Nebraska Field Trips

Pony Express National Historic Trail
Most of the original trail has been obliterated either by time or human activities. Along many segments, the trail's actual route and exact length are matters of conjecture. In the western states, the majority of the trail has been converted, over the years, to double track dirt roads. Short pristine segments, believed to be traces of the original trail, can be seen only in Utah and California. However, approximately 120 historic sites may eventually be available to the public, including 50 existing Pony Express stations or station ruins.

Old Spanish National Historic Trail
Take a journey across the Southwest on the Old Spanish National Historic Trail between Santa Fe and Los Angeles for history, culture, and scenic beauty.

California National Historic Trail
The road to California carried over 250,000 gold-seekers & farmers to the gold fields & rich farmlands of California during the 1840's and 1850's – the greatest mass migration in American history. More than 1,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen in the vast undeveloped west – reminders of the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of early American travelers and settlers.

Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Between May 1804 and September 1806, 32 men, one woman, and a baby traveled from the plains of the Midwest to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. They called themselves the Corps of Discovery. In their search for a water route to the Pacific Ocean, they opened a window onto the west for the young United States.

Oregon National Historic Trail
As the harbinger of America's westward expansion, the Oregon Trail was the pathway to the Pacific for fur traders, gold seekers, missionaries and others. Today, more than 2,000 miles of trail ruts and traces can still be seen in the vast undeveloped western lands – reminders of the sacrifices, struggles, and triumphs of early American travelers and settlers.

Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
Led by Brigham Young, roughly 70,000 Mormons traveled along the Mormon Trail from 1846 to 1869 in order to escape religious persecution. The Pioneer Company of 1846-1847 established a route from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Salt Lake City, Utah, covering about 1,300 miles that would include construction of new ferries and bridges, and the placement of markers for others to follow.

Missouri National Recreational River
A Great American Riverway - The Missouri has a history like no other river. Explore the great waterway of American Indians, fur trappers, Lewis and Clark, and many others. Experience the dynamic character of the river's ever-changing nature. View the natural beauty of the "rec river" along 100 miles of the Nebraska-South Dakota border. Listen for the eerie screech of the majestic bald eagle or the splash of a trophy fish.

Trailside Museum of Natural History
"In spring 2006, the mammoths returned to the Panhandle in a new "Clash of the Titans" exhibit at the Trailside Museum in Fort Robinson State Park near Crawford. The fossils had been at UNL since they were found, with the University of Nebraska State Museum recently resurrecting a plan to put the one-of-a-kind find into a proper exhibit.

Indian Cave State Park
With 3,052 rugged acres bordering the mighty Missouri River, Indian Cave is a pristine area, devoted to camping, hiking and backpacking, picnicking, nature and wilderness activities. Located 10 miles south of Brownville and 5 miles east on S 64E, Indian Cave boasts a variety of hardwood trees, shrubs and other flora. There are 22 miles of hiking trails in the park.
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Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area - Ames
One of eastern Nebraska's most popular recreation areas, this is a favorite area with campers, picnickers and water enthusiasts - from boating to fishing to water skiing.

Victoria Springs State Recreation Area - Anselmo
Heralded for its therapeutic value, water from Victoria's mineral springs was once bottled for sale nationwide. Now, this secluded, scenic, 60-acre SRA, east of Anselmo, is a great little getaway place. Facilities: 2 housekeeping cabins, 60 non-pad campsites, 21 electrical hookups (30/50 amp), dump station, showers, restrooms, water, picnic tables, shelter, paddleboats, fishing lagoon.
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Arnold State Recreation Area - Anselmo
Mature trees provide summer campers with cooling shade. The area offers camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking and has electrical and primitive camping. This park is the ideal quiet getaway spot for people wanting to enjoy the natural beauty of Nebraska.

