Things to Do

Frisco and the surrounding area of Summit County are loaded with things to see and do, making it the perfect central hub for your next adventure. Only 90 minutes from Denver via I-70, the town has been nicknamed “Main Street to the Rockies” because of its picturesque downtown and proximity to the mountains. 

Copper Mountain, Keystone, Arapahoe Basin, and Breckenridge are a few of the popular skiing and snowboarding destinations near Frisco. The town has about 2,913 permanent residents as of 2020, but Frisco is always bustling with people enjoying easy access to top-notch recreation.

Skiing, snowshoeing, and tubing are all within a stone’s throw of downtown during the colder months. Once it warms up, Lake Dillon serves as a focal point for fishing, boating, and even kayaking.

 

History

Summit County was first inhabited by the Ute people, who lived on the land now known as Frisco. Once the mining boom started in the 1870s, Frisco became a bustling hub because of its centrality to many large mines in the area. The town was chartered in 1879 by Harry Recen, and Frisco continued to grow with businesses and permanent residents settling in.

 

It was one of the few mining towns to survive the Great Depression, but was ultimately left with a population of only 18. It slowly regrew in the following decades and the population exploded once again when the ski industry started attracting millions to the area in the 1960s

Main Attractions

  • Downtown Frisco is lined with colorful shops and restaurants, making it the perfect place to stroll after a summer day on the lake or winter day on the slopes.

  • The museum itself is filled with artifacts, interactive exhibits, and information about the history of Frisco. The historic park is free to enter and features 11 historic buildings, including a teepee, schoolhouse, and even a jailhouse!

    120 East Main Street

    Frisco, CO 80443

    970-668-3428

  • In the summer, Frisco is best known for its buzzing Dillon marina. With over 25 miles of shoreline bordering Frisco and Dillon and an endless amount of water to explore, the reservoir is the perfect place to cool off.

  • You can rent boats, kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddle boards for fun in the water. Although swimming is not allowed due to frigid water temperatures year-round, there are plenty of other activities to keep you entertained.

    267 Marina Road

    Frisco, CO 80443

    970-668-4334

  • If skiing and snowboarding downhill aren’t your thing, Frisco Nordic Center has you covered. With over 27 miles of snowshoeing trails and areas for both skate and cross country skiing, you won’t regret spending a day exploring the park.

  • Featuring a 1200 foot tubing hill, lessons for beginner snowboarders and skiers, and even a small terrain park, this adventure park is sure to have something fun for everyone.

Recreation

  • The Dillon Reservoir Recpath Loop is an 18 mile paved path that encompasses all of Dillon Reservoir, guaranteeing beautiful views no matter which way you go. You can walk, run, in-line skate, roller ski, or bike this path for the perfect way to spend a warm afternoon in Frisco. Minutes away from dozens of hiking trails, check them out here: AllTrails

  • There are a handful of local campgrounds that provide access to Dillon Reservoir. The Dillon lakeside camping sites are:

    • Lowery Campground

    • Prospector Campground

    • Windy Point Campground

    • Peak One Campground

    • Heaton Bay Campground

  • Both shore and boat fishing are allowed on the Dillon Reservoir year-round, with ice fishing in the winter. Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocks the lake with rainbow trout annually, in addition to the brown trout, freshwater shrimp, salmon, and arctic char.

  • There are six major ski areas within a thirty-minute drive of Frisco: Arapahoe Basin, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone, Loveland, and Vail. Located right beside I-70, Frisco makes a great basecamp for hitting multiple mountains in one trip. o Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, and Keystone are all less than 15 miles from this beautiful home. Perfect skiing or snowboarding for the beginner or expert

  • If the Dillon Reservoir is too calm for you, then there is plenty of whitewater to be found nearby. Rafting trips depart daily from May through September, depending on water levels. The neighboring town of Silverthorne has trips on the Blue River, Idaho Springs on Clear Creek, and Vail on Eagle River.