Visiting Silverthorne and Summit County without a car can be easy, worry free and is a great way to help the environment by reducing emissions. A bonus is being able to relax and enjoy the incredible scenery while skipping the traffic as you travel west from Denver or east from nearby Eagle County.

Getting Here

A variety of shuttle providers can give you a door-to-door ride to Exit 205 in Summit County from Denver International or Eagle-Vail Airport. Grab a ride from  Summit Express, Peak 1 Express or Epic Mountain Express. If you are coming from downtown Denver, use transit options such as Bustang or Pegasus, which can take you from Denver Union Station or the Federal Center to Frisco.

Want to try carpooling? Use TreadShare, a carpool app that connects drivers and passengers heading in the same direction in Colorado so they can share a route and split the associated costs.

Pro tip: Use GoI70’s travel forecast to help plan the best time to travel to avoid traffic!

Getting Around Silverthorne

Once you arrive in Silverthorne transportation options abound. To connect to nearby ski resorts, trailheads, shops, restaurants, key attractions, and event venues, the Summit Stage offers free and frequent service day and night throughout Summit County. 

Gearing Up for Your Visit

Plan Ahead and Prepare to enjoy your car-free visit to Exit 205. To simplify your packing while still being prepared for a visit full of adventure, focus on bringing your favorite hiking shoes or boots and clothing layers for the season and then rent gear once you are in the local area to make traveling easier. For camping, backpacking and hiking  gear, the Dillon REI can set you up with everything you need for a wilderness adventure. For bike, ski and snowboard rentals for the entire family – options abound: 

• Gore Range Sports
• Pioneer Sports
• Blue Valley Ski & Board Rentals 
• Wild Ernest Sports 
• Mountain Sports Outlet

These local shops have everything you need - from the perfect skis and boards to use at a resort to backcountry setups to cross country ski and snowshoe rentals. Plus, in the summer months you can find a variety of bikes, suitable for nearby bike paths, mountain bike trails, or even an electric bike!

Hitting the Trail

Summit County maintains approximately 45 miles of natural surface trails and 40 miles of dirt roads. Many trails are accessible for walkers, hikers and mountain bikes. For detailed trail information visit the Dillon Ranger District website. 

Hop on the Summit Stage to reach the Salt Lick Trail (Wildernest Loop) or the Willowbrook Trailhead (Silverthorne Loop, Trent Park Stop) for easy access to stunning vistas.

For a more leisurely stroll, or a bike ride, the Blue River Trail in Silverthorne provides access to restaurants, shops and nearby hotels, and is relatively flat, making it perfect for families. 

If you are looking to explore the area by pedal power, all Summit Stage buses are equipped with bicycle racks from May through October. 

Out and About in Silverthorne

Visitors to Silverthorne may think of the town mostly for outdoor pursuits, but the town is emerging as a vibrant and creative cultural hub where world-class actors and musicians mingle with local artisans, entrepreneurs, and creative professionals. The Silverthorne Performing Arts Center serves as a year-round hub for arts and cultural events. Visiting on a Friday? Silverthorne’s First Fridays brings locals and visitors together to enjoy performances and seasonal cultural celebrations.

Hop on the Summit Stage and head to the Outlets at Silverthorne to browse name-brand outlet stores as well as local artisanal shops. Keep an eye out for public arts displays as you explore the area. 

After a day of exploration and adventure,  enjoy dinner at one of the area's many new restaurants before catching a show at TheatreSilCo, located at the Silverthorne Performing Arts Center. 

For more information on planning your car-free visit to Silverthorne - Silverthorne Visitors Guide or check out Exit 205 Magazine.

Know Before You Go

• Our state and federal agencies manage 42 percent of Colorado’s majestic landscape, and our cities and counties maintain even more. Learn about and respect the spaces we all share.
• Stay back from the pack. Find your way to less-visited and off-peak destinations to minimize down time and maximize your connection with special places.
• Bring along reusable water bottles or hot drink tumblers to limit waste and stay hydrated in our dry climate.
• Check conditions where you plan to visit. In Colorado, even late spring can bring snowstorms, so be aware of the latest news for weather and snow, as well as for road and trail closures.

Stick to Trails

• With thousands of trails and campsites, there’s no need to venture beyond. By sticking to these areas and camping at least 200 feet from lakes, rivers and streams, you’re helping natural areas stay natural.
• Even though shortcuts can be tempting, please don’t take them. A few extra strides on the path will protect plants and the homes of the true locals.
• Melting snow and rain leave trails and vegetation more open to damage. Be sure to stick to trails and walk in the middle of the trail — even if it's wet, muddy, slushy or icy — to avoid erosion and damage to trailside plants.
• Make sure to wear sturdy footwear — like insulated, waterproof hiking boots — so you can always stick to the trail, particularly in spring and early summer when trails are more likely to be wet and muddy from melting snow. 

