The White River National Forest surrounds Silverthorne, Colorado, providing multiple camping options ranging from developed sites to dispersed areas. Campgrounds like Heaton Bay on Lake Dillon offer established facilities with water access, while designated dispersed areas such as Rock Creek and Boreas Pass Road provide more primitive camping experiences. The region includes a mix of tent and RV sites, with some campgrounds like Prospector and Peak One featuring amenities such as drinking water, toilets, and picnic tables. Several locations near Dillon Reservoir accommodate various camping styles including tent camping, RV sites with hookups, and even cabin options.
Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping in this high-elevation region, with most established campgrounds operating from late May through early September. Roads to dispersed sites may require high-clearance vehicles, particularly after rainfall or early in the season when snow melt creates muddy conditions. Many campgrounds require reservations through recreation.gov, especially during summer weekends when sites fill quickly. Temperatures can drop significantly at night even in summer months, and afternoon thunderstorms are common. Cell service varies throughout the area, with better coverage near towns and limited reception in more remote locations. According to one visitor, "It can snow in July. No lie. Be prepared for all 4 seasons. Weather can change rapidly, and forecasters can be wrong."
Campgrounds with lake access receive consistently high reviews, with several visitors highlighting the ability to easily launch paddle boards and kayaks from their sites. The proximity to Dillon Reservoir provides opportunities for fishing, boating, and scenic views. While some campers mention highway noise from nearby I-70, particularly at Heaton Bay, most still rate their experiences highly due to the natural beauty and recreational opportunities. Sites with tree cover offer more privacy and protection from wind, which can be significant in this mountain environment. Campers note that many locations offer a balance between wilderness feel and convenience: "Great campsite, easy 1hr to get here from Denver. Great for beginner campers, since the town of Dillon is a short 10 minute drive in case you forget any essential gear."
Compare 2 top campgrounds at a time to find your favorite!
Round 1 of 5
$27 / night
"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."
$28 / night
"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."
$29 - $56 / night
"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."
"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."
$29 / night
"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."
$25 / night
"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."
$27 - $38 / night
"Bathrooms were pretty clean considering location and the host was nice and welcoming."
"This campground is near Lake Dillon-you would need to drive down to the lake itself but it is within .5-1 mile. "
"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."
$24 / night
"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."
TravelerStunning views here! There are only a few areas with multiple camping spots and most would only suit suv/tent. Wouldn’t recommend for a trailer. Easy in/out, quiet only a few cars and sxs’s coming through during my two day stay.
RangerThis area is rated 5 stars, and it's easy to figure out why. It's a wonderful place to camp. The only downside is when we went there in May of 2025. The road really needed to be graded so it was very rough. But it's navigable, if you just take your time. Make sure you hike up the creek area.
GuideA little bumpy but found a beautiful spot right next to the stream.
TravelerThe site was so beautiful and the views took my breath away but the way up gave me so much anxiety that I wanted to turn around multiple times. Granted I drove up in the middle of the night so it looked like I was driving on the side of a cliff, which there is on some parts of the trail but it looks way worse in the dark so if you're going definitely make sure it's during the day when there's light.
Had gorgeous views of the mountains but the trail requires a 4WD vehicle with a lot of clearance in order to make it up.
TravelerWe were there in early April of 2026 and due to the record low snowfall, the area was completely dry. Close to town yet far enough to feel way out. The area is big rig friendly unless it gets packed. We towed our 21’ camper and had no issues. Camp sites aren’t too spread out so during busy season you’ll see and hear your neighbors.
TravelerLate April camping does not offer many dispersed areas. This camp is right off the highway where cars & trucks and zooming by at 65 mph. We hauled our gear down to the flat area next to the river, which helped drown out some of the car noise.
TravelerThe road is currently closed and no signs to indicate when it will open.
ScoutIt sucked. Was closed says till May 20th. Can do everything else but reckon can't camp there till May 20th. It didn't say that on this site. Another month then might could camp at this dump. I didn't take a picture of the locked gate. Probably should had. Just a heads up. I wasted my time so hopefully can help someone not waste their time.
GuideThis is right off the road and winds back between the trees. Some spots can be accessible by low clearance vehicles but others require higher clearance. I parked my car and walked to a site I liked. The sites aren't perfectly flat but the one I used worked well enough for. my single person tent. The views were stunning. Definitely stick around for sunset and sunrise.
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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