As the second most populated town in Summit County, Silverthorne is a hub of outdoor activity and fun. From hiking and biking to shopping and dinging, Silverthorne is your home base for an action-packed vacation.
Discover these things to do in Silverthorne, CO, and start planning your trip today!
Year-round activities
No matter what time of year, Silverthorne offers something for everyone to enjoy. From shopping at the outlets to golfing, here are the top year-round activities in Silverthorne.
Raven at Three Peaks Golf Course
The Raven Golf Course is the #1 rated golf course in Colorado and is situated among massive pine trees and aspen groves, sparkling creeks, and fish-filled lakes. The perks of being located at 9,000 feet are the fantastic views of Buffalo Mountain and the surrounding countryside.
Despite plenty of elevation changes and some challenging holes, it’s still a fun afternoon for beginners. The staff on-site offer lessons to brush up on your skills, and there is a Marshal who keeps things running smooth and quick.
The Raven Golf Course restaurant features a full bar and an outdoor terrace that offers spectacular views. They host local live musicians on the weekends and have a long menu of American cuisine.
Lake Dillon Theatre Company
The Lake Dillon Theatre Company was started to raise funds for the Lake Dillon Amphitheater and a free summer concert series. After finding so much success during their crowdfunding campaign, they expanded to include a youth theatre workshop, a chamber concert series, and an amateur theater company that has since been upgraded to a professional, regional theatre.
Located within a historic building built in 1899 that was once the Dillon Town Hall, the theater is small, and this intimacy plays a big part in the success of its performances.
They regularly host live performances, such as Shout! The Mod Musical, and plenty of dance parties. They have recently begun to host outdoor musicals at the Silverthorne Performing Arts Center, where visitors can watch and laugh along to actors singing and dancing while resting in the grass.
Outlet Shopping in Silverthorne
For those who love to shop, Silverthorne will have you in a daze. The Outlets at Silverthorne are divided into three villages and have over 50 different stores for you to browse in. From American Eagle Outfitters and Coach to Williams Sonoma and Le Creuset, you can get a new wardrobe and new kitchen appliances! With these being outlet stores, you will save 30-70%, which means more money to spend on delicious dinners and lift tickets!
Mint Steakhouse restaurant
The Mint Steakhouse Restaurant has a unique business model: You grill your own steak! Using their specially seasoned lava-rock grill, you get to choose how to prepare and grill your own steak. In business since 1862, this is a local favorite and proudly stands as Colorado’s oldest restaurant.
In a building that used to be a saloon, it is now filled with the mouth-watering smell of high-grade steak, sizzling to perfection. To go with their delicious menu is a long list of thirst-quenching drinks, tap beer, specialty cocktails, and wine.
Summer activities
Summer in Silverthorne is packed with adventure and scenery. The Blue River through town provides first class fly fishing opportunities, with local guides willing to show you the ropes. Discover how you can enjoy your vacation with these summer activities in Silverthorne.
Hiking
Silverthorne is surrounded by evergreen forests, mountain peaks, and a beautiful natural landscape, which of course, makes hiking a necessity for those visiting. Some of the best hiking trails are located around Silverthorne, including the famous Continental Divide Trail.
The White River National Forest has nearly 300 hiking trails running throughout. So, whether you are looking for an easy day hike that ends in a picnic, or a heart-pumping, leg tiring adventure up the side of a mountain, you will find it here.
While there are many hiking options near Silverthorne, the Blue River Trail is one of the most popular in the area. The trail is for hikers and bikers and connects the towns of Silverthorne to Dillon, Keystone, Frisco, and Breckenridge, all the way to Glenwood Springs. The paved path runs 3.5 miles through downtown to the Dillon Dam.
Another great option is the B&B to Reiling Dredge to Minnie Mine trail. The 3-mile loop is an excellent option if you are looking for a 1–2-hour hike and want to see some great views while also visiting some old mining areas. Along the way, you will pass abandoned mining camps and possibly even a bear!
Biking
In 2020, Silverthorne was designated by the League of American Bicyclists as a Silver Bicycle Friendly Community. This was due to the improvements around Silverthorne made to help it become a more bike-friendly place. They also host many bike events and encourage people to choose biking over driving.
Fortunately, for those visiting Summit County, there is an extensive Recreational Pathway System, known as the Recpath. This is used by dog walkers, runners, bikers, and many others who enjoy a well-paved path. Whether you want to take a leisurely ride to work or a challenging trek to the top of Vail Pass, the Recpath has many routes and difficulty levels to choose from.
As mentioned previously, the Blue River Trail is an excellent way for bikers to get to Dillon, Keystone, Frisco, and the other local communities. The long continuous paved path is perfect for exploring Silverthorne and summit county.
For those who are looking for a more serious ride, the Silverthorne to Ute Pass trail is a 31-mile round-trip journey with a 2000’ elevation gain. You start in Silverthorne and head north on Highway 9 for 10 miles. Once you get to Ute pass, the climb really starts to pick up, and after 5 miles, the view opens up, and you will be able to enjoy the picturesque mountain views.
