This Colorado Lakeside Marina Sits Along Lake Dillon Featuring One Of America’s Highest-Elevation Lighthouses
A lighthouse sits 9,017 feet above sea level, and it still lights up for passing boats. No ocean.
No salty sailors. Just a white wooden tower with black trim, shining over a mountain lake in Colorado.
It’s the only recognized lighthouse in the entire state. It also holds the title of America’s highest-elevation lighthouse.
I love that someone looked at a reservoir ringed by peaks and decided it needed a beacon.
The tower stands 26 feet tall, and its lantern glows during boating season. Around it, you’ll find a beach, a lakeside grill, rental boats, and a park full of picnic spots.
I can’t imagine a better excuse to plan a mountain day trip.
So what else is happening at this lofty little harbor? Plenty, and some of it involves sand volleyball.
The Lighthouse That Laughs At Sea Level
Ocean lighthouses get all the postcards, but Frisco Bay Marina has one standing at 9,017 feet. That makes it America’s highest-elevation lighthouse, which is a fun thing to say out loud.
The whole structure rises 26 feet tall. Its tower is an 18-foot octagonal wooden build, painted white with crisp black trim.
Here’s the best part for history fans. The lighthouse is believed to have been built around the time Dillon Reservoir was completed in 1963, although its exact construction date is uncertain.
It’s also the only recognized lighthouse in Colorado. And no, it isn’t just decoration for your phone camera.
The lantern still works as a real navigational aid. It gets lit during boating season to help folks find their way back across the water.
You can visit the site and snap all the photos you want. The tower itself stays closed, so climbing to the top isn’t on the menu.
Honestly, that’s fine. The view of the lighthouse with mountains behind it is the real prize, and you get that from the ground.
A Mountain Lake Big Enough To Get Lost In (Politely)
Three thousand three hundred acres of water sit right outside the marina’s front door. Lake Dillon, also called Dillon Reservoir, is one of the most scenic high-alpine lakes in Colorado.
The shoreline stretches somewhere between 25 and 27 miles. Mountain peaks wrap around it on all sides, so every direction looks like a screensaver.
Fun fact time. The reservoir was completed in 1963 and is Denver Water’s largest reservoir.
Water from this lake travels through a tunnel under the Continental Divide. It ends up serving people across the Denver metro area, which is a pretty big job for a pretty lake.
Sailors take this place seriously too. Lake Dillon is known as a world-class sailing spot and hosts regular regattas.
Watching colorful sails zip across the water with snowy peaks behind them is a treat. You don’t need to know anything about sailing to enjoy that scene.
The elevation matches the lighthouse at 9,017 feet. So pace yourself, drink plenty of water, and pack sunscreen, because the mountain sun doesn’t mess around up here.
Grab A Paddle, A Pontoon, Or A Fishing Pole
Kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, pontoons, and fishing boats all show up on the rental list in a typical season. Even fishing poles are available, so forgetting your gear isn’t a dealbreaker.
Pontoon boats work well for groups who want to cruise and chat. Kayaks and paddleboards suit anyone who prefers a quieter, closer look at the water.
Not sure how to steer a sailboat? Frisco Bay Marina typically offers sailing lessons and sailing tours for curious beginners.
Guided fishing tours are part of the lineup too. So are kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding tours, which help newcomers learn the lake with an expert nearby.
A water taxi also operates from the marina. That’s a handy option when you’d rather ride than row.
One heads-up for planning. Because of drought and low water, the 2026 powerboat and paddle sport rentals ended early.
Keep an eye on the Town of Frisco’s updates before future visits. When the water cooperates, this dock turns into one of the busiest launch points for fun in the mountains.
Fish Tacos With A Side Of Mountain Views
Blackened fish tacos at nine thousand feet sound like a dare. At the Island Grill, they’re simply a regular menu item.
The restaurant sits right at the marina, next to the historic Lund House. It serves casual lunch and dinner with open-air decks facing the water.
Burgers also make the menu, which keeps picky eaters happy. Take-out is available if you’d rather eat on the beach or in the park.
Friday nights get a little extra spark in summer. Live music fills the air during the season, giving the lakefront a relaxed, festive mood.
The Island Grill usually runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. In 2026, it opened daily starting May 22 for the summer stretch.
Timing matters here, so plan your visit during those warm months. Show up in the off-season, and you’ll be packing your own sandwich.
Paddling, sunshine, and fresh air build up an appetite fast. Having tacos waiting a few steps from the dock feels like a very smart arrangement.
