Summit County is probably the most popular weekend destination for the millions living on the plains around Denver. Summer or winter brings in the masses, looking for the world-class recreation like camping and skiing it offers in abundance, and convenience to the greater metropolitan.
The summit county seat and a most popular spot for many is Breckenridge, located on the further end than others from Denver, at just a little over 1.5 hours. Combined with Frisco, Dillon, Silverthorne, and Keystone, all reside by the Dillion Reservoir, the area’s most well-known landmark, other than its ski slopes.
The campgrounds closest to these cities reside around Lake Dillon, so you won’t find any in the town of either Breck or Copper Mountain. There’s also a stash of phenomenal camping north of Silverthorne on CO-9 at Green Mountain Reservoir in Heeney, CO.
Most of the Summit County campgrounds reside within the White River National Forest, which does offer some dispersed camping within its woods. For that primitive approach try north of Silverthorne toward the reservoir for forest access points.
Please camp only in pre-existing campsites and clean up after yourself completely. It’s best to bring cash if are using first-come, first-serve campgrounds. Most campgrounds take reservations and are especially popular around the lakes during peak season.
This camping list covers the closest campgrounds to the Summit County towns of:
- Breckenridge
- Copper Mountain
- Dillon
- Frisco
- Heeney
- Keystone
- Silverthorne
List of campgrounds in Summit County, CO, in order of proximity:
Campgrounds by Lake Dillon near Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Dillon, Frisco, Keystone and Silverthorne
The closest campgrounds to the towns of Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Keystone reside around the Dillon Reservoir. The 6 lakeside campgrounds are found spread around the lake, with either a Dillon, Frisco, or Silverthorne address. All provide very convenient access to all the towns of Summit County, as you’d be camping in the heart of it.
When the weather’s warm, the Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area attracts hoards of tourists, escaping their city dwellings for a piece of Colorado recreation close to home. It has two marinas: Dillon Marina and Frisco Marina, both of which rents boats.
Pine Cove Campground
The unique venue of Swan Mountain surrounding Dillon Reservoir awaits campers at this site. The dramatic vistas of the Gore and Tenmile mountain ranges are viewable from camp and from the lake.
- Closest town: Frisco (2mi); Breckenridge (9mi)
- Specs: 35 single sites, RV, trailer, tent, water, vault toilet, open May to October
- Amenities: Boat ramp onto Dillon Reservoir
- Recreation: Hiking, biking, boating, fishing, no body-contact with water
- Reservations: at 1-877-444-6777
- Address: Peninsula Rd, Frisco, CO 80443 (Map)
- Directions: From Frisco go east .3 miles on Granite Street. Turn right at Colorado Highway 9, and go 1.1 miles. Turn left on Recreation Way, go .3 miles. Turn right on Peninsula Road and go .4 miles to the campground.
Peak One Campground
Located in a valley surrounded by towering peaks with a majestic reservoir spilling into the surrounding draws and ridges, this campground is a haven for boaters and kayakers. Good fishing in the lake and the streams flowing into enticing fishermen as well.
- Closest town: Frisco (2mi); Breckenridge (9mi)
- Specs: 80 multi-use sites, RV, trailer, tent, water, vault toilet, open May to September
- Amenities: Camp host, flush toilets
- Recreation: Biking, boating, canoeing, fishing, kayaking, sailing
- Reservations: at recreation.gov
- Address: Peninsula Road, Breckenridge, CO 80424 (Map)
- Directions: Go east on Granite Avenue .3 miles. Turn right on Colorado Highway 9, and go 1.1 miles. Turn left on Recreation Way, go .3 miles. Turn right on Peninsula Road and go .6 miles. The campground will be on the left.
Heaton Bay Campground
Located on a peninsula inside Lake Dillon this campground offers a wide variety of campsites near the water. A very popular summertime destination, this campground fills up quickly.
- Closest town: Silverthorne (3mi); Frisco (3mi); Breckenridge (12mi)
- Specs: 81 multi-use campsites, RV, trailer, tent, water, vault toilet, open May to October
- Amenities: Multiple loop road offers many campsites at the water’s edge
- Recreation: Hiking, boating, fishing, biking
- Reservations: at recreation.gov
- Address: Dillon Dam Road, Silverthorne, CO 80498 (Map)
- Directions: Go north on 4th Avenue .4 miles. Take Colorado Highway for 2.5 miles. The campground is .2 miles at end of the loop.
Windy Point Group Campground
A group campsite on Dillon Reservoir at 9,000 feet elevation. This area was devastated by beetle kill and has little shade in the campground.
