Get your summer started with a Colorado road trip to Sterling and Logan County this Memorial Day Weekend. The weather is going to be perfect (Check it out!) for the variety of outdoor activities just waiting for your arrival. Here are six ideas to get you going.

1. Visit North Sterling State Park and get on the water, quick and easy. North Sterling Boat Charter has boats and floats to rent! You can rent a pontoon, paddleboat, kayak, canoe or fishing boat. They have paddleboards too! While you’re there, check out PJ Marina for all your fun-on-the-water needs.

2. Enjoy a relaxing outing at the Prewitt Reservoir State Wildlife Area. Boating that creates a white water wake is prohibited, but a leisurely float on a kayak is highly encouraged! (Photo by: Dylan Holman)

3. If you're looking to forge your own path, pick up a county map at the Logan County Visitor Center and set out on any of our rural roads. Some are paved, some are gravel, and some are shared with farm equipment. You can find great trails to ride at North Sterling State Park, too.

4. Sterling is known for its many beautiful and immaculate parks as the ideal spots for an impromptu picnic. Grab lunch from a local eatery or pack your own basket and stake a bit of green space to soak in the sunshine or play a game of disc golf.

5. Drop a line in the fishin' hole at the Overland Trail Recreation Area. Take a walk on the path that circles the pond. Head out on the natural path along the adjoining South Platte River. Listen to the songbirds. Watch for Canada geese, deer, beavers, turtles, or an occasional eagle soaring overhead.

6. End the day with a sunset view at the Jumbo Reservoir State Wildlife Area. This is a perfect getaway for hunting, boating, fishing, and camping.

As you plan your trip to Sterling and Logan County:

Skip the Traffic Jams

Are you ready for a Colorado road trip to Sterling? Find a variety of ideas to fill your itinerary. Here you’ll discover a plethora of activities for every level of adventure. And to top it all off, you’ll rarely be caught in a traffic jam or stand in line. It’s what we like to call free-range tourism and we’ve got the space to find your place, no matter the weather!

Ditch the Long Lines

We are open for you to enjoy our culinary culture which includes down-home favorites at the local diners and exquisite cuisine in upscale restaurants. A gigantic scoop of hard ice cream is a favorite at the charming Simkins Parlour and the Hot Spot Smokehouse has some of the best barbecue around. Stop at the Parts & Labor Brewing Company for a selection from their diverse menu and a brew made with locally grown wheat.

Roam Freely and Relax

Accommodations in Sterling and Logan County range from a quaint boutique motel to modern hotels in beautiful settings. Travelers who prefer recreational vehicles or tent camping will feel right at home at our campsite facilities.

Buzz to Sterling this weekend for the inaugural Curt “Doc” Kimball Memorial Fly-in at the Sterling Municipal Airport (STK) on Saturday, May 21. It will be a fun-filled day of aviation activities; free and open to the public.

The day begins at 7 am, with a Boy Scout Fundraiser serving a pancake breakfast until 9:30 am. There will be aerobatic demonstrations, an airplane "rodeo," radio-controlled aircraft demonstrations by the Sterling Miniature Aircraft Association, static displays, and food vendors. Airplane rides will be available for $20 per person (weather permitting).

A beloved Sterling surgeon, the late Dr. Kimball loved flying and old warplanes. He generously gave Stearman and T-28 rides for local charities, performed acrobatics, and did flyovers for local patriotic functions. He gave Star Trek’s William Shatner a ride once, and would gladly fly over friends' farms and “buzz” their families. One of his greatest accomplishments was creating the St. Francis Fly-In which was held every year in June, for many years. His family teased him that he lived by the quote, “I’m not perfect, but I’m a pilot, and that’s almost the same thing.”

As you plan your trip to Sterling and Logan County:

Skip the Traffic Jams

Are you ready for a Colorado road trip to Sterling? Find a variety of ideas to fill your itinerary. Here you’ll discover a plethora of activities for every level of adventure. And to top it all off, you’ll rarely be caught in a traffic jam or stand in line. It’s what we like to call free-range tourism and we’ve got the space to find your place, no matter the weather!

