Peak One Campground operates seasonally from mid-May through early September at an elevation of 9,100 feet near Frisco, Colorado. During summer, daytime temperatures typically range from 60-75°F with nighttime lows of 35-45°F. The campground sits on Dillon Reservoir, a 3,300-acre lake with 26.8 miles of shoreline that serves as Denver's water supply while providing recreation opportunities.
What to do
Hiking and biking: Access trails directly from Peak One Campground to explore the surrounding White River National Forest. "My hubby's fav! We camped here and enjoyed the quiet surroundings. The campsites are wide spread out, spacious, and huge. It's ideal for mountain biking and water leisures," notes Jiwon K.
Paddleboarding and kayaking: Bring water equipment to access Dillon Reservoir from the campground. One camper mentions, "We had a great time and hope to be back!" while another states, "This is a very family friendly campground! 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!"
Historic exploration: Visit Camp Hale Memorial, 30 miles from Silverthorne, to explore the former World War II training grounds. "The history of the valley is fascinating and my family would love to come back and explore some more," shares Cynthia W., who visited while hiking the Colorado Trail.
Winter yurt camping: When Peak One closes for the season, consider yurt camping at Silverthorne backcountry locations. While many Summit County yurts require reservations months in advance, they provide winter access to areas otherwise difficult to reach during snow season.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers appreciate the natural spacing at Gold Park Campground, located about 45 minutes from Silverthorne. "We stayed at Gold Park for a work camping trip. Reserved multiple sites close to each other. The trees are still very small in some parts of the campground, so there is not much shade," notes one visitor.
Camp hosts: Helpful staff enhance the experience at smaller campgrounds. At Gold Park, Andrea S. reported, "The camp host is super nice and keeps a great campsite. The pit toilet was clean and did not smell. My 8 year old actually said it was the best one she saw all week and for a newbie camper on her first trip that says a lot!"
Stargazing opportunities: Without significant light pollution, the area offers excellent night sky viewing. At Echo Lake Campground, 35 miles from Silverthorne, one visitor noted, "At night, the stargazing is spectacular, thanks to the minimal light pollution in the area." Another camper at Peak One mentioned, "The night sky was stellar!"
Yurt camping amenities: Yurt facilities near Silverthorne typically include wood stoves, basic furniture, and sleeping platforms. Unlike tent camping, yurts provide protection from winter elements while still offering a rustic experience.
What you should know
Altitude considerations: Most campgrounds sit above 9,000 feet, which affects temperature, cooking, and physical exertion. "I came in from out of state and got pretty altitude effected so we had to cut the trip short, but it was lovely nonetheless," shares Kristi R. about her experience at Echo Lake.
Weather volatility: Mountain conditions change rapidly. At Cow Creek South Campground, one camper warns, "High Country Lake. Weather can be severe at times, including very high winds. Bears and wildlife will want to eat your food."
Reservation requirements: Many sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. "Got a last minute weekend reservation thru recreation.gov (someone must have canceled). Stayed here to hike La Plata which was about 50 minutes away but the closer campgrounds were only FCFS and full the weekend before," explains Lydia P.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly. At Robbers Roost, a camper noted, "There is no cellular service for the whole pass, so it was an excellent opportunity to disconnect and be present in the moment."
Tips for camping with families
Creek access for kids: Select sites with safe water features. At Burning Bear Campground, families can access Geneva Creek. One visitor shared, "Each site has a fire pit, trees for hammocks, parking spaces picnic table near the fire pit. Fire pit has a grate. Close to multiple trailheads and a the beautiful Geneva Creek."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Morning and evening provide the best wildlife spotting times. A visitor at Burning Bear reported, "Spent 3 beautiful nights here. Got here on Memorial Day and the campground was almost empty. Clean restrooms and beautiful views, very accessible and close to the road, saw deer, moose, and lots of birds from my site."
Family-friendly yurt options: Several Silverthorne area yurts accommodate families with multiple sleeping platforms and larger dining spaces. These structures offer better protection from weather while maintaining the camping experience.
Nearby restrooms: Check campground maps for proximity to facilities. At Gold Park, Kevin G. notes, "Peak One has all the amenities you need - water, (really) nice bathrooms with running water, and a fire pit with a picnic table. A simple campground that would be great for kids, Peak One is safe, comfortable, and a great family spot."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose campsites based on specific RV requirements. At Denver West-Central City KOA, about 40 miles from Silverthorne, one RVer shared, "Our space was a big rig space on concrete pad with ample seating, a table, a fire pit, and a propane grill stove… use you own propane! Full hook ups."
Altitude considerations: Higher elevations affect RV systems. The same KOA visitor noted, "Yes Mountain High!! 8100' high. 7 miles off I-70 at Idaho Springs. 25 miles into outskirts of Denver. Don't worry they have oxygen! Not kidding!!"
Winter access limitations: Yurt camping provides an alternative when RV sites close seasonally. While many RV campgrounds around Silverthorne close after Labor Day, winterized yurts remain accessible, often via snowshoe or cross-country ski approaches.