- Closest town: Dillon (6mi); Frisco (7mi); Keystone (8mi); Breckenridge (10mi)
- Specs: Group campground with surrounding individual sites, accommodations for up to 100 campers, water, vault toilet, open May to October
- Amenities: Handicapped access picnic area, boat ramps in nearby towns of Dillon and Frisco
- Recreation: Hiking, biking, boating, fishing
- Reservations: at recreation.gov
- Address: White River National Forest, Dillon, CO 80435 (Map)
- Directions: From Frisco go east on Granite Street .3 miles. Turn right on Colorado Highway 9 2.5 miles. Turn left on Swan Mountain Road, and go 2.9 miles. Follow the road to the left 1.1 miles, the campground will be on your left.
Prospector Campground
Lake Dillon is the draw for this large campground with brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout. Boating on the reservoir and the 26 miles of shoreline allow seclusion in the midst of the busy summer season.
- Closest town: Dillon (5mi); Frisco (6mi); Keystone (8mi): Breckenridge (10mi)
- Specs:107 multi-use sites, RV, trailer, tent, water, vault toilet, open May to October
- Amenities: Lake Dillon boat ramps in nearby Dillon and Frisco
- Recreation: Hiking, biking, fishing, boating
- Reservations: at recreation.gov
- Address: White River National Forest, Dillon, CO 80435 (Map)
- Directions: From Dillon take Tenderfoot Street .7 miles to U.S Highway 6 East. Go 4.4 miles to Swan Mountain Road. Go .8 miles on Swan Mountain Road to the campground.
Lowry Campground
Seven miles of the 50-mile-long Summit County trail system wind nearby this campground. Eagles, elk, Big Horn sheep, and mule deer dot the hillsides. Brown, rainbow, and cutthroat trout are waiting for the skilled angler in Dillon Reservoir.
- Closest town: Dillon (5mi); Frisco (6mi); Keystone (7mi); Breckenridge (10mi)
- Specs: 27 multi-use sites, RV, trailer, tent, water, vault toilet, open May to October
- Amenities: Campsites 2-24 have electric hookup, three first-come, first-serve tent sites
- Recreation: Hiking, biking, boating, fishing
- Reservations: at recreation.gov
- Address: Lowry Campground, Dillon, CO 80435 (Map)
- Directions: From Dillon go north .2 miles on La Bonte Street. Turn right on Tenderfoot Street, and go .5 miles. Turn right on U.S. Highway 6 East, and go 2.4 miles. Turn right onto Swan Mountain Road, and go 1.8 miles. Turn left on Lowry Campground Road. The campground will be on the left.
Designated Dispersed Camping by Breckenridge
A fun summer seasonal route to Breckenridge from Highway 285 in Park County is Boreas Pass. The unpaved road is fine for most 2WD vehicles, weather pending. There is some designated dispersed camping on both the Summit County and Park County side of Boreas Pass, which goes south from Breckenridge to Como. It crosses the continental divide.
FREE – Designated Dispersed Camping on Boreas Pass Road
Take Boreas Pass Road southeast out of downtown Breckenridge. After several miles, you’ll come upon the national forest. There are new rules for this, as follows:
This designated dispersed camping area along County Road 10 (Boreas Pass) has 23 signed sites. There is a 14-day stay limit. Camping in a location that is not designated(signed) could result in a citation from the U.S. Forest Service. Also, parking on the shoulder of the county road at a location that is not designated(signed) for recreation could result in a citation from local law enforcement.
Using any location on U.S. Forest land for residential purposes could result in a citation from the U.S. Forest Service. Regulations pertaining to designated dispersed camping are as follows:
- Camp only in designated sites.
- No camping at trailheads.
- Food and garbage must be properly secured.
- Pack out all waste: human, garbage, paper, organics, etc.
As far as what it means to properly secure food, garbage, or cooking equipment: in bear-resistant containers or inside vehicles in sealed containers. The road is pretty flat and narrow at times. Passing can be difficult in spots and this is one of many reasons why recreation is allowed only at certain locations.
You can find more dispersed camping on the Como side, as well as an official Selkirk Campground, which makes a good base for day tripping into Breck.
- Closest Town: Breckenridge (7mi)
- Address: Boreas Pass Road, Breckenridge, CO
- Specs: 23 designated campsites, 14-day limit
- Directions: From downtown Breckenridge find Boreas Pass Road/County Road 10. Follow that up Boreas Pass, looking for some open campsites on the way. It’ll probably be a thirty-plus minutes drive to find camping.
