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Water

Established Camping

Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area

Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area, near Sterling, Colorado, is a solid spot for those looking to enjoy nature without breaking the bank. This campground offers a mix of tent and RV sites right along the water's edge, making it a great place to kick back and soak in the scenery.

The area is known for its peaceful vibe, with plenty of space to find your own little slice of tranquility. Visitors have mentioned the beautiful trees and the small reservoir, which is perfect for birdwatching—think herons, pelicans, and ducks. One camper even described it as a "birding paradise for the price of a fishing license."

While there are no drinking water facilities, campers appreciate the vault toilets and dumpsters available on-site. Just be aware that the lack of privacy can be a downside, as some sites are pretty close together. If you're up for some adventure, you can also bring a kayak or paddleboard to explore the water, especially during the quieter months when the bugs aren't too bad.

If you're looking for a quiet escape with a chance to connect with nature, Prewitt Reservoir is worth considering. Just remember to pack your own water and be ready for a few friendly neighbors around the campfire!

Description

State Park

https://cpw.state.co.us/learn/Maps/PrewittReservoirSWA_geo.pdf

A valid hunting or fishing license OR SWA pass is required for everyone 16 or older accessing this state wildlife area. For more information, read the frequently asked questions.

These can be purchased through CPW authorized sales agents, by phone (1-800-244-5613) or online at CPWShop.

Fee Info

This campground is only free if you have a Colorado state wildlife permit OR Colorado state hunting and fishing license.

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Location

Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area is located in Colorado

Detail location of campground

Directions

From I-76 at the Merino exit (Exit 102), go 1 mile north to U.S. 6, then 3 1/2 miles northeast (right) to the entrance and follow signs to the boat ramp. There is parking below the dam for fishing the dam or hunting the sloughs to the east.

Coordinates

40.42114168 N
103.38893767 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Hike-In
    Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Available
  • AT&T
    Good
  • T-Mobile
    Unknown

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Dispersed
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites

Contact

General Info

Reservations


Reviews

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4.0

out of 5

12 Reviews

Reviewed Aug. 11, 2024

Decent lil spot

The road in essentially circles the reservoir, and you just pull off where can/want to. The gravel road is well maintained. And there is plenty of room between you and your neighbor. We pulled up around 6 on a Saturday evening and found a great spot.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Adria K., August 11, 2024
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Adria K., August 11, 2024
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Adria K., August 11, 2024
Reviewed Jun. 22, 2024

Don’t go here

Please don’t go here. We love it tons! There is always a place to pull in and set up.

Sitefree spot
Month of VisitJuly
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Melissa C., June 22, 2024
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Melissa C., June 22, 2024
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jul. 17, 2022

Free & Easy to Find

Google took us right to it. Easy to get to. The road in is rigid, not pot hole-y, just small bumps that make for a shaky road. Past that, it was fine. There are a lot of campers, but plenty of spaces even at midnight on a Friday night. Beautiful trees and small reservoir. Watch for the no-seeums in the sandy parts.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Jamie C., July 17, 2022
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Jamie C., July 17, 2022
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Jamie C., July 17, 2022
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Oct. 2, 2021

Birding paradise for the price of a fishing license

Basic “at large” camping here with vault toilets and dumpsters provided but NO POTABLE WATER. Suitable sites for tenting, van and RV parking lie along the verge of the reservoir high water line. Generally a quiet camping area but big RVs translate to loud generators that run all night when it’s warm and the A/C units are running. Birding is good here most of the year even during goose season which opens the first Saturday in October (Herons, grebes, white pelicans, ducks and peeps). It’s possible to SUP or kayak here, even as late as October with easy launching near the dam; late season creates a wide sand flat on the southwest end of the reservoir that is pleasant to let the dogs romp on

SiteAt-large
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Robert C., October 2, 2021
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Robert C., October 2, 2021
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Robert C., October 2, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Aug. 5, 2021

How do you find this place?

