Dillon Reservoir Recreation

Dillon Reservoir Recreation Committee

 
Recreation within Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area is managed by the interagency Dillon Reservoir Recreation Committee (DRReC). DRReC is comprised of Denver Water, Town of Dillon, Town of Frisco, Summit County Government and U.S. Forest Service, each of which either own or manage land within the Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area. 

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Dillon Reservoir is owned and operated by Denver Water. The Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area (DRRA) includes the reservoir's surface and adjacent properties.

Popular recreation activities within DRRA include motorized and non-motorized boating, open water and ice fishing, cycling, snowkiting, hiking, running, walking, Nordic skiing and other passive recreational activities. Public access to the reservoir is available via two marinas, located in Frisco and Dillon, as well as six campgrounds and day-use areas on the White River National Forest.
Frisco Bay

Permitting and Regulations

Permits are required for all special events and commercial activities occurring within the Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area. During the summer months, the reservoir surface is patrolled by the Summit County Sheriff’s Office seven days a week. In the event of an emergency, CALL 911.

Contact DRReC staff for additional information and/or to obtain a permit application.

Camping and Day Use Areas

Overnight camping within the Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area is only permitted in designated U.S. Forest Service campgrounds. Five designated campgrounds within or immediately adjacent to the Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area include Lowery Campground, Prospector Campground, Windy Point Campground, Peak One Campground, and Heaton Bay Campground. Campground reservations can be made at Recreation.gov. 

In addition to campgrounds, the Forest Service manages Giberson Bay Day Use Area and Heaton Bay Picnic Area, both of which are accessible from the Dam Road. 

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Marinas and Boating

Frisco Bay Marina and Dillon Marina provide access for launching personal vessels, as well as boat rentals, SUP and kayak rentals, boat tours, slips and storage, and other marina services. In accordance with Colorado state requirements all motorized vessels and sailboats must have an Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) stamp prior to launching in Colorado waters. All motorized vessels, including those with small outboard motors, must receive an Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) inspection prior to launching. ANS inspections are available at the two marinas. Click here for more information and guidance on Colorado ANS requirements.

Non-motorized vessels, such as SUPs, kayaks, and canoes may launch publicly accessible shoreline areas. Personal water craft, such as jet skis, and towed activities, such as water skiing are prohibited on Dillon Reservoir. 

Recreation

Numerous recreation opportunities exist within the Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area including boating, cycling, hiking, angling, camping, Nordic skiing, and others. With the exception of specific Denver Water properties closed to the public, recreational access is available from much of the more than 26 miles of shoreline. Please refer to the Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area and Recreation maps for additional information. The towns of Frisco and Dillon also provide recreational access information from the shoreline areas they manage.

Dillon Reservoir Recreation Committee Grant Program

The Dillon Reservoir Recreation Committee Grant Program is designed to provide funding to Local Governments, State and Federal Agencies, and non-profit partners that manage land within the Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area. The DRReC Grant Program aims to support infrastructure improvement and planning projects that also support DRReC’s core mission:

Protect, preserve and manage recreational lands and waters for the benefit and enjoyment of Summit County citizens and visitors to the Dillon Reservoir Recreation Area.

The 2023-2024 DRReC Grant Program is now accepting applications through November 15, 2023. Please use the link below to access the 2023-2024 Grant Instructions and fillable PDF application.

Click here for the DRReC Grant Application and Instructions.

Additional Resources

More information can be found on Denver Water's website. Staffing for Dillon Reservoir Recreation Committee is provided by Summit County Government. Law enforcement and pubic safety oversight is provided by the Summit County Sheriff's Office.