Great Weekend Getaways - Watery Adventures

Paddling Lake Dillon

By Eric Lindberg

If the idea of gliding by kayak or canoe across a mountain lake sounds appealing, then Lake Dillon may be the perfect place to wet your paddle. Cast off from the marina dock, aim beyond the anchored sailboats, and you're on your own, free to follow the breezes and your own whims.

“People come here because it's peaceful, and a relaxing way to spend the day,” says Christy Blohm, marina office manager. The marina rents both kayaks and canoes. “We get lots of first-timers, so we give them a few pointers before they push off.”

Whether exploring the rocky shoreline and piney islands or self-propelling into back bays where herons fish the shallows, take time to observe nature. Ospreys patrol overhead. Trout leap from the water and smack down with a splash. Each paddle stroke takes you further from life on land and closer to the calming rhythm of pull and glide.

Mornings are often still and perfect for paddling. Weather can change fast, especially on summer afternoons, and the marina won't rent watercraft if the sky turns ominous. But the season runs from around mid-May to mid-October, offering many calm boating days. Or as Blohm says, “We open when the ice melts, and we don't close until the snow comes.”

Getting there: Lake Dillon is approximately 70 miles west of Denver on I-70, exit 205. Frisco Bay Marina, 970-668-4334, www.friscobaymarina.com.

Please note: This article is from our archives and some facts may have changed. Please contact your nearest AAA office and ask to speak to a travel counselor to update you on the latest travel information.

Eric Lindberg is a Lakewood-based travel writer and photographer who has written for EnCompass on numerous occasions.