If there’s one thing Summit County is chock-full of, it’s picnic sites.

It can be as simple as laying down a blanket and enjoying some snacks alongside the Blue River as it rushes through Silverthorne or Breckenridge, or thrill-seekers can use a picnic as a way to take in the sweeping views of a high-Alpine environment while slogging up one of the county’s many trails. With lakes scattered across the region, you can even combine basking in the sun, paddling on the water and enjoying treats back on the shoreline for a full day of fun. 

It’s a great way to switch it up or take a rest after an action-packed agenda while recreating in nature.

It’s all about location

White River National Forest district ranger Adam Bianchi said areas surrounding the Dillon Reservoir are full of fan-favorite picnic sites. With 26 miles of shoreline surrounding the ice-cold water, there’s numerous places to set up shop whether you’re looking to have the fanciest or easiest picnic. 

The best part about spots along the reservoir is that many have offer both convenient parking and plenty of picnic tables. 

For those looking for something that still gives the feeling of being outdoors but feels a little more tucked away, Bianchi recommends the Giberson Bay Day Use Area near Frisco along the reservoir. Bianchi said a handful of spots at this site are secluded and can serve as private little areas along the water. 

Giberson Bay is a popular spot where parking can fill up quickly, but, according to Bianchi, a second parking opportunity nearby provides additional spaces for those looking to put down a blanket.

Just across the way from Giberson Bay is another stunning picnic spot and one that’s particularly great for families, according to Bianchi. Accessed via Dillon Dam Reservoir Trail, he said there are locations with stunning views that are easily accessible. Here, people can get close to a bird’s eye view that can be found after a short hike that Bianchi said even the youngest members of the family should be able to handle. 

He also pointed to the Dickey Day Use Area near Frisco as another well-loved spot that is along a peninsula that reaches into the Dillon Reservoir.  

“This is a great spot that has access to the Perimeter Trail and other trails that you can hike around and also have access to the water,” Bianchi said. 

Heaton Bay Picnic Area between Frisco and Dillon is another gem in the Dillon Ranger District territory that offers stunning lake views, Bianchi said. If a group has members that will likely have trouble sitting still, he said areas by the reservoir are often a great choice. Many of the picnic spots along the water have publicly accessible shoreline areas where people can launch stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and canoes.

For a true bird’s eye view, Bianchi recommends checking out spots at Sapphire Point Overlook on Swan Mountain Road.

He said the overlook point itself may be reserved for a wedding since its a popular area, but there’s plenty of spots to set up a picnic, many of which have tables. 

“There’s some short trails up there that are relatively flat, pretty accessible, easy loops for hikers. … That’s another great one,” Bianchi said. 

Dillon Reservoir isn’t the only body of water in Summit County with prime picnic spots. Bianchi said the north side of the county near the town of Heeney, which is home to Green Mountain Reservoir, also has some awesome places to set up some snacks, drinks and treats. 

The Big Green Day Use Area is a site similar to those found around the Dillon Reservoir, where recreationists can both picnic and launch a kayak. McDonald Flats campground is yet another option in that area where you can have a similar experience. The northern side of the county is also home to Cataract Creek, which Bianchi said has a great waterfall, tables and even bathrooms.

Unlike the Dillon Reservoir, the Green Mountain Reservoir allows water sports that include a motor, such as wakeboarding or water skiing. 

This area also has more bears than Dillon Reservoir, so following leave no trace guidelines and carrying out anything that is brought in is paramount. 

Bianchi said the Forest Service aims each year to have many of these sites open near Memorial Day and closed by November at the latest. 

Tips for how to have a great picnic

Picnicking can take so many forms, from as fancy as champagne and a charcuterie board featuring artisan cheeses, to as simple as fruit snacks and juice boxes. Either way, there are a few essentials that are needed for any picnic, no matter how extravagant.

Owners of Rocky Mountain Picnic Company Jessica Hart and Gabby Hart, unrelated best friends with the same last name, based their whole business around picnicking in Summit County.  They said there’s really no wrong way to picnic, but there are some items that are always great to have with you.

“First of all, you want it to be comfortable, so blankets and even pillows are good to bring,” Gabby said, noting these are especially good to have if you are out around sunset. 

She said if you are picnicking out in the sun, sunscreen or even an umbrella are always smart to bring.

Jessica and Gabby said that something to elevate a picnic that can slip people’s mind to pack is outside games to play. Bringing a speaker on a picnic is also never a bad idea, they said.

“If it’s a sunset, maybe it would be nice to have some candles and stuff like that to really bring up the ambiance,” Jessica said. 

Jessica and Gabby’s business aims to take thinking and planning out of picnicking for their customers. Rocky Mountain Picnic Company offers packages that people can rent for a few hours with picnic essentials such as a speaker, sunscreen, pillows and more. The company does a contactless set up and clean up alongside having a variety of add-ons to help people elevate their experience.

No matter how fancy or laid-back the picnic is, Jessica and Gabby said the experience of picnicking itself is invaluable. 

“We’re lucky here just because of the backdrops you can pretty much get anywhere,” Gabby said. “Being outside and being with good company, it’s just truly a once-in-a-lifetime type of experience.”

This story previously published in the summer 2024 edition of Explore Summit magazine.