North Sterling State Park Opens South Boat Ramp and Ski Beach for Labor Day Weekend

Colorado State Parks News Release


STERLING Colo. – North Sterling State Park will open the south boat ramp and ski beach areas on Friday, just in time for the Labor Day weekend. After numerous rain delays, which slowed construction progress, Hilltop Road will be reopening on Friday as well. The timing couldn’t be better since water levels may restrict boat launching at the Elks Boat Ramp. The south boat ramp has the largest parking lot for boaters to use, so the increase in parking will be a welcomed sight for visitors looking to enjoy themselves at North Sterling over the holiday weekend.
Water levels at North Sterling are very good for this time of year and the fishing has been improving. Wiper fishing is the best the park has seen since 2003 and seems to improve each month.
To prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS), including zebra and quagga mussels, all vessels will require an inspection prior to launch. Vessels planning to launch outside of the posted inspection times will require a pre-inspection seal attached before launch. Pre-inspection seals are to be removed by boaters upon launching, and placed in the pre-inspection drop box, located at the boat ramp. Inspection times for Labor Day weekend are: Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, Sunday and Monday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. All live bait must have a receipt from a Colorado bait dealer, dated within 7 days of use. Failure to comply with all boating regulations could result in a fine.
Attracting nearly 12 million visitors per year, Colorado's 42 State Parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado's economy and quality of life. Colorado State Parks encompass 224,531 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado State Parks is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state’s favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities. Colorado State Parks also manage more than 4,100 campsites, and 57 cabins and yurts. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.colorado.gov/parks.