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park - Ashland
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park offers year-round accommodations and recreational use. This ultra modern park offers a spectacular array of lodging, group meeting facilities and activities. 40 guest rooms, each with private bath. There are sleeping lofts and fireplaces in 16 rooms. Each has two queen beds. The Peter Kiewit Lodge also houses the restaurant (where guests can dine with the scenic Platte River as a backdrop), a gift shop and meeting rooms. The restaurant can also cater meals for group activities.
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Long Lake State Recreation Area - Basset
Long Lake State Recreation Area is a natural sandhill lake consisting of 155 acres at normal water level. The State of Nebraska owns 80 acres of which 50 acres are marsh or water and 30 acres of rolling sand hills which produce an abundance of warm and cool season grasses.

Long Pine State Recreation Area - Bassett
Long Pine is a 153-acre tract of Pine Ridge land straddling Long Pine Creek. The area offers primitive camping, hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing.
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Keller Park State Recreation Area - Bassett
Keller Park SRA, northwest of Ainsworth on Bone Creek, is one of the few spots where anglers can pursue rainbow trout along with warm-water species. The 196-acre area has 10 acres of water in five fishing ponds.
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Atkinson Lake State Recreation Area - Bassett
Atkinson Lake State Recreation Area's original lake impoundment built in 1894 by the Atkinson Milling and Irrigation Company and was operated for milling purposes and hydroelectric generation until 1929 when high water washed out the dam.
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Chimney Rock National Historic Site - Bayard
Chimney Rock has become one of the most famous landmarks in the American West. This unique formation--the most noted on the Oregon Trail--has come to symbolize the greatest voluntary migration in the history of mankind. The site is adminstered by the Nebraska State Historical Society which operates the Ethel and Christopher J. Abbot Visitor Center at the Chimney Rock National Historic Site. The Visitor Center features museum exhibits explaining the westward migration of the nineteenth century and the significant role Chimney Rock had in the memories of those who traveled the trails west.
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Homestead National Monument of America - Beatrice
FREE LAND was the cry!! - The cry was FREE LAND! The Homestead Act of 1862 was one of the most significant and enduring events in the westward expansion of the United States. By granting free land it allowed nearly any man or woman a chance to live the American dream of owning their own land. Visit this fee free Unit in the National Park System to gain an understanding of the impact of the Homestead Act.
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Pibel Lake State Recreation Area - Burwell
Pibel Lake is a 72-acre state recreation area set in a small valley hidden from the highway. The lake was recently renovated and stocked with bluegills, largemouth bass and channel catfish. A boat dock for smaller boats also has been added.

Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park - Burwell
Located near Elyria, Fort Hartsuff is typical of Plains infantry outposts. It stood as a buffer between settlers and Indians in the North Loup River valley from 1874 81. Its nine major buildings were built of concrete, which helped them withstand the passage of time. Acquired as a historical park in 1961, it has been restored as it was when soldiers patrolled the Loup and Cedar river valleys and pioneered a new trail to the Black Hills gold fields in the 1870s.
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Calamus State Recreation Area - Burwell
Nebraska's newest large reservoir and the site of a major fish hatchery, Calamus offers prime fishing and camping in the heart of the Sandhills. The modern campgrounds have 122 pads with 30/50 amp electrical hookups, plus 55 non-pad sites, modern restrooms, showers, dump station and water. Other facilities include: Unsupervised swimming beach, 5 boat ramps, vault toilets, picnic tables and fish cleaning stations.
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Medicine Creek State Recreation Area - Cambridge
Rated by many visitors as one of Nebraska's more scentic recreation spots. The dam on Medicine Creek is a zoned, earth-filled structure.
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Walgren Lake State Recreation Area - Chadron
Walgren Lake is a scenic camping area that deserves attention. A rock shelterhouse is available at Walgren Lake SRA on a first-come, first-served basis, and the area's 50-acre lake, which has a 5-mph speed limit, features a handicapped-accessible fishing pier and two boat ramps and boat docks.

