Facilities at North Sterling | Colorado State Parks

Facilities

Amphitheatre - 5/6/2012

Inlet Grove Amphitheatre is the place to be from May through Labor Day weekend in September for our Saturday Night Campfire Programs. It is located south of the dam, just down the path from the South Camper Services Building.

Boat Ramps - 5/6/2012

The reservoir is now open to boating for the summer! Beginning May 5th to May 24th the Elks Ramp will have inspectors available Friday to Sunday 8am to 6pm and Monday to Thursday 8am to 4pm. On May 5th the South Boat Ramp will open on weekends (Saturday and Sunday) only, with inspectors available 8am -6 pm. Beginning on May 25th both boat ramps will have the following staffing: Monday – Thursday 7am – 6 pm, and Friday – Sunday 7 am – 8pm. Outside of the inspection hours, boats are required to have valid preinspection documentation (seal and receipt) prior to launch.

Camper Services Building - 5/6/2012

The Elks Camper Services Building and South Camper Services Building, with coin-operated showers and flush restrooms, are both open for the summer 2012 season. Please see the Camping page for more details.

Campgrounds - 5/6/2012

Inlet Grove Campground, with 50-amp electrical hookups, is now open for the summer season. Elks Campground, with 30-amp electrical hookups, is open year-round. Please see the Camping page for more details.

Dump Station - 5/6/2012

North Sterling has two trailer dump stations for paid campsite users, one in each end of the park. The minimum camping fee will be charged for use of the dump stations by park users who are not camping.

Entrance Station - 5/6/2012

Park passes can be purchased year-round at the South Gate or Elks Gate. If there is no gate attendant, please use self-serve pass and permit envelopes and place your payment in the drop box nearby. Rangers regularly check the self-serve drop boxes, and fines range from $50 to over $200 for failure to purchase a park pass or falsifying a park pass. Passes can also be purchased at the Visitor Center located north of the dam inside the Elks entrance.

Group Campground - 5/6/2012

We have no designated group campground; however, reservations can be made for several campsites in close proximity. Check out the campground maps on line at www.colorado.gov/parks. Then, call 1-800-678-2267 outside the Denver area or (303) 470-1144 in the Denver area.

Group Picnic Area - 5/6/2012

New for 2011! Cottonwood Cove Picnic Pavilion at the Swim Beach can be reserved for up to 200 people, and offers picnic tables, electrical outlets, pedestal grills, lights, and flush restrooms, for $60 per day. (Restrooms, playground, and swim beach remain open to the public - pavilion only is reservable). Marina Point covered group picnic pavilion, north of the dam, can be reserved for up to 100 people, and offers electricity & two pedestal grills, for $30 per day. Call (970)522-3657 for more information or to reserve a date. Daily vehicle passes are $7.00.

Park Office - 5/6/2012

The Park Office/Visitor Center is located in the brick building north of the dam, just inside the Elks entrance gate. Call (970)522-3657. Credit cards are accepted for park purchases and retail store items. Boats and OHV can also be registered here. Check out the wildlife displays and Kids Corner. The Visitor Center is open 7 days a week from 8-4:30 or later as staffing allows.

Picnic Sites - 5/6/2012

There are 38 picnic sites scattered throughout the park. Some offer pedestal grills and some have shade shelters.

Playground - 5/6/2012

The playground is located at Cottonwood Cove Swim Beach and picnic pavilion, south of the dam from May through September.

Showers - 5/6/2012

Coin operated showers are located in the two Camper Services Buildings, one in each end of the park. The cost is $0.75 for the first 3 minutes. Add additional time by adding quarters before the shower turns off. The Elks Camper Services Building and South Camper Services Building are both open for the 2012 summer season.

Swim Beach - 5/6/2012

The Cottonwood Cove Swim Beach is now closed for the season. We expect to open the swim beach for Memorial Day Weekend.

Trails - 5/6/2012

The park offers six miles of easy, multi-use trails. Check the park brochure and map for more information. The newest 1/4 mile trail starts at the Balanced Rock parking area, north of the dam, with interpretive signs, benches & a viewing scope at the top deck.

Visitor Center - 5/6/2012

Located north of the dam on the west side of the Park Office, the Visitor Center offers educational displays, a retail store for camping, fishing, and boating supplies plus park information and boat or OHV registrations. Credit cards are accepted. For additional information call (970) 522-3657.

Last Modified Date: 3/14/2011 1:40 PM

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