Keystone, Colorado

Keystone is centered around River Run Village, which sits at the base of the slopes. The town sits at 9,280 feet above sea level, with the mountain summit at 12,408 feet. It’s located less than an hour and a half from Denver, in busy Summit County.

Keystone is more urbane than some other mountain towns in the sense that it has a very upscale, high-end bunch of spas, athletic groups, and restaurants that cater to those looking to be wowed. There are also accommodations for those looking for a more affordable getaway, with plenty of specials and discounts available.

Year-round, Keystone hosts festivals to captivate visitors. During summer, events like the Keystone Bluegrass & Beer Festival keep the town bustling. Recreation like rafting, hiking, and camping are all close by as well.

History

River Run Village Entrance Keystone CO — Entering River Run Village, Keystone.

The area has a rich mining and logging history, and many of the lifts and trails are named after historic figures. Keystone was founded in 1970 by Max Dercum as a ski resort town. The resort is now owned by Vail.

In 2010 Keystone had a population of 1,o79. The community is a mix of full-time year-round residents and seasonal vacation homes. It’s a Summit County town with a base elevation of 9,280 ft. At the top of the mountain, it’s 10,804 ft.

Main Attractions

Keystone Ski Resort Winter Powder Day — Winter powder day at Keystone. Photo: Snow Snow

Keystone Ski Resort – The largest night skiing in Colorado, combined with a diverse and challenging mountain, makes Keystone one of the best resorts in Summit County.

Keystone Lake – During the winter, there is never a shortage of recreation in Summit County. Keystone has a large lake that freezes over and is used for ice skating. It’s actually the largest maintained outdoor ice rink in the U.S.

Read about the top things to do in Keystone.

Recreation

Keystone Lake Colorado Summer — Keystone Lake, Colorado. Photo: slack12

Camping:

Several picturesque campgrounds can be found around Lake Dillon. They are managed by the White River National Forest, offering unbeatable convenience and breathtaking ambiance around the heart of the county.
Read about the camping near Keystone and Summit County.

Fishing:

Blue River and Lake Dillon are nearby. Rent a boat at either the Dillon or Frisco marinas and head out on the lake!

Hiking:

A slew of outdoor recreation exists down Montezuma Road in residential Montezuma. Numerous hiking/snowshoe trails, as well ATV and Jeep roads. Dispersed camping is permitted 300 feet from the road. Winter brings snowmobiling, dog sledding, skiing, and cross-country skiing are nearby.

Accommodations

Booking.com

Hotels and lodging:

Read about the best hotels in Keystone.

Dining

Pizza on the Run Keystone CO — Pizza on the Run, Keystone.

Thanks to its popular resort, tourists flock to Keystone during both summer and winter. This usually assures good quality of restaurants to choose from. And Keystone has great dining in its River Run Village and around town, not to mention on the slopes.

Bars and restaurants:

Read about the best bars in Keystone.

Special Events

Keystone Colorado Summer Art Festival — Summer art festival in Keystone’s River Run Village.

Jun – Keystone Bacon & Bourbon Festival – Late July weekend of bacon and bourbon-infused events and fare, free live music for everyone.

Jul – Keystone Wine & Jazz Festival – Two-day mid-July event in River Run Village pairing wine tastings and jazz concerts.

Aug – Keystone Bluegrass & Beer Festival – Enjoy the sounds of Appalachia and beer tastings from all the best breweries in August. Concerts, beer garden, and local food occur Saturday and Sunday.

Aug – Mountain Town Music Festival – Annual summer Saturday of concerts in River Run Village, held in mid-August.

Aug – Keystone Oktoberfest – Since 2012, Keystone has been one of the first towns to kick off the Oktoberfest season in Colorado, held in late August.

Oct – Wine In The Pines – Terrific food and international wine benefiting the Kelly Smith Employment Center, held in mid-October.

Read about the best events in Keystone.

Old West playground.