Campgrounds by Blue River near Silverthorne
The beautiful Blue River begins in the mountains above Breckenridge, flowing in and out of the Dillon Reservoir, through Summit County. It parallels Highway 9 heading north from Silverthorne. There is one USFS campground on CO-9 that makes a great base closer to Silverthorne before Green Mountain Reservoir. It provides fast access to the national forest, plus riverside campsites and Blue Ribbon fly fishing.
Blue River Campground
A basic campground with all the attractions of the wilderness. A quiet place for reflection, wildlife viewing, photography, or fishing for brown, rainbow, and the native cutthroat trout.
- Closest town: Silverthorne (8mi); Heeney (15mi)
- Specs:|24 multi-use sites, RV, trailer, tent, water, vault toilet, open May to October
- Amenities: Looped ends of the access road allow more campsites on the Blue River, bear-proof containers
- Recreation: Fishing, hiking, biking
- Reservations: No, first-come, first-serve
- Address: White River National Forest, Forest Road 1877, Silverthorne, CO 80498 (Map)
- Directions: From Silverthorne take Colorado Highway 9 7.5 miles north. Turn right on Blue River Campground Road, and go 82 feet. Turn right onto Forest Road 1877, and go .1 miles. The campground will be on your left.
Campgrounds by Green Mountain Reservoir near Heeney and Silverthorne
If you want to experience a more secluded, natural setting than the almost cosmopolitan feel in the cities around Lake Dillion, opt for Green Mountain Reservoir. It’s located about thirty minutes north of Silverthorne in the tiny community of Heeney. There’s not much in town business-wise, aside from the general store and Heeney Marina, which rents out boats. There are slew campgrounds on all sides of the reservoir.
McDonald Flats Campground
If you’re a fisherman that likes to work the inlet of a reservoir, this campground is for you. A popular weekend destination for many, it offers a wide variety of water-based outdoor activities.
- Closest town: Heeney (5mi); Silverthorne (18mi)
- Specs: 13 multi-use sites, RV, trailer, tent, no water, vault toilet, open May to October
- Amenities: Located on the southern shore of Green Mountain Reservoir
- Recreation: Hiking, fishing
- , water skiing, jet skiing, boating
- Reservations: NO, first-come, first-serve
- Address: White River National Forest, Forest Road 1699, Silverthorne, CO 80498 (Map)
- Directions: From Heeney go east 4.5 miles on Heeney Road. Turn left on Forest Road 1699, and go .3 miles to the campground on the right.
Prairie Point Campground
A mid-sized campground on the southern edge of the Green Mountain Reservoir. This campground is located on the shore of the Blue River as it flows in to create the reservoir. A popular destination for water-based sports.
- Closest town: Heeney (8mi); Silverthorne (18m)
- Specs: 33 multi-use sites, RV, trailer, tent, no water, vault toilet, open May to October
- Amenities: On the Blue River near the inlet to Green Mountain Reservoir
- Recreation: Hiking, fishing, boating, water skiing, and jet skiing on the nearby reservoir
- Reservations: No, first-come, first-serve
- Address: Heeney Rd, Silverthorne, CO 80498 (Map)
- Directions: From Heeney go east on Heeney Road for 6.6 miles. Turn left on Colorado Highway 9, and go 1.7 miles. Turn left on Forest Road 1690. The campground will be on your left.
Cow Creek South Campground
The marvel of Rocky Mountain wildlife abounds near this campground with Big Horn sheep, elk, mule deer, pike, and ptarmigan commonly sighted. The waters nearby are full of cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout.
- Closest town: Heeney (6mi); Silverthorne (22mi)
- Specs: 44 standard sites for RV, trailers, and tents. Vault toilet, no water, open May to October
- Amenities: Close access to the Blue River and Green Mountain
- Recreation: Hiking, stream fishing, boat fishing, both motorized and non-motorized boats welcome
- Reservations: at recreation.gov
- Address: Mile Marker 124, Colorado Highway 9 North, Heeney, CO 80498 (Map)
- Directions: From Heeney go west on Heeney Road 4 miles. Turn right on Colorado Highway 9, and go 2.2 miles. Turn right on Cow Creek South Campground Road.
Cow Creek North Campground
This cozy small campground on the shore of Green Mountain Reservoir is lightly used during the summer months. Cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout abound in the lake and stream nearby.
