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Jackson Lake
Overview
Overview
Jackson Lake State Park is a premier destination for those seeking water and wide-open spaces in Northeast Colorado. Often called the Oasis on the Plains, this park offers a unique combination of sandy beaches and sprawling prairie landscapes. It provides a peaceful retreat for campers looking to escape the hustle of more crowded mountain parks while enjoying a diverse range of year-round outdoor activities in a scenic high-plains environment.
Location & Surroundings
Situated near Orchard, Colorado, the park is nestled within the high plains ecosystem. The landscape is defined by its massive 2,700-acre reservoir surrounded by native cottonwood trees and rolling grassy fields. Travelers will find the horizon stretches far in every direction, making it an incredible spot for star gazing, as the park is a designated International Dark Sky Park. The remote setting ensures a quiet, natural atmosphere far from any major urban centers.
Amenities & Park Features
The facility caters well to RVers with over 260 campsites featuring various electrical hookups. While many sites are more rustic, several loops offer 30-amp and 50-amp service to accommodate modern rigs of various sizes. Visitors have access to shower facilities and laundry services, which are essential for longer stays. The park also maintains clean vault toilets, multiple boat ramps, and designated swimming areas with soft, sandy shorelines perfect for a summer afternoon under the sun.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Water sports are the primary draw here, including boating, jet skiing, and fishing for species like walleye, wipers, and catfish. On land, the park features several miles of multi-use trails suitable for hiking and biking through the brush. During migration seasons, the area becomes a major hotspot for bird watching, attracting enthusiasts eager to see waterfowl and shorebirds. For those willing to drive, the nearby Pawnee National Grassland offers additional opportunities for exploring the rugged Colorado plains.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for families and boating enthusiasts who prioritize easy water access and a relaxed, beach-like environment. It is a fantastic choice for stargazers and night photographers looking to capture the Milky Way without any light pollution. If you prefer a scenic, high-plains camping experience where the sound of the wind through the trees and waves on the shore dominates, this eastern Colorado gem is a perfect fit for your travel style.
Features & Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- Hunting Nearby (within 20 miles)
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
Reviews
Miguel Rincon
Year 2026. There is an algea warning. No swimming and no kids or pets in the water. There are signs posted everywhere. Carp can be found dead all along the lakes beaches. If you are there not for the water it is still a good getaway to go camping or bring your rv. Lots of campsites with good parking and some with nice privacy. All campsites are by reservations only. Also lots of paths to. Go walking down and the bigger bathrooms have running water and showers. Wifi provided in certain areas.
J Sterman
Friendly staff at marina and on line. Cost was ok because of amenities (showers, electricity, water and marina store). Very hot and extremely windy. Water quality was gross at the swim beach. No luck fishing from shore, inlet, and outlet. Probably better with boat. Stars were ok for elevation. We stayed in Sandpiper loop. Big mistake-very exposed to tornado force winds in the evenings. Lake side and pelican loops are recommended for proximity to lake and cover from the crazy wind. Overall, do not waste your camping time.
Tasha Rae
The park itself is absolutely beautiful even with the algae, but the camping experience was not great. The park employees were great, but the amount of mosquitoes and bugs in general was awful. Mosquitoes were literally on every surface of the camp and car. The wind was also incredibly powerful overnight. We got about 3 hours of sleep between the wind and the bugs and ended up leaving after the first night. We will be cleaning bugs off of my camp equipment and car for months. Just go for a day trip and don't camp.
Shanna de Potts
Wow, what an amazing place. Nice sized spots. Clean bathrooms. Fresh water stops around the campsites. A dump station included in price and fresh water for the RV. The hosts were nice. Just had our 8 th visit. Always awesome. Camp host keep it real nice.
Jamie
Me and my family enjoy coming here at night ro star gaze and my son brings his telescope and has captured comets. If you don't want to camp, theres a huge parking lot available if you just want to come hang out. It's a nice park. Worth the visit for sure.