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Summit County puts Silverthorne at the center of a campground corridor covering Dillon Reservoir, the national forest roads off Highway 9, and the transition zones toward Vail and Breckenridge. Developed campgrounds in this stretch have vault toilets and defined sites, with a handful of options offering water. Most run on reservation systems through recreation.gov, and summer weekends book out fast. The Dyrt check-ins here cluster heavily from late June through August, with a secondary bump in September for fall color.
Dispersed camping near Dillon covers the no-reservation options for campers who don't want a defined site or who are arriving without a booking. Frisco and Breckenridge are both a short drive south and add more developed campground inventory if Silverthorne sites are taken. Larger RVs need to confirm site length limits before booking. Some forest service campgrounds in this corridor have tight turning radii that don't work well for rigs above 35 feet.
"This campground is one of five Forest Service campgrounds around Dillon Reservoir, also referred to as Lake Dillon. There is a group campground called Windy Point near Prospector."
"This campground is located near Frisco and Dillon. Short drive to Breckenridge and Silverthorne too. Some sites have views of the lake. Sunrises and sunsets are beautiful!!! No dump station."
from $27 / night
Check Availability"Snagged a first come first serve lakeside spot…camp hosts told us to check out sites and pay at main gate for the one we wanted…very easy."
"You can go to Silverthorne Rec center for $5/person to use the showers. Which is less than 15 minutes from the campsite."
from $28 / night
Check Availability"You are right between two towns Frisco and Silverthorne. There is some traffic noise from I-70 and a trail next to camp so lots of people passing through."
"The campground's location on the Dillon Reservoir is ideal for enjoying the multitude of trails and outdoor activities near Frisco, Dillon, and Silverthorne."
from $29 - $56 / night
Check Availability"Great spot about 10-15 minutes from Silverthorne. Easy access off of highway 9 and up a dirt road, just a little bumpy but easily cleared in my RAV4."
"Awesome dispersed site close to Silverthorne."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"We stayed at the Gore Creek Campground last summer 2017 on a drive from Southern California to Denver, CO. We took highway 15 through Nevada and Utah, and connected to Highway 70 in Utah to Colorado."
from $29 / night
Check Availability"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 campground is right off of highway 9 in Silverthorne. There are 24 sites, some right on the river. Each site has a bear box, fire ring, and picnic table."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"Bathrooms were pretty clean considering location and the host was nice and welcoming."
"The area around Dillon Lake is really beautiful. Lowry was a great spot to stop and enjoy the lake. The host was super nice. The bathrooms were clean.
I stayed in a walk-in site."
from $27 - $38 / night
Check Availability"You can still hear the highway but it makes up for the location and how you can get to a few spots in less than 30 mins. Liked the distance away from campers."
"Not far off the main interstate and little to no noise from the smaller highway that passes nearby. Had cell service with AT&T, no service with Verizon at all within at least a mile."
"If your not lakeside it’s just a place to park the camper. It’s first come first serve and on a Tuesday it’s full!! We did walk the trail by the lake and it has some great views!!"
"This campground is well maintenanced, is near Frisco and Breck and still has amazing mountain and lake views."
from $24 / night
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TravelerLove snake river for day camping, and Peru camping for day or overnight camping. Rough roads, fills up on popular weekends. Beautiful spot. Very shady. Super level and large sites
ScoutLots of pullouts! Easy dirt road for bigger rigs. Most, if not all, spots are in the open, just off the road, next to heavily wooded areas. No fire rings, no bathrooms and no water. I gave it 4 stars because it’s so close to Winter Park but you wouldn’t want to sit around the site and hang out.
TravelerCampground was great! Large spot but only enough room for one tent due to the steepness. Did not have a fire as there were signs campfire not allowed on the way up. Did not see anything at the lake. Others had fires. Road is rough getting up all 4WD or AWD SUVs and pickups were up there. There is still some snow in spots - but nothing impacting the road. Make sure to go left at the fork in the road! The road to the back of lake campsites is washed out pretty good and is rough! Overall very peaceful.
