Jackson Lake State Park
State Park in Orchard, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visitor Center: Sun.-Thur., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
26363 County Road 3
Orchard, CO 80649
United States
Jackson Lake State Park
State Park in Orchard, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Visitor Center: Sun.-Thur., 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Fri.-Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10-$15
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
26363 County Road 3
Orchard, CO 80649
United States
Navigate to:
Sunset at Jackson Lake
Park Highlight
Explore Jackson Lake
The park's main attraction is the 4,600-surface-acre reservoir. Check with the park for water levels, temperature and more boating conditions.
Lake Facilities
Facilities
The boat ramp is CLOSED for the 2026 season. Hand-launched vessels, such as canoes, kayaks and paddleboards, will still be allowed.
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A boat ramp is located on the west side of Jackson Lake.
Response times are delayed due to limitations in launching rescue boats when the lake is low, so ensure you have your required life jacket and safety equipment.
All vessels are required to be inspected for aquatic nuisance species prior to launching. See Mandatory Boat Inspections lower on the page.
Shoreline Marina is located on the west shore of the lake near the boat ramp. They can be reached at 1-970-645-2628.
Summer Hours:
- Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7p.m.
- Friday through Sunday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Water Safety
Colorado Water is Cold Water
Colorado waters are classified as "cold water" (anything under 70 degrees) for most of the year. Swimming in cold water risks cold water shock, which can lead to drowning even for strong, experienced swimmers.
Life Jackets Save Lives
The majority of swimming, paddleboarding and kayaking fatalities occur when people are not wearing a life jacket. By keeping you above water, life jackets can be a last line of defense that prevents a bad situation from getting far worse. Colorado law requires that all water vessels have appropriately sized life jackets readily accessible for every person on board.
Boating and Fishing
Boating
Boats are allowed in designated areas only. Boats are not permitted in the inlet or areas buoyed as keep out. Weather changes can have boaters rushing to get off the lake, creating lines for the dock. If the weather looks like it’s going to turn, start early to dock your boat.
Fishing
Jackson Lake is stocked with warmwater fish. Colorado Parks and Wildlife awards anglers who catch big fish.
Fish Species and Bag Limits
See the Fishing Atlas for fishable species at this location and the Fishing Brochure (PDF) for daily bag limits.
Fishing Awards and Records for Jackson Lake
Visit the Fishing Awards and Records page.
Clean Your Gear: Fishing
Help Protect Colorado Waters
Clean Your Gear
Cleaning your gear before and after use helps protect our water from aquatic nuisance species. Check out these videos to learn how to clean your fishing gear.
Water Activities
Jet Skiing
Please review personal watercraft laws, including the requirement that drivers must be at least 18 years of age. Youth, ages 14 and 17, can operate vessels upon successful completion of a Boating Safely Course.
Swimming
Jackson Lake's sandy beaches and gradually sloping lake bottom make it ideal for swimming, and the beaches are accessible. We do not have designated swim beaches. Swimming is allowed on the west shore and south shore out to the no-wake buoys. Swimming is not permitted within 150 feet of any dock, boat ramp, inlet or outlet structures.
Water Skiing
All areas of Jackson Lake are open to water skiing. Both an observer and an operator must be in any boat towing a skier. Children 12 and younger are required to wear a personal floatation device (PFD) whenever their vessel is on the water. Ski counter-clockwise, and please spread out across the reservoir to avoid dangerous congestion.
Mandatory Boat Inspections for ANS at Jackson Lake
To boat on the reservoir, an aquatic nuisance species (ANS) stamp, current boat registration and a pre-launch boat inspection at the boat ramp is required.
Vessels and other floating devices that are both hand-launched and human-powered are exempt from mandatory ANS inspections. Although, the public is strongly encouraged to self-inspect their watercrafts, boots, waders, and fishing equipment by making sure that all equipment is clean, drained, and dry. For instructions, see Clean Your Gear.
Learn more about aquatic nuisance species, as well as clean, drain, dry and decontaminations.
Inspection Hours
The ANS inspection Station is CLOSED for the 2026 season. If you are in need of an inspection please contact the Visitor Center at 970-645-2551.
Mandatory Inspections and Seals
Aquatic nuisance species
Aquatic nuisance species (ANS) are aquatic plants and animals that invade lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams, including zebra mussels, quagga mussels, New Zealand mudsnails, Asian carp, rusty crayfish and more.
Stop the Spread of ANSOh, SHELL NO
Be a Pain in the ANS
Colorado’s chile crop could be impacted by Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS). Take action when you clean, drain and dry your water gear.
Bring the Brochures with You
Fishing Brochure
Read up on the location you want to fish before you head out.
Download the Brochure
Land and Water Regulations Brochure
Have a question about regulations? Check the brochure.
Download the Brochure