Whether you are local or traveling into Colorado from out of state, everyone is excited to get out of their house and explore new scenery that is not their couch. Summit County, Colorado is a perfect place to find social distancing activities that keep people safe, healthy, and active. Here are some awesome activities that are great options alone or with your family!

Paddle Boarding

Jump into the water vibes this summer with Paddle Boarding! Paddle Boarding in the high country is a fantastic way to take in 360 degrees of pure bliss. Going out into the middle of Lake Dillon on a Colorado bluebird sky day is an incredible feeling of surreal tranquility. Several shops within each town around the county rent and sell blow-up, as well as, solid paddleboards. Getting a blow-up style paddleboard allows for further adventure and versatility, but both are great options for the lake! Breckenridge also has Maggie Pond, which is great for paddleboarding, especially for beginner paddleboarders. It is a smaller area of water, but it is still an incredible space to find some peace on the board.

For paddleboarding on Lake Dillon, it is easy to launch from any of the marinas (Frisco and/or Dillon), the launch area in Farmer’s Corner, or the launch area by the Summit Cove entrance. All of these launch areas are very convenient, especially for a blow-up paddleboard because there is beach space to pump up the board. For fewer crowds, it is more suitable to launch in the early morning before 10 AM.

For paddle boarding on Maggie Pond, the launching area is through the Main Street Station complex. This is a wonderful body of water to soak in the Breckenridge beauty. It is also crucial to get to this launch early in the day or for a late afternoon paddle to maintain a safe distance. It is a smaller body of water; thus, it is a great place for the beginner type or a calm SUP yoga session.

Hiking 

Hiking in the summer in the high country can get pretty darn busy. However, there are certain trails and particular times that are less packed where people can maintain a safe distance. The best time to hit the trails would be during a weekday in the early morning, which is the slowest time on any trail around Summit County. It is harder to plan a hike for the afternoon because the weather is unpredictable. Three great hikes around Summit County that can be an awesome activity for all levels are Wheeler Lakes Trail, Montgomery Reservoir and Magnolia Mill, and Sallie Barber Mine Trail.

The Wheeler Lakes Hike is just outside of Frisco, CO. The trailhead is located off of I-70, before Copper Mountain. This is an out and back hike that totals about 6 miles for the entire trail. The greatest part is reaching the two stunning lakes after 3 miles and enjoying the stunning blue water surrounded by mountains.

The Sallie Barber Mine Trail is an easier hike that is a little under 3 miles long. This trail is in Breckenridge, CO and it begins up Boreas Pass Road. This is a great trail to soak in the historical remanence of Breckenridge and during certain parts of the summer, the wildflowers are outstanding.

Montgomery Reservoir is located directly off of Hoosier Pass in between Blue River and Alma. The lake is beautiful, as it is nestled “off the beaten path,” surrounded by tall peaks. This is a wonderful place to get a nice hike. Directly past the Reservoir there is an open trail to Magnolia Mill, which is a perfect place for historical viewing. Hikers can continue on past the mill for a beautiful out and back, moderate hike.

Photography

Summit County is an extremely picturesque place where almost every single spot could be senior portrait status. Photography is a great way to get outside, explore new areas, find breathtaking views, practice safe distancing, and of course, get some really great shots for Insta. Two recommended spots for outstanding photos are, Sapphire Point Overlook and Boreas Pass Overlook.

The Sapphire Point Overlook stands above Lake Dillon Reservoir on Swan Mountain Rd. This is a gorgeous photography spot because of its rock features, amazing view of the lake, and the mountainous background.

The Boreas Pass Overlook is a short drive up Boreas Pass in Breckenridge, CO. This overlook is a perfect spot to stop and enjoy the full view of this stunning mountain town. It looks across to the Breckenridge Ski Resort and looks down on the cute, historical town. This is an outstanding spot to let your photography skill shine.

Disc Golf

Never played Disc Golf before? Well, Summit County is a great place to try it out! Disc Golf is an excellent way to get outdoors for free, get your steps in, and most importantly, have a good time. Different shops around Summit County sell used, or new frisbees for any type of throw and level. The two main courses in Summit County are the Frisco Adventure Park and the Dillon Disc Golf Course. Both are huge, 18-hole courses, which makes it easy to socially distance and enjoy a few hours of fun. Unlike Golf, Disc Golf is a free activity in Summit, other than the cost of buying a frisbee. Thus, it is a care-free activity for beginners and is welcoming to the learning crowd.  

Overall, there are a lot of activities that locals and tourists can enjoy that adhere to the necessary guidelines of social distancing. Getting outdoors is an easy, fresh, and fun way to enjoy tons of different activities this summer!