ScoutWe didn’t go all the way to the lakes BUT seems like you need to take 9B to get to the drive and camp spots. There are clear camping spots once you get far enough along 9B as well for dispersed camping. The road is definitely meant for high clearance vehicles only! Very large water bars and large rocks & washouts as well. Toyota Tacoma made it, and we’ve seen other trucks/four runners (one Subaru). Campsites are quite spread out so while you might hear others you will probably only see them passing by on the road. Heavily forested in the area we camped, which was one of the first few designated spots off the road. Has mosquitoes during the evening and morning but otherwise the only other bugs that were noticeable were ants. Great weather & mostly respectful camping neighbors near us! (Aka not too annoying with noise). It is HIKE IN ONLY to fully get to the lakes and you need to take 9B (107 “dead end) all the way to get to the trail head.
ScoutLots of other cars very close to each other. Lots of spots and great lake views
ScoutGate is closed with sign saying closed for season (2026) due to road damage. So disregard the number of stars as we didn’t actually get to explore the area.
ScoutThe drive is a bit rocky & confusing. just keep following ski road. do NOT take a regular car, the drive is too rough. -bring a bear vault & lock up all food! -watch for fallen treees
ScoutRecommend traction control and AWD. Saw plenty of sedans wth 2 wheel being able to handle a good majority of this fire service road 322. It was filled by Saturday ~4pm, spent some time driving around. Wide roads to turn around if you need. No amenities. Lots of fellow car campers nearby, well cared for/maintained
ScoutWe could only get to campsite 6 in our manual Subaru Crosstrek. The road did not allow us to make it past with how deep the holes were in the road. Our car became unbalanced in our third attempt to get up- whole driver side was in the air. But we still found a good spot. Just wish we were able to see the other 30 sites.
The White River National Forest surrounds Silverthorne at elevations between 9,000-12,000 feet, creating a high-alpine environment with distinct challenges and considerations. Temperatures in this region can drop significantly even in summer months, frequently dipping into the 30s overnight. Several access roads to campgrounds remain closed until late May due to snowpack and mud conditions, with some higher elevation sites not opening until mid-June.
Mountain biking on interconnected trails: Rock Creek Designated Dispersed Camping offers access to numerous trail systems. "We did walk the trail by the lake and it has some great views!! I would come back for an overnight stay," notes one camper at Pine Cove Campground, while another mentions "the camp sites are right along the water and the views are exceptional, even though you're close to all the amenities of Frisco."
Fishing in Blue River: Access prime trout waters near Highway 9. "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," shares a visitor at Blue River Campground, adding that it's "great for fly fishing."
Kayaking and paddleboarding: Many campgrounds provide direct water access. "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," says a camper at Gore Creek.
Privacy between sites: "The sites are spacious, well-maintained, and equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, providing a comfortable setting for both tent campers and RV travelers," explains a visitor to Heaton Bay Campground. Another camper at Peak One notes, "Sites are kind of close together, but you are beside the lake! And some spots have trail access to the lake, so bring your water toys!"
Proximity to towns for supplies: Campers value quick access to towns while maintaining a wilderness feel. "Great campsite, easy 1hr to get here from Denver. Great for beginner campers, since the town of dillon is a short 10 minute drive incase you forget any essential gear," states a visitor to Rock Creek. Another camper adds: "15 mins from town and everything you need."
Night sky viewing: Higher elevation sites provide excellent stargazing. "Close to town, easy drive in (little bumpy but not a big deal for SUV). Can't hear the road, basically no light pollution. Beautiful scenery, beautiful night sky views," shares a camper at Rock Creek Designated Dispersed Camping.
Road conditions vary significantly: Many dispersed sites require careful driving. "The road up was a bit rough but nothing too bad, if you take it slow you could probably make it up in anything," explains a Rock Creek camper. Another adds, "Rocky road, some clearance is nice to have. Road might be a little difficult if wet as parts of it are pretty steep."
Early arrival recommended: Popular sites fill quickly during peak season. "We arrived late afternoon on a Sunday in July. All 23 spots were taken," notes a visitor at Boreas Pass Road Designated Dispersed Camping, while another mentions, "By 1 p.m., it felt like a game of musical chairs. Drivers looping, turning around, hoping someone packed up."
