The old town of Dillon used to sit at the confluence of the three rivers: the Snake River which flows from Keystone, the Ten Mile Creek which flows from Frisco, and the Blue River which flows from Breckenridge. This site dates back to the early 1800s, when Dillon was just a cluster of cabins with a trading post. From then on, Dillon was known as a crossroads, beginning with stagecoach lines and wagon freighters. By 1898, two railroads met in Dillon and shared a depot. The railways served both the mining and ranching communities for many years. In the late 1950s, the Denver Water Board decided to build a dam for water storage in the high county and along came Lake Dillon. The old town of Dillon still sits at the bottom of the lake today. In the early 1960s, a new downtown Dillon was built high above the shores of the lake, offering gorgeous views and tremendous real estate for visitors and locals.
Lake Dillon is the largest body of water in the area consisting of 26 miles of shoreline with magnificent mountain views, sailing, speed boating, and easy access to both the Town of Dillon and the Town of Frisco. In fact, at 9,100 feet in elevation, Frisco is home to the highest marina in the United States. Both marinas offer boat, canoe, and kayak rentals, as well as a water taxi to travel across the lake from one town to the other.
Located high above the north shore of Lake Dillon, residents and guests in Dillon enjoy panoramic views of the lake and surrounding peaks, including the prominent Peak One which sits high above the town of Frisco. Dillon and Frisco are the only two Summit County towns that offer luxurious mountain real estate along the shores of the lake. As well as having easy access to the lake, marinas and water activities in the summer, both towns are also great, central locations during ski season. Some unique resort complexes include The Moorings, Summit Yacht Club, Lake Cliffe, East Bay, Anchorage, Coeur Du Lac, and Marina Place.
In the summer, the town of Dillon is a hub of activity. Dillon Marina offers sailing and boating for visitors, with many bars and restaurants just up the street in town. Bike paths connect the many Dillon neighborhoods to the lake, parks, and Lake Dillon Amphitheatre, which offers free concerts, nature nights, and other entertainment throughout the warm seasons.
In the winter, Dillon offers a very convenient location with easy access to any of Summit’s world class ski resorts including Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, and Copper Mountain. Visitors to Dillon also enjoy the Cross Country ski centers, snowshoeing trails, dining, and shopping. The town of Dillon is a charming place with many parks and historic buildings, coupled with spectacular scenic views in all directions. No matter what you are looking for, you can find it here in Dillon, Colorado.
While Dillon is certainly a wonderful resort town, Summit County has magnificent real estate and investment properties in several other areas too! Some other Summit County towns with abundant vacation properties include Silverthorne, Keystone, Frisco, Copper Mountain, and Breckenridge.
Do you have any questions about any of the local towns or real estate so far?