| Elevation | ~9,111 ft |
|---|---|
| Nearest resorts | Keystone, Arapahoe Basin (~15 min); all others close |
| Best for | Lakeside stays, value, summer on the water |
| From Denver | ~1.5 hrs on I-70 (Exit 205) |
| Known for | Dillon Marina (sailing), Dillon Amphitheater |
Dillon is Summit County’s waterfront. Built on the shore of Dillon Reservoir — the big blue lake you see from I-70 — the town is all about the water: sailing, paddling, lakeside trails, and a summer calendar that revolves around the marina and the amphitheater. It’s central, scenic, and a little more low-key than the resort bases.
The reservoir
The Dillon Marina is one of the highest marinas on the continent, with sailboat and pontoon rentals and a real sailing community. Ringing the lake is a paved recreation path that connects Dillon to Frisco and beyond — an easy, spectacular ride or walk, and a gateway to Summit County hiking.
Summer nights
The Dillon Amphitheater stages concerts with the lake and the Gore Range behind the stage; add a farmers market and town park and summer evenings here are hard to beat. Winter puts you minutes from Keystone, A-Basin, and Breckenridge.
Lift tickets & passes
Dillon has no ski hill of its own, but it’s a central, value base minutes from Epic Keystone and Ikon Arapahoe Basin — handy if your group skis different passes. If you’ll ski more than a few days, a season pass usually beats day-of window tickets. Our Epic vs. Ikon guide covers which mountains each pass includes and when to buy for the best price. Direct lift-ticket and pass links are coming as we finalize our booking partners.
Getting there
Dillon sits just off I-70 at Exit 205, about 90 minutes from Denver, clustered with Frisco and Silverthorne around the reservoir. From here it’s a short hop up US-6 to Keystone and A-Basin. Mind I-70 traffic on peak weekends.
What to do & what to pack
Summer or winter, you’re minutes from Summit County’s best hiking, the nearby 14ers, and camping, plus four ski resorts in season. Gear up with our base layers, gloves, and goggles guides and the full ski packing list — and mind the altitude up here.
Hiking here? See our full guide to hiking in Dillon.
Dillon FAQ
Can you really sail on Dillon Reservoir?
Yes — the Dillon Marina is one of the highest-elevation marinas in North America, with sailboat rentals, lessons, and a genuine sailing scene on the reservoir all summer.
What is the Dillon Amphitheater?
A lakeside outdoor concert venue with the reservoir and the Gore Range as a backdrop — one of the most scenic places to catch live music in Colorado, with a busy free-and-ticketed summer schedule.
Where is Dillon and which resorts are near?
On the shore of Dillon Reservoir just off I-70 (Exit 205), clustered with Frisco and Silverthorne. Keystone and Arapahoe Basin are about 15 minutes up US-6, and every other Summit resort is close.
Is Dillon a good place to stay?
Yes — it’s central, scenic, and generally better value than the resort bases, with lake views and quick access to skiing. See our where to stay guide.
What is there to do in Dillon in winter?
It’s a quiet, central base minutes from Keystone, A-Basin, and Breckenridge, with the frozen reservoir and Nordic/snowshoe options nearby. The town is livelier in summer around the marina and amphitheater.
How high is Dillon?
About 9,111 feet — high enough that the altitude matters, so ease into your trip.
Nearby Summit County towns: Breckenridge · Frisco · Keystone · Copper Mountain · Dillon · Silverthorne · where to stay