Parks

One of the most enjoyable parts of the camping experience is preparing food around a campfire and learning how to create any number of simple, tasty dishes with ingredients already found around the house. Food always tastes a little better outside, and dinner prepared while camping is no exception — especially when the recipes are this easy. Breakfast: Corned Beef and Potato Hash By Jenny Nguyen-Wheatley Servings: 4-6 Ingredients: • 2 (14.5-ounce) cans of sliced/diced new potatoes, drained • 3 …

In 2020, Norfolk resident Scott Buss put a long thought-out plan into action. He would travel the state and see how many species of fish he could catch — fishing public waters as much as possible. Like many anglers, Scott Buss of Norfolk began planning his 2020 fishing trips way before the year started. From researching stocking reports and fishing forecasts to talking to various anglers throughout the state, he began writing a list of where he wanted to fish. …

Marking 100 Years When Nebraska became a state in 1867, parks — let alone state parks — weren’t needed. Nebraskans of the day, and for years to come, were building homes, farms, businesses and towns, and with all of that work to be done, there was little time for leisure. But the conservation movement had begun, heightening the nation’s awareness of its pristine natural resources and prompting the launch of efforts to preserve them for future generations. The movement led …

Arbor Lodge State Historical Park in Nebraska City features a small house that became a 52-room mansion. It belonged to Arbor Day founder J. Sterling Morton and later to his son, Joy, the founder of Morton Salt. When was Arbor Lodge built? That’s complicated. It began as a two-room house in 1855. During the elder Morton’s lifetime, the house was remodeled seven times, evolving in style as it grew in size. After Morton’s death, a major addition by Joy more …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Starting this summer, all campers will need a reservation to stay overnight at campgrounds and beach areas at Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala state recreation areas during the peak season. The new reservation system will be in place starting in late April for the May 21 to Sept. 12 season. The rollout is part of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s implementation of the Lake McConaughy/Lake Ogallala Master Plan, a five-phase plan to address management of the …

LINCOLN, Neb. — Lake Minatare State Recreation Area remains closed to the public until the cause of a recent waterfowl die-off can be determined. The decision by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission was made out of the abundance of caution for human and animal health. Results from the test are expected by March 26, and information will be released when it becomes available at OutdoorNebraska.org. Staff immediately responded to the March 12 report and have been collecting the waterfowl …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The new restaurant at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, The View at Mahoney, will open April 1 and feature an Easter buffet April 4. For the month of April, guests who enter the park only to eat at restaurant will not be required to have a Nebraska Game and Parks Commission park entry permit. The View at Mahoney, located inside Peter Kiewit Lodge, will have a main menu, fine dining menu and kids menu. A gluten-free menu …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Improvements at Pawnee State Recreation Area are just some of the upgrades guests at southeastern Nebraska state park areas will find this spring. The enhancements at Pawnee include electrical upgrade to 50-amp service at several campsites in the Lakeview Campground and the Area 3 Campground. Also, the installation of a new prefabricated concrete shower house at Lakeview Campground should be completed in time for spring use. At Branched Oak SRA, several campsites in Area 4 have been …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Recycling will become available to Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area guests this summer and will be fully implemented by fall. The SRA recently was awarded grants of $1,643 from the Nebraska Department of Environmental and Energy and $20,000 from the Nebraska Recycling Council to purchase recycling containers that will be distributed to collect single-stream recyclables. The initiative will be a key component in keeping Lewis and Clark Lake clean of unwanted waste. “As a park manager, …

NORTH PLATTE, Neb. — Improvements to west-central Nebraska state recreation areas are giving park guests more areas to camp, enjoy and recreate. Last year, 64 basic campsites were designated and developed for improved user experience at the popular campground at Lake Maloney’s outlet, with picnic tables and grills installed at each site. A new fire pit area also was completed as an Eagle Scout project. Sutherland Reservoir received 23 new, modern camping pads with 20-, 30-, and 50-amp service and …