Leave It As You Find It

• Leave plants, rocks and historical items as you find them so others experience the joy of discovery.
• Any of our more than 2,000 different species of wildflowers will live forever in a photo. Snap away, but only with a camera.
• Colorado is beautiful all on its own. Building structures or campsites on public land isn’t cool. Keep it pristine for everyone to enjoy.
• Treat all living things with respect. Carving or hacking plants and trees may kill or disfigure them.

Trash the Trash

• Pack it in, pack it out. Or pick it up to leave a place better than you found it. Put litter, even crumbs, peels and cores in your nearest waste/recycling bin.
• Wash yourself, your dog or whatever else needs cleaning at least 200 feet from waterways, and use biodegradable soap. A bubble bath is no treat for fish.
• If you have to poo, walk at least 70 steps from trails, water and people. Dig a cat hole 6 inches deep, do your thing in the hole, cover it and pack out your TP. Or, use a wag bag (a disposable bag found in most outdoor stores) so you can pack out your waste.

Be Careful With Fire

• Colorado’s low humidity has perks, but can create dry, dangerous conditions. Keep campfires small and manageable to avoid sparking wildfires.
• When putting out a fire, water it until you can handle the embers. Never let a fire burn unattended.
• Use care when smoking in Colorado’s dry climate. Always put cigarettes out completely and don’t leave your butts behind.
• Always check for local fire restrictions.
• Regardless of the season, avoid making fires in areas where there is little or no dead and down wood, where fires may scar the landscape, or in parking lots and at trailheads.

Keep Wildlife Wild 

• Colorado is home to tens of thousands of furry, scaly and feathered creatures. To keep them — and you — safe, don’t approach them.
• Do not feed wildlife no matter how hungry you think they might look.
• Keep your furry buddies leashed when enjoying dog-friendly trails, and pack out their waste. All the way to a trashcan.
• All wildlife, from squirrels to moose, have to work a lot harder to survive in winter. Observe all wildlife from a distance, and do not follow or pursue them. Fleeing forces them to burn energy they need to survive the colder months.
• Spring can be a particularly sensitive time for wildlife since many species are nesting, having their young or coming out of hibernation. Be sure to travel quietly and give all wildlife extra space during this time.

Share Our Trails & Parks

• Chances are you’re not out in nature to people watch, so try out the lesser-known paths and sites.
• Silence your cell phone before stepping into nature and speak softly without using the speaker function.
• Be considerate when passing others on the trails and yield to the uphill hiker and biker — they need the momentum.
• Listen to nature. Keep your voice and music soft so all can enjoy the peace of Colorado.
• Keep noise to a minimum when near others on the trail and let nature’s sounds prevail.

We take trash management and recycling seriously.  Recycling and waste containers are located almost everywhere and we need your help to keep Exit 205 (and all natural areas) clean and free from litter.  No container nearby? Check out High Country Conservation Center our local gurus on all things recycling for where to drop off your items.

If we all do our part, we can protect area wildlife and their habitat; keeping nearby streams, rivers, lakes and forests beautiful for all to enjoy!

• Pack it in, pack it out. Or pick it up to leave a place better than you found it. Take litter, even crumbs, peels and cores with you, until you can dispose of them in the proper waste/recycling bins.
• Bring along reusable water bottles or hot drink tumblers to limit waste and stay hydrated in our dry climate.
• If you have to poo, walk at least 70 steps from trails, water and people. Dig a cat hole 6 inches deep, do your thing in the hole, cover it and pack out your TP. Or, use a wag bag (a disposable bag found in most outdoor stores) so you can pack out your waste. This goes for your furry friends as well- please pack out their waste.

We have something for everyone! From skiing to hiking to camping to mountain biking, there are experiences for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts or those who are new to a recreational pursuit. 

Looking to level it up…we have plenty of experts and local knowledge to help you recreate safely and have the time of your life! Check out the Activities & Adventures section of our website to change up your adventure and recreate responsibly.

• Stay back from the pack. Find your way to less-visited and off-peak destinations to minimize downtime and maximize your connection with special places.
• Check conditions where you plan to visit. In Colorado, even late spring can bring snowstorms, so be sure to check latest weather conditions, as well as road and trail closures.

Hiking 

• Green: Lily Pad Lake 
• Blue: Angler Mountain Trail 
• Black: Ptarmigan Peak Trail

Visit our hiking page for more area hikes. 

Mountain Biking 

• Green: Salt Lick Trail System
• Blue: Oro Grande and Tenderfoot Mountain trail system in nearby Dillon
• Black: Tenderfoot Mountain

Road Biking

• Green: Blue River Trail
• Blue: Summit County Recpath
• Black: Silverthorne to Ute Pass

Visit our biking page for more information on these rides. 

Paddleboarding 

• Green: North Pond Park 
• Blue: Lake Dillon 
• Black: Book a guided float trip down the Colorado River with Colorado Adventure Guides 

Fishing 

• Green: North Pond Park
• Blue: Guided day on the Blue River
• Black: Guided float trip on the Colorado River

Visit The Colorado Angler or Cutthroat Anglers for a guided fly-fishing trip in town along the Blue River or out on the Colorado River.