve

Lake Dillon Disc Golf Course

Hiking & Bike Rentals:

Majestic views and glistening waters make Dillon the perfect setting for your next summer adventure. Explore surrounding White River National Forest, with 200 miles of hiking trails, and dazzling wildflowers. Feeling a bit more adventurous? There are also 150 miles of mountain bike trails, 100 miles of OHV trails and 55 miles of paved, non-motorized pathways, connecting towns and resorts throughout Summit County. World-class lodging, dining, and shopping are within minutes.

Dillon Nature Preserve:

To hike, snowshoe, or Nordic ski at the Dillon Nature Preserve, park in the lot located on Highway 6, one mile east of the Tenderfoot Street intersection and directly across from the entrance to the Dillon Cemetery. Walk along the bike path back toward Dillon, 1/3 mile to the intersection of the path with the Denver Water access road. Follow the road approximately 1/2 mile to the trailhead. This area also can be reached by using the recreation path to walk or bike from Dillon or Summit Cove. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are prohibited at the Dillon Nature Preserve. 

The Town of Dillon acquired the Roberts Tunnel Peninsula Open Space through an annexation with Denver water in 1996, and it was designated as the Dillon Nature Preserve. There are two trail loops, covering over 2 miles, crossing meadows, forests and rock outcrops to access scenic overviews. The Dillon Nature Preserve is open year-round, but please keep in mind during the fall and winter months that hunting and snowmobiling are prohibited.

Old Dillon Reservoir:

To access the trails at the Old Dillon Reservoir, travel east on Dillon Dam Road for approximately 1.4 miles. On the left, just past Heaton Bay Campground, there is a sign slightly off the road. Turn in and park in the designated spaces. The .75 mile trail begins at an elevation of 9,066 feet and ends at an elevation of 9,193 feet, with the highest elevation of 9,203 feet. The elevation gain is +127 feet. The trail difficulty is rated EASY. This trail is used for multiple activities, including hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing so please respect other users. 

The Old Dillon Reservoir was built in the 1930s to supply water to the original town of Dillon, which is now covered by the Lake Dillon Reservoir. Water is supplied to the old reservoir via a diversion ditch out of Salt Lick Creek, above what is now I-70. The Old Dillon Reservoir is partially surrounded by lodgepole pines and willows, offering protection from the wind and sun. The protected environment allows for calm waters and provides good fishing opportunities in a relatively isolated location. 

For more information, trail highlights and a map of the area, please contact the Dillon Ranger District at (970) 468-5100 or visit www.dillonrangerdistrict.com.

Tenderfoot Mountain Trail:

This trail is approximately 2-1/2 miles round trip and travels through sage, aspen, and pine forests. During the summer months, wildflowers such as columbine, lupine, and mountain larkspur are quite visible. To get there: Take the Silverthorne exit from Denver and head east on Highway 6 toward Dillon. At the stop light at the top of the hill, turn left onto Dillon Drive and then an immediate right onto County Road #51. Park in the designated parking area and look for the trailhead (approximately 1/4 of a mile from parking). The trail difficulty rating is EASY. This trail is used for multiple activities, including hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing so please respect other users.

Oro Grande Trail:

This trail starts at the Tenderfoot Mountain Trailhead. To get there: Take the Silverthorne exit from Denver and head east on Highway 6 toward Dillon. At the stop light at the top of the hill, turn left onto Dillon Drive and then an immediate right onto County Road #51. Park in the designated parking area and look for the trailhead (approximately 1/4 of a mile from parking). 

The road meanders through open meadows and stands of aspen as it crosses several hills. Just beyond a fence, at about 2.1 miles, you’ll come to a 4-way junction and an open area. To do the short, 6-mile loop, turn right. At almost 4 miles, near a small public shooting range and power station, you can return as you came, continue into Frey Gulch or loopback by turning right. Travel a short distance past the power plant and take a left on the single-track trail on the left. Cross the road in front of the gatehouse and take the single-track trail that begins next to the chain link fence down to Highway 6. To access Keystone, turn left. To complete the loop, turn right and descend along the highway a short distance. Cross the highway at the Swan Mountain Road stoplight and turn right immediately onto the paved recreation path. Follow the path back to Dillon. Turn right onto Lake Dillon Drive, cross HWY 6 at the stoplight, take a sharp right and travel back up to the trailhead to complete the loop. 