Chadron State Park - Chadron
The majestic beauty of the Pine Ridge forms the backdrop for this great, get away from it all state park. The park lies in the heart of the Nebraska National Forest and is dominated by ponderosa pines. Chadron boasts a top-notch modern campground with 70 pads all with 30 amp electrical hookups. Excellent hike-bike trails lace the park and adjoining Forest Service lands.
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Fort Robinson State Park - Crawford
Western Nebraska's premier state park, Fort Robinson has it all; exquisite Pine Ridge scenery, compelling old west history, exceptional lodging, loads of fun-time activities, scenic camping and the park's own buffalo and longhorn herds. This historic outpost served from the days of the Indian Wars until after World War II. This was the site of the 1879 Cheyenne Outbreak and the death of famed Sioux Chief Crazy Horse. Over the years, the fort served the Red Cloud Indian Agency, as a cavalry remount station, K-9 dog training center, POW camp and beef research station.
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Fort Robinson Museum - Crawford
From Crazy Horse to the cavalry to the K-9 Corps, Fort Robinson played host to them all. Experience the long and varied history of this outpost on the Plains. The museum at Fort Robinson is located in the 1905 post headquarters building. Museum exhibits trace the history from the post's role guarding the Red Cloud Agency (1874-77) through the housing of World War II German POW's (1943-46). Among the many fascinating objects you will see in the museum's exhibits are the only known dog kennel from the K-9 Corps of World War II, marksmanship medals earned by Caleb Benson, a Buffalo Soldier at Fort Robinson between 1902 and 1909, and nineteenth-century Sioux objects related to the Red Cloud Agency.
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Box Butte Reservoir State Recreation Area - Crawford
Box Butte Reservoir Attractions: Electrical and Primitive camping, water, boat ramp, fish cleaning station, unsupervised swimming, picnic tables, shelters, vault toilets, fishing and hiking.

Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area - Crofton
Nebraska's second largest lake, Lewis & Clark draws its name from the Lewis & Clark Expedition, which camped nearby on their epic journey to explore the Louisiana Purchase.

North Loup State Recreation Area - Doniphan
North Loup is a 13-acre area adjacent to the Loup River with 2 ponds totaling 7 acres. This area offers fishing, picnicking, a playground and primitive campsites.

Mormon Island State Recreation Area - Doniphan
Named for the winter stopover used by Mormon emigrants heading westward, Mormon Island State Recreation Area still offers comfort and conveniences to campers and other travelers on Interstate 80, as part of Nebraska's unique "Chain of Lakes."
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DLD State Recreation Area - Doniphan
DLD is a former wayside area encompassing 7 acres of land. The area offers picnicking and 4 non-designated campsites. DLD is located 5 miles east of Hastings on U.S. Highway 6.

Crystal Lake State Recreation Area - Doniphan
Crystal Lake is a 33-acre park adjacent to the Little Blue River and features a 30-acre lake. The area offers picnicking, swimming, a playground and a tennis court. There are 50 non-designated campsites and 20 additional campsites with electrical hook-ups. Crystal Lake is located 1 ½ miles north of Ayr- U.S. Highway 281.

Johnson Lake State Recreation Area - Elwood
Excellent camping and water sports are hallmarks of this ever popular area. It is the heart of a complex of lakes on the Tri-County Canal south of I-80 between Lexington and Cozad. It provides fine outdoor recreation opportunities, especially when joined with its neighbors, Gallapher Canyon SRA, Elwood Reservoir WMA, Plum Creek and Phillips Canyon.
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Gallagher Canyon State Recreation Area - Elwood
Gallagher Canyon SRA offers access to the 400-acre Johnson Lake. Gallagher Canyon offers good spring crappie fishing in the coves, as well as channel and flathead catfish. Drum and carp are common catches also. The area has a gravel boat ramp.
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Rock Creek Lake State Recreation Area - Enders
Rock Creek State Recreation Area is a 50-acre lake on Rock Creek with 54 acres of land. This area offers camping, hiking, boating, fishing and picnicking. There are non-designated campsites available.

Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area - Enders
Enders Reservoir SRA at Enders has 3a waterfowl refuge. Enders offers water-based recreation for fishing, boating, water skiing, hunting and winter sports. The area has picnic tables, grills, shelters, showers, modern restrooms, boat ramps and a fish cleaning station.

