T
Travis R.
Scout
ScoutShrine Pass Road Dispersed Camping
Nice easy access right off the highway with nice views… perfect overnight rest stop.
Camping near Dillon, CO
536 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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Full-hookup sites and dispersed forest roads both show up in the Dillon camping mix, with the Summit County ski corridor putting Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, and Breckenridge all within a short drive of the reservoir. Dillon's forest roads and dispersed options cover the free, no-reservation sites on White River National Forest land above the valley. The Dyrt campers in Summit County note that developed campgrounds fill well in advance for summer weekends — booking months out or targeting mid-week stays are both realistic strategies.
Silverthorne is about 5 miles north and Frisco is about 4 miles west, both with their own developed campground options if Dillon sites are full. Breckenridge-area dispersed sites are about 10 miles south and give another national forest access point when the valley corridor is at capacity. The reservoir adds flat-water recreation to the mix — most campground options here serve both boating crowds and hikers depending on the season.
Best Campgrounds near Dillon (536)
1. Prospector Campground
"Located on Dillon Reservoir, Prospector Campground offers a nice balance of feeling remote while being conveniently near some really neat towns."
"Great views of lake dillon and each spot is tucked into trees so you don’t see neighbors even if you can hear them. Short Hiking trail connected to the campground plus so many trail options close by"
from $27 / night
Check Availability2. Peak One Campground
"You can tell the campground is a relatively recent development, but they planted enough pines that they have finally grown tall enough to hide the nearby town—while remaining short enough to preserve the"
"As someone who prefers wild camping, it was definitely not that, but was one of the more positive campground experiences I've had."
from $28 / night
Check Availability3. White River National Forest Heaton Bay Campground
"Minutes from Dillon and Frisco if you feel the need. Sites are very private and spacious. C loop has electric. Nights are peaceful."
"Heaton Bay Campground, located near Dillon Reservoir in Colorado, offers a stunning lakeside camping experience with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains."
from $29 - $56 / night
Check Availability4. Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping
"Roadside pull off areas. Mostly one lane dirt, can be tight and bumpy. Best for truck camper, small RV or tent. Don't get discouraged if the 1st spots are full just keep driving."
"While many of the campsites are quite small and located right along the roadside with limited parking, we were lucky to find a fantastic, more spacious spot."
5. Rock Creek Designated Dispersed Camping
"WARNING: The road to the camping locations is very bumpy, narrow, and has some large rocks. AWD with high clearance or 4x4 is recommended. This location was great!"
"They take you off of Highway 9 and about 5 minutes you take a left and pass trail head (cant rmemeber the name) and parking lot and you continue on a pretty bumpy ride for about 10 minutes (you start hitting"
6. Gore Creek Campground
"If you are looking for a great boondocking location that is close to great trails and breathtaking views, this just might be the place for you."
"Great trail access, 10 minutes to Vail Village, and 30 minutes to Frisco/Dillon. If you’re looking for no frills camping in a gorgeous location, Gore Creek is for you."
from $29 / night
Check Availability7. Lowry Campground
"Bathrooms were pretty clean considering location and the host was nice and welcoming."
"I was having trouble finding a camp spot in the breck/Dillon area and took a chance at a first come site. So glad I did. It’s pretty quiet even on a Saturday. The camp hosts are amazing!"
from $27 - $38 / night
Check Availability8. Blue River Campground (Co) — White River National Forest
"This small campground is located right on the Blue River between Silverthorne and Green Mountain Reservoir on Highway 9. It is about 6 miles from Silverthorne and beautiful Dillon Reservoir."
"This site featured 2 pines right next to the water that would have been perfect for a hammock. There was a bear safe box to keep your food items and grill."
from $25 / night
Check Availability9. Peru Creek Designated Dispersed Camping
"Overall great stay, some fun off roading trails near by and beautiful views. A bit buggy so bring bug spray but a camp fire keeps them at bay."
"We have an off-road teardrop trailer with rooftop tent and travelled with another family with rooftop tent and we were able to spread out with plenty of level ground for our vehicles/sleeping quarters."
10. Tiger Run RV Resort
"Multiple segments of the Colorado trail are accessible right from the park."
