• Menu
  • Skip to right header navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Uncover Colorado Logo

  • Blog
  • Activities
    • Year-round
      • Brewery Tours
      • Casinos & Gaming
      • Colorado Brands
      • Federal Lands
      • Food & Dining
      • Ghost Towns
      • Gondola & Chairlifts
      • Hot Springs
      • Mine Tours
      • Museums
      • Paintball
      • Public Parks
      • Scenic Drives
      • Shopping
      • Sports Teams
      • State Parks
      • Train Rides
      • Transportation
      • Wildlife
      • Zip Lines & Aerial Parks
    • Spring, Summer & Fall
      • Amusement Parks
      • ATV Rentals
      • Biking
      • Boating
      • Camping
      • Drive-In Theaters
      • Fishing
      • Golf Courses
      • Hiking
      • Horseback Riding
      • Rock Climbing
      • Tubing & Paddling
      • Waterfalls
      • Whitewater Rafting
    • Winter
      • Cross Country Skiing
      • Dog Sledding
      • Ice Climbing
      • Ice Fishing
      • Ice Skating
      • Skiing & Snowboarding
      • Sleigh Rides
      • Snow Tubing
      • Snowmobiling
      • Snowshoeing
  • Events
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • August
    • September
    • October
    • November
    • December
  • Lodging
    • Budget Hotels
    • Historic Hotels
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Bed & Breakfasts
    • Cabins & Glamping
    • Casinos with Lodging
    • Dude Ranches
    • Hot Spring with Lodging
    • Wineries with Lodging
    • Campgrounds
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
  • Search
  • Blog
  • Activities
  • Events
  • Lodging
  • Towns
  • Trip Planner
North Sterling State Park
North Sterling State Park in Sterling.

North Sterling State Park – Sterling

2
SHARES
FacebookTwitter

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 โ€‹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.

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

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/…

Latest in North Sterling State Park

Sterling, Colorado

Top things to do in Sterling, Colorado

Sterling is one of the principal cities on Colorado’s eastern plains, located in the northeast corner.…

Top things to do in Sterling, ColoradoRead More

Chatfield State Park, Colorado

39 Top Colorado Campgrounds by Lakes

Coloradoโ€™s picturesque scenic landscape and proximity to an abundance of outdoor activities make camping here a…

39 Top Colorado Campgrounds by LakesRead More

Steamboat Lake State Park

The 34 Colorado State Parks with Campgrounds

Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) oversees 42 state parks, 34 of which you can camp out…

The 34 Colorado State Parks with CampgroundsRead More

Read more North Sterling State Park articles

Primary Sidebar

Join our Colorado travel community

Enter your email below and grab our free locals' guide and monthly what's up designed to help you live your Colorado life and uncover fun things to do. โ€”and never miss out again.

Recent Posts

  • Things to do in February in Colorado
  • 15 Summer County Fairs in Colorado
  • 20 Cool Colorado Winter Activities To Try
  • 5 Reasons to Visit Mesa Verde this Winter
  • The Top Events in Alamosa, Colorado

Footer

Get In Touch

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Resources
  • Disclaimer
Facebook Instagram Pinterest Twitter

Disclosure: Uncover Colorado is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Things To Do

  • Travel Blog
  • Colorado Activities
  • Colorado Events
  • Colorado Towns
  • Colorado Hotels
  • Colorado Restaurants
  • Colorado Transportation
  • Made in Colorado

Cheers! Mile High Happy Hour shares showcases Denver neighborhoods' restaurant happy hours.

Winter Activities

  • Federal Lands
  • Ghost Towns
  • Hot Springs
  • Ice Skating
  • Ski Resorts
  • Snow Tubing
  • State Parks
  • Train Rides

Copyright © 2023 ยท Uncover Colorado | Sitemap | Advertise