Jackson Lake State Park - Orchard, CO

Jackson Lake offers exceptional recreation opportunities in the Great Plains. The 2,700-acre Jackson Reservoir is the center of the park, which is located in the northeast corner of the state and is an oasis in Northeast Colorado’s high desert.

A popular state park to escape to in the summer, the lake is open to boating and fishing. A variety of lakeside campsites are available as well as picnic areas and multi-use trails. There is also a visitor center open daily with exhibits and a small gift shop.

Activities at Jackson Lake

Jackson Lake State Park Welcome Sign — Welcome to Jackson Lake State Park.

Biking and Hiking: Designated trails and park roads. The Prairie Wetland Nature Trail is a scenic 1/4-mile trail.

Boating: Motorboats, jet skiing, water skiing, and sailboarding are all popular activities at the lake. The Shoreline Marina has boat rentals. 2,700 surface acre reservoir when full.

Kayaking at Jackston Lake State Park, CO — Kayaking at Jackson Lake State Park, CO. Photo: Adam Zolyak

Camping: There are 251 campground sites open year-round around the lake. There are nightly fees for both non-electric and electric sites, with shower and laundry available in the camper services building. Each campsite allows 1 hard-side unit + 1 tent or 2 tents and reservations can be made in advance.

Read about the camping near Fort Morgan and Jackson Lake.

Jackson Lake State Park Lakeside Camping Colorado Panorama — Lakeside camping by Jackson Lake panorama. Photo by: Adam Zolyak

Fishing: Bait, lure, and fly fishing are all permitted at the lake as well as ice fishing in the winter. Fish species include catfish, crappie, perch, rainbow trout, saugeye, walleye, and wipers. Northern pike and large and small-mouth bass are also present.

More fishing and wakeless boating can be found at Prewitt Reservoir, about an hour east.

Geocaching: There are 2 geocache sites known as “5 O’Clock Somewhere” and “Centennial”. The visitor center has GPS coordinates.

Hunting: Waterfowl, upland bird, pheasant, and archery deer hunting is allowed during the season. There are designated areas for using a shotgun with birdshot or archery.

OHV Riding: An OHV track is open year-round from 8 am to sunset. OHVs are not permitted on parks’ roads, campgrounds, or on local roads.

Picnicking: A variety of picnic sites are located around the lake on a first-come, first-served basis. The Centennial Group Picnic Area can accommodate up to 100 people and is reserved through the park.

Winter Recreation: Camping, ice fishing, ice skating, hunting.

Another northeast attraction, the Pawnee National Grassland, is located about an hour north.