Frisco

Frisco is a quintessential Colorado mountain town perched between mountains and a lake at 9,097 feet in elevation and just 90 minutes from Denver International Airport.

Frisco’s history began with the Ute people, Colorado’s first and longest remaining inhabitants of the region now known as Summit County. The first white settlers to come through this area were known as “mountain men” who trapped beaver for their fur in the high-mountain lakes from 1810 into the 1840s. The 1870s ushered in the mining industry, and Frisco was founded in 1873 thanks in part to the locale’s many mines. Today’s residents and visitors still find inspiration in the area’s natural resources and the hundreds of acres of public land that surround the town.

Things to Do in Frisco, Colorado

Frisco is uniquely situated within 30 minutes of six world-class ski resorts, including Copper Mountain (seven minutes), Breckenridge Ski Resort (15 minutes), Keystone Resort (20 minutes), Loveland Ski Area (20 minutes), Arapahoe Basin (25 minutes) and Vail Mountain (30 minutes). Throw in a charming Main Street lined with locally owned shops and restaurants, and you have a unique “resortless resort town,” which has the good fortune of sitting in the midst of mountains and on the shores of the 26-acre Dillon Reservoir while still retaining its small-town appeal. In other words, it’s the ideal spot to set up base camp, whether for a winter vacation on the snow or a summer adventure on the trails and water.

During the winter, just minutes from Main Street, the Frisco Adventure Park offers a lift-assisted tubing hill, beginner ski/ride hill, Nordic center with cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails and horse-drawn sleigh rides. After the snow melts at the Adventure Park, chuck wagon rides, camping, a free skate park, a bike park and a 27-hole disc-golf course emerge for the summer.

The Frisco Bay Marina, at the eastern end of Frisco’s Main Street, offers all of the parts for “summer lake life,” from pontoon boat and stand-up paddleboard rentals to fishing and sailing. The opportunities for summer activities like hiking and mountain biking are boundless, as Frisco is surrounded by public lands with easy access to trailheads from all corners of town. Frisco is also the area’s hub for 55 miles of paved recreation paths, which are ideal for road biking, running, walking and even longboarding.  

Frisco Events

Frisco hosts more than 75 events every year, including Frisco’s Fabulous 4th of July celebration, complete with a parade, live music and a fishing derby. Concerts in the Park, held on Thursday evenings in the summer at the Frisco Historic Park, inspire dancing and picnics.

And of course, Frisco embraces its passion for outdoor recreation by holding events like the Frisco Triathlon (complete with a stand-up paddleboard leg), the Mountain Goat Kids’ Trail Running Series, the Turkey Day 5k and Frisco BrewSki, a costumed beer festival on cross-country skis or snowshoes.

Frisco throws out the welcome mat in early December, when more than 50 businesses serve up free samples of their own special brew of hot spiced cider during Wassail Days to usher in winter and the holidays. And Frisco doesn’t forget about its canine citizens and visitors, no matter the time of year. Dogs are welcome at almost every Frisco event, and a few events are even planned around the town’s beloved furry friends, like the Frisco Mardi Gras 4Paws dog parade and the L.A.P.S. K94K Run + Walk in summer.

Lodging & Hotels in Frisco, Colorado

Frisco boasts a range of lodging from traditional hotel rooms to houses that can host the entire family. Also, camping is available in the summer just a stone’s throw from Frisco Main Street, either in developed sites near Dillon Reservoir or in dispersed camping areas near some of Frisco’s most popular trailheads. Wherever you rest your tired head after a day of adventure, you’ll find a walkable town with loads of charm and big-town amenities in a small-town package. Find more Frisco hotels.