Tag Archives: state recreation areas

Prescribed burns are taking place this spring on some Nebraska Game and Parks Commission wildlife management areas, state parks and state recreation areas where weather conditions allow. Burning allows habitat managers to positively impact more acres. Burns will be conducted this spring, and those not completed will be attempted this summer or fall as weather conditions allow. Burned acres often become more attractive to wildlife species, and for some species, the effect is immediate. The long-term effects on wildlife habitat …

Hunters are reminded Nebraska’s state recreation areas are closed to hunting until Sept. 6. Several hunting seasons open in early September, including archery deer, dove, grouse and other small game and furbearer seasons on Sept. 1. Early teal opens Sept. 3 and fall turkey on Sept. 15. Regulations state that portions of some SRAs are open to hunting from the first Tuesday following Labor Day – this year is Tuesday, Sept. 6 – through the end of the spring turkey …

LINCOLN, Neb. – As Nebraska’s state parks prepare for the fall season, some are adjusting their activity hours because of a limited workforce. As schools return to session and park staffing levels become more limited, park managers must reduce hours of operation and services. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission encourages its patrons to call ahead before visiting a park to check on activity times and availability to ensure a great park experience. “We have had a tremendous and busy …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Visitors to six state recreation areas will be allowed to touch off fireworks on July 4. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is urging them to be especially careful this year. Visitors should always use caution when lighting fireworks but should be mindful of the dry conditions that exist across the state this year and the risk of wildfire. The areas that will permit fireworks from 8 a.m. until midnight on July 4 are Branched Oak (Liebers …

LINCOLN, Neb. – With the holiday weekend coming, campers are reminded they will need a reservation to stay overnight at Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala state recreation areas. Campers should book their reservation at the two state recreation areas before leaving home. Reservations can be made online at NebraskaStateParks.ReserveAmerica.com, via mobile app RA Camping, or by phone at 308-284-8800 during business hours. Designated campground sites can be reserved 180 days prior to arrival date, and beach camping sites can be …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska’s state parks are vibrant and diverse. They can be venues of solitude or teeming with activity. After 100 years, they’ve been a little bit of everything to many people. Gov. Pete Ricketts has proclaimed 2021 the year of Nebraska’s State Parks Centennial. It is a year that will see activity in the parks like no other, with events scheduled throughout 2021 across the state. Chadron State Park became Nebraska’s first state park in 1921. The state …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraska state park visitors will get a chance to share their experiences this spring and summer. Crews will be in parks conducting surveys every weekend from April 3 through Aug. 8. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is looking for feedback about visitors’ park experiences at 22 state parks, recreation areas and historical parks. It is contracting with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Bureau of Sociological Research to conduct the surveys. Feedback from the survey will help inform …

There are 76 areas in our park system and they truly offer something for everyone. I know. I have firsthand knowledge of all of them. In my 45 years with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. I have been to EVERY. SINGLE.ONE and even worked in our parks division for a time. So I have a good breadth of knowledge about these areas. Our larger state parks, what many call “destination parks” or “resort parks,” get a lot of attention …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Beginning Feb. 1, guests can make camping reservations up to 180 days in advance of arrival for stays at Nebraska state park and recreation areas. Guests will be able to book stays for a maximum of 14 days, and will have the ability to make multiple reservations for eligible sites and dates. There is no change to the cabin and lodge room reservation booking window. It remains at a year to date. In addition to reservable campsites, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will burn brush piles throughout the winter as conditions allow. Many tree and shrub piles occur in areas where trimming has occurred, areas with storm damage or where trees have been cut to improve wildlife habitat. Removing piles when snow is on the ground is safer, and their removal allows for safer prescribed burns later in the year. It also facilitates the area to be seeded to desirable grasses and forbs. …