Champion Mill State Historical Park - Enders
Champion Mill, the last functional water-powered mill in Nebraska, stands as a symbol of the settlement and development of Nebraska and the West. As a historical park, it remains an example of the late 19th and early 20th century industrial milling.
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Champion Lake State Recreation Area - Enders
Champion Lake is a 2-acre tract of land located on an 11-acre lake. The area offers picnicking, fishing and 8 primitive campsites. Champion Lake is located ½ mile west of Champion - U.S. Highway 6 or S-15A.
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Rock Creek Station State Historical Park - Fairbury
Rock Creek is a state historical park which encompasses some 350 acres of prairie hilltops, timber-studded creek bottoms, and rugged ravines. Deep ruts, carved by the many wagons that traveled the Oregon/California and Pony Express Trails, are plainly visible there. They bear mute testimony to the rich history of the area. Visitors will find an excellent interpretive center, picnic areas, hiking and nature trails, as well as a modern campground on an adjoining tract. Rock Creek Station is open year-round.

Rock Creek Station State Recreation Area - Fairbury
Rock Creek Station Recreation Area is a 40-acre campground adjacent to the Rock Creek Station State Historical Park.

Alexandria State Recreation Area - Fairbury
Alexandria is a small recreation area encompassing 55 acres of land with two lakes totalling 46 acres of water. The area is fairly level with mature trees offering fishing, picnic shelters and campsites.
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Summit Lake State Recreation Area - Fort Calhoun
Summit is a 190-acre Natural Resources District lake with 345 acres of land. This area offers boating, hiking, hunting, picnicking, trailer dump station and a swimming beach. There are 26 camper pads and an additional 32 non-designated campsites.

Pelican Point State Recreation Area - Fort Calhoun
Pelican Point is a 36-acre tract of land adjacent to the Missouri River. This area has a picnic shelter and primitive camping.

Fort Atkinson State Historical Park - Fort Calhoun
The first U.S. military post west of the Missouri River, Fort Atkinson was established in 1820 on recommendation of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Located at Fort Calhoun, the fort was important to the early fur trade, river traffic and Indian relations. Much of the historic outpost has been reconstructed, and interpretive work continues. Living history demonstrations are scheduled periodically during the summer.

Scotts Bluff National Monument - Gering
Towering eight hundred feet above the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff has been a natural landmark for many peoples, and it served as the path marker for those on the Oregon, California, Mormon, and Pony Express Trails. Scotts Bluff National Monument preserves 3,000 acres of unusual land formations which rise over the otherwise flat prairieland below.
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Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area - Gering
Picturesque wilderness, Wildcat Hills SRA and Big Game Reserve encompass 761 acres of rugged rock buttes and pine-covered canyons, 10 miles S of Gering. It is also home to an extraordinary Nature-Visitor Center. It is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily April-September and 8-4:30 Monday-Friday October-March (closed weekends). Facilities: Picnic tables, shelters, water, vault toilets, hiking trails and 30 non-pad campsites.
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Oliver Reservoir State Recreation Area - Gering
With 917 acres of land and a 270-acre lake, Oliver Reservoir State Recreation Area is the only waterbased recreational facility in the southwest Panhandle. Facilities include a campground, two boat ramps and docks, swimming beach, change houses, drinking water, vault toilets, picnic tables, shelters, grills, lighting and parking lots. Landscaping and tree plantings add beauty and shade to the area.

Bridgeport State Recreation Area - Gering
Relatively small but very popular, Bridgeport State Recreation Area totals 197 acres with 119 acres of land and 78 acres of water in several sand pit lakes. Bridgeport had its beginnings during the 1930s as a sand and gravel pumping operation. During the early part of World War II, gravel from Bridgeport was hauled to Alliance to build the concrete runways for the paratrooper base there.

