Dillon Ranger District

Copyright: USDA Forest Service The Gore Range, from north of Silverthorne

The Dillon Ranger District includes much of Summit County, Colorado; the area surrounding Silverthorne, Dillon, and Breckenridge. The district lies along the western side of the Continental Divide.

Four major ski areas, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapaho Basin, and Copper Mountain are located on the Dillon District. The district has two large reservoirs, Green Mountain and Dillon. Dillon Reservoir lies between Frisco, Silverthorne and Dillon. Green Mountain Reservoir lies 15 miles north of Silverthorne. The district encompasses major portions of the Eagle's Nest and Ptarmigan Peaks wildernesses.

Attractions - Four major ski areas, Breckenridge, Keystone, Arapaho Basin, and Copper Mountain are located on the Dillon District. The district has two large reservoirs, Green Mountain and Dillon. Dillon Reservoir lies between Frisco, Silverthorne and Dillon. Green Mountain Reservoir lies 15 miles north of Silverthorne. The district encompasses major portions of the Eagle's Nest and Ptarmigan Peaks wildernesses.

Recreation - With the ski areas and the large reservoirs, the Dillon District is a center for recreation activity. Downhill skiing, fishing, and boating are of course popular here.

There are 14 campgrounds, including 1 group campsite, located mostly around the two reservoirs. These campgrounds offer varying levels of services. Many of the campgrounds offer fishing and boating adjacent to the sites. Backcountry and dispersed camping opportunities also exist. Be sure to follow the backcountry and dispersed camping regulations, and Leave No Trace principles to ensure the next forest visitor an equal experience.

The district offers many miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. Many trails in the area reach above 13,000 feet elevation.

Climate - Elevations on the Dillon District range from 8,000 feet at Green Mountain Reservoir to over 14,000 feet on highest peaks. Vegetation includes sagebrush meadows at lower elevations, aspen and lodgepole pine at intermediate elevations, Engelmann spruce/subalpine fir forests above about 10,000 feet and alpine tundra at the highest elevations.

At the lowest elevations, around Green Mountain Reservoir, summer high temperatures extend into the low 80s. Because much of the district is over 9,000 feet, high temperatures can be significantly cooler, with evenings temperatures that can often dip into the 30s. Winter lows occasionally dip to minus 35 degrees, though daytime temperatures are often in the 20s. The relative humidity is quite low throughout the year. Much of the annual precipitation comes in the form of winter snow but afternoon summer thunderstorms are common. Snow is possible at any time of year in the highest elevations. The high elevation roads and trails are often not clear of snow until at least mid-July.

Location - The Dillon Ranger District lies at the eastern end of the White River National Forest, along the west side of the Continental Divide. It encompasses much of Summit County and surrounds the towns of Silverthorne, Dillon, Frisco, Breckenridge and Keystone. The Dillon Ranger District office is located in Silverthorne.

The Blue River runs through the middle of the district, from south to north, with other major drainages including the Snake River, Swan River and Tenmile Creek. Interstate 70 cuts through the northern part of the district leading from east to west.