Skip to main content

Koppies Dam

Boat Ramps
0
Access Points
0
Campsites
0

Koppies Dam is a combined gravity and arch dam situated on the Renoster River, approximately 16 km east of the town of Koppies in the Free State province of South Africa. The town itself lies roughly 85 km north of Kroonstad, just off the N1 between Kroonstad and Sasolburg, with the roads to the reserve well marked from the highway. The dam stands 25 metres high with a total length of approximately 2,309 metres, forming a substantial reservoir with around 6 kilometres of shoreline. The dam is contained within the Koppies Dam Nature Reserve, which covers approximately 4,719 hectares of highveld grassland and acacia thickets, with willow trees along the riverbanks.

All types of aquatic sport can be enjoyed on the dam, and a slipway is available at the designated boating area, along with shelters and braai facilities. The reserve operates daily from 06h00, with extended hours on Fridays and Saturdays until 20h00. No shops are available within the reserve, so visitors must bring their own provisions.

The reserve supports 250 recorded bird species, including various ducks, cormorants, herons, glossy ibis, African spoonbill, and blue korhaan on and around the water, while the surrounding grasslands host secretary birds, larks, pipits, and cisticolas. The acacia thickets shelter African red-eyed bulbuls, mousebirds, Kalahari scrub robins, and bokmakieries. Fish species present in the dam include yellowfish, carp, mudfish, and barbell, as well as largemouth black bass.

Temperatures on the highveld can drop significantly in winter, with reports of temperatures reaching as low as -3°C during June, so paddlers visiting in the cooler months should plan accordingly. The vegetation along the shoreline consists of mixed grassland and dense acacia thickets with willow trees along the water's edge.

Accommodation options include 10 fully equipped four-sleeper chalets with DSTV, a tent camp sleeping up to twelve people, and caravan sites — twelve with electrical points and additional sites without power along the shoreline. Six ablution facilities are distributed along the shoreline, and braai sites are provided throughout. Contact for the resort can be made at (056) 777 2034 or via email at koppiesdamresort186@gmail.com.


Water access, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Koppies Dam. Uncover great paddling access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. PaddleWays's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Paddle smarter with real-time insights

Whether you're en route and conditions shift or you're looking for the best spot based on current flows, we enable you to make informed decisions on the fly.

Find Places to Paddle

Over 400,000 Places to Paddle

Every user gets free access to launch points, boat ramps, and public property parcels.

Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to paddle Koppies Dam and check the forecast before you go.

No forecast data available.


Explore Free State waters

Top paddling waters

No waters available right now.

Popular Cities

Loading popular cities...

Smarter Paddling Starts in the App.

Paddleways gives you everything you need to plan smarter, paddle better, and own every trip from first launch to takeout.