Windmill State Recreation Area - Gibbon
Windmill State Recreation Area was once a stopping spot for early-day travelers. It still serves travelers today with modem camping facilities, a 14-acre man-made lake, and a fascinating assortment of antique windmills. It draws its name from the locale, Windmill Crossing, where the Pawnee Indians forded the Platte River during their annual buffalo hunts. The old-time windmills that add so much to the character of the area were acquired in the early 1970's. They have all been restored to working order.
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War Axe State Recreation Area - Gibbon
War Axe area offers boating, fishing and picnicking. Electric motor and non-powered boats can be used on the area's lake.

Cheyenne State Recreation Area - Grand Island
Cheyenne is a former wayside area with a 15 acre pond. The area offers fishing,camping and picnicking. There are no designated campsites, however, it is a small unstaffed area that can accomodate about 8 non electrical tent sites with a modern restroom that are all first come, first serve. Camp fires are permitted in designated fire rings.

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument - Harrison
Agate is more than fossils - During the 1890s, scientists rediscovered what the Lakota Sioux already knew - bones preserved in one of the most complete Miocene mammal sites in the world. Yet, Agate is a landscape that reflects many players – from early animals roaming the valleys and hills, to tribal nations calling the High Plains home, to explorers and ranchers passing through or settling in the American West.
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Union Pacific State Recreation Area - Kearney
Union Pacific is a former wayside area comprising 26 acres of land and 12 acres in a sandpit. This area offers boating, picnicking and fishing. There are non-designated campsites with a modern restroom facility.

Sandy Channel State Recreation Area - Kearney
Sandy Channel is a 134-acre area adjacent to the Platte River with 47 acres of ponds. The area offers primitive camping. You can visit the Chevyland U.S.A. Auto Museum. While you're at Sandy Channel, you may see some of the local scuba divers enjoying the local underwater scenery.

Fort Kearny State Recreation Area - Kearney
Fort Kearny SRA offers 186 acres dotted with sandpit lakes. In the spring, the world's largest concentration of sandhill cranes and waterfowl gathers in the central Platte River valley. Facilities include electrical and primitive camp pads, showers, dump station, modern restrooms, water, picnic tables, grills, shelters, wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, nature trail, non power boating and hike-bike trail.
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Fort Kearny State Historical Park - Kearney
Built to protect Overland Trail travelers, Fort Kearny SHP near Kearney was a stage station, home station for the Pony Express, outfitting depot for Indian campaigns and home of the Pawnee Scouts. The stockade, parade grounds and blacksmith shop have been rebuilt.
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Ash Hollow State Historical Park - Lewellen
Sweet spring water made Ash Hollow SHP near Lewellen a major stopover on the Overland Trail and prompted prehistoric Indians to use it, too. Ruts etched by west-bound wagons are visible on the bluffs at Windlass Hill. The history, archaeology and paleontology of the area are interpreted at the visitor center, Ash Hollow Cave and exhibits and structures.
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Cowboy State Recreational Trail - Lincoln
Work continues on the longest Rails-to-Trails conversion in the nation. When complete, the Cowboy Trail will span 321 miles. Portions are open to the public now. The trail begins in the east by Norfolk in the Elkhorn River basin, will pass through the Sandhills region and end at Chadron, connecting 29 communities in eight counties across northern Nebraska with topography ranging from farms and ranches to canyon lands. The trail encompasses 221 bridges that require more than 3.5 miles of decking. Following the gentle slopes of the old Chicago Northwestern rail line provides easy peddling for biking.

Wagon Train State Recreation Area - Lincoln
Wagon Train is a 315-acre Corps of Engineers watershed impoundment with 746 acres of land. There are 70 non-designated campsites. Wagon Train Lake is located 2 miles east of Hickman. This area offers boating, fishing, picnicking and a swimming beach.

Stagecoach State Recreation Area - Lincoln
Stagecoach is a 195-acre Corps of Engineers flood control impoundment with 607 acres of land. This area offers boating, fishing and picnicking. There are 50 non-designated campsites and a handicapped-accessible fishing pier. Stagecoach is located1 ½ miles south & ½ mile west of Hickman.

