Established as a trading post on the Snake River, Dillon is named after the 19th-century prospector, Tom Dillon. It lies on the northern shore of the Dillon Reservoir, which is a recreational hub throughout the year, and serves as a gateway to the ski resorts of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains.
Things to do in Dillon
In the heart of town is the Dillon Schoolhouse Museum, which occupies a one-room building constructed as the local school in 1883. It exhibits turn-of-the-century educational artefacts that bring its past to life and it also houses local archives. Adjacent to the schoolhouse is a vintage general store and a blacksmith’s shop.
Coincide your visit to Dillon with one of the weekend racing regattas at the Dillon Marina, which sees hundreds of sailboats take to the waters. The Dillon Reservoir is also a popular setting for rainbow trout fishing, while ice fishing is possible in the winter months. Follow the 29-kilometre paved bicycle path that connects to the lookout at Sapphire Point or enjoy sweeping views across the reservoir from the Ptarmigan Peak Trail.
Dillon is a convenient base for accessing the ski resorts of Keystone, Copper Mountain and Arapahoe Basin, which offer trails and facilities to suit all experience levels. You can take advantage of the jumps, rails and boxes of Woodward Mountain Park, enjoy the family-friendly snow activities at Kidtopia or experience a slice of the Swiss Alps at Arapahoe Basin.
Getting around Dillon
Dillon is around 1.5 hours’ drive from Denver and just under two hours from Denver International Airport, which has flights to destinations across Europe and North America. Buses connect to Dillon and the town is small enough to explore on foot. Renting a car is the most convenient way of accessing the nearby ski resorts.