Sand Between Your Toes At Over Nine Thousand Feet
A beach in the Rockies sounds like a typo. Yet the marina has lakeside beach access, and it got even bigger after a 2019 project.
Right next door sits Marina Park. It has a playground for kids and picnic areas for anyone carrying snacks.
Families can easily spend a few hours here without a single boat ride. Kids burn off energy on the playground while grown-ups claim a sunny picnic spot.
Packing a lunch is a smart move outside of grill season. A blanket, some sandwiches, and that mountain backdrop make a pretty unbeatable combo.
Keep the water temperature in mind. The beach is ideal for relaxing and enjoying the mountain views, but swimming and other water-contact activities are prohibited in Dillon Reservoir.
The lighthouse stands close by too. That means your picnic comes with a view of America’s highest-elevation lighthouse, which beats most park benches.
Bring layers, since mountain weather can shift quickly. A sweatshirt in your bag might save the afternoon when the breeze picks up off Lake Dillon.
Spike, Celebrate, Repeat
Sand volleyball courts sit right by the water, and there’s even a league. Diving for a ball with mountains behind you feels a lot more epic than a gym floor.
Casual players can enjoy the courts too. Grab some friends, pick teams, and settle who really has the best serve.
Planning a party? Frisco Bay Marina rents out several spaces for events and gatherings.
The Lighthouse Lawn is one option, and yes, the name delivers exactly what it promises. The volleyball courts can be reserved as well.
Then there’s the Frisco Bay Landing Flex Space. It offers flexible indoor and outdoor room, plus tables, chairs, a kitchenette, and an outdoor patio.
That mix makes it handy for birthdays, reunions, or team gatherings. If the weather turns, you’ve got an indoor backup without leaving the lakefront.
Picture group photos with a lighthouse and mountain peaks in the frame. Okay, that’s a lot of pressure on whoever holds the camera, but the scenery does most of the work.
Boat Owners Get Their Own VIP Treatment
Owning a boat in the mountains takes planning, and this marina helps with the heavy lifting. Frisco Bay Marina offers seasonal slip rentals, mooring balls, and kayak rack storage.
Boat repair and maintenance services are available too. That’s a relief when your engine starts making noises it shouldn’t.
Here’s a point for nature lovers. The marina is a certified clean marina, which reflects its effort to protect the water.
An on-site retail shop sells merchandise. It’s a fine spot to pick up a souvenir that proves you visited a lighthouse in Colorado.
You’ll find everything at 267 Marina Road, Frisco, CO 80443. The Town of Frisco has managed the marina since 2005.
During the off-season, the office stays open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. That schedule runs from mid-September 2026 through May 2027.
Staff there can answer questions about slips, mooring balls, kayak racks, and shop purchases. It’s a good time to plan ahead before summer spots fill up.
The Year Somebody Picked Up The Lighthouse
In 2019, the lighthouse took a short vacation. Crews temporarily removed it during a major marina project known as the Big Dig.
That effort deepened the bay and enlarged the beach. Once the work wrapped up, the lighthouse returned to its spot by the water.
The marina’s story stretches much further back, though. Dillon Reservoir was completed in 1963, while the lighthouse’s exact construction date remains uncertain.
Think about that for a second. A mountain lake got a lighthouse almost as soon as the lake existed.
Next came a big management change. The Town of Frisco took over Frisco Bay Marina in 2005.
Since then, the marina has grown into a busy recreation hub. Rentals, tours, events, dining, and park space all share the same stretch of shoreline.
Next to the Island Grill stands the historic Lund House. It’s a nice reminder that this lakefront carries some local history beyond the boats.
Knowing the backstory makes a visit feel richer. That little tower has watched decades of sails pass by.
Smart Moves Before You Head To The Water
Mountain lakes rise and fall with the weather, and 2026 proved it. Ongoing drought brought low water levels to Lake Dillon that season.
As a result, the public boat ramp at Frisco Bay Marina stayed closed for all of 2026. Boat launching on the lake was directed to the Dillon Marina instead.
Marina slips and temporary docks were unavailable that season too. Those usually handle nightly, weekly, and monthly rentals.
So check the latest updates from the Town of Frisco before loading up the car. A quick look can save you from towing a boat to a closed ramp.
Low water doesn’t erase the fun completely. The beach, Marina Park, and the lighthouse grounds still give you reasons to stop by.
Summer remains the sweet spot for the full experience. That’s when the Island Grill opens, the lantern glows, and rentals usually run.
Arrive with flexible plans and plenty of sunscreen. Then enjoy one of Colorado’s most unusual sights, a lighthouse keeping watch over a lake high in the Rockies.