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North Sterling State Park
North Sterling State Park in Sterling.

North Sterling State Park – Sterling

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North Sterling State Park, nestled within the high plains in Northeast Colorado, encompasses 5,700 acres of grasslands and water. It’s centered around North Sterling Reservoir, which is nearly 3,000 surface acres when full. The park is located about 30 minutes north of town and is a premier place to boat and fish in northeastern Colorado.

There’s a lot to do in this oasis in the desert, including biking, birding, boating, fishing, hiking, hunting, and horseback riding. Due to its location, North Sterling gets a lot of wind and afternoon thunderstorms in the spring.

North Sterling State Park Entrance
The park charges an entry fee per vehicle or an annual pass.

There are 3 campgrounds and 141 campsites, most with electric hookup, some basic. They charge for either electric or basic campsites, all of which have picnic tables, fire pits, and shade shelters. A plus to camping at the park is the camper services building, which has 24/7 restrooms, showers, laundry, and water faucets.

Activities at North Sterling Reservoir

North Sterling Reservoir
North Sterling Reservoir.

Biking: The South Shoreline Trail ​is a 3.5-mile prairie trail along the reservoir.

Boating: The park is centered around the 3,000 acres, 74,590 volume (acre-feet) North Sterling Reservoir. There are 2 boat ramps open to motorboats, jet skis, water skiing, and sailboarding. The reservoir is closed to boating from October 1st through April 15th.

Camping: There are 2 lakeside campgrounds with 141 sites open year-round, one of which is on a hillside overlooking the lake. There are fees for basic and electric sites as well as coin-operated showers and laundry services located in 2 camper buildings. Reservations can be made online in advance.

Read about the camping near Sterling and North Sterling Reservoir.

Fishing: The reservoir is a great place to catch bass, channel catfish, pike, trout, walleye, wiper bass, yellow perch. The reservoir has several access points:

  • Darby Arm – Stellar for catching wiper, walleye, and channel catfish
  • Cunningham Arm – Head to Goose Island and Rookery Point for walleye
  • Trolling Along the Dam – Great for wiper, crappie, bluegill, and yellow perch

Hiking: Enjoy peace, quiet, and wildlife on these non-motorized trails.

  • Balanced Rock Trail – 1250 feet (round-trip)
  • Sunset Point Trail Loop – 0.2 miles (round-trip)
  • Inlet Triangle Loop – 1 mile (round trip)
  • Dam Pedestrian Path – 1 mile (one way
  • South Shoreline Trail – 3.1 miles (one way)

Horseback Riding: Allowed on South Shoreline Trail, south of the Inlet Canal. There are no stable or horses for rent.

Hunting: Waterfowl, small game, mule deer hunting in fall and early winter is allowed in designated areas from the Tuesday after Labor Day to the Thursday before Memorial Day. Only shotgun and bowhunting are permitted.

Picnicking: 38 picnic sites and two reservable group campgrounds.

Swimming: During the summer season, visitors can swim at Cottonwood Cove Swim Beach. A pavilion, playground, and picnic areas are also nearby and pets aren’t allowed on the beach.

Winter Recreation: Camping, hunting, hiking, and wildlife watching. Ice fishing may be available, conditions permitting.

Visitor Center: Provides free equipment rentals including life jackets, family activity backpacks with binoculars, field guides, and a GPS for geocaching. Firewood, bagged ice, fishing supplies, soda, and other supplies are for sale. Additionally, the visitor center provides information about the park as well as having exhibits and a gift shop.

Two other Northeast Colorado attractions include the Pawnee National Grassland and Prewitt Reservoir.

North Sterling Reservoir Dam
The dam discharge.
North Sterling State Park Creek
More dam discharge.
North Sterling State Park Visitor Center
The Visitor Center has info and a few exhibits.
North Sterling State Park Map
Amenities map.
North Sterling State Park Elks Campground
Elks Campground.
North Sterling State Park Camper Services Building
Elks Campground – Camper Services Building.
North Sterling State Park Picnic Area
A scenic picnic area.
North Sterling State Park
A balanced rock.
North Sterling Reservoir CO
North Sterling Reservoir is near 3,000 surface acres.
North Sterling State Park
Expansive views of the park and plains.
North Sterling State Park Lake Storm
Storm brewing over the lake.
North Sterling Reservoir Boat Dock
Boat ramp.
North Sterling State Park
Picnic table.
North Sterling State Park
Sunset over the lake.
North Sterling State Park
Swim beach and playground.
North Sterling State Park
Chimney View Campground is the top one, with no electric.
North Sterling Chimney View Campground
Chimney View campsite by North Sterling Reservoir.
North Sterling State Park
Looking down on the Inlet Grove Campground and lake.
North Sterling State Park
Tent pitched.
North Sterling State Park
The last of the sun sets.
North Sterling State Park
The next morning storms threatened again.
North Sterling State Park
Birds fly over the lake.
North Sterling State Park Marina
Marina.
North Sterling State Park Visitor Center
Visitor Center.
North Sterling State Park Elks Campground
Elks Campground, North Sterling State Park.
North Sterling State Park
Park offers expansive views of the plains.
North Sterling State Park Dam Discharge
Dam discharge.
North Sterling State Park Picnic Area
Picnic area.
North Sterling State Park Telescope
Telescope.
North Sterling State Park Lake Dock
Dock.
North Sterling State Park Swim Beach Playground
Swim Beach and playground.
North Sterling State Park Inlet Grove Campground
Inlet Grove Campground, North Sterling State Park.
North Sterling State Park Footbridge
Footbridge.
North Sterling State Park South Shoreline Trail
South Shoreline Trail.
North Sterling State Park Lake Shore
Treelined shore.
North Sterling State Park Lake Sunset
North Sterling State Park Chimney View Campground
Chimney View Campground.
North Sterling State Park Reservoir
Chimney View Campground view.
North Sterling State Park Reservoir
Evening at the reservoir.
North Sterling State Park Chimney View Campground
Chimney View campsite, North Sterling State Park.

Details

Address: 24005 County Rd 330, Sterling, CO

Phone: 970-522-3657

Season: Year-round

Hours: 24 hours (for camping) | Day-use areas closed 6 am – 10 pm

Pets: Yes, on leash

Fees: Vehicle (per day) | Camping

Maps: (PDF)

  • North Sterling
  • Elks Campground
  • Chimney View and Inlet Grove Campgrounds

Campground: Reservations

Website: cpw.state.co.us/…

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