Highway noise at some locations: Consider site placement carefully. "Get the right campsite and you'll have great access to Heaton Bay. A nice place for being just off I-70. Only negative is you can hear I-70 through the night," reports a camper. Another notes, "We were far enough away that it was really white noise."
Look for sites with beach access: "You can set up camp on the bluff next to the Blue River, and let me tell you, the views were absolutely majestic! Trails every which way. It is a great place to set up a basecamp," recommends a camper at Columbine Landing Recreation Site. Another adds, "Great sunsets and easy access to river."
Consider walk-in tent sites: "I stayed in spot 60 and thought it was lakefront. There's a berm between the spot and the lake, no view," explains a visitor at Peak One Campground. Another camper shares, "I stayed at site 19. It's considered a walk in but it was pretty close to the parking lot so not a big deal for us."
Pack for significant temperature swings: "Nights were very warm," reports a visitor at Columbine Landing, but warns, "It was cold but manageable. Days were very warm." Another camper notes, "The nights can also get chilly, so it's essential to pack warm layers, even in the summer."
Reserve electric sites early: "The campground is set in a picturesque location, making it a perfect spot for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy water activities, hiking, and enjoying the serenity of nature," notes a visitor at Gore Creek Campground, adding "We stayed in Site #8, which provided plenty of room for our 22' travel trailer and pickup."
Watch for parking surface variations: "The campground is situated on an asphalt parking lot however the hosts are very nice and it is located right on the lake," explains a Pine Cove camper. Another notes, "Not a bad area but it's just a big parking lot. If your not lakeside it's just a place to park the camper."
Consider clearance needs: "This is one of our favorite campgrounds near Lake Dillon! This was our first time staying in site 105... It is a pull-through site that comfortably fit our 29' Class C, Tow Dolly, and Towed Vehicle with room to spare," shares a Prospector visitor, noting the importance of checking site dimensions and access constraints.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there free or dispersed camping available in Silverthorne?
Rock Creek Designated Dispersed Camping is an excellent free option just 10-15 minutes from Silverthorne. It's easily accessible off Highway 9 via a dirt road that most passenger vehicles can navigate. The area features beautiful aspen groves and the soothing sounds of the nearby creek. Another option is Columbine Landing Recreation Site, which offers free camping spots near the river with views of the Gore Range. Several sites accommodate car camping and some RVs, with established fire pits. For those willing to drive a bit further, Ute Pass Dispersed Camping provides beautiful riverside spots on a first-come, first-served basis. Remember that dispersed sites fill quickly during peak season, so arrive early to secure your spot.
Where are the best campgrounds near Silverthorne, Colorado?
Silverthorne offers several excellent campground options within a short drive. Blue River Campground (Co) — White River National Forest is just 6 miles from town, situated right on the Blue River with 24 campsites, vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire pits with grill grates. For lakeside camping, Prospector Campground is located on Dillon Reservoir (Lake Dillon) with beautiful water views. Other notable options include Prairie Point Campground (about 20 minutes from Silverthorne with riverside sites) and Cataract Creek Campground, which offers easy access to hiking trails around Lower and Upper Cataract Lakes. Most campgrounds in the area provide basic amenities like toilets and fire rings, with some offering water access.
What RV parks and facilities are available in Silverthorne, CO?
While Silverthorne itself has limited dedicated RV parks, several nearby campgrounds accommodate RVs with varying levels of amenities. Gore Creek Campground offers boondocking opportunities about 2 miles off I-70 (Exit 180) on Bighorn Road, making it convenient for RVers looking for a natural setting without traveling far from main routes. Twin Peaks Dispersed Campground provides spacious sites suitable for RVs in a peaceful location with great views. For those seeking more amenities, Lowry Campground near Dillon offers reservable sites with water, toilets, and is big-rig friendly. Most RV-friendly sites in the area are dry camping with limited or no hookups, so come prepared with sufficient water and power. Campgrounds around Dillon Reservoir typically provide better facilities for larger rigs.
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