Ditch the Long Lines

We are open for you to enjoy our culinary culture which includes down-home favorites at the local diners and exquisite cuisine in upscale restaurants. A gigantic scoop of hard ice cream is a favorite at the charming Simkins Parlour and the Hot Spot Smokehouse has some of the best barbecue around. Stop at the Parts & Labor Brewing Company for a selection from their diverse menu and a brew made with locally grown wheat.

Roam Freely and Relax

Accommodations in Sterling and Logan County range from a quaint boutique motel to modern hotels in beautiful settings. Travelers who prefer recreational vehicles or tent camping will feel right at home at our campsite facilities.

Located under northeast Colorado's blue skies, Sterling is settled just off I-76 between Denver and the Nebraska state line and is highlighted by native grasslands, majestic bluffs, and rolling hills. Visitors delight in the serene qualities of the natural landscape, the authenticity of small-town living, and the friendly atmosphere of an agricultural-based community filled with hometown values.

The largest city in the northeast corner of the state, Sterling is home to the Overland Trail Museum, two 18-hole golf courses, wildlife viewing, Bradford Rhea tree sculptures, July Jamz free concert series, 60 acres of parks, North Sterling Reservoir State Park, walk/bike paths, Logan County Fair & Rodeo, hunting, fishing, boating, birding, Sugar Beet Days Festival, star gazing, historical downtown buildings and other sites, unique gift and antique shops, a variety of eateries, and quality lodging.

Sterling is two hours from any traffic jam, which ensures plenty of time to exhale, unwind and enjoy. Make plans to visit Sterling this summer!

Sterling, the heart of Logan County...

...is surrounded by over 1800 sq. miles with an uninterrupted star-filled sky.

...was named one of the “25 Best Pheasant Hunting Towns in America” by Pheasants Forever Magazine.

...boasts over 60 acres of parks with paths and trails.

...is called the “City of Living Trees” for its many tree sculptures created by Bradford Rhea.

...celebrates one of the most heavily traveled routes across the high plains in the 1800s at the Overland Trail Museum.

...is the gateway to the Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic & Historic Byway.

...claims a state-of-the-art hospital and the acclaimed David Walsh Cancer Center, a premier two-year college, a vibrant town square, a Downtown Historic District, and the first brewery on the eastern plains.

...is the home of North Sterling Reservoir State Park and its array of boating and wildlife activities.

...is located in the beautiful South Platte River Valley with 331 clear, sunny days a year!

WHERE TO EAT Logan County's culinary culture includes down-home favorites at local diners, and unique cuisine and signature specialties at our restaurants.

WHERE TO STAY Accommodations in Sterling range from a quaint boutique motel to modern hotels in beautiful settings. Travelers who prefer recreational vehicles or tent camping will feel right at “home” at our campsite facilities.

STAY IN TOUCH Want to keep up with everything that Sterling has to offer? Sign up for our monthly newsletter and get the latest news, deals and more delivered right to your inbox!

Of all the paths you take in life,

make sure a few of them are dirt.

-John Muir

Get out of the city for more road and less traffic in rural Logan County.

1. If you're looking to forge your own path, pick up a county map at the Logan County Visitor Center and set out on any of our rural roads. Some are paved, some are gravel, and some are shared with farm equipment.

2. The bonuses to cycling - including physical health benefits of cycling, mental health benefits of cycling, and an almost guaranteed broadening of your social circle - are as numerous as the beautiful roads you can find. Find designated routes here https://trails.colorado.gov/, including an easy pathway in Sterling's Pioneer Park.

3. If you prefer to keep your feet on the ground, you can find a variety of hiking trails to enjoy at North Sterling State Park or along the South Platte River on the east side of Sterling.

Riding a bicycle on the road

·         Bicycles are vehicles and bicyclists have the right to ride on the road.

·         Obey all traffic signs, signals and right of way rules. Only a handful of Colorado communities allow people on bikes to treat stop signs as yield signs and red lights as stop signs.