Dillon Marina
The Dillon Marina, built in 1963 to store water for Denver, over 27 miles of shoreline. With an average depth of 70 feet, this lake offers plenty of water sport activities and leisurely pursuits. In addition, the Rocky Mountains are visible from nearly anywhere on the lake, offering a beautiful and serene backdrop for those sunny afternoons spent on the water.
There are two full-service marinas, one located in Frisco and the other in Dillon, so you have plenty of options for boat rentals. If you want to take a sailboat out on your own, you will need to pass a short sailing test. Otherwise, you can take tours on the 22′ Catalina monohull, rent pontoon boats, runabout motorboats, kayaks, and paddleboards. Regardless of your skill (or speed needs), there’s something here for everyone!
There are also several classes and group tours that you can sign up for, from all-day kayak excursions to stand-up paddleboard yoga classes.
If you love to fish, Lake Dillon is stocked with many diverse species, including rainbow trout, koho salmon char, and catfish. Shore fishing offers easy access, and for those wanting to get on the water, you can rent a boat or sign-up for a tour. A fishing license is required for those 16 and older, which can be picked up online and at many locations in Summit County.
If you want to camp, you have quite a few options. Several campsites are located around the lake, and these have picnic tables, restrooms, and cooking areas. Because this is a reservoir, health department guidelines discourage body contact with the drinking water supply, so swimming is not allowed.
For lakeside lunch and drinks, check out the Lakeside Tiki Bar, which overlooks Lake Dillon. They have delicious specialty drinks and “beach food,” like hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken tenders.
Winter activities
From some of the best skiing in the country to snowmobiling through the backcountry, discover these top winter activities in Silverthorne.
Skiing at A-Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, and Copper Mountain
Arapahoe Basin has the longest ski season in the US, typically from October to June. The mountain has an elevation of over 13,000 feet, and there are 100+ carved trails, bowls, and deep powder areas. With the north-facing aspect of many slopes, the snow quality is high-grade, and sitting at the peak is the highest restaurant in the US. Arapahoe Basin is an excellent mountain to visit whether you are an expert skier or a novice.
Keystone is known for having the most skiable terrain in Summit County. With three distinct mountains – Dercum Mountain, North Peak, and the Outback, you have plenty of options. With two gondolas to choose between, the views are fantastic, and the lines move fast, leaving you more time to spend on the slopes.
Not just for adults, there are also areas specifically designated for kids to enjoy. Kidtopia has plenty of fun activities, like face painting, crafts, and a massive snow fort. There’s also tubing all day long (and into the night) at Adventure Point. For those who want things to do after spending the day skiing, Keystone has various music, art, and beer+food festivals throughout the year.
Breckenridge will keep you on the slopes all day thanks to their 34 lifts that will take you 9600’ feet up, straight to the top. As one of Colorado’s most visited ski resorts, there are 2,908 skiable acres and 155 trails, all divided among five different peaks.
With trail options for all ski levels, there’s something new to experience every day. They have plenty of green and blue runs for beginners and steep, fast groomers, tree runs, and bumps for the more advanced.
Copper Mountain is usually the first resort open for ski season, thanks to its early-season snow and fantastic skiing conditions. With 2,456 acres of trails and a village space, snow enthusiasts of all skill levels are welcomed with open arms. The Copper Bowl, Spaulding Bowl, and Resolution Bowl are trendy go-to spots for those who like tree skiing, and Woodward Mountain Parks is famous for its freestyle jumps, rails, and boxes.
Cross Country Skiing
The Silverthorne Nordic Center is located at the Raven Golf Course, and you can enjoy cross-country ski or snowshoe adventures on the front and back nines. You must provide your own gear, but you can get rentals at the nearby Frisco Nordic Center.
Another popular area for cross-country skiing is the Mesa-Cortina Trail to South Willow Creek Falls. This is 9.5 miles out and back trail that is very close to Silverthorne and features a beautiful waterfall. Enter at the Eagles Nest Wilderness and trek through aspen groves before making your way across an open meadow.
With amazing views of the Williams Fork Range and Dillon Reservoir, you will be able to take plenty of postcard-perfect pics. You will continue up a gorge between Buffalo Mountain and Red Peak before coming to the South Willow Falls waterfall.
If you want a quicker adventure, the Boulder Fields Loop is only 2.1 miles, with an elevation gain of 324 feet. This is a great trail to start out on if you are a beginner and should take you about an hour. However, this trail is not marked, so it is essential to have a map with you to make sure you stay on course!
Snowmobiling
Snowmobiling in Summit County is an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon, and you have plenty of options for rentals and trails. The many companies that service this area offer operating lessons, full and half-day tours, and a wide variety of machines that you can take out. So, whether you want to go out on a sight-seeing adventure, rush up the side of a mountain as fast as possible, or meander around with a large group, Silverthorne is the perfect place to start!
High Country Activities offers a variety of snowmobile tours and machines. From 2 hour guided tours that are perfect for families to 6-hour high-speed journeys for adrenaline junkies, they will take you all around Dillon, Frisco, and Silverthorne on well-groomed paths and through snowy meadows.
Adventure awaits you in Colorado with these things to do in Silverthorne.
This content was originally published here.