"You can catch the Blue River rec path right from across the road (access by gravel trail under a bridge) and ride into Breckenridge, Frisco, Copper Mountain, or Vail."
from $105 / night
Check Availability
Drive Time
- 1 hr 10 min from Denver, CO
- 1 hr 20 min from Boulder, CO
- 1 hr 56 min from Fort Collins, CO
- 1 hr 58 min from Colorado Springs, CO
Recent Camping Photos near Dillon, CO
1149 Photos of 536 Dillon Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Lowry Campground
Prospector Campground
White River National Forest Heaton Bay Campground
Pine Cove Campground
White River National Forest Peak One Campground
Peak One Campground
Miners Creek Rd Designated Dispersed Camping
Blue River Campground (Co) — White River National ForestG
Rock Creek Designated Dispersed Camping
North Fork Swan Road #354 - Dispersed Camping
Saints John Trail Roadside Campsites
Columbine Landing Recreation Site
Recent Reviews near Dillon, CO
3277 Reviews of 536 Dillon Campgrounds
Robert T.
TravelerDakota Ridge RV Park
Nice large park. Spaces are not level so bring blocks. Bathrooms and showers are clean but out dated. Laundry facilities is available at $3 per wash and $2.50 per dry.
- BBrynn O.Traveler
Lostfork Basecamp
This place is incredible. The sound of the river alone will calm your nervous system. Whether you’re camping or staying in one of the cabins, you will not be disappointed.
- SSarah S.Scout
French Pass Trail Dispersed
Nice area with lots of spots, and a few that will work for a camper van. Gravel road that’s well maintained on the way up. Some road traffic but not too bad. No major views, but peaceful and easy to get to!
- AApril K.Scout
Dearhamer Campground
Small campground with nice size sites.
Kylee R.
RangerSylvan Lake Campground — Sylvan Lake State Park
Sylvan Lake
This place was beautiful. The rough road was worth it. There were trails all around the grounds. The lake was beautiful and absolutely a fisherman’s paradise. There was no water available and the main water was turned off, but they had plenty of clean porta-potty’s. There were plenty of spots open and we were able to reserve our spot online after we picked it.
Kevin H.ScoutCastle Mountain Recreation Area at Wellington Lake
Beautiful family and dog friendly campground!
Lake Wellington is a beautiful family and dog friendly campground just about 90 minutes from Denver. There are 75 sites, and even when it's pretty full they are decently spaced out that you don't feel too on top of other guests. We brought our dogs and a group of friends and had a great few nights, even seeing Bald Eagles mating!
Catherine L.TravelerCache Creek Placer Area
Adventure Awaits
This is BLM land there are places to park and pick a spot. Set up your tent. Then you walk (about .66 miles) into the were Cache Creek is located. You can pan for Gold and rockhound. No mechanical dredge allowed. Camped here for three nights. No fresh water to drink you have to bring your own in. One lonely port-a-potty available. I brought our own port-a-potty. Made the visit run smoothly. No where to dump trash. You have to take the trash you make out with you. I am heading there fir a second time this fall.
- CCaroline B.Traveler
Grays Peak Summer Trailhead Dispersed Camping
In the clouds
So beautiful, dispersed camping at 11,200 feet surrounded by mountains. Area is busy with day hikers, go past the parking lot and set up at one of the handful of spots. Definitely for small rigs or tents, don’t come up here with a non 4x4 vehicle, and trailers would be close to impossible.
Guide to Dillon
Dispersed camping opportunities near Dillon, Colorado extend beyond the established campgrounds with sites available at elevations ranging from 8,800 to 11,500 feet. The camping season varies by elevation, with higher sites often inaccessible until late June due to snowpack, while lower areas may open by mid-May. Forest roads leading to dispersed sites typically require more clearance than paved routes to established campgrounds.
What to do
Fishing access from camp: Blue River Campground offers prime angling opportunities with multiple sites directly on the water. As one camper noted, "We stayed at campsite #16, it was right in the river with our own little beach. This site featured 2 pines right next to the water that would have been perfect for a hammock."
Hiking nearby trails: Multiple trail networks are accessible directly from campgrounds. The Gore Creek Campground provides access to mountain paths just minutes from the sites. A visitor mentioned, "Great trail access, 10 minutes to Vail Village, and 30 minutes to Frisco/Dillon. If you're looking for no frills camping in a gorgeous location, Gore Creek is for you."
Lake activities: The region offers paddleboarding, kayaking and boat rentals at Dillon Reservoir. As one visitor to Pine Cove Campground reported, "Last minute decision to car camp here but worth it. Easy access to lake from camp spot, walked our paddle boards to beach 20 yards from camp site and had great Mountain View's."