Rockford State Recreation Area - Lincoln
Rockford SRA offers shady primitive campsites and campsites with electricity around a 150-acre lake. The area offers boating, fishing, picnicking and a swimming beach.

Pioneer State Recreation Area - Lincoln
Day use only. No facilities.

Pawnee State Recreation Area - Lincoln
Featuring the second largest lake in the Salt Valley, Pawnee State Recreation Area area offers a full range of facilities to go with its 740 water acres. Pawnee has modern restrooms and showers, plus electrical hookups for campers.

Olive Creek State Recreation Area - Lincoln
Olive Creek State Recreation area has 612 acres of land and water available to outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Although small, the 175-acre lake supports a variety of fish from largemouth bass to bluegill to two kinds of catfish, making for a diversity of fishing excitement. Boaters are restricted to 5 mph.

Memphis State Recreation Area - Lincoln
Memphis State Recreation Area is a 163-acre state recreation area with a 48-acre lake. The area offers primitive camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing. Only electric- or non-powered boats are allowed at Memphis — a rule that helps maintain the peaceful surroundings.

Conestoga State Recreation Area - Lincoln
Conestoga is a 230-acre Corps of Engineers flood control reservoir with 486 acres of land. The area offers power boating, picnicking and fishing. The area has a dump station and 57 non-designated campsites.

Bluestem State Recreation Area - Lincoln
Anglers especially enjoy this 742-acre state recreation area. The 325-acre lake offers diverse action for anglers of all abilities. Opportunity awaits to try for largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, walleye, northern pike and wiper among others. Boating is allowed at Bluestem, and boaters find there is easy access to the water from strategically located ramps. The 417 acres of land around the lake give hunters plenty of room to maneuver for pheasants, quail, squirrel cottontail rabbit, waterfowl and deer.

Blue River State Recreation Area - Lincoln
This area only provides "walk-in" pedestrian river access. Day Use Only.

Schramm Park State Recreation Area - Louisville
Schramm Park SRA is another picturesque Platte River area and home of the exceptional Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium. Also the site of the state's first fish hatchery (1882), the old hatch house is now a fish management museum, and there is an interesting geologic display nearby. The picnic areas offer spectacular views of the countryside, and there is a 3-mile nature-hiking trail divided into two 1½-mile segments.

Platte River State Park - Louisville
Platte River State Park is an innovative area, where the Commission has implemented some intriguing concepts in park lodging, management and design. This up-to-the-minute facility offers a wide range of activities and lodging choices, while keeping costs to a minimum.
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Louisville State Recreation Area - Louisville
The scenic Louisville State Recreation Area has long been popular with eastern Nebraska outdoor enthusiasts and has now become an important adjunct to nearby Platte River State Park. The area boasts an excellent complex for Recreational Vehicles (RVs). The area is ideally located for campers who want to enjoy not only this picturesque area itself, but also take advantage of the facilities at Platte River State Park.
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Sherman Reservoir State Recreation Area - Loup City
Another fine water-oriented area, Sherman Reservoir has a 2,845-acre lake and 4,721 land acres, 5 miles northeast of Loup City. The primitive camping includes 360 non-pad sites. Other facilities include picnic tables and shelters, water, dump station, modern restrooms, vault toilets, 3 boat ramps, fish cleaning stations, coin-operated showers and concession.

Bowman Lake State Recreation Area - Loup City
Bowman Lake is a manmade lake. This area offers picnicking, fishing and primitive camping.

Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation Area - McCook
At top conservation pool, the lake at Red Willow Reservoir covers 1,628 acres of the nearly 6,000 acres managed for public recreation and wildlife. The dam on Red Willow Creek is a zoned, earth-filled structure. Some of the finest fishing and hunting in the state are found at Red Willow, and the are has excellent facilities for camping and water-oriented recreation.
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Cottonwood Lake State Recreation Area - Merriman
Cottonwood has a typical sandhills lake encompassing 60 acres and 180 acres of land adjacent. The area is partially forested and offers power boating, picnicking and swimming. The area has a playground.

