Visitors to state park areas in north-central Nebraska will find enhanced day-use and camping amenities. Projects in the works or completed will appeal to an array of park users. The following is a roundup of those improvements and projects:

Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area – The expansion of 14 camping pads to 50-amp service has been completed at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area’s Beed’s Landing Campground, which is set to open May 1. The project, which cost $1,001,513, also included a new CXT shower facility and a new RV fill station.

Victoria Springs SRA – Two camping pads were converted to Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant pads at a cost of $13,721 at Victoria Springs SRA near Anselmo.

Long Pine SRA – Guests at Long Pine SRA will find two new ADA-compliant cement vault toilets and parking pads, which were installed at a cost of $61,125, using Capital Maintenance and Land and Water Conservation Funds. A new campground for the park is in the design phase.

Keller Park SRA – Two camping pads were converted to ADA-compliant pads at a cost of $17,932, using CMF and LWCF funds, at Keller Park SRA. Two new ADA-compliant cement vault toilets and a parking pad were installed at a cost of $50,964, also using CMF and LWCF funds.

Sherman Reservoir SRA – At Sherman Reservoir SRA near Loup City, the expanded West Ridge Campground, which now has 61 campsites with Electric Plus (30/50 amp) service, opened in 2024.

Cowboy Trail – The Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail section just east of Long Pine has reopened to the public after repairs were made from damages caused by the historic 2019 flood.

Repairs a mile east of Long Pine included installation of new culverts, rebuilding the embankment, and trail surfacing.

Beginning in Norfolk and spanning 317 miles west to Chadron, the Cowboy Trail, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, is one of the largest Rails-to-Trails projects in the United States. The trail is developed 187 miles between Norfolk and Valentine, and 15 miles between Gordon and Rushville. The Cowboy Trail is free to access and open to hiking, biking, and equestrian use.

The projects funded by Capital Maintenance and Land and Water Conservation Funds improve safety and accessibility, protect natural habitats, boost local economies, and ensure long-term sustainability. These investments create more welcoming parks for everyone to enjoy now and in the future.

Capital Maintenance Funds were established by the Nebraska Legislature to help preserve Nebraska’s public outdoor recreation facilities and parklands. These, as well as state and federal funding sources, and Nebraska Game and Parks’ funds generated from user fees of the state park system, funded these park improvement projects.

 

Spring trout stockings continue in April

Spring trout stockings will continue throughout the state in April. As the spring temperatures continue to rise, anglers are encouraged to catch some of these larger trout – many near or exceeding 12 inches – being stocked.  

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is continuing to seek valuable input from trout anglers, particularly those who fish put-and-take lakes. Information from a voluntary survey will be used to continue informing future trout management and stocking decisions.

A survey is available at OutdoorNebraska.gov. Search “trout stocking reports.” Information from this survey will be used to inform future trout management and stocking decisions.

The following is a schedule for rainbow and cutbow (rainbow/cutthroat hybrid) trout set to be stocked, including quantities. Dates can change because of weather or unforeseen circumstances:

Week of April 1

Keller Park State Recreation Area Pond No. 4, Long Pine, 200; Keller Park SRA Pond No. 5, Long Pine, 250; Sand Springs Pond, Plum Creek Valley Wildlife Management Area, 250; Ainsworth City Pond, 250 (cutbows); Gilbert-Baker WMA, Harrison, 450; Cherry Creek Pond, Fort Robinson State Park, Crawford, 850; Bridgeport SRA Middle Pond, 1,600; Terry’s Pit, Terrytown, 500; Bridgeport SRA Northwest Pond, 1,400; East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200

Week of April 7

Grable South Pond, Fort Robinson SP, Crawford, 1,000; Grable Middle Pond, Fort Robinson SP, Crawford, 450; Laing Lake, Alliance,1,000; Chadron SP Pond, 400; Chadron Creek WMA Pond, Chadron, 600; East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200

Week of April 14

Rock Creek Lake, Parks, 1,500; Lake Ogallala, 5,000; Chadron City Reservoir North, 1,000; Chadron City Reservoir South, 1,000; Riverside Park Pond, Scottsbluff, 700; East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200

Week of April 21

CenturyLink Lake, Eugene T. Mahoney SP, Ashland, 2,000; Halleck Park Pond, Papillion, 1,200; Kramer Park Lake, Bellevue, 2,000; Grove Sand Pit, Royal, 50; North Platte I-80 Lake, 4,050; Curtis Golf Course Pond, 200; East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200

Week of April 28

North Morrill Pond, 1,500; Middle Morrill Pond, 200; East Branch Verdigre Creek, Royal, 200

For information on fish stocking online, including upcoming trout stocking dates, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search “Fish Stocking Database.”

