North Sterling State Park
State Park in Sterling, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Fri - Tues; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
24005 CR 330
Sterling, CO 80751
United States
North Sterling State Park
State Park in Sterling, CO
Hours:
Park: Daily, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Office: Fri - Tues; 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Entrance Fees:
Daily Vehicle Pass: $10
Individual Daily Pass: $4
Animals Permitted:
- Leashed Dogs
- Service Animals
- Horses
Park Address:
24005 CR 330
Sterling, CO 80751
United States
Navigate to:
Fishing from the bank of the reservoir
Activities and Trails
What to Do at North Sterling
Boating, fishing, pioneer history and prairie views await at North Sterling. This boater’s paradise provides nearly 3,000 acres of pristine waters with an array of coves to explore. The reservoir, built by early settlers, offers water-based activities throughout the summer months. Throughout the park, visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational opportunities, including hiking and biking, stargazing, horseback riding, fishing, picnicking, archery and hunting.
- Archery Range
- Biking
- Birding
- Boating
- Camping
- Education Programs
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horseback Riding
- Hunting
- Ice Fishing
- Jet Skiing
- Paddle Boarding
- Playground
- Picnicking
- Sailboarding
- Swimming
- Water Skiing
Best of North Sterling
North Sterling Reservoir
With over 3,000 acres of pristine waters to explore, North Sterling Reservoir is a paradise for boating, fishing, jet skiing, paddle boarding and water skiing.
Birding
Birds such as herons, turkey vultures and pelicans have returned to the park. Predatory birds such as hawks, falcons and eagles are also congregating around the park and can easily be found on telephone poles and fence posts. Geese and ducks continue to come to the park.
Cottonwood Swim Beach
The Cottonwood Cove swim beach is 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! Swimming is permitted only in designated areas and no lifeguards are on duty.
Archery Range
North Sterling Archery Range is a great place to practice for archers of all skill levels. The range features a static range, sight-in targets and simulated tree stands.
Upcoming Events
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Hiking, Biking and Horseback Riding
Trails
North Sterling has approximately 6.5 miles of trails for hikers of all ages to enjoy. Short, easy trails lead to scenic views at the top of Balanced Rock and Sunset Point, and connect Inlet Grove Campground to Sunset Point and Cottonwood Cove Swim Beach.
Overlook Loop Trail
0.7 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Sunset Cove Trail
0.1 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
Dog friendly
Swim Beach Trail
0.6 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Chimney View Trail
0.1 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Amphitheater Trail
0.1 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
South Shoreline Trail
3.6 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
Dog friendly
Old Dam Trail
1.1 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Balanced Rock Trail
0.1 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Overlook Loop Trail
0.7 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Sunset Cove Trail
0.1 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
Dog friendly
Swim Beach Trail
0.6 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Chimney View Trail
0.1 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Amphitheater Trail
0.1 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
South Shoreline Trail
3.6 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
Dog friendly
Old Dam Trail
1.1 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Balanced Rock Trail
0.1 miles, non-paved
Hiking, biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing
ADA accessible
Dog friendly
Sall Game, Waterfowl and Deer
Hunting
Hunting is permitted in designated hunting areas only during legal seasons for small game, waterfowl and archery deer, using shotgun and archery methods. Archers can utilize the archery range to sight in their bows!
The park is open to hunting starting the Tuesday after Labor Day between the Inlet Canal and the West Trailhead. After November 1, the rest of the hunting area opens along the shoreline from the inlet canal up to the South Ramp Parking Lot and from the pass shoot areas.
- Hunting is not allowed from parking lots, the frozen surface of the lake, the dam, across the lake, from roadways, north of the South Ramp, from the South Boat Ramp parking lot or from the shoreline around the parking lot (except the pass shoot area east of the dam).
- Hunting dogs are permitted to retrieve downed birds and are not required to be on a leash while involved in hunting activities.
Free Rentals
Equipment Rentals
Visitors may borrow a variety of equipment for free from the Visitor Center, including life jackets of all sizes, family activity backpacks with binoculars and field guides, a handheld GPS unit for geocaching and laminated nature activities and park-specific field guides for beginners.