Jackson Lake State Park offers glamping in Orchard, Colorado across 2,700 acres of prairie landscape at an elevation of 4,452 feet. The park's reservoir spans 2,700 surface acres, providing opportunities for water recreation in this eastern Colorado destination. Seasonal considerations include significant temperature variations with summer highs frequently exceeding 90°F and winter temperatures dropping below freezing.
What to do
Water recreation access: Jackson Lake State Park Campground provides direct water access with varying lake conditions throughout the season. "Great for fishing and boating," notes Jennifer L., who also cautions that "low lake levels and green water can be an issue later in summer season."
Birding tours: Crow Valley serves as the starting point for the Pawnee birding driving tour. "This is the beginning and end of the Pawnee birding driving tour and less than an hour from the Buttes themselves," shares Amber A., who recommends getting a free map from the ranger office. Shannon O. adds, "There is great bird watching in this area."
Prairie exploration: The surrounding grasslands offer unique wildlife viewing opportunities with fewer crowds than mountain destinations. "We enjoyed exploring this part of the state, complete with pronghorn antelopes, deer, birds, burrowing owls, sunsets, crazy thunderstorms, buttes, and rolling hills," describes Irene L. who visited Crow Valley campground.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Campgrounds near Orchard feature sites with ample room to set up camp. At Crow Valley, David H. notes, "There is a picnic table and fire ring at each site. Bathrooms are plenty close to all sites." Another camper, Dee D., appreciates that "you can easily have the whole place to yourself esp. if you go during the week."
Shaded camping: In an area known for limited tree cover, Crow Valley stands out with its wooded sites. Megan M. describes it as a "nice quiet campground" with "shaded spots next to a wildlife walk." This provides welcome relief during hot summer days when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
Clean facilities: Luxury glamping near Orchard includes well-maintained amenities. At Falcon's Landing RV Park, Dennis G. notes the property is "in the process of being updated and some serious Remodeling" with "great plans moving forward." The park accommodates "overnight, short stays and long term" visitors.
What you should know
Bug preparedness: Insect activity can be intense, particularly during certain seasons. Jennifer L. from Jackson Lake State Park Campground advises, "Bugs can be an issue." Another visitor, Shawn J., specifically mentions "tons of mosquitoes" at the park.
Wind concerns: The open prairie landscape experiences significant wind events. Jennifer L. cautions campers to "always put down awnings/canopies and secure belongings before leaving site" due to wind conditions at Jackson Lake State Park.
Noise considerations: Proximity to highways affects some campgrounds in the area. At Denver East-Strasburg KOA, Christopher H. reports, "Right off of I70, so there is constant highway noise. Train heard faintly in the distance, but not bad. Under the flight paths for Denver airport, so the occasional overhead plan noise."
Utility reliability: Electrical systems vary between campgrounds. Karen A. warns about potential electrical issues at Jackson Lake: "Our camp trip cost us an additional $400 because our site #42 fried our surge protector... This site is not grounded!"
Tips for camping with families
Beach access for children: Jackson Lake State Park Campground offers designated swimming areas popular with families. Casandra L. shares, "Great for taking kids, fishing is awesome the swim beach is lots of fun too. The amphitheater always has fun family type activities which is cool."
Off-season advantages: Visiting during shoulder seasons provides more space for families to explore. Patti C. notes, "We went during off season and the campground was very isolated until the weekends so we had lots of room to explore and play without having others around."
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. At Denver East-Strasburg KOA, Erin S. reports, "The playground was pretty awesome, large and with multiple things to climb on for kiddies." The same reviewer mentions additional family amenities: "They had a pool and kiddie pool" and "The game room is really nice!"
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: For RVers seeking shade, research site locations before booking. Jennifer L. advises, "Some sites are well shaded, others are zero shade. Check google satellite images to find sites that are good for shade."
Power supply considerations: Campers with RVs should verify electrical specifications. Christopher H. notes sites at Denver East-Strasburg KOA may have "connections a little far for some RV models, so make sure you have extensions for cords and hoses just in case."
Levelness assessment: RV campers should prepare for potential site grading issues. Christopher H. stayed "in site 81, which was a bit uneven sloping down to the front of the pull through site" at Denver East-Strasburg KOA.
