Ultimate Summer Trip Guide to Summit County Colorado!

2024

by Emily

I. Plan Your Summer Trip to Colorado

Welcome to your Ultimate Summer Trip Guide to Summit County, Colorado. There is nothing like summer in the high country. With hiking and biking trails just outside your backdoor, and water activities on Lake Dillon at your fingertips, Summit County Colorado is the perfect place for your Summer getaway!

In this guide we will tell you about our favorite Summit County summer activities, as well as where to eat, and fun, family friendly events, and activities happening this summer!

II. Getting to Summit County

From DEN International Airport

Merge onto Pena Boulevard
Use the left two lanes to merge onto I-70 WEST towards Denver.
Continue on I-70 West to Exits 205, 203, & 201.
Exit 205 for Silverthorne, Dillon, Keystone
Exit 203 for Frisco, Breckenridge
Exit 201 for Frisco, Main Street.

No car? No problem. Catch a ride with one of Summit County’s shuttle services such as Peak 1 Express or Summit Express. These shuttle services will pick you up at the airport and bring you straight to your rental property or hotel. Then, they will pick you up and bring you back to the airport at the end of your stay. Visit their websites for more information and pricing.

https://www.summitexpress.com/

https://www.mountainshuttle.com/

There is also a bus service from Denver to Frisco called the BUSTANG. For information on pick up locations and times visit: https://ridebustang.com/

III. Where to Stay in Summit County

Summit County (& PMI Summit Colorado) is home to many short term rental properties. Whether you want to stay in Keystone Resort, or in the heart of Summit County in Frisco, there is surely a rental property for you! Start your search for a Summit County Rental Property Here: www.pmisummitcolorado.com.

Staying in Keystone Resort or Copper Mountain will give you walking distance access to all the restaurants, bars, shopping and activities the resorts have to offer. Staying in Dillon, Silverthorne, or Frisco will give you easy access to I-70 and is usually a short walk or drive to restaurants, bars, shopping, and more!

Looking to stay right on the water? Check out this 3 bedroom, 2 bath rental in the heart of Dillon, walking distance to multiple restaurants and bars, as well as the Dillon Marina and Dillon Amphitheatre . (Property ID: A-SY47) https://www.pmisummitcolorado.com/summit-county-vacation-rentals/sy47
Want something more centrally located and close to Frisco Main Street & Frisco Marina? Check out this newly updated 3 bedroom, 3 bath, plus additional sleeping area condo in Frisco! Located just off I-70 with mountain and lake views out of every window! (Property ID: A-LPT708) https://www.pmisummitcolorado.com/summit-county-vacation-rentals/lpt708
Hosting a family reunion or have a large group of friends coming to visit Summit County? Check out PMI’s newest luxury vacation rental in Silverthorne. With 8 bedrooms, and ensuite living on each floor, this home sleeps 18 people! Located in the desired neighborhood of Eagle’s Nest, this property is ready to be home base for your next gathering! (Property ID: A-755GER) https://www.pmisummitcolorado.com/summit-county-vacation-rentals/755ger

No matter what your plans are, PMI Summit Colorado is sure to have the perfect vacation rental property for you and your crew! Come STAY & PLAY with us TODAY!

IV. Things to Do in Summit County

Dillon Marina - Visit the Lake Dillon Marina for all of your water activity needs. The marina offers boat rentals, boat tours, as well as stand-up paddle board & kayak rentals! They even offer sailing lessons if that is what you are looking for! Enjoy time on the water or enjoy some food & drinks at Pug Ryan’s Tiki bar, “The best beach bar in Colorado!”. For more information and prices visit: https://www.townofdillon.com/marina

Dillon Amphitheater - Love live music? Look no further than Dillon’s new amphitheater, located in the heart of Dillon, right on the water! Not only do you get to enjoy your favorite music, but you'll get amazing mountain and lake views simultaneously. For the summer music lineup and tickets visit: https://dillonamphitheater.com

Trails and Trailheads - Summit County is home to hundreds of miles of trailheads. Whether you are looking for an easy hike, mountain biking trails, motorized trails, or even horseback riding, Summit County has the trail for you! Take a stroll along the lake, or hike up Buffalo Mountain for a challenge! For more information visit: https://www.summitcountyco.gov/1172/Trails-Trailheads

Disc Golf - Summit County has not one, but two, amazing disc golf courses. The Lake Dillon Disc Golf Course is a free course consisting of 18 holes on the hillside, overlooking Lake Dillon. Located on Cemetary Rd. The Frisco Adventure Park is also home to a free, 18-hole course, taking you along the coastline of the Frisco side of Lake Dillon.

Frisco Adventure Park - The Frisco Adventure Park is home to many summer recreational activities including a skatepark, mountain bike park, disc golf, camping, and even a horse-drawn wagon ride! Brand new this summer, a downhill mountain biking trail will open to the public. For more information visit: https://www.townoffrisco.com/things-to-do/frisco-adventure-park/

Keystone Resort - Keystone Resort is home to Summit County’s premier downhill mountain biking park. With several trails ranging from green (easiest) to blacks (more difficult), your inner adrenaline junkie will sure show! Keystone host’s several live music concerts as well as festivals like the Keystone Bacon & Bourbon festival. With several dining options, retail stores, and more, Keystone should definitely be on your summer to do list! For the full summer events lineup visit: https://www.keystoneresort.com/explore-the-resort/activities-and-events/events-calendar.aspx

White Water Rafting - Close to Summit County are a few different options for white water rafting, ranging from beginner floats to advanced paddling options. Enjoy the rushing waves of Colorado’s rivers and scenic views as you float. For more information visit:

https://www.theadventurecompany.com/

Farmers Markets - Visit Summit County’s Farmers markets happening each week, all summer long! Get locally grown fruits and vegetables, as well as local, handmade crafts and goodies. Dillon Farmers Market - every Friday, 9am-2pm. Breckenridge Farmers Market - every Sunday, 10am-3pm.

