Dillon Area

Copyright: Zander Higbie-Interactive Outdoors, Inc. Sunset over Dillon Reservoir from the Penninsula Recreation Area

Recreation - With the ski areas and large reservoirs, the Dillon Area is a center for recreation activity. Downhill skiing, fishing, and boating are the most popular activities.

There are 14 campgrounds in the area, including 1 group campsite. The campgrounds are located mostly around the two reservoirs and offer varying levels of services. Many of the campgrounds offer fishing and boating adjacent to the sites. Backcountry and dispersed camping opportunities also exist. When camping outside developed campsites, be sure to follow the backcountry and dispersed camping regulations, and 'Leave No Trace' principles to ensure the next visitor an equal experience.

The district offers many miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. Many trails in the area reach above 13,000 feet elevation.

Climate - Elevations in the Dillon Area range from about 8,000 feet at Green Mountain Reservoir to over 14,000 feet on several of the highest peaks. Vegetation includes sagebrush meadows at lower elevations, aspen and lodgepole pine at intermediate elevations, Engelmann spruce/subalpine fir forests above about 10,000 feet, and alpine tundra at the highest elevations.

At the lowest elevations, around Green Mountain Reservoir, summer high temperatures extend into the mid 80s. Because much of the district is over 9,000 feet, high temperatures can be significantly cooler, with evenings temperatures that can often dip into the 30s. Winter lows occasionally dip to minus 35 degrees, though daytime temperatures are often in the 20s and 30s. The relative humidity is quite low throughout the year. Much of the annual precipitation comes in the form of winter snow but afternoon summer thunderstorms are common. Snow is possible at any time of year in the highest elevations. The high elevation roads and trails are often not clear of snow until at least mid-July.

Location - The Dillon Area lies about 70 miles west of Denver; just west of the Continental Divide. The area surrounds the towns of Silverthorne, Dillon, Frisco, Breckenridge and Keystone. The area includes portions of the Gore Range, the Tenmile Range and the Williams Fork Mountains.

The Blue River runs through the middle of the area, from south to north, with other major drainages including the Snake River, Swan River and Tenmile Creek. The area has two large reservoirs, Dillon and Green Mountain. Interstate 70 cuts through of the area from east to west.