·         Ride with the flow of traffic, unless you are in a designated contraflow bike lane.

·         Yield to pedestrians.

·         Use hand signals 100 ft. before turning, merging or stopping if you can do so while safely operating your bike.

·         Beginning at dusk or when visibility is poor, use at minimum a white front light, red rear reflector and side reflectors.

·         Bicyclists may ride side-by-side when not impeding the normal flow of traffic. In some situations, riding two abreast can be helpful to increase your visibility and reduce the passing time for drivers.

·         Ride in the right third of the lane serving your direction of travel when it feels safe. Use the full lane at any time to avoid obstacles, to be more visible, to prepare for a left turn or to discourage drivers from passing when it is not safe. You may also leave the right side of the lane if you are overtaking a slower-moving vehicle or riding on a one-way road.

·         Check your local ordinances for whether it is legal to ride on sidewalks in your community. Where sidewalk riding is legal, bicyclists on sidewalks have the same rights and responsibilities as pedestrians and must ride with caution for the safety of pedestrians and to stay alert for drivers when crossing driveways, alleys and crosswalks.

·         People on bikes have the right of way in a bike lane, and bike lanes extend through intersections, regardless of whether or not they are painted through the intersection.

·         Ride defensively, stay visible and be prepared to react. It’s important never to assume that a driver sees you.

·         Scan regularly while riding, particularly before turning, changing lanes and navigating intersections.

·         Ride in the street where you are most visible and use caution on sidewalks and crosswalks where legal.

·         Ride in the center of the lane when there are obstacles to the right, to discourage passing in narrow lanes or to increase visibility through intersections.

·         Ride outside of a bike lane if your safety is compromised by its condition or orientation.

·         Give yourself space to be seen between and next to cars.

·         Leave room alongside parked cars and when passing driveways to avoid opening doors or drivers pulling out.

·         Maintain a straight line as you ride and avoid weaving.

·         Avoid lane-splitting.

·         Attempt to make eye contact if conditions allow.

·         When you feel uncomfortable riding, dismount and walk your bike.

·         You may choose to go above and beyond to help drivers see you with additional lights, bright colors, reflective gear, mirrors or front/rear cameras.

Logan County has a total area of 1,845 square miles, of which 1,839 square miles is land and 6.3 square miles is water. The county seat, Sterling, is the largest urban area in northeast Colorado, giving the otherwise rural Logan County the best of both worlds. Sterling has great art, shops, and restaurants, while outdoor enthusiasts find many opportunities to have fun.

North Sterling State Park is the jewel of Logan County Centered on a large reservoir about 15 miles northwest of Sterling, this park offers interesting topography, hiking trails, camping, fishing, birding, and fantastic boating. When enjoying our great outdoors, remember to Care For Colorado. With a little preparation, a spirit of adventure, and a soft spot for nature and the past, you'll be on the trail to exploring Colorado and Logan County like a local.

Photo by Colorado Country Life

Sterling is called the City of Living Trees thanks to the incredible sculptures that local artist Bradford Rhea carved from dying trees; stop by the Logan County Visitor Center to get started on a self-guided tour of 13 of the sculptures or use this digital guide and map.

The revitalized downtown has unique shops and boutiques, such as the Sterling Creatives Art Co-op, and restaurants including the Hot Spot Smokehouse, and Simkins Parlour, and Sam and Louie's Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria. The popular Parks and Labor Brewing Co. is the first craft brewery to open on Colorado's eastern plains.

The Overland Trail Museum assembles a vast collection of artifacts and compelling exhibits, with a modern facility joined by a host of historic buildings. A diorama depicts the Battle of Summit Springs, where Buffalo Bill Cody helped lead the charge in the last big fight between the U.S. cavalry and Plains Indians in Colorado, just south of Sterling in 1869.

The Sterling area has two 18-hole golf courses and one disc golf course, an extensive shooting sports complex, numerous city parks, and vibrant festivals, including July Jamz, a free outdoor summer concert series each Friday in July. The perfect place to enjoy our style of free-range tourism.