Parks

LINCOLN, Neb. – The following is a listing of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission events and important dates in December. Get more event details at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov. Visit OutdoorNebraska.org for a list of hunter education classes and boating safety classes. Dec. 1 – Bobcat hunting and trapping season opens Dec. 1 – Archery on Fire, Platte River State Park (SP), Louisville Dec. 1 – Light Up the Fort, Fort Robinson SP, Crawford Dec. 1 – Historical Christmas Dinner, Fort Robinson SP, …

LINCOLN, Neb. – One of the tallest climbing walls in the region is now open at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park (SP) near Ashland. Mahoney SP’s Venture Climb, housed in a new, state-of-the-art addition to the Activity Center, features a 42-foot climbing wall with both auto- and top-rope belays, as well as a bouldering structure. Climbers are treated to scenic views of the park through the facility’s floor-to-ceiling windows. “Mahoney State Park is becoming a destination for visitors who want …

LINCOLN, Neb. – After a markedly successful season, several teams took home prizes in the 2018 Great Park Pursuit challenge. Teams visited up to 20 Nebraska parks and areas of outdoor interest, logging their visits to enter drawings for various prizes. The Furr Fam team claimed the $1,500 grand prize, while other teams took home a $750 outdoor package, an iPad, and a two-night cabin stay in a Nebraska state park, among other prizes. New this year was the incorporation …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will host an open house Nov. 8 about possible future development at Fort Kearny State Historical Park and State Recreation Area. The open house will take place in Kearney from 5-6:30 p.m. at the Younes Conference Center in the Diamond Room No. 7, 416 Talmadge St. The open house concludes a two-day design charrette held in Kearney. A design charrette is a planning session where citizens and stakeholders collaborate on the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission adopted changes to fisheries regulations and orders at its meeting Oct. 26 in Kearney. Many of the changes will result in increased fishing opportunities for Nebraskans. The changes to archery and snagging paddlefish regulations are: — Applicants supplying email addresses will be notified when the draw is complete, while others should monitor their status online. Draw results will be available by March 20 for archery and July 20 for snagging permits. …

LINCOLN, Neb. – It’s not too late to enter the Southwest Reservoirs Kayak Kid Essay Contest, which rewards two youth who best express their appreciation for the outdoor recreational opportunities in southwest Nebraska. Fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing, boating and kayaking are just a few of the many outdoor opportunities available in southwest Nebraska. Spending time outside teaches life lessons that young men and women can treasure and value. The contest requires a hand-written 250-word essay explaining why the writer values …

LINCOLN, Neb. – There is no better place to enjoy the changing leaves and fall breezes than a state park. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission state park areas have several Halloween-themed events in October to bring families together outdoors. In addition to trick-or-treating, parks areas will have pumpkin carving, campsite decorating, hayrack rides, hikes, crafts, pumpkin rolls and more. Some of the events, with dates and locations, are: Trick or Treat in the Town – Oct. 12, Indian Cave State …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Branched Oak State Recreation Area will be in the Halloween spirit Oct. 20 for its annual trick-or-treating event. Campers in South Shore Area 1 are encouraged to decorate their campsites and hand out treats to kids from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Visitors must enter Area 14 (south end of the dam), where parks staff will transport them to and from Area 1 via hay racks. There will be no guided Haunted Trail this year in preparation of moving the …

LINCOLN, Neb. – Come enjoy a day of fall outdoor fun and sight-in your muzzleloader at the Family Rendezvous on Oct. 7 at Platte River State Park. The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex. Activities will include traditional muzzleloaders, archery, tomahawks, slingshots, pellet guns, atlatl throwing, camping games and marshmallow roasting. New this year are a traditional archery equipment making demonstration, Wildlife Crimestoppers trailer, naturalist tent with …

LINCOLN, Neb. – There is still time to register for the Youth Hunter Education Challenge. This free competition for young hunter education graduates will be Oct. 13 at Platte River State Park. The fun and practical Youth Hunter Education Challenge offers participants the chance to hone their shooting skills and learn more about wildlife, survival skills and hunter responsibility. It is for youth age 11 or older who have successfully completed hunter education and not yet graduated from high school. …