Passed by thousands of motorists every day, Lake Dillon is a large playground for a variety of water activities on the summer months. It has wide open waters that are popular for sailing and motorized boating, as well as multiple islands, channels and coves that are ideal for hand-powered crafts.
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| Peak 1 and Tenmile Peak reflected on Lake Dillon |
Dillon Reservoir
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| Vicinity Map |
Shoreline Interest: 4
Use: Moderate-High
Fee: Varies
Access: Paved
Full elev = 9017; Best near full
Water level/rec info
Weather
Heaton/Giberson Bay Access: These access points on Dillon Dam Road offer a quick route to some of the best waters on the lake when space is available. They may fill up on summer weekends. Heaton Bay is especially convenient when combined with with a lakefront camping site at the adjacent campground. However, these sites are in high demand and the reservable ones fill up quickly once they're made available in the spring.
Giberson Bay is a day-use area with close water access but limited vehicle parking. While the launch point is on a large, open bay, it's not far to paddle around the peninsula immediately east to the maze of islands and coves in Heaton Bay.
Peninsula Access: The Peninsula recreation area is accessed from Highway 9 south of Frisco--opposite the Summit Medical Center--and is another convenient launch point for paddle crafts. There larger parking capacity of the Peninsula is particularly useful when the northern access points are full. Camping is available here at Peak One Campground.
The open bays of Dillon Reservoir can catch significant wind and waves on a breezy day. If there is a breeze, either start downwind or be sure the waves aren't too strong to paddle against. Summertime thunderstorms also tend to development a couple hours earlier at this elevation than in the Denver area. Check the forecast and text discussion before heading out.
As one of the larger lakes in Colorado, Dillon has plenty of water surface area and shoreline to explore. Look for more information and pictures from other corners of this lake in future post updates. Have fun and stay safe!
Heaton/Giberson Bay Access: These access points on Dillon Dam Road offer a quick route to some of the best waters on the lake when space is available. They may fill up on summer weekends. Heaton Bay is especially convenient when combined with with a lakefront camping site at the adjacent campground. However, these sites are in high demand and the reservable ones fill up quickly once they're made available in the spring.
Giberson Bay is a day-use area with close water access but limited vehicle parking. While the launch point is on a large, open bay, it's not far to paddle around the peninsula immediately east to the maze of islands and coves in Heaton Bay.
Peninsula Access: The Peninsula recreation area is accessed from Highway 9 south of Frisco--opposite the Summit Medical Center--and is another convenient launch point for paddle crafts. There larger parking capacity of the Peninsula is particularly useful when the northern access points are full. Camping is available here at Peak One Campground.
Frisco Marina: The Frisco Marina gives additional access to the west end of the lake. This areas gives close access to another archipelago at the top end of Frisco Bay. The shallow, protected channels in this offers interesting exploration through island habitat for a variety of wildlife.
Features and Conditions: Heaton Bay and the unexpected lagoon in Sentinel Island are great places to explore from the Giberson Bay or Pine Cove launch points, or from any of the sites within the Heaton Bay campground. Ideal when the reservoir is at or near full, the passages through forested shorelines and islands also make a good excursion if the water is drawn down a little bit. In a good water year, the reservoir might remain near full through most of the summer. Updated water level information is posted on Denver Water's website. If approaching these island from Pine Cove, exercise caution when crossing the main channel linking Frisco Marina and the main reservoir as there may be heavy or fast motorized boat traffic. The islands near the Frisco Marina are easily access from the marina or Giberson Bay, but the shallow channels crossing this area start to dry up after the water draws down a little bit.
The open bays of Dillon Reservoir can catch significant wind and waves on a breezy day. If there is a breeze, either start downwind or be sure the waves aren't too strong to paddle against. Summertime thunderstorms also tend to development a couple hours earlier at this elevation than in the Denver area. Check the forecast and text discussion before heading out.
As one of the larger lakes in Colorado, Dillon has plenty of water surface area and shoreline to explore. Look for more information and pictures from other corners of this lake in future post updates. Have fun and stay safe!
Please feel free to add observations of current conditions to the comments!
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