Activities at North Sterling | Colorado State Parks

Activities

Biking - 5/6/2012

The 3.5-mile South Shoreline Trail is recommended for a quiet prairie trail ride along the reservoir's shoreline, but dress for the weather! All of North Sterling's trails are for non-motorized access only.

Birding - 5/16/2012

Eagle Update: The eagles are here! Last year's nest was heavily damaged in a December wind storm, but our nesting pair didn't give up - park staff has located their newly-constructed nest, and sighted not one, but two hatchlings this spring! We'll be sure to keep tabs on the young ones and thier success. A complete Bird Species List can be found on this website or at the Visitor Center. Let us know if you would like to join a guided bird walk at (970) 522-3657, or volunteer to become a Raptor Monitor throughout the fall and winter!

Boating - 5/6/2012

Camping - 5/6/2012

Inlet Grove Campground, with 50-amp electricity, is now open for the summer season. Elks Campground, with 30-amp electricity, is open year-round. All sites have a picnic table, shade shelter & campfire ring. Please see the Camping page for more details.

Education Programs - 5/6/2012

Education programs for school classes, clubs, and other interested groups may be scheduled with our park staff both off-site and on-site by calling (970)522-3657. We will return voice mail messages. Summer evening campfire programs are presented May through September on most Saturday nights. May is a great time for school groups to explore the swimbeach and park with their teachers. Call the park to let us know your plans. Check out wildlife displays, information and brochures in the Visitor Center north of the dam. Ask about our new Visitor Center retail store. Check current calendar events on our home page.

Equipment Rental - 5/6/2012

The Visitor Center at North Sterling State Park offers several free equipment-borrowing programs, including life jackets of all sizes, family activity backpacks with binoculars and field guides, a handheld GPS unit for geocaching and other activities, and laminated nature activities and park-specific field guides for beginners. See the Visitor Center page or call us for details!

Fishing - 5/6/2012

North Sterling is open to fishing year-round. The reservoir is an excellent warm-water fishery, featuring walleye, crappie, perch, bass, bluegill, trout, catfish, tiger-muskie, wiper and northern pike. Walleye and wiper under 15” in length must be returned to the water immediately. Please refer to the Colorado Fishing Regulations published annually by the Division of Wildlife for a complete listing of size restrictions and possession limits. There is no longer a marina concession store at North Sterling. The Visitor Center has a small retail store offering ice, firewood, sodas and water during the spring, summer and fall. We keep worms, frozen mussels, and frozen shrimp in stock for sale when possible - call ahead to be sure. Be sure to bring your fishing license and boat fuel.

Group Camping - 5/6/2012

Sorry we have no "group camping" area, but please call 1-800-678-2267 or (303) 470-1144 and reserve several campsites adjacent to each other. Park phone # is (970)522-3657. We will return voice mail messages.

Group Picnicking - 5/6/2012

Two picnic pavilions are available for groups. Marina Point Pavilion, north of the dam, can be reserved for up to 100 people and is located near Elks Campground and boat ramp. Please call (970) 522-3657. Cottonwood Cove Picnic Pavilion at the swim beach, south of the dam, is now open for reservations. A playground is also nearby.

Hiking - 5/6/2012

Point-to-point, natural surface trails extend over 3 miles from the Inlet Canal southwest along the shoreline to a trailhead on County Road 29. Dogs are required to be on a maximum six foot leash.

Horseback Riding - 5/6/2012

Horses are allowed along the South Shoreline trail, south of the Inlet Canal and footbridge. Park at the East Trailhead parking lot, just south of the Inlet on CR-33. Sorry, we do not have a stable or horses for rent.

Hunting - 5/6/2012

The park is now open to hunting in designated areas. Hunting is carefully managed and permitted during established seasons from the first Tuesday after Labor Day through the Friday before Memorial Day and is not permitted from the dam or areas north of the dam. Hunting area maps are available at the Visitor Center and south entrance brochure kiosk. Method of hunting is restricted to bows and arrows, or shotguns firing birdshot. Check out our new Hunting information page under Park Activities!

Jet Skiing - 5/6/2012

Picnicking - 5/6/2012

There are 38 picnic sites throughout the park. Picnic tables with shade shelters are available at the Balanced Rock area, while tables with grills can be found at the South Boat Ramp, Cottonwood Cove and Sunset Cove areas.

Sailboarding - 5/6/2012

Well, we always have wind - are you up for it?

Swimming - 5/6/2012

The Cottonwood Cove Swim Beach is now closed for the season. Located at the south end of the park, the swim beach area provides flush restrooms, a large public picnic pavilion and a playground. It’s a great place for family fun! Sorry, pets are NOT PERMITTED on the swim beach or ski beach, and fines are possible. Please use caution; there are no lifeguards.

Water Skiing - 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. In the summer, this big lake makes for great waterskiing. Boats must operate in a counterclockwise direction, and each ski boat needs three people: the skier, the boat operator AND an observer. Call the park office at (970)522-3657 to sign up for Boating Safely classes. No dogs are allowed on either the swim or ski beach.

Winter Activities - 5/6/2012

We offer winter camping in Elks Campground, open year round north of the dam. Hunting takes place south of the dam. Why not hike along any part of our six mile trail system? Photography, stargazing, wildlife observation and birding are great fun. Browse in the Visitor Center & retail store north of dam. Depending on conditions, ice fishing may also be available at your own risk, use caution.

Winter Camping - 5/6/2012

Elks Campground north of the dam with 50 electric sites is open year-round. The Elks Camper Services Building is now open for the summer season, and vault restrooms are available year-round throughout the park. A trailer dump station is located at Elks Campground.

Last Modified Date: 3/15/2011 2:12 PM

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