We called the reservations number, listed on the app. Spoke with 2 different people that seemed to have no knowledge of the possibility of camping here. The 2⭐️⭐️ are only because we just couldn’t find the place.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jun. 24, 2021

Pretty location but buggy

It was very busy and took a lot of driving around to find a potential spot. But I eventually found a very good spot that was away from many of the other campers. Primarily RVs camped all along the road and perimeter surrounding the reservoir. Very buggy but other than that it's very pretty. There are a few vault toilets. I was close enough that I could comfortably walk to one unless you have an emergency! Middle of the night I hopped in my car and drove to the toilet. Campground host Fred drove by on his golf cart stopping to talk to as many people as he could. Introduced himself and welcomed to the camp. That was a very nice thing I liked about this location!

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Hoody S., June 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Hoody S., June 24, 2021
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Hoody S., June 24, 2021
  • (6) View All
Reviewed May. 16, 2021

pretty peaceful!

lots of nature. I really enjoyed staying here, there are bathrooms on one half which is nice. it was pretty busy when I stayed may 15-16th. would definitely stay here again. 4 stars only because it's super open (no privacy) and campsites are close.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Karrigen P., May 16, 2021
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Karrigen P., May 16, 2021
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Karrigen P., May 16, 2021
Reviewed May. 8, 2021

Peaceful, beautiful, excellent bird watching

We stayed May 5-7, 2021. We travel in a small camper, and our dogs. Place was very quiet and mostly empty. Bugs were mostly not a problem this time of year. We did find a few ticks.

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Ruth L., May 8, 2021
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Ruth L., May 8, 2021
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Ruth L., May 8, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Apr. 9, 2021

Beautiful and peaceful

I wanted a place where I could escape from the everyday. A place where, honestly, I didn’t have to see another soul if I didn’t want to. Let me tell you, this is it right here. Beautiful, calm, quiet, loads of fish jumping out of the water, and most importantly free. What an escape.

Note* Fishing is harder from the shore. I would recommend a boat, kayak, or a canoe if you have one. Early in the morning around 6am and afternoon around 4 they will be very active.

  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Seth , April 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Seth , April 9, 2021
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Seth , April 9, 2021
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Mar. 8, 2021

Quiet and nice

Stopped for the night and found a nice quiet spot on the water. Because of the nice weather there were a handful of other campers around but plenty of little fire rings around to camp next to. Was nice to have a dumpster to throw trash in and a single person bathroom that had probably seen better, cleaner days... Overall, would stop and stay again.

  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Carole , March 8, 2021
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Carole , March 8, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 31, 2020

Nice overnight stay

Just spent the night. It was nice and quiet. The spot we picked was pretty level. Lots of area for walking and exploring. Unfortunately a lot of trash scattered over the area. The road back was moderately washboarded but not too bad since it’s not far from the road.

  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Nancy B., July 31, 2020
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Nancy B., July 31, 2020
Reviewed Apr. 24, 2020

Beach Camping In Colorado

2,400 Acre shallow lake with beaches.

Boating: 2,431-acre lake open to wakeless boating. The lake is situated on 3.400 acres of wetlands.

Camping: There are no campgrounds, however, dispersed camping is permitted around most of the lake. Just look for pre-existing fire rings.

Fishing: Warm-water reservoir stocked with walleye, saugeye, rainbow and cuttbow trout. Other fill include bluegill, crappie and channel catfish.

Hiking: A dirt road wraps around most of the lake, offering something to follow.

Hunting: Waterfowl is the main draw, as well as pheasant, bobwhite quail and deer during appropriate seasons.

Amenities: Boat Ramp Picnic Areas Primitive Restrooms Hiking Trails.

Visitors age 19 through 64 must possess an Annual Jumbo SWA/Prewitt SWA access permit, or a valid hunting or fishing license.

There are no established campgrounds but you can see where the campsites have been created.

  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Laura H., April 24, 2020
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Laura H., April 24, 2020
  • Review photo of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area by Laura H., April 24, 2020
  • (15) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the elevation of Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area?

    Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area is located at 4 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is available, AT&T is good, and T-Mobile is unknown.