Conditions at North Sterling | Colorado State Parks

Conditions

Boat Ramps - 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.

Boating - 5/6/2012

Camping - 5/6/2012

Elks Campground is open year-round with 30-amp electrical hookups. Inlet Grove Campground is now open for the summer, with 50-amp electrical hookups. Both the Elks Camper Services Building and South Camper Services Building are open for the summer.

Fire Restrictions - 5/6/2012

Use extreme caution with your campfires! There are currently no fire bans in effect within the park. Fires are permitted only in designated grills or fire rings in campsites and picnic areas. Fires are not permitted on the shoreline unless they are contained within a completely enclosed container, such as a portable fire pit or a grill. Please use caution!

Fishing Report - 5/6/2012

The reservoir is nearly full, with the inlet shut off and the outlet flowing. Fishing is starting to pick up, with many trout being caught - including a park-record 24-inch cutbow trout along the dam using shad raps - and several excellent wiper measured as high as 26 inches in the 7 to 8 pound range.

Hunting - 5/6/2012

The park will close to hunting in the summer on Thursday, May 24th 2012. See the new Hunting page under Park Activities for more information on designated hunting areas and suggestions. The park is currently open for hunting during legal seasons for small game, waterfowl, and archery deer, using shotgun and archery methods in designated hunting areas only.

Park Entrance - 5/6/2012

Enter the South Gate for Chimney View, Inlet Grove Campground, the swim beach, ski beach, and South Boat Ramp. The Elks Gate, as well Elks Campground, the Visitor Center & Park Office are located 1 1/2 miles further north on CR 33. Credit cards are accepted at the South Gate and Visitor Center, but NOT the Elks Gate. The park is open to day use from 6am to 10pm - only camping and fishing are permitted after 10pm.

Road Conditions - 5/6/2012

Some park roads are paved; some are gravel. The newly reconstructed gravel Hilltop Road to the South Boat Ramp is now open. Please use paved County Road 33 running north and south along the east side of the reservoir to reach Elks Campground & Park Office/Visitor Center.

Seasonal Closures - 5/6/2012

The Cottonwood Cove Swim Beach is now closed for the season.

Trails - 5/6/2012

6 miles of natural surface trails extend from the Inlet Canal southwest along the South Shoreline Trail to a trailhead on County Road 29. A 130 ft. pedestrian bridge spans the inlet canal from Inlet Grove Campground parking area. Sunset Point Trail begins near Campsite #112 and ends at Sunset Cove Parking area and vault restroom. Horses are allowed only along the South Shoreline. (Sorry, no horses are available to rent). Dogs must be on a maximum six foot leash and under the owner's control. No motorized bikes or OHVs are allowed on any park trails.

Water Levels - 5/6/2012

The reservoir is nearly full, with the inlet shut off and the outlet flowing. Check the North Sterling Irrigation District's website for up-to-the-minute flow rate details, as NSID controls all water flow into and out of North Sterling Reservoir.

Last Updated: 5/6/2012

Last Modified Date: 3/14/2011 1:39 PM

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