Summer Activities in Surrounding Summit County
This post will focus on Summit County, but outside of Breckenridge. For Breckenridge ideas, check out my other post. This page will give you ideas on Hiking, Horseback Riding, Golf, Disc Golf, Biking, etc…
A great resource for hiking is the all trails app. Download the app to your phone so you can see a map while hiking too.
Hiking
If you are hiking to a mountain peak, make sure to check the weather ahead of time. We tend to get storms in the afternoon so the recommendation is to be off the top of the mountains by noon.
Mayflower Gulch
This one is a favorite of mine! If you have time check this one out. The hike out isn’t super interesting, as its more of a 4WD road in the trees. But once you get out there the view opens up to some big mountain views. There are a few old mining cabins. I have seen marmots and pikas out here. This place is just awesome to visit! We have even backpacked here which was quite amazing as no one is around once it gets to late afternoon.
Old Dillon Reservoir
This is an easier hike, that is good with younger kids. You will reach a small lake and overlooks Lake Dillon. This is a nice hike in the fall when the leaves are changing too.
Mount Royal
This hike is in Frisco and is a more intense hike. Its around 4 miles but climbs over 1000 feet in elevation.
Rainbow Lakes
This is a nice hike with kids. Lots of aspens on the way out which makes it a great fall hike as well. You will end up at a lake. You can then decide to turn around at the lake or take a different trail. I have seen moose on this trail so always keep a look out and if you do see a moose please keep your distance!
Lily Pad Lake
This hike isn’t too bad. About 3 miles round trip and climbs maybe about 400 foot in elevation. We did this hike when my daughter was like 3 or 4 years old.
Willow Falls
Willow Falls is in Silverthorne and it not an easy hike. You will actually go down and then climb back up to the waterfall. It’s about a 5 mile hike and climbs over 1000 feet. I would say this is more of a moderate hike. But ends at a nice waterfall. We live here and our kids hike a lot in the summer, but my daughter did this when she was 8 years old.
Mount Sniktau
This hike is up on Loveland Pass. It is a gorgeous hike with great views. BUT it is not an easy hike. The stats on this are 3.5 miles and 1500 foot elevation gain! From here you can also choose to hike up to Grizzly Peak. Both of these peaks are 13ers.
Wheeler Lakes
This trail is out near Copper Mountain. It is about 6.5-7 miles. With an elevation gain of about 1500 feet. The lakes are not really that exciting, but there are usually a lot of wildflowers.
Clinton Gulch Reservoir
This is a very easy hike around a lake. Clinton Gulch Reservoir would be a great place to bring kids.
Cataract Lake
This lake is popular to hike at with kids. It’s in Silverthorne but a bit outside of town. Close to Heeney (If you look it up on a map). You can make this hike an easy hike or make it harder by hiking to the upper lake. I believe it’s about 11 miles round trip to the upper lake.
Willow Lakes
This is a big hike. About 12 miles and 2700 foot elevation gain. For this hike you do the Gore Range Trail to the Willow Lake Trail.
Arapahoe Basin Mountain
For info on summer activities at Arapahoe Basin check out this link:
https://store.arapahoebasin.com/s/summer
Summer Chairlift Rides
Arapahoe Basin has some great views! And their chairlift rides are the cheapest around the county.
Ropes Course
My kids love the A Basin ropes course. They even have one low to the ground for the little ones.
Via Ferrata
Looking for something more adventurous, check out the Via Ferrata!
Copper Mountain
You can buy a pass here for activities on the mountain which includes go karts, ziplines, rock climbing wall, bumper boats, chairlift ride, Ninja Course, etc..
You can also hike or mountain bike here.
Keystone Mountain
There are not as many activities at Keystone in the summer. But I always enjoyed riding the gondola/chairlift with my kids then enjoying yard games or the sandbox at the top of the mountain.
Keystone also offers lift serviced mountain biking.
Frisco Marina
Are you wanting to spend some time on the water? Check out the Frisco Marina. You can rent Paddle Boards and Kayaks here. If you have kids, there is a beach you can hang out on. My kids love to play in the sand here. If you rent kayaks or paddleboards there are islands out on the lake that you can visit.
Twin Lakes (outside of summit county)
Twin Lakes is totally worth a day trip in my opinion. It’s a little over an hour to get here from Breckenridge. You could hang out by the lake or paddleboard/kayak. The views here are awesome and its less crowded than Lake Dillon. If you are up for a little drive, head up Independence Pass for some amazing mountain views. But I don’t suggest this drive if you are not one who likes to drive mountain passes. On the other side of Independence pass (heading towards Aspen) there is neat ghost town.
You could make a nice day trip out of this.