What campers like
Riverside camping: The sound of running water adds to the camping experience at several sites. At Blue River Campground, campers appreciate the natural white noise: "The river is relaxing at night and keep you cool on those hot summer nights."
Mountain scenery: The panoramic views from higher elevation sites provide memorable backdrops. A Boreas Pass camper shared: "Most sites are only slightly off the road. Not ideal for me. I was lucky to get site 17. Best view in my opinion. Road is fine for high clearance. But all of us with 4WD ask that you move over for us."
Secluded spots: Some areas offer more privacy than others. At Rock Creek Designated Dispersed Camping, a visitor noted: "We pulled in around noon and barely snagged one of the last open sites. Ours was higher up the road—still accessible, but just rough enough to turn a few others back. That bit of elevation gave us a quiet pocket, a breeze, and just enough distance from the traffic circling below."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Mountain storms develop quickly, particularly in summer afternoons. Temperatures can drop significantly after sunset even in July and August, often falling below 40°F.
Road conditions: Access to dispersed camping varies widely. At Boreas Pass, a camper reported: "Easy to get to from metro Denver and it's super close to Silverthorne. Dispersed camping sites are still somewhat close together. We could definitely hear other campers around us talking and such. The road to get up was easy (we stayed in #9 - not sure about the ones farther up the road)."
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are the best campgrounds around Lake Dillon in Colorado?
Where are the best campgrounds around Lake Dillon in Colorado?
Lake Dillon offers several outstanding campgrounds with mountain and lake views. Prospector Campground is a favorite, offering lake views especially in loop D (sites 51-64), and is conveniently located just minutes from town while maintaining a remote feel. Heaton Bay Campground provides stunning lakeside camping with breathtaking mountain views and excellent access to water activities. Other excellent options include Peak One Campground, which features quiet, clean sites with lake views, and Pine Cove Campground. For those seeking a more primitive experience, dispersed camping options are available in the surrounding White River National Forest. Each campground offers unique advantages depending on your preference for amenities, views, and proximity to towns like Dillon, Frisco, and Breckenridge.
How much does camping cost in Dillon, Colorado?
How much does camping cost in Dillon, Colorado?
Camping costs around Dillon vary by type and amenities. At Peak One Campground, expect to pay approximately $23-26 per night for standard sites. Pine Cove Campground has similar rates for their lakeside sites. For those seeking more amenities, developed campgrounds like Lowry Campground charge between $20-30 per night, which includes access to bathrooms and fire pits. Budget-conscious campers can take advantage of free dispersed camping options in the surrounding national forest areas, such as Boreas Pass Road and Rock Creek designated dispersed camping areas. Most developed campgrounds add a reservation fee ($8-10) when booking through recreation.gov. Group sites, where available, typically range from $40-90 depending on capacity. Premium RV resorts in the area may charge $50-100+ per night for full hookup sites.
What is the best time of year to camp in Dillon, CO?
What is the best time of year to camp in Dillon, CO?
The prime camping season in Dillon runs from late June through early September when temperatures are mild (70s°F days, 40s°F nights) and mountain wildflowers are in bloom. Twin Peaks Dispersed Campground is particularly beautiful during this period with its spectacular views and hiking opportunities. Gore Creek Campground offers excellent boondocking from late spring through early fall, with proximity to great trails. Late July through August provides the most reliable weather with minimal snow concerns, though afternoon thunderstorms are common. Early June can still have snow at higher elevations, while late September brings beautiful fall colors but cooler temperatures. Most campgrounds in the area close by mid-October due to snowfall. Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends throughout the season.
What amenities are available at Dillon Reservoir campgrounds?
What amenities are available at Dillon Reservoir campgrounds?
Dillon Reservoir campgrounds offer various amenities to enhance your camping experience. Lowry Campground provides built-in fire pits, clean bathrooms, and electrical outlets at parking areas. Gordon Gulch Dispersed Area offers more primitive camping with numbered sites but fewer facilities. Most developed campgrounds around the reservoir feature vault or flush toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and trash collection. Water spigots are available at some locations, though not at individual sites. Several campgrounds offer direct lake access for fishing and water activities. Cell service is generally good around the reservoir due to proximity to towns. Some campgrounds provide bear-proof food storage boxes. While most sites don't have hookups, nearby dump stations are available for RVers. Firewood is typically sold by camp hosts during peak season.
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