Bowring Ranch State Historical Park - Merriman
Bowring Ranch near Merriman is a Hereford demonstration ranch, donated by former U.S. Senator Eve Bowring in memory of her husband. The ranch house displays fine antique china, crystal and silver as well as memorabilia from their active public service careers. The visitor center interprets ranching, homesteading, geology, wildlife and many other areas related to the Sandhills and Bowrings.
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Lake Minatare State Recreation Area - Minatare
Home of Nebraska's only lighthouse and a federal waterfowl refuge.
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Riverview Marina State Recreation Area - Nebraska City
Riverview Marina SRA, with its access to the Missouri River, is very popular. It is a 47-acre site adjacent to the Missouri River that offers electrical and primitive campsites with a shower house. The area offers camping, fishing and picnicking.
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Arbor Lodge State Historical Park - Nebraska City
This beautiful estate in Nebraska City was home to J. Sterling Morton, founder of Arbor Day. From its beginning in 1855 as a four-room frame house, the magnificent mansion grew to 52 rooms through several remodelings. Authentic furnishings grace the rooms, and displays capture the life and times of this exceptional man.
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Niobrara State Park - Niobrara
Situated at the confluence of the Niobrara and Missouri rivers on Nebraska's northeastern border, Niobrara State Park offers visitors an opportunity to sample a wide range of outdoor experiences. Cabins, camping from RVs to tents, picnicking, swimming, boat ramps, Missouri River raft tours, horseback trail rides, hiking, fishing, history or communing with Mother Nature are all availble at this exceptional state park.
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Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area - North Platte
Sutherland SRA is a 3,017-acre lake with 37 acres of land on three accesses. The area offers primitive camping, power boating, fishing and a swimming beach. There are non-electrical pad sites along with non designated sites.
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Lake Maloney State Recreation Area - North Platte
A popular state recreation area south of North Platte, Maloney offer campsites with electrical hookups, a dump station, water, boat ramps, swimming, vault toilets, picnic tables, fish cleaning stations and grills.

Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park - North Platte
Home of famed showman scout William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, Buffalo Bill Ranch SHP at North Platte recaptures the life and career of the famed Pony Express rider, Army scout and buffalo hunter turned showman. The house was built during the Cody's profitable venture, the Wild West Show, and money for development of the ranch and Cody's other interests was plentiful. No expense was spared in building and furnishing the ranch, and visitors will see many interesting features.
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Buffalo Bill Ranch State Recreation Area - North Platte
Part of Buffalo Bill State Historical Park, this state recreation area offers camping pads with electricity, primitive sites and a group picnic shelter.
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Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area - Ogallala
Chilled by the massive surface of Lake McConaughy, a breeze sweeps gently eastward across Kingsley Dam and tumbles 160 feet to the surface of Lake Ogallala. There, at the "little lake," anglers and campers enjoy the natural air conditioning, but sunset comes early in the shadow of the towering dam to the west.

Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area - Ogallala
Yes, we still have water. Despite several years of drought, Lake McConaughy is still 12 miles long and boat ramps are available at Divers Bay and Martin Bay. While campers will find more beach available to set up on for primitive camping, folks requiring modern sites with electricity and showers should be prepared to drive or walk some distance to the lake shore.

Willow Creek State Recreation Area - Pierce
Willow Creek, 1 1/2 miles SW of Pierce, has 1,633 acres with a 700-acre lake. Facilities include: 100 camping pads, 64 with 30 amp electrical hookups, 19 with 50 amp electrical hookups. Picnic tables and shelters, fire grates, water, showers, modern restrooms, accessible fishing pier, archery field course, unsupervised swimming, two playgrounds and an 8-mile hiking/horseback trail around the lake. Seven rock jetties provide some fine fishing access.

