Julesburg Reservoir

Julesburg Reservoir is a beloved plains fishing and camping destination in Sedgwick County, located in the far northeastern corner of Colorado just outside the town of Sedgwick. With a 4.7-star rating from dozens of visitors, this reservoir has earned a loyal following among families, anglers, and campers seeking a peaceful getaway on the eastern Colorado plains. The reservoir offers a sandy shoreline, calm waters when the wind cooperates, and a sense of solitude that is hard to find at busier Front Range lakes. Reviewers describe it as a hidden gem and a personal vacation spot they return to year after year.

Fishing is the primary draw at Julesburg Reservoir, and anglers report consistent success. Crappie fishing is particularly productive around the towers at the outlet, where soft plastics tipped with crappie nibbles or pieces of shrimp produce bites on nearly every cast when conditions are right. The minimum keeper size for crappie is 10 inches, and many fish run smaller than that, so catch-and-release is common. Beyond crappie, reviewers mention a nice variety of fish species available in the reservoir. A boat ramp provides access for those who want to fish from the water, and the lake sees heavy boat traffic on sunny weekends during peak season.

Camping at Julesburg Reservoir is a rustic experience. The West Campground and other dispersed sites around the reservoir offer vault toilets but no hookups, making this a solid option for tent camping and self-contained RV camping. Weekday visits are notably quieter, with some campers reporting they had the entire campground to themselves. Weekend crowds pick up, particularly on Sundays when boats and families fill the shoreline. The campground's remote location delivers genuinely dark skies, a feature overnight visitors appreciate. Several reviewers chose Julesburg Reservoir as an alternative camping destination during wildfire seasons when mountain campgrounds were affected by smoke or closures.

Swimming is available at Julesburg Reservoir, with visitors using the sandy shoreline areas to cool off in the lake. The reservoir also attracts bird watchers, with blue herons spotted along the banks. Rockhounding is another activity reviewers mention enjoying around the shoreline. Water levels fluctuate and can be quite low during dry periods, which affects both fishing access and the overall appearance of the reservoir. Wind is a persistent factor on the plains, and several reviewers note that it can make tent camping challenging and bank fishing less productive. The access roads leading to the reservoir are washboard-rough dirt roads that require patience to navigate. Despite these minor inconveniences, Julesburg Reservoir remains a treasured outdoor destination for families and anglers in northeastern Colorado who value quiet, uncrowded recreation on the open plains.