Nebraskaland Magazine
LINCOLN, Neb. – Nebraskans have more than 70 state park areas to enjoy this summer. These parks offer a variety of activities for all ages.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission offers the following summer park schedule, from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend, to help Nebraskans plan vacations or trips to parks. A park entry permit is required for all vehicles entering these park areas:
Arthur Bowring Sandhills Ranch State Historical Park (SHP) – Merriman, 308-684-3428. Sod House Sunday, June 23
Ash Hollow SHP – Lewellen, 308-778-5651. Ash Hollow Pageant, June 14
Chadron State Park (SP) – Chadron, 308-432-6167. Chadron State Park’s 92nd Anniversary Event, June 15; Fur Trade Days, July 12-14
Eugene T. Mahoney SP – Ashland, 402-944-2523. Kountze Memorial Theater open, May 24-Sept. 2; Aquatic Center open, pony rides available, May 25-Sept. 2; Run Wild 10k run, June 1; Stargazing, June 14, July 12, Aug. 16, Sept. 13.
Fort Atkinson SHP – Fort Calhoun, 402-468-5611. Harold W. Andersen Visitor Center open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m., May 25-Sept. 2; living history weekend, June 1-2, July 6-7, Aug. 3-4, Aug. 31-Sept. 1
Fort Kearny SHP and State Recreation Area (SRA) – Kearney, 308-865-5305. Living history weekend, May 25-27, July 4, July 6; Aug. 31-Sept. 1; Pony Express Re-Ride, June 18; Family Fishing and Camping Night, Aug. 9; Becoming an Outdoors-Family Workshop, Aug. 9-11
Fort Robinson SP – Crawford, 308-665-2900. Post Playhouse productions, May 25-Sept. 1; Intertribal Gathering, June 7-9; Father’s Day Buffet, June 16; Western Art Show, July 2-4; Fourth of July Barbecue, July 4
Fremont Lakes SRA – Fremont, 402-727-3290. Family Fishing Event, June 12
Indian Cave SP – Shubert, 402-883-2575. Buffalo Cookout and Fireworks, Aug. 31
Johnson Lake SRA – Elwood, 308-785-2685; Craft Fair, June 8
Lake McConaughy SRA – Ogallala, 308-284-8800. “Fishing is Fun” Water Expo, June 1; Big Mac Shut Up and Fish Walleye Tournament, June 1; 3-D Archery Shoot, June 16; Hobie Fleet 61 Regatta, July 12; Keep Keith County Beautiful Beach Cleanup, July 13; Kites and Castles, July 29; 3-D Archery Shoot, Aug. 18; Hobie Fleet 61 Regatta, Aug. 30
Lake Minatare SRA – Minatare, 308-783-2911. Music Jamboree, Aug. 8
Memphis SRA – Memphis, 402-471-5586. Becoming an Outdoors-Family Workshop, June 14-15
Merritt Reservoir SRA – Valentine, 402-376-3320. Nebraska Star Party, Aug. 4-9
Mormon Island SRA – Doniphan, 308-385-6211. Family Fishing Event, June 27
Niobrara SP – Niobrara, 402-857-3373. Horse Trail Rides, May 25-Sept. 1; Buffalo cookout, May 25, June 15, July 6, July 13, July 20, Aug. 3, Aug. 31; Sidewalk Chalk Art, May 26, July 7, Sept. 1; National Park Service campground program, May 27, June 14, June 28, July 12, July 26, Aug. 9, Aug. 23; National Park Service Outdoor Event, June 8, July 6, Aug. 3; Father’s Day Fishing Tournament, June 16; Beyond BOW kayak trip, July 19-21; Northern Ponca Pow Wow, Aug. 9
Pawnee SRA – Emerald, 402-796-2362. Carp-O-Rama, June 22
Ponca SP – Ponca, 402-755-2284. Scheels 3-D Archery Tournament, June 1; Psychowpath Mountain Bike Series, June 15; Bugs and Bones Weekend, June 15-16; Father’s Day Fish Fry, June 16; Dutch Oven Cobbler and Ice Cream Social, July 6; Lewis and Clark Heritage Day, Aug. 24
Platte River SP – Louisville, 402-234-2217. Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Complex Open House, May 24; Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) archery class, May 29; Pistol League, June 3; Beyond BOW handgun class, June 5, June 12, June 19, June 26; Pistol League, July 8; Beyond BOW rifle and muzzleloader class, July 10, July 17, July 24, July 31; First Shots Workshop, July 13; Pistol League, Aug. 5; Beyond BOW shotgun class, Aug. 7, Aug. 14, Aug. 21, Aug. 28; Women in the Outdoors Workshop, Aug. 16-17
Rock Creek Station SHP – Fairbury, 402-729-5777. Rock Creek Trail Days, June 1-2
Wildcat Hills SRA – Gering, 308-436-3777. Wild About Raptors workshop, June 8; Bighorn Sheep Hike, July 13; The Night Sky, Aug. 10
Willow Creek SRA – Pierce, 402-329-4053. In the Spirit of Children Fish and Chip Tournament, June 1
