Jackson Lake State Park: Why We Keep Coming Back
Jackson Lake State Park is our comfort campground.We’ve probably camped here more than any other park in Colorado, and it’s the first…
Jackson Lake State Park is our comfort campground.
We’ve probably camped here more than any other park in Colorado, and it’s the first place we think to go when we need a reset. It’s chill, easy, and just the right amount of “getaway” without being a major haul.
It’s located on the Eastern Plains of Colorado, which is not everyone’s idea of scenic, but we actually kind of love it. The open space, the huge skies, the way the wind rolls in across the prairie—it’s got a quiet energy that we really connect with. And the campground itself? Solid. Super flat and e-bike-friendly, which is a must for us.
The lake is huge, and while we don’t power boat, we love walking the shoreline trails with the dogs. It’s also great for non-powered boats—we love to kayak and paddleboard here. Honestly, the waves from the motorboats just make it more fun. It’s a state park, so it’s dog-friendly with leash rules, but there’s plenty of space to explore. The campsites are well-spaced, and we’ve always been able to snag one with electric hookups, which is a win.
The road to get in is a little dusty and rutted, so if you’ve got a newer rig, just be warned that you’ll arrive with a layer of Colorado charm on everything. Totally worth it, though.
What we love about it:
- Super chill campground energy
- Tons of open space for walking and biking
- Easy access from the Denver area
- Great for a quick weekend trip
- Dog and e-bike friendly (our love languages)
Because Jackson Lake is actually a reservoir used for local farming, the water gets reeeally low toward the end of the season (dare I say… non-existent?). But don’t let that deter you—our dogs LOVE the giant stretch of wet mud that’s left behind. It’s basically a puppy slip-n-slide. 🐾
This is a place we keep returning to, and honestly, it’s kind of our home base for Colorado camping. Jackson Lake just feels easy, and we’re here for that.
Jackson Lake might not always be full of water—but for us, it’s always full of joy, dirt, and dogs. We’ll keep coming back.