North Sterling

Wildlife & Hunting An assortment of prairie wildlife can be found on the park, including pronghorn antelope, mule deer, coyotes, jackrabbits, prairie dogs, and more. Hawks, eagles, turkey vultures, and owls grace the skies above, while an assortment of waterfowl, shorebirds, and songbirds are found closer to the ground. Hunting is carefully managed and permitted in the fall, winter, and spring during established seasons and in designated areas only. Methods are restricted to archery and shotguns with bird shot only. For further information, details, and restrictions, contact the park office. Fishing This excellent warm-water fishery features wiper, walleye, channel catfish, crappie, yellow perch, bluegill, northern pike, tiger muskie, and trout. Fishing is permitted along the entire state-owned shoreline, except from the Inlet Footbridge, Swim Beach, Ski Beach, South Boat Ramp, and Elks Boat Ramp. North Sterling State Park is open to fishing yearround. Ice fishing is permitted as conditions allow. Swimming Cottonwood Cove Swim Beach is located inside the South Entrance near Sunset Point. Facilities include a picnic pavilion, flush restrooms, pedestal grills, and a playground. Swimming is permitted only in designated areas and no lifeguards are provided. Pets are not permitted on the swim beach. Picnicking Picnic sites are available in day-use areas of the park at the Marina Point, Balanced Rock, the South Boat Ramp, the swim beach, and Sunset Point. The Marina Point group picnic pavilion can accommodate groups of up to 75, and can be reserved in advance for a nominal fee by calling the park office at (970) 522-3657. Trails The 3.5-mile South Shoreline Trail is available for hiking, biking, horseback riding and wildlife viewing. 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. Archery Range Archery Range facilities, located near the outlet, consist of three sight in targets as well as 11 stations with 18 targets along a walking trail. Two of the shooting stations have elevated platforms to simulate tree stand shooting. Both traditional and compound shooters will find the walking trail enjoyable and challenging with yardages from 15-60+ yards. The range is open 7 days a week from sunrise to sunset but may be closed during tournaments. All vehicles are required to have a valid Vehicle Parks pass to access the archery range. Regulations North Sterling State Park is managed and maintained for the safety and enjoyment of all park visitors. It is your responsibility to know and obey park rules and regulations. Please read the rules and regulations brochure available at the park entrances. 1. Respect others – Observe campground quiet hours between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. 2. Do not litter. A clean park is healthier for our visitors and our wildlife. Use the dumpsters provided for picnic and camp trash. 3. For your pet’s safety, the safety of others and the protection of wildlife, keep pets under control and on a leash no longer than six feet. 4. Build fires only in grills or enclosed containers, tend them constantly, and make sure they are completely extinguished when no longer needed. 5. Please keep vehicles on designated roadways and hike only on designated trails. Common sense and common courtesy will help all of us enjoy he park more. C O L O R A D O PA R K S & W I L D L I F E North Sterling State Park ENJOY YOUR STATE PARKS First Aid & Emergencies Park rangers are trained and equipped to provide emergency assistance on land or water, including minor first aid. In an emergency, dial 911. In other urgent circumstances, call the park office first at (970) 522-3657, or the Logan County Sheriff non-emergency dispatch line at (970) 522-3512. During severe weather, listen to a local radio station for alerts for central Logan County, northwest of Sterling, and take appropriate action. North Sterling State Park 24005 County Road 330 • Sterling, CO 80751 (970) 522-3657 • E-mail: north.sterling.park@state.co.us cpw.state.co.us Funded in part by Great Outdoors Colorado through Colorado Lottery proceeds. CPW_HPNS_3/17 cpw.state.co.us Camping Three campgrounds with 141 campsites can accommodate tents, trailers, or motorhomes. Electrical hookups are available at all sites in Elks (30-amp) and Inlet Grove (50-amp) Campgrounds, with potable water hydrants located nearby and wastewater dump stations available inside each entrance. Camper services buildings provide flush