Over 50 fun things to do in this small, yet magnificent Colorado mountain town!
Dillon, Colorado is a small town both in population (1,057) as well as geographically (2.324 sq miles) yet it has a whole lot to offer! Dillon is conveniently located off of the first I-70 exit west of the Eisenhower Tunnels and spans both sides of Highway 9 with it's city center lying on the shores of Lake Dillon. I would consider everything within the Town of Dillon as "walkable" (keeping in mind opinions on what is walkable varies greatly) which is just one of many reasons I find it such an appealing place.
Dillon is driven by it's vibrant tourist and second home owner occupants, allowing this small town to offer more to it's locals and visitors than many towns even 50 times it's size!
Dillon Amphitheater - Newly expanded and updated venue over-looking Lake Dillon with expansive views of the Ten Mile Range. Offering both free shows and "big name" ticketed live music shows throughout the summer months this venue is the perfect mix of an intimate setting with HUGE sound.
Dillon Marina - You have to check out the World's Highest Deep Water Marina! Self proclaimed as "more than just a marina; we're your ticket to fun both on and off the water." A diverse array of boat rentals from pontoons to sailboats, SUPS, kayaks, canoes, boat tours, sailing lessons, and lakeside drinks and dining, and even a lakeside park for the kids the offerings of Dillon Marina should have no issue satisfying the urges of people of all ages and standing up to their claim.
Dillon Nature Preserve - Situated between the town core of Dillon and Keystone on a Lake Dillon peninsula with free parking located right off of Highway 6. Feature two relatively easy yet diverse hiking trails and relatively flat gravel road (only open to Denver Water maintenance vehicles). A great place to access the lake shore, capture amazing photos of mountain vistas, explore a wildflower filled meadow, picnic by the lake, "get lost" in the woods, and take in the views from several viewpoints including benches and educational signage. No bikes are allowed, but the preserve is open to hiking, cross country skiing, snow shoeing, exploring, fishing from shore in summer, and a great place to get access to ice fishing spots in the wintertime.
Dillon Reservoir (also known as Lake Dillon) - Renting a boat not your thing? No problem! Lake Dillon is great for so many things! Book a fishing charter available in both winter (ice fishing) and summer! Walk the shores and fine tune your rock skipping skills, take a snowkite lesson, get a team together and register for the PBR Colorado Pond Hockey Tournament located on Lake Dillon annually over President's weekend, or bring your skates or nordic ski gear for some incredible totally free winter fun on a series of on-lake groomed ski trails and maintained ice skating surfaces! Need nordic ski rentals? No problem! REI, located in Dillon rents both adult and youth cross country packages.
Dillon Special Events - Dillon hosts several well attended special events. Maybe most noted for their 9a-2p Friday Farmer's Market running annually from early June to mid-September. Yoga at the Farmer's Market and Yoga at the Amphitheater are two more regularly occurring summertime events with the Lake Dillon Beer Festival being one of the favorite one-off annually occurring events. Check out the Town of Dillon's event's calendar for more events and information!
Dillon Town Park - Currently undergoing renovations and upgrades, with some parts already complete and open to the public! Tennis, Pickleball, school aged and toddler specific play structures, bocce ball courts, horse shoe pits, basketball, ball wall, paved walking paths that will be plowed throughout the winter months, and a pavilion, are all planned. There are no fees to use the park, however you must bring your own sports equipment. Exclusive reserved use of courts pavilion bears a fee, however reservations are not being taken at this time due to construction.
Disc Golf - Grab your discs and lace up your shoes or hiking boots to enjoy what I believe is one of the most diverse and scenic disc golf courses in the state. This totally free disc golf course boasts 18 holes PLUS a 12 hole family focused course set out to make any beginner have a rewarding experience while also feel a bit challenged. Each of the 18 holes has a cement pad and map including basket location and distance. The walk uphill to hole 1 can be challenging especially to those visiting from sea level, but trust me...it's worth it once you get there. If you're looking to complete a shorter course while taking in the best views this course can offer I suggest you walk up the hill until the "road" Y's and start at hole 9 playing holes 9-18. Didn't bring your discs? No problem! DiscIn located in Silverthorne sells discs and Pioneer Sports in Dillon sells, but also rents discs.
Elevation Bowl & The Underground - Bowling, billiards, arcade games, live music & DJs, game nights, video premieres, drinks, & food! If you're looking to get out of the sun for some adult or family fun stop on by Elevation Bowl! Lane reservations are highly recommended, however not required. The Underground is next door to the bowling alley and more of a nightclub atmosphere and limited to guests ages 21+. Check out the events calendar!
Self-Guided Beer Tasting - Dillon is home to two well established brewpubs. Partake in beer tastings at Pug Ryan's and the Dillon Dam Brewery. Pugs is located in Dillon's town center and the Dam Brewery is located below the Dam that created Lake Dillon, close to I-70. Remember to drink responsibly!
Skyline 8 Cinema - Sit back, relax, and watch a movie right here in Dillon. Skyline offers the latest technology with 100% laser projection, 7.1 Digital sound, & 3D.
Summit County Rec Path & Bike Rental - Residents and visitors of Dillon that enjoy walking or biking on a scenic paved surface are lucky. Not only does the county-wide rec path system connect the parts of Dillon that lie on each side of Hwy 9, but almost all of this system that lies within the town boundaries of Dillon is lakeside offering some magnificent views. Bike rentals are available at a few shops in town, however the shop I would consider offering the most diverse selection of bikes (pedal bikes and E-bikes) suiting all ages and abilities is Pioneer Sports, Dillon.
1883 Dillon Schoolhouse Museum - Learn about the rich history of Dillon and the surrounding area in this historical museum for only a $5 suggested donation. Visit the Summit Historical Society website and events page for more information on group and private tours.
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