North Sterling State Park

North Sterling State Park is a natural area in northeastern Colorado featuring a large reservoir surrounded by golden grasslands and northern bluffs. The waterway stretches across thousands of acres and is framed by gentle hills that define the plains landscape.

French fur trappers explored this region in the early 1800s before the North Sterling Irrigation District built the reservoir in 1893 for agricultural water supply. The project transformed the landscape and created a new ecosystem in the plains.

The land shows traces of Paleo-Indian cultures and was later home to Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Pawnee peoples who followed buffalo herds across these plains.

The park is accessible year-round with fishing spots along the shores and from boats, featuring multiple fish species suitable for different angling methods. Visitors should prepare for varying weather conditions and open terrain where shade is limited.

During migration seasons, the park serves as a critical rest stop for waterfowl, eagles, and hawks moving through the plains landscape. This seasonal gathering of migrating birds makes the location a favored destination for bird watching.

Location: Colorado

Inception: 1992

Website: https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Parks/northsterling

GPS coordinates: 40.78920,-103.26500

Latest update: December 11, 2025 11:04