Jackson Lake
26363 County Road 3, Orchard, CO. 80649 (MAP) – Front Range – fees & reservations
About Jackson Lake Park
Jackson Lake, located 1 hour 15 minutes west of Loveland, on the plains, was once popular for waterfowl hunting. Now warm summer days find jet and water skiers, sailboarders, and boaters enjoying the lake.
- The swim beach was ranked among the “Top 15 Park Beaches” by Reserve America.
- Jackson Lake State Park is CPW’s first International Dark Skies Park, providing excellent dark sky gazing.
- Walleye, saugeye, catfish, perch, rainbow trout, crappie, and wipers will keep anglers busy, even in winter.
- Hunters will find waterfowl, pheasant, upland birds, and archery deer hunting.
- There’s an OHV track and two geocaching sites.
- Birdwatchers will discover a variety of birds attracted to this cottonwood-lined reservoir on the Eastern Plains, including bald eagles, hawks, herons, grassland, and riparian songbirds. Rafs of American white pelicans are common in summer. The park’s location on the Central Flyway means many migrating waterfowl and shore, wading birds, long-billed curlews, and occasional whooping cranes.
- Wildlife watchers might see white-tailed or mule deer, coyotes, red foxes, cottontails, jackrabbits, and tree and ground squirrels year-round
The year-round campgrounds have 233 sites, accommodating campers, trailers, tents, and primitive campsites. Visitors can discover several trails or wander along the lake’s edge. The quieter winter months are great for photography, wildlife discovery, ice fishing, and winter camping. — Back to All State Parks.
Enjoy our guide to Colorado’s best lakes and get out on the water soon!
colorado
The Colorado Editorial Team oversees all content and submitted articles to ColoradoInfo.com and ensures that all content is in line with our Colorado Travel and Tourism Authority.