North Sterling State Park's Visitor Center has everything you need to enjoy your adventure in the outdoors, from camping permits and boat registrations to fishing bait and firewood. Stop by to learn more about the park and nearby attractions, get handy maps and directions, or check out our NEW plant and wildlife displays. No park pass is required for a brief stop at the Visitor Center (extended stays and all other areas of the park require a valid park pass). The Visitor Center is located north of the dam, just inside the Elks Entrance off County Road 33. Cash, checks, and credit cards are accepted. Check out everything we have to offer!
Passes, Permits, and Registrations
North Sterling's Visitor Center sells the full range of annual passes (including Aspen Leaf and Replacements), daily passes, camping permits, and registrations for your boat and OHV. Ask us how annual passes can make your outdoor adventures easier and more cost-effective!
Camping and Fishing Supplies
Since the marina concession reopened in 2015, we no longer stock or sell firewood, ice, bait, sodas or water. Supplies can be purchased at the Marina during the summer, Memorial Weekend through Labor Day.
Outdoor Clothing & Apparel
Looking for a great birthday or holiday gift idea for the outdoorsman in your family? Take a look at our brand new embroidered North Sterling hooded sweat shirts in green and grey and our warm-yet-light North Sterling Wiper fleece jackets, in sizes from Medium to XXL. Pick up a matching ball cap, or stay cool in our Men's and Ladies' style T-shirts.
Wildlife, Plants, & Other Interpretive Displays
Bring the kids to see our NEW display of wildlife tracks, our NEW outdoor photography displays (courtesy of park volunteer Mack Hitch), as well as the old favorites - five species of mounted trophy-size fish and a wide variety of fossils and artifacts in the display case!
Marina Slip Rental - by Day or by Season
Twenty marina slips are available to rent from the MARINA CONCESSION by day (two day minimum) or by season (April 15th to September 30th, as water levels permit). Boaters must provide proof of liability insurance for their vessel. Keep an eye out for announcements for the 2017 boating season!
Freebies
Several different grant programs have allowed us to offer several FREE services to park visitors, for your safety and enjoyment at our park. All you need to do is stop by the Visitor Center with a photo ID to sign out any of these items!
Life Jacket Loaner Program
Have you checked your life jackets this season? Life jackets save lives - that's why state law requires you to have one personal flotation device (PFD) of a USCG-approved type for each person on board in good and serviceable condition and in a readily accessible location in your vessel.
Additionally, children under 13 years of age MUST wear theirs at all times while on board - and it's especially important for children to wear the right size!
That's why the U.S Coast Guard has teamed up with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to provide free loaner life-jackets (PFDs) for boaters. We have numerous spare PFDs in sizes from infants to adults to make sure you have what you need to be safe on the water.
Not sure if your PFD is the right size for you or your kids? Look at the USCG approval stamp inside the PFD - the small print will give you an approved size range for that life jacket by weight, age range, and chest size. A limited number of PFDs are also available for use by swimmers.
What about wear and tear? The sun can degrade materials over time, and ripped seams and broken buckles won't help you in an emergency. Still not sure? Stop by the Visitor Center and ask a ranger to do a quick check on dry land before you venture onto the water!
Family Activity Backpacks
Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife worked together to assemble these backpacks for you and your family to borrow for the weekend! Backpacks include two large bug boxes, magnifiers, field guide books (birds, insects, wildflowers and tree life), binoculars and a nature journal.
GPS Unit & Scavenger Hunt Activity
Great Outdoors Colorado also provided North Sterling with a handheld GPS unit for learning about this new mode of orienteering. Borrow just the GPS unit, or take with you a laminated copy of our Geohunt Scavenger Hunt Activity! By answering questions at each location, you'll find clues to lead you to the next coordinates in this fun family activity!
Volunteering
Ask the staff at the Visitor Center about Volunteering with North Sterling State Park! Park volunteers earn a free annual pass with 48 hours of volunteer service, and we have projects and programs for almost any interest!