restrooms, coin-operated showers, and laundry facilities. Campsites are limited to one camping unit and a maximum of six people. Campsite reservations are recommended for weekends and holidays, and must be made at least three days in advance. For reservations, call 303-470-1144, or 1-800-678-CAMP (2267) if outside the Denver metro area, or visit the park website at www.cpw.state.co.us Darby Arm Elks Campground Private Land Elks Boat Ramp Visitors Center and Elks Entrance Boaters: Private property lies underneath and adjacent to much of the reservoir. Please camp in designated areas only. te Priva Land Balanced Rock South Boat Ramp To Peetz Private Land The park office and Visitor Center are located at the north end of the dam inside the Elks Entrance. The Visitor Center has information about the park, the region, and other Colorado state parks, as well as information on boating, fishing, hunting, off-highway vehicles. Stop by to borrow free life jackets, binoculars, family activity backpacks, and self-guided nature activities! Environmental Education The park amphitheater near Inlet Grove Campground offers weekly Saturday Night Campfire Programs from Memorial Day through Labor Day Weekend. See the website or park bulletin-boards for upcoming events. Chimney View Campground LEGEND Sunset Point Inlet Grove Campground Visitors Center Boat Ramp Campground Dam Entrance Station ©CPW/VERDON TOMAJKO Cunningham Arm Private Land Footbridge South Entrance Inlet West Trailhead County Road 46 Fishing Hiking Trail Parking Picnic Area Ski Beach Swim Beach Wildlife Viewing Park Boundary Park Property Wakeless Zone Private Land North 7th Ave. (County road 37) Built in the early 1900s, the reservoir serves as an important irrigation facility along the lower South Platte River Valley. Colorado State Parks acquired the property in 1992 and manages recreation on the reservoir through a perpetual easement with North Sterling Irrigation District. North Sterling State Park To Sterling North Sterling is a boater’s and fisherman’s paradise offering a 3,000-acre lake with a fascinating array of flats and coves to explore. An additional 2,800 acres of land support a wide variety of recreational activities, including bird-watching, wildlife viewing, hiking, and more. The region is home to a diversity of wildlife and has a rich historical heritage. Park Headquarters & Visitor Center County Road 33 ajestic bluffs and expansive views of the golden prairie greeted early settlers traveling westward via the nearby Overland Trail. Those panoramic views now welcome modern visitors to North Sterling State Park. County Road 29 M County Road 44 Passes and Permits All vehicles entering the park are required to display a valid Colorado State Parks pass on their windshield. A daily pass is valid from the day of purchase until noon the following day. An annual pass is valid at any Colorado State Park for one year from the date of purchase. In addition to a vehicle pass, campers are required to purchase and display a camping permit at their campsite. Passes are available at all park entrances. Colorado residents age 64 or older qualify for a discounted Aspen Leaf annual pass. In addition to admission to all Colorado State Parks for one year from the date of purchase, Aspen Leaf pass holders receive discounted camping rates from Sunday through Thursday, excluding holidays. Colorado disabled veterans displaying Colorado Disabled Veteran (DV) license plates are admitted free. Boating & Water Sports This spacious reservoir has room for everything from sailboats to water-skiing. Two public boat ramps are located inside the South and Elks entrances. Mandatory boat inspections are available at each boat ramp during posted hours. The former Balanced Rock ramp is now closed to all boat traffic, and is open to fishing access. The water level at North Sterling Reservoir fluctuates considerably during the agricultural irrigation season. Not all submerged hazards are marked, and boaters are warned to be alert. Boaters are subject to all Colorado boating statutes and regulations, available online, in the Visitor Center, and at park entrances. Public access is limited to the surface of the reservoir and state-owned land. Please respect private property boundaries, and refer to the park map or a ranger with any questions. The lake is closed to boating from November 1st through the last day of migratory waterfowl seasons and until ALL ice is off the reservoir.