Parks and Recreation Areas

Summit County is perched in a 9,000-foot-high park (a wide valley surrounded by peaks) with Lake Dillon at its recreational heart.

Arapaho National Forest. The wild Gore Range northwest of Lake Dillon is protected within the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area, administered by the Arapaho National Forest. As in all wilderness areas in Colorado, motorized or mechanized vehicles (forestry-speak for mountain bikes) are prohibited. You can tackle the backcountry peaks on your own two feet or on horseback. 970/295-6600. www.fs.fed.us.

White River National Forest. White River National Forest 970/945-2521. www.fs.usda.gov/whiteriver.

The Blue River, which bisects the county south to north and is the lifeblood of Lake Dillon, has gold-medal fishing beginning below Lake Dillon to the Green Mountain Reservoir.