The trail difficulty rating is MODERATE. This trail is used for multiple activities, including hiking, mountain biking, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing so please respect other users.

Sapphire Point:

Sapphire Point Overlook sits between Keystone and Breckenridge on Swan Mountain Road, at an elevation of 9,500 feet. The overlook offers a stunning view of Dillon Reservoir, hemmed in by the Gore and Ten Mile Mountain ranges.

Sapphire Point is a day-use area that can be reserved for two-hour blocks for private gatherings. It is the only designated site where wedding ceremonies are permitted to take place on the Dillon Ranger District

Biking:

Road Biking

Summit Rec Path Map
A PDF map of the full Summit County Paved Recreation Path System, along with some path elevation profiles.

Around Lake Dillon
18 miles & 1,200' of climb around the lake. 31 miles & 1,600' of climb round trip from Breckenridge.

Frisco/Dillon The ultimate easy cruiser ride across Dillon Dam. 13-mile round trip ride with 550' of climb on short rolling bike path hills

Mountain Biking:

Dillon bike trails come equipped with some of the best views of Summit County, CO. Complete with a backdrop of the Lake Dillon is perfect for a day on the bike.

Check out mountain biking trails throughout the Summit County, CO broken out by difficulty: easy mountain biking trails, advanced mountain biking trails, expert mountain biking trails.

Dillon Marina:

Dillon Marina is the highest deep water marina in North America and attracts sailors from all over the world to master the challenge of shifting mountain winds and to participate in regattas. Not an expert? No problem. Sign up for sailing school or experience a private sailing tour. Sunset sailboat tours are perfect for a romantic date. Or, twice weekly informative pontoon tour with the Summit Historical Society provide information about the relocation of the town, dam construction and other interesting facts about the area.
If traditional sailing isn’t your cup of tea, perhaps look to rent a runabout, kayak or Stand-up Paddle Board. There are many ways, you can be your own captain!

Renting a pontoon boat is the ultimate group excursion, perfect for bachelor/bachelorette parties, family get-togethers or groups of friends. Ask for an attached grill for the ultimate picnic on the water.

Boat, Kayak, SUP Rentals, Sailing School & Guided Tours

Spend an afternoon at the Dillon Marina and take advantage of a variety of boat, kayak and Stand Up Paddle board rentals. Experience the thrill of high altitude sailing through the ASA sailing school and guided tours then sit back and relax at the Lakeside Tike Bar for a bite to eat and a refreshing beverage.

Movie Theatre & Bowling Alley

Looking to change up the pace and head indoors? Dillon is home to Summit County's only bowling center. Elevation Bowl is located in the heart of Ski Country. Dillon also offers Skyline Cinema 8, it’s the best theatre experience possible with small town customer service along with big city technology and fresh popcorn daily!

Dillon Farmers Market

Enjoy the harvests at one of the best farmers markets in the high country. And please remember to leave your four-legged friends at home. Because of all the yummy food, this is a No Pet Event. Live entertainment from 10:30am- 1pm.

Dillon Amphitheater

With mountain views over Lake Dillon to the Ten Mile and Gore Mountain Ranges, the Lake Dillon Amphitheater offers incredible vistas, it is the best venue in Summit County to take in a concert. The amphitheater features hardscape and lawn seating for up to 3,000 people and hosts live music Friday's and Saturday's throughout the summer.  Click here for Dillon Amphitheater information.

Summit Historical Society

Visit Dillon’s historical School House Museum and Town Park where relics from mining days come to life. Discover the gold mining history that shaped our region through the work of the Summit Historical Society.

Outdoor Winter Fun

Wrapped in a pristine blanket of white, Dillon offers access to a world-class winter playground with all the comfort and charm of a small mountain town. We’re just minutes away from the ski slopes of Breckenridge, Keystone, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin, and just a short drive away from Loveland, Vail and Beaver Creek. There’s also plenty of outdoor winter fun right here.

Enjoy skating, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snow kiteboarding or ice fishing on Dillon Reservoir,

Sitting on the shores of Lake Dillon, the town offers awe-inspiring views of the Gore and Ten Mile Mountain ranges and is only a one hour and fifteen-minute drive to downtown Denver and one and a half hours from the Denver International Airport.