- Closest town: Heeney (6mi); Silverthorne (22mi)
- Specs: 15 single multi-use sites, RV, trailer, tent, vault toilet, no water, open May to October
- Amenities: on the shore of Green Mountain Reservoir and close to the Blue River
- Recreation: Motorized, non-motorized boating, stream fishing, lake fishing, hiking
- Reservations: no, first-come, first-serve
- Address: White River National Forest, Colorado Highway 9, Heeney, CO 80498 (Map)
- Directions: From Heeney go west on Heeney Road 4 miles to Dudley Road. Turn right on Colorado Highway 9 and go 1.8 miles. Turn right on Cow Creek North Campground Road, go .2 miles, and the campground will be on your right.
Willows Campground
It’s a popular campground for fans of motorized water sports. Located right on the shoreline of picturesque Green Mountain Reservoir with easy access for trailers or hand-loaded watercraft.
- Closest town: Heeney (4m); Silverthorne (25mi)
- Specs: 35 multi-use sites, RV, trailer, tent, no water, vault toilet, open May to October
- Amenities: Located on the north shore of Green Mountain Reservoir
- Recreation: Jet skiing, water skiing, boating, fishing, swimming, hiking
- Reservations: no, first-come, first-serve
- Address: White River National Forest, Forest Road 1804, Silverthorne, CO 80498 (Map)
- Directions: From Heeney go west 3.4 miles on Heeney Road. Turn right on Forest Road 1804. Go .3 miles to the campground on the left.
Elliott Creek Campground
This small campground rests in the southwest crook of Green Mountain Reservoir. A popular destination for water sports enthusiasts.
- Closest town: Heeney (2mi); Silverthorne (26mi)
- Specs: 15 single, multi-use sites, RV, trailer, tent, no water, vault toilet, Open May to October
- Amenities: Located on the west shore of Green Mountain Reservoir
- Recreation: Water skiing, boating, jet skiing, fishing, hiking
- Reservations: no, first-come, first-serve
- Address: Forest Road 1809, Silverthorne, CO 80498 (Map)
- Directions: From Heeney go 1.6 miles west on Heeney Road. Turn right on Forest Service Road 1809, and go .2 miles to the campground.
Cataract Creek Campground
A very popular campground near Green Mountain Reservoir. The location on a banked ridge above the lake makes it a perfect location for getting away from the action on the reservoir while still enjoying easy access to it.
- Closest town: Heeney (3mi); Silverthorne (24mi)
- Specs: 5 multi-use sites, RV, trailer, tent, no water, vault toilet, open May to October
- Amenities: Located in a drainage above Green Mountain reservoir
- Recreation: Hiking, fishing, boating, water skiing, jet skiing
- Reservations: No, first-come, first-serve
- Address: Forest Road 1725, Silverthorne, CO 80498 (Map)
- Directions: From Heeney go east on Heeney Road 1.1 miles. Turn right on Forest Service Road 1725, and go 2.1 miles to the campground.
Consider Fairplay, Kremmling, Leadville or Eagle Co.
Surrounding the ever-popular Summit County are a host of other great regions for camping and exploring the wild countryside. If you want to be close to Breckenridge, there is some great camping south on CO-9 in Alma and Fairplay. These easy-to-reach towns lie about thirty minutes south over Hoosier Pass. There’s also the aforementioned Selkirk Campground and dispersed campsites on the Park County side of Boreas Pass to Breck.
North on CO-9 at Silverthorne leads you to Kremmling in roughly forty minutes, on the opposite side of Green Mountain Reservoir. Between Kremmling, Parshall, and Hot Sulphur Springs, you’ll find a range of camping available. There are both campgrounds and dispersed camping near Williams Creek Reservoir, which you can access off Highway 9.
Thirty minutes southwest of Copper Mountain on CO-91 leads you to the high elevation town of Leadville. There is a lot of fun, historic activities in Leadville, including some gorgeous lakeside campgrounds by Turquoise Lake to accommodate you. It’s easy to access Summit County on a short day trip from Lake Co.
Continue west past Copper Mountain on Interstate 70 and you’ll quickly summit Vail Pass before descending down into Eagle County. There is a great opportunity near Summit County at Gore Creek Campground directly on Vail Pass. It’s the closest campground to Vail, which is the first town you reach after Copper Mountain and Vail Pass. Vail is well known as the home to the biggest ski resort in the state.
That’s a roundup of the top campgrounds around Summit County, covering the towns of Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Dillon, Frisco, Heeney, Keystone, and Silverthorne. Respect your campsite and neighbors, and clean up after yourself.
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