Sapphire Point Overlook

By denver-gazette August 12, 2016 | updated 10 years ago

Sapphire Point Overlook. Photo Credit: Ben Duetsch – OutThere Colorado.

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Things To Do

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Sapphire Point Overlook is a stonewall-lined viewpoint along the 0.6-mile Sapphire Point Trail. It sits right above Dillon Reservoir in Summit County and White River National Forest. The 9,500-foot-high overlook offers spectacular views across the lake to the jagged crest of the Tenmile and Gore ranges and the town of Frisco. Access the overlook from a large parking lot on the west side of Swan Mountain Road about halfway between Breckenridge and Keystone. A vault toilet is at the trailhead. The best time to visit the overlook is at sunrise when alpenglow paints the mountains red. Sapphire Point Overlook is the most popular spot in Summit County for a wedding with a view.

Pro Tips

Reach Sapphire Point Overlook from Interstate 70 by taking Exit 203. Turn east on U.S. 6 and drive about four miles to Swan Mountain Road. Turn right or south and follow the road for almost three miles to the overlook parking lot on the right or west side of the road.

Sapphire Point Overlook is the only designated area in the Dillon Ranger District where wedding ceremonies are allowed. The day-use overlook can be reserved for a two-hour block for a wedding or other private gathering. The site accommodates up to 35 people for small events. The use of portable chairs and tables are allowed but commercial services, including catering or the delivery of items, is prohibited. Other overlook visitors and hikers can use the area during the event.

Dillon Reservoir is a 2,233-acre lake with a 26.8-mile-long shoreline that stores water for Denver. The lake offers motorboating, sailing, canoeing, and boardsailing with a full wet suit. No body contact sports are allowed, including waterskiing, jetskiing, swimming, or scuba diving. Lake and stream fishing are great, including the Blue River, a designated Gold Medal Water, below the dam. Ice fishing is popular in winter.

The Dillon Reservoir area has 344 campsites for tents, campers, trailers, and RVs. Prospector Campground, a 105-site Forest Service campground, lies north of Sapphire Point. Vault toilets, water, picnic tables, and fire rings are available. The campground is on a hill above the lake, making it convenient for shore fishing. Make reservations at recreation.gov.

Recommended season(s): Year-round.

—Stewart M. Green

Tags Things To Do - Breckenridge Things To Do - Summit County

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