Golfing - Summit County is home to multiple 18-hole courses, all with stunning mountain views.

Breckenridge Golf Club
Keystone’s River Course
Keystone’s Ranch Course
The Raven Golf Club at 3 Peaks
Copper Creek Golf Course

V. Where to Eat in Summit County

Bistro North (Dillon) - Modern American cuisine in an eclectic environment! Sister restaurant to the Blue River Bistro in Breckenridge, Bistro North opened its doors in 2021 and certainly has made its mark. The best happy hour in Summit County with 2 for 1 martinis and 2 for 1 appetizers from 3-6!

Dillon Dam Brewery (Dillon) - An American style restaurant and brewpub with 20 DAM Beers on tap! If you love microbreweries, then this is the spot for you! The chicken fried chicken under their pub favorites is certainly one of our favorites!

Kucu Tequila Bistro (Silverthorne) - Located inside Silverthorne’s brand new Indigo Hotel. Over 200 Tequilas, Mezcals, and Sotols! Named after “The Great Bison”, the Kucu tequila bistro will surely satisfy your palette. Reservations Recommended.

Uptown on Main (Frisco) - Located on Main Street, Frisco this is a big restaurant with a big menu. Guaranteed to have something on their menu for everyone in your party. There is even a rooftop bar that gives you amazing views of Mount Royal & Peak 1.

Vinny’s (Frisco) - A fine dining, Euro-American restaurant on Main Street in Frisco. Vinny’s food is all locally sourced, organically grown, and they believe that the food they prepare is healthier for your bodies, the environment, and the planet! Vinny’s is a must if you are looking for an upscale dining experience in the county. Their sister restaurant, Frisco Prime, is also a wonderful upscale dining option on Main Street, Frisco. Reservations Recommended.

Ollie’s Pub & Grub (Frisco) - The Best Burger in Frisco! Visit Ollie’s Pub and Grub located on main street, Frisco for all your burger, wings, and sandwich needs! Second location is located on the “Dredge” in Breckenridge.

Sauce on the Blue (Silverthorne) - Italian Dining & Pizza in Silverthorne! With their old world style influenced menu, Sauce on the blue will have something for everyone! Their sister restaurant, Sauce on the Maggie, is located in Breckenridge. Reservations Recommended.

VI. Other Tips for Visiting Summit County

DRINK LOTS OF WATER especially if you are coming from a lower elevation. Most of Summit County is at 9,000 feet above sea level. Some visitors start to develop what we call “Altitude Sickness”. The first thing to do to avoid altitude sickness is to drink lots of water the second you get off the plane, or start driving up the mountains.
You will be visiting the High Country, where the weather can be unpredictable! You should pack for all different weather conditions, hot & sunny, cold & rainy, cloudy & windy, you never know when the weather pattern might change! We are in Colorado, where there are 300 days of sunshine, and while that may be true, when the sun goes down in the evening, you could find yourself a bit chilly. If you plan to be outside until the evening, be sure to pack a light jacket. There is also the possibility of some afternoon rain showers. Although it is 75 degrees and sunny all day, the nighttime temperatures can drop down to the mid-40s.
Make sure to bring your hiking shoes! There are so many activities here in Summit County, and a lot of them require a short hike or walk to get to your destination. Here in the Rockies, your sandals won’t cut it. Be sure to pack sneakers, hiking boots, or whatever you are comfortable walking a lot in.
Go to an Oxygen Bar! Being 9,000 ft above sea level, the air is thinner, and some visitors feel that they are not getting enough oxygen. Summit County has several oxygen bars where you can go and breathe in some fresh oxygen. Just an hour at one of these oxygen bars will make you feel better, and get ready for any activity ahead of you.

VII. Colorado Summer Events

Festivals

Keystone’s Wine & Jazz - July 12th - 14th
Keystone’s Bluegrass & Beer - August 3rd & 4th, 2024
Keystone’s Oktoberfest - August 31st, 2024
Breckenridge Oktoberfest - September 13th - 15th, 2024
Breckenridge Bluegrass & Beer - September 27th- 29th, 2024.

Dillon Amphitheatre

Mountain Music Mondays - Free Live music every Monday all summer long.
Trampled By Turtles - July 14th
Spafford - July 15th
Jason Mraz - July 26th
The Dead South August 2nd & 3rd
Slightly Stoopid - August 8th

Copper Mountain

Copper Chef’s Challenge - July 7th
Ales & Astronomy - July 20th
Copper Country Music Festival - August 10th

For a full list of Summit County Events visit: https://www.summitdaily.com/explore-summit/calendar/#/

VIII. Plan the Perfect Summer Getaway!

Overall, Summit County is the perfect destination for your next summer vacation. With so many activities to choose from, Summit County is sure to keep you active and occupied!

We hope that you choose Summit County for your summer vacation!

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