Prospector

PROSPECTOR

Overview

At an elevation of 9,000 feet, Prospector Campground is in the heart of Summit County in the White River National Forest.

The sites offer open views to Dillon Reservoir and several mountain ranges, an ideal setting for guests seeking recreation and relaxation.

Due to the pine beetle infestation and removal of hazard trees, there is little or no shade in the campground.

Facilities

Prospector Campground has 105 sites, able to accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs. Roads and spurs are not paved.

The campground is equipped with picnic tables, campfire rings, vault toilets, and drinking water. No electrical hook-ups are available. Firewood is for sale from hosts at the campground.

Boat ramp access is available in the marinas located in the nearby towns of Frisco and Dillon.

Natural Features

In the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the 2.3 million acre White River National Forest is a place of serenity and adventure, boasting 8 wilderness areas, 4 defined seasons, and 10 peaks surpassing 14,000 feet in elevation.

Wildlife in the area abounds. Bighorn sheep navigate rocky ridges and bull elk bugle at dusk. Scenic rivers sustain populations of cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout. Alpine regions provide habitat for pika and ptarmigan. These species, along with many others, depend on surrounding undeveloped wilderness, clean streams, and diverse forests to live.

Recreation

Dillon Reservoir, often referred to as Lake Dillon, is the greatest draw to this campground. At 3,233 acres and 26.8 miles of shoreline, Dillon Reservoir is an ideal spot for fishing, boating, and sailing. The reservoir supports a healthy population of rainbow trout and brown trout. Occasionally, a few cutthroat trout make their way into the lake from feeder streams.

Opportunities for hiking and biking include more than 7 paved miles of the 50-mile Summit County trail system.

From the reservoir, the Old Dillon Reservoir trail is a favorite. This short, easy trail has spectacular views of the Tenmile Range and the Continental Divide. The Old Dillon Reservoir was built in the 1930s to supply water to the original town of Dillon, which is now covered by the new Dillon Reservoir.

For those wanting a bit more solitude, hiking in the Ptarmigan Wilderness area is a wonderful escape from the crowds.

Nearby Attractions

Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, and Copper Mountain ski resorts are all located within 10 miles from Dillon Reservoir. These resorts stay open year round.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (801) 226-3564.

Important Notices

Please Note: One RV with tow per single site or one vehicle per tent site. Most sites can accommodate 1 extra vehicle that is not included with the reservation fee. Extra vehicle will be charged a per night fee and collected at the campground.
Body contact with reservoir prohibited; no swimming, water skiing, jetskiing, or scuba diving in the lake
Prevent the spread of invasive species by inspecting and cleaning packs, equipment, and tires before using lake or trails
Reserved Sites will be held until check out time (NOON) the day following your arrival date. Sites must be occupied by the checkout time of that following day to hold a reservation or the site will be forfeited and released to other guests.

Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.
Fire Restrictions: Fire restrictions may be imposed at any time due to hot, dry weather conditions, at which time campfires and charcoal fires may not be allowed.
Don't Move Firewood: Prevent the spread of tree-killing organisms by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. For more information visit dontmovefirewood.org.
Any accepted senior passes must be entered for the discount at the time of booking for single sites only.
Click here for more information about White River National Forest
Campers must occupy the site the first night at a campsite. This prevents booking the site for Fri-Sun and showing up on Saturday.
Campers may leave the site for 24 hours and must occupy the site otherwise. This allows a camper to say go for an overnight backpack trip in the woods for one night and come back to their campsite the next day.

Available Activities

WILDLIFE VIEWING - Wildlife Viewing
HIKING - Hiking
FISHING - Fishing
CAMPING - Camping
BOATING - Boating
BIKING - Biking

Directions

From I-70, take the Silverthorne exit 205. Travel east on Highway 6, approximately 4 miles to Swan Mountain Road. Turn right and travel for 2 miles to Prospector and Windy Point Campground sign. Take dirt road 1 mile to campground entrance.

Cancellation Policy

<p>Once your reservation start date has begun, neither the Recreation.gov Contact Center nor the campground manager will be able to modify your reservation.</p>

Contact Information

Phone: 970-468-7681

Dillon Ranger District 680 Blue River Parkway
Silverthorne, CO 80498

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Available Campsites

Photo Gallery

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