Ponca State Park - Ponca
Situated astride the picturesque Missouri River bluffs in northeastern Nebraska, Ponca State Park is the eastern gateway to the 59-mile section of the Missouri National Recreational River, one of two unchannelized stretches of the river bordering Nebraska". Designated under the Scenic River Act in 1978, this section of river gives visitors a glimpse of how the untamed river looked before modern man changed it forever.
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Branched Oak State Recreation Area - Raymond
Branched Oak is the largest of the Salt Valley Lakes near Lincoln. The swimming beaches are unsupervised. Full hookups (water, sewer, electric) are available on 12 camping sites. The campgrounds have restrooms, showers, drinking water, and 4 dump stations. There are 338 pad sites, 287 with electrical (213 – 30 amp / 40 – 50-amp). There are 172 electrical and 9 non-electric sites available for reservations. There is ample space for primitive camping.

Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park - Royal
Nearly 12 million years ago, volcanic ash engulfed this ancient watering hole, entombing innumerable animals. National Geographic has called it the Pompeii of prehistoric animals. Because of its scientific importance, the 360-acre historical park between Orchard and Royal was acquired in 1987 and is a joint project of the Game and Parks Commission and the University of Nebraska State Museum. See paleontologists "dig" the site and prepare fossils unearthed. Interpretive facilities, include a visitor center and rhino barn. Picnicking is available at Grove Lake WMA near Royal. Admission is charged in addition to the Park Entry Permit.
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Dead Timber State Recreation Area - Scribner
This 200 acre area near Scribner on the Elkhorn River has 50 acres of water and offers good camping, picnicking, fishing and non powered boating. The area has 17 pads with 30-amp electrical hookups, primitive camping, drinking water and latrines.
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Verdon State Recreation Area - Shubert
Verdon offers primitive camping and picnicking. The highlight of Verdon SRA is its spring-fed, 45-acre lake. Renovated in 1998, the lake is filled with chunky, hard-fighting largemouth bass, as well as bluegills, white crappies and channel catfish. Only electric boat motors are allowed on the lake.

Brownville State Recreation Area - Shubert
Home to the historic Meriwether Lewis Dredge Museum, operated by the Meriwether Lewis Foundation. It offers boating access to the mighty Missouri River, with an excellent boat ramp and dock. Activities and facilities include camping (14 hard-surfaced pads), picnicking, shelters, drinking water and latrines.

Swanson Reservoir State Recreation Area - Stratton
Swanson SRA is the largest of four state recreation areas in Southwest Nebraska. Campers will find 62 pads with 30/50 amp electrical hookups, plus 150 non-pad sites. Other facilities: Showers, 2 dump stations, concession. Swanson Reservoir offers boaters and anglers 4,794 acres of crystal clear water at top conservation pool.

Niobrara National Scenic River - Valentine
A River Winds Through It - The Niobrara River drains over 12,000 square miles of the Sandhills, one of the largest stabilized dunefields in the world. Take a leisurely float on this outstanding Great Plains river in north-central Nebraska. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to see pine-clad hills and prairie, numerous waterfalls, tall sandstone cliffs and wildlife like deer, bison, elk, beaver, mink, herons and kingfishers.
Virtual field trip online

Smith Falls State Park - Valentine
Nebraska's newest state park straddles the Niobrara National Scenic River. The park protects the biological and scenic significance of the location, while allowing the public to view the state's highest waterfall. The area primarily serves day-use visitors, canoers on the Niobrara River and canoe campers.
Virtual field trip online

Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area - Valentine
Merritt Dam was completed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in May 1964. The dam is a homogenous, rolled-earth, filed structure. It is the first Bureau dam to have soil cement surfacing instead of traditional rock rip-rap protection.

Two Rivers State Recreation Area - Waterloo
The chance to sleep in an authentic retired caboose, put-and-take trout fishing and outstanding camping facilities highlight the outdoor fun at Two Rivers SRA, located southwest of Venice. The 622-acre area boasts 320 acres of water in several sandpit lakes. Besides a variety of fishing opportunities and non-powered boating, there is an unsupervised swimming beach and concession. Two Rivers also has bicycles for rent and an accessible fishing pier.
Virtual field trip online