- Stop in Leadville for some food and wander around town
- Head down the road to Twin Lakes. Hang out at the lake or rent a boat.
- If you have kids, stop at the Willis Gulch Trailhead and play in the creek.
- Drive up Independence Pass – hike around the top
- If you have time, check out the ghost town (Independence Ghost Town)
Golf
Keystone
There are two courses here. The ranch course and the river course.
https://www.keystoneresort.com/explore-the-resort/activities-and-events/golf.aspx
Cooper Mountain
Copper mountain has a course at the base of the mountain.
https://www.coppercolorado.com/golf/copper-creek-course-overview/course-overview
Raven Golf Club
This course is located in Silverthorne.
https://www.ravenatthreepeaks.com
Disc Golf
Frisco Adventure Park
If you like disc golf, then check out this course at the Frisco Adventure Park. The course starts over by the nordic center. There are 18 holes.
Dillon
This course has nice views of Lake Dillon. There are 18 holes overall. However there is a shorter course for kids too.
Maryland Creek Park
This course is 9 holes.
Copper Mountain
This course is 9 holes and is on the mountain at copper.
Arapahoe Basin
This is tough course with amazing views! You will be hiking uphill for the beginning of the course. It is also tough as holes are placed in the trees. Just don’t expect and easy disc golf day at A Basin.
Top of The Rockies Zipline (outside of Summit County)
Check out this zip-line in Leadville! They even have an option where you can ride the train out to the ziplines.
Dillon Marina
At Dillon Marina, you can rent sailboats and pontoon boats along with paddle boards and kayaks.
Horseback Riding
Keystone Stables
Gore Range Outfitters
https://www.gorerangeoutfitters.com
Playgrounds
Dillon Marina
This is playground right on Lake Dillon. Bring a sweatshirt as this location is usually pretty windy.
Rainbow Park
This playground is located at the Silverthorne Rec Center. There are two playgrounds. One for older kids with bigger slides and one for the younger kids. You will also find tennis courts here.
Frisco Elementary
In the summer when school is not in session, check out the playground at Frisco Elementary School.
Frisco Bike Park
The Frisco Adventure Park has a nice bike park. You will also find some nice mountain bike trails on the peninsula. If you are new to mountain biking, I suggest the Perimeter Trail.It is hard to find green mountain bike trails around here, but the Perimeter Trail is where I took my daughter when she was learning to mountain bike. Once you get decent and feel okay with more climbing, there are more trails around to attempt. Phat Loop is not that bad.
Day Trips
Thinking about a day trip, to see something outside of Summit County. Here are some ideas.
- Royal Gorge – either go to the park and cross the bridge or take the train at the bottom of the canyon.
- Buena Vista/Salida – I could do an entire post on spending a day in this area. You can check out a ghost town, drive up a mountain pass, see the Arkansas river, visit cottonwood lake, etc..
- Leadville – Go see the town and spend some time at Turquoise Lake.
- Sand Dunes NP – a bit of a drive, but doable for a day trip, but it is a long day trip!
- Vail
- Glenwood Springs – check out the adventure park or the hot springs.
- Steamboat Springs – lots of options here for a day trip. Its usually much warmer in steamboat so you can go tubing on the Yampa River, etc…
- Twin Lakes
Vail Pass Biking
There are several companies that will shuttle you and bikes to the top of Vail Pass. You can then ride down the pass on the rec path. My family and I love to do this in the fall when the leaves are at peak near Copper Mountain.
White Water Rafting
To go white water rafting you have to leave Summit County. The two closest options are Clear Creek (Idaho Springs) or the Arkansas River (Buena Vista/Salida). Sometimes if the water flow is decent you may find some rafting trips on the Blue River (Coloradorafting.com). You can also drive further away and raft near Royal Gorge in Cannon City.
Festivals/Famers Market/ Concerts
You will find festivals, farmers market and outdoor concerts/movies in the summer. Dillon has a nice farmers market on Fridays on the lake. Check out Keystone and Copper mountains for some fun summer festivals. Outdoor concerts can be found at the Dillon Amphitheater and in Frisco on Main Street.
Fly Fishing
If you would like to go Fly Fishing you can rent gear or even hire a guide.
ATV/UTV
There are places to rent ATVs and UTVs. If you want more of a tour I believe you would have to go out to Leadville. Check out https://leadvilleatvtours.com/
Loveland Pass
If you don’t mind driving a mountain pass, go check out Loveland Pass. You will have beautiful views at the top and some hiking trails if your feeling adventurous. Before you reach the top there is a parking area for Pass Lake. Its not easy to spot, so I recommend putting into a GPS ahead of time.
