Nebraskaland Magazine
I have lived in Nebraska my entire life – and am amazed at the places I come across that I never knew existed.
Gallagher Canyon is one of those remote, beautiful places that is tucked away, yet unbelievably easy to find.
Located south of Cozad, Nebraska, the drive is south on Highway 21 to the Gallagher Canyon State Recreation Area (SRA) sign, this is where your trip will get interesting – you may feel like you are headed in the wrong direction, but keep following the signs. I mention this because the drive is through farm ground full of corn fields and irrigation pivots. Never-the-less, sit back and enjoy the ride and the view and keep driving – once you reach your destination the drive will be ever so worth it.
The SRA is tucked neatly away in the canyons of west central Nebraska. This area is one of the most phenomenal areas I have come across – a great place to pull a camper or pitch a tent.
There are 72 non-pad, no electric campsites set in rows of tall shade trees – what a great place to relax, tour the canyon lake and its canal system or wet your line for some fantastic line-ripping fishing.
Gallagher Canyon is part of the Central Irrigation District Supply Canal. The entire system provides water access to more than 10 miles of the scenic canal, and is open to boats. The canal connects with Plum Creek Canyon Reservoir and Johnson Lake. Throughout the water system there is ample fishing for crappie, walleye, sauger, white bass, catfish and freshwater drum.
The canal system has its’ own unique beauty – many people have never experienced the scenery our canal systems hold. The sunrises and sunsets on the lake and canal cliffs are different on any given day, which draws you back to see more.
Don’t forget the wildlife you can encounter; deer, mink, birds of all kinds, raccoons, fox and of course the occasional skunk all brings life to the SRA.
It may be somewhat out of the way, but Gallagher Canyon is an area that will lure you back time after time to enjoy its’ uniqueness.
Julie Geiser out of North Platte, is a public information officer for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and Regional Editor for NEBRASKAland magazine. She can be reached at julie.geiser@nebraska.gov or 308-535-8025.
