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Colorado State Parks
Parks > Jackson Lake State Park > Activities

Park Activities

Jackson Lake State Park in northern Colorado is a beloved recreation spot known for its sandy beaches, warm water, and stargazing-friendly camping. With 251 campsites, including 243 with electrical hookups, it’s perfect for year-round stays. Popular activities range from boating, water skiing, OHV riding, fishing, and swimming to picnicking, hiking, wildlife watching, and hunting.

Popular Activities Include:

  • Biking
  • Birding
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Education Programs
  • Fishing
  • Geocaching
  • Group Camping
  • Group Picnicking
  • Hiking
  • Waterfowl Hunting
  • Ice Fishing
  • Ice Skating
  • Jet Skiing
  • OHV Riding
  • Photography
  • Picnicking
  • Sailboarding
  • Swimming
  • Volleyball
  • Water Skiing
  • Wildlife Viewing

Biking

Bicycles are allowed at the park on designated trails and on park roads.
(Updated: 2/14/2023 12:52 PM)

Birding

Bird enthusiasts travel to the region because of the abundance and diversity of bird species. Long-billed curlews and whooping cranes are occasionally observed. Ferruginous and rough-legged hawks are present in the winter, while Swainson’s hawks return for the summer months. Northern harriers fly low over wetlands and grasslands.

Download Bird List Brochure

Updated: 6/3/2025 10:30 AM MT

Boating

The park’s main attraction is the 4,600-surface-acre reservoir, perfect for boating activities. Check with the park for water levels, temperature and more boating conditions.

Boating Requirements:

Boat Inspections:

  • Inspection hours: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Decontamination available onsite if needed
  • Boats without Colorado Green Seal and White receipt must undergo inspection before launching
  • For decontamination appointments, call Visitor Center at (970) 645-2551

Exemptions:

  • Hand-launched and human-powered vessels exempt from mandatory ANS inspections
  • Public encouraged to self-inspect equipment ensuring it’s clean, drained, and dry

Learn more about ANS | Clean Your Gear Instructions

Updated: 6/3/2025 10:30 AM MT

Camping

  • Jackson Lake has 251 campsites, most can accommodate RVs, trailers, or tents.
  • Group camping and picnicking are available.
  • Facilities include showers, toilets, electric hookups, and drinking water.

For more information, see the Jackson Lake camping page.
(Updated: 2/14/2023 12:58 PM)

Dog-friendly

Pets are welcome anywhere in the park as long as:

  • They are on a six-foot or shorter leash at all times.
  • Properly dispose of pet waste.
    (Updated: 2/14/2023 12:59 PM)

Education Programs

Educational programs are usually offered on Friday and Saturday beginning Memorial Day through Labor Day.
(Updated: 2/14/2023 1:01 PM)

Fishing

Jackson Lake is stocked with warm-water fish such as walleye, saugeye, catfish, perch, rainbow trout, crappie, and wipers. Be sure to check out our fishing brochure!
(Updated: 2/14/2023 1:01 PM)

Geocaching

Jackson Lake State Park hosts geocaching sites.
(Updated: 2/14/2023 1:02 PM)

Group Camping

Dunes Group Campground has a total of 18 sites with electricity. Please visit our Group Facilities page for additional information.
(Updated: 2/14/2023 1:03 PM)

Group Picnicking

Groups of up to 50 are accommodated at the Centennial Group Picnic Area. Adjacent to the picnic shelter is Dunes Group Campground.
(Updated: 2/14/2023 1:03 PM)

Hiking

Jackson Lake offers visitors two trails to hike and walk. Park visitors can also enjoy walking along the shoreline or along park roadways.

Prairie Wetland Nature Self-Guided Trail

  • Length: 0.25 miles
  • Access point: North of Cove Campground

Trail

  • Length: 1.5 miles
  • Access point: Located between the Visitor Center north to Northview Campground
  • Part of the trail is a self-guided nature trail

View Trail Map

Updated: 6/3/2025 10:30 AM MT

Hunting

Waterfowl and small game hunting are allowed in designated areas of the park. For more information, consult the Hunting page.
(Updated: 2/23/2023 10:29 AM)

Ice Fishing

Please use caution when ice fishing. Have proper safety equipment and follow safety guidelines. (Updated: 2/14/2023 1:06 PM)

Ice Skating

Ice skating is a popular winter sport at Jackson, dependent on ice conditions.
(Updated: 2/23/2023 10:29 AM)

Jet Skiing

Please review personal watercraft laws, including the requirement that drivers must be at least 18 years of age. Youth, ages 14 - 17, can operate vessels upon successful completion of a Boating Safely Course.

Updated: 6/3/2025 10:30 AM MT

OHV Riding

The off-highway vehicle track is laid out in a 1.5 mile loop over rolling prairie terrain. Since OHVs (except those licensed with DMV) are not permitted on roads or in other areas of the park, they must be trailered into the staging area, which is located on the south side of the park at the Cottonwood parking lot. A park pass gets visitors access to the track without an additional fee.

Updated: 6/3/2025 10:30 AM MT

Photography

Updated: 6/3/2025 10:30 AM MT

Sunrise and sunset are especially beautiful to capture! Commercial photography requires a Special Activity Permit.

Stargazing

Jackson Lake was designated as an International Dark Sky Park by the International Dark Sky Association, becoming just the fifth national park and eighth total location in Colorado to receive the designation. Enjoy the stars by reserving a campsite. Hammock camping is allowed at our tent sites for the best views.

Updated: 6/3/2025 10:30 AM MT

Picnicking

Individual tables are located at the inlet, outlet, boat ramp, south and west beaches, and the Cottonwood picnic area and are available first-come, first-serve. For information, check out the park map.

Also check out the Group Facilities page for information on our picnic pavilion which is available for large groups and can be reserved.
(Updated: 2/23/2023 10:29 AM)

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 Guidelines:

  • Swimming allowed on the west shore and south shore out to the no-wake buoys
  • Swimming 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.

Wildlife Viewing

An abundance of wildlife can be observed and photographed in the park. The list includes pelicans, eagles, hawks, heron, deer, coyote, turkeys, waterfowl, and numerous shore birds.
(Updated: 2/23/2023 10:29 AM)

Winter Camping

Jackson Lake offers either electric or non-electric camping year-round. The Pelican, Cove, and Lakeside Campgrounds are available for reservations. Vault toilets are open; however, shower buildings are closed during the fall, winter, and early spring. For more information, visit the Camping page.
(Updated: 1/6/2024 3:15 PM)