This large, spacious reservoir on the high plains draws locals and tourists alike from May through September and waterfowl hunters during the hunting season. North Sterling State Park is a gateway to fun and relaxation. Elks Campground is open year-round.
A boater's paradise, this large irrigation reservoir offers great coves and fingers to explore during the spring and summer months. Anglers, boaters and water skiers enjoy the water all day, while land lovers hike, bike, or picnic. For more information, click on a link to the left to learn more about summer (and fall, winter, and spring) fun at North Sterling State Park.
Have You Seen What's New?
North Sterling is continuously working on updating and improving the information and activities available on this website. In the last month, we've added three fantastic
Trail Maps detailing the trails and nearby amenities on the park (created by one of our excellent park volunteers!). We've also revised the
Nature page, added fun games, and uploaded the complete and updated
Bird Species Checklist for the park. In the last two years, we've rewritten the
Camping,
Boating, and
Fishing pages to include more complete and updated information, and we've added the
Hunting and
Family Activities pages, plus the new
Park Bingo game that you can print out at home and bring along to play during your trip!
Check out each individual page for more information, or jump right to the
Publications page for all the printable maps, brochures, games, and activities that we currently have to offer. You'll be able to find out:
- WHO caught the biggest and best fish this year
- WHAT you can borrow for FREE at the Visitor Center
- WHERE to find a quiet cove or two to beach your boat and picnic on shore
- WHEN you can start making reservations for your favorite campsite
- WHY it's so hard to spot critters on the prairie
- HOW to earn a FREE Annual Pass to all 42 Colorado State Parks!
Is there something you'd like to see on the webpage, or do you have an idea for a fun game or activity?
Let us know! And keep an eye out for more games, changes, and updates to come!
Eagle and Hawk Information:
North Sterling carefully monitors the activity of hawks and eagles in the vicinity of the park. For the most current information on eagle and hawk sightings, check the "Birding" section of the
Park Activities page. Also, check out the
May 2011 news story by MSNBC on the eagles nesting at North Sterling! (External link)
Please Note:
North Sterling State Park does not currently have a marina concession. The Visitor Center has many items available for purchase, including shirts, jackets, and windbreakers, as well as firewood, bottled water, sodas, bagged ice, bait (seasonally) and other supplies. General camping supplies, gasoline, and fishing licenses need to be purchased before coming to the park. Questions? Call 970-522-3657.
The Unique Prairie Experience
Hunters in the Sky and Down Below
Broad, golden grasslands stretch out in all directions from North Sterling Reservoir, bordered by majestic bluffs to the north, farm and ranchlands to the east, and clear blue skies above.
Come sit by a warm campfire, gazing at the bright stars above, while the coyotes sing thier nightly song in the distance!
Fall brings the seasonal migration of hawks and eagles to the Sterling area. While some are just passing through, others settle down for the winter where the game is plentiful. Early morning is the best time for wildlife watching.
Human hunters will find excellent waterfowl hunting on the reservoir - check out our new Hunting webpage under Park Activities!