Lake Dillon

Also known as: Dillon Reservoir

Locations

USA > West > Colorado

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Lake Dillon: Description

Nestled in the middle of some of Summit County's best skiing, Lake Dillon is the perfect year round getaway. With its rich history, fantastic sport fishing, and easy access to world class skiing, the lake or Dillon Reservoir as it's sometimes known, is sure to become a family favorite.

The original town of Dillon was typical for its time period, springing up during the mineral boom of the 1800's. Located at the junction of three rivers, the Blue River, Snake River, and Tenmile Creek, Dillon enjoyed an uninterrupted history until the early 1960's, when the entire town was relocated for the construction of the Dillon Dam and Reservoir. The old town, hydroelectric plant, cemetery, and many historical buildings were moved to the present site of the town. Today, visitors to Dillon can tour some of the old buildings including a school house from 1883 that currently houses the Summit Historical Society Museum. There are also scenic historic boat tours offered on Lake Dillon.
Completed in 1963, Lake Dillon is the largest facility in the Denver Water System. Dillon Dam is an earth-filled dam that diverts water from the Blue River Basin, through the Harold D. Roberts Tunnel, under the Continental Divide, and into the South Platte River Basin. Managed by Denver Water the reservoir levels are lowered in the fall to accommodate the expected snowfall, sometimes reaching as high as 26 feet.
The snow is Summit County's biggest draw, calling to skiers from all over the world. Lake Dillon is conveniently located between Keystone, Copper Mountain, Arapahoe Basin, and Breckenridge ski resorts. Visitors to Dillon can participate in all kinds of winter sports including Nordic skiing, and when the lake freezes, ice fishing.
The fun isn't limited, however, to just the winter months. Although water contact sports like swimming and waterskiing are prohibited on the lake, sports enthusiasts can sailboard in full wet or dry suits, and boating and sail boating are popular activities. Visitors can also rent canoes and kayaks at one of the lakes many outfitters. Anglers will find challenging sport fishing for rainbow and brown trout. There is also a healthy population of Kokanee salmon, and the Blue River below Dillon Dam is popular with stream and fly fishermen who have been known to catch trout over 24 inches long.
The Gore, Williams Fork, and Tenmile mountain ranges with peaks as high as 13,300 feet, provide the perfect backdrop for hiking around Lake Dillon. The Sapphire Point Trail in particular leads to a scenic overlook, looking down on the lake. There are high alpine roads, historic byways, as well as several campgrounds run by the Forest Service. Nearby in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area, hikers can see black bear, elk, moose, mule deer, and even the occasional mountain lion.
With its beautiful water, majestic mountain ranges, and world class snow sports, Lake Dillon is a spectacular year round destination.