Prospector
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.
More like this: reservable in Colorado · big rigs in Colorado · pets allowed in Colorado · dark sky in Colorado
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 106 |
| Host/management | 1 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 70 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
106 sites in 5 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | A | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | 10 / 1 | Yes |
| 002 | A | Pull-through | 35 | Gravel | 10 / 1 | Yes |
| 003 | A | Back-in | 26 | Gravel | 10 / 1 | Yes |
| 004 | A | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | 10 / 1 | Yes |
| 005 | A | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | 10 / 1 | Yes |
| 006 | A | Pull-through | 45 | Gravel | 10 / 1 | Yes |
| 007 | A | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | 10 / 1 | Yes |
| 008 | A | Back-in | 32 | Gravel | 10 / 1 | Yes |
| 009 | A | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | 10 / 1 | Yes |
| 010 | A | Pull-through | 40 | Gravel | 10 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | None |
| Max vehicle length | 70 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Dark sky | 3.4 miles from Frisco, Colorado, a certified International Dark Sky Community |
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.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Forest | White River National Forest |
| Rules | Boat inspections are required to prevent the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS). |
Weather by month
Getting there
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.
| Nearest town | Silverthorne, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 39.5958° N, 106.0344° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedHarris Park Broadcast Rx
29 mi from the campground · 390 acres
- WildfireWillow
33 mi from the campground · 7,359 acres · 92% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | REI ↗ | 2.6 mi |
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 29.8 mi |
| RV sales & service | RV sales & service ↗ | 45.7 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Campground Review: Prospector Campground
Worth a stop
Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, and Copper Mountain ski resorts are all located within 10 miles from Dillon Reservoir. These resorts stay open year round.
- 5.2 mi
- 9.5 miLoveland Pass Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 12.1 miHerman Gulch Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.1 miProspector Bouldering0.7 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.2 miWindy Point1.8 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.5 miSwan Mtn Bike Path1.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, e-bike
- 0.6 miBusted Axel0.2 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
- 0.7 miSapphire Point Trail0.6 mi trail · hiking
- 1.2 miSoda Creek3.6 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike
Trailheads within three miles
- 2.3 miOld Dillon Reservoir TH #87 ↗White River National Forest
- 2.4 miDickey Day Use Area ↗White River National Forest
- 2.9 miPtarmigan Peak TH #35 ↗White River National Forest
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Ptarmigan Peak Wilderness begins about 5.1 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 5.1 miPtarmigan Peak Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 12,615 acres
- 6.3 miEagles Nest Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 135,104 acres
- 10.7 miWhite River National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,482,711 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
Historic landmarks nearby
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.
Guidebooks for Colorado
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Prospector?
Sites at Prospector are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Prospector?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 11:00 AM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Prospector have?
107 sites, including 106 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Prospector?
The longest site here provides 70 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Are pets allowed at Prospector?
Yes, pets are allowed at Prospector. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Prospector?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 2 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. Boat inspections are required to prevent the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS).
Source: Fire nearby
Is Prospector good for stargazing?
Frisco, Colorado, a certified International Dark Sky Community, is 3.4 miles away. Skies that dark carry for miles; a moonless night here should show the Milky Way.
Source: DarkSky International
Is there cell service at Prospector?
FCC coverage maps show Verizon 5G, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.
Source: FCC Broadband Map
What is there to do at Prospector?
Dillon Reservoir, often referred to as Lake Dillon, is the greatest draw to this campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What is the nearest town to Prospector?
Silverthorne, Colorado. Arapahoe Basin, Keystone, Breckenridge, and Copper Mountain ski resorts are all located within 10 miles from Dillon Reservoir.
Source: Getting there
What if Prospector is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Lowry Campground (0.2 mi, partly first-come), Windy Point Group (1 mi), and Pine Cove Campground (1.9 mi, first-come).
Source: Campgrounds nearby