 

8 reasons to sign up for Crofton’s Dam Race

Registration just opened for Nebraska’s most scenic triathlon – Crofton’s Dam Race – set for July 26 at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area.

Now in its eighth year, the race continues to blend small town charm and new traditions, all while benefiting the development of a walk-bike trail at the recreation area just north of Crofton.

So, as you plan your summer schedule, here are eight reasons you should sign up at CroftonsDamRace.com to participate:

You can choose your adventure

Crofton’s Dam Race is actually a series of three races:

  • A sprint triathlon with a 1.5-mile kayak, 5K run and 12-mile bike ride;
  • A half marathon; or
  • A 12-mile bike race.

Plus, electric bike options have been added to both the triathlon and the bike race.

Kayaking is king

Crofton’s Dam Race kicks off with a 1.5-mile kayak race along the shores of Lewis and Clark Lake, which is a fun switch up from the traditional open water swim of most sprint triathlons.

Nebraska Game and Park provides kayaks for racers who don’t bring their own, allowing racers to travel in from all over the country to participate in this unique triathlon.  

Hydrate with Barbie

From Austin Powers to Barbie, and usually at least one pickle station in between, the dozen water stations along the route into Crofton keep racers hydrated and motivated. Families and volunteers who run these stations are competing for the best theme, so they get creative.

All ages – and skills – welcome

Racers from age 8 and up can participate in Crofton’s Dam Race. Children age 8 to 13 can compete in an untimed race July 25 that includes a half-mile run, 1-mile bike ride and a swim around the pool.

Teens age 14 to 18 can compete as a three-person team in the dam race at a discounted rate.

The race also celebrates older generation racers with a 70+ medal. In 2024, four racers took home that medal.

Whether you compete all the time or are just starting your competition journey, Crofton Dam Race is right for you.

Hay pulleys and Blood Mary’s

Crofton claims to host the most unique finish line party in Nebraska with Bloody Mary’s and the largest collection of refurbished hay pulleys in the country.

The race finishes on Main Street in front of the Crofton Haymarket – home of the Lewis & Clark Pulley Museum – where owners Doug and Juliet de Shazer are ready to serve up a party. Racers are greeted with comradery, live music, delicious food, locally brewed beer and Crofton’s Best Dam Bloody Mary, a secret recipe and fan favorite.

Jorts, man.

Every year, the “Spirit of the Jorts” award is given to a racer who showcases the true spirit of the race by overcoming an obstacle, helping another racer, or simply embracing the race in a new way. This award was inspired by local Neal Neuhalfen, who raced in cut-off jean shorts – known as jorts – the first years of the race. Neal still volunteers at the finish line … in his jorts, of course.

Hand-crafted awards

Half marathon finishers and winners go home with something special on race day. The medals and champion plaques are created by a student-run medal fabrication business in conjunction with the Crofton High’s industrial tech program.

Pun intended

Crofton’s Dam Race starts at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area along the shores of Lewis and Clark Lake, just a few miles upstream from Gavin’s Point Dam.

The tiny town of Crofton, population 800, claims to be the “friendliest little town by a dam site,” leading to a culture of friendly quips and fun. Stop in at the Dam Fish Shack, where the staff will announce over the loudspeaker, “Carla, your dam order is ready.”

The quips are silly, but the beauty of our river region is no joke. The rolling hills, chalkstone bluffs, and scenic sites make this race a truly breathtaking experience.

Don’t miss your chance to experience it all. Register or learn more at CroftonsDamRace.com.

Crofton’s Dam Race is a nonprofit fundraising event that started in 2018 and has pledged more than $40,000 in proceeds to Lewis & Clark State Recreation Area for the development of a walk-bike trail at the Weigand Area.

 

Solutions available to address nuisance geese

Geese are starting to nest across Nebraska, and, as with most wildlife, too many in a single location or just a few in the wrong spot can lead to depredation and nuisance issues.

Nebraska Game and Parks reminds people many issues, such as grass damage, aggression or excess feces, can be prevented or mitigated.

Steps businesses or landowners can take on their own include:

  • Habitat modification: Eliminate isolated areas for nesting, such as nesting boxes, islands or peninsulas. Allow for more unmanicured areas on your property but keep areas close to entrances free of vegetation. Consider changing landscaping materials from plant-based to rock-based.
  • Barriers and repellents: Add protective barriers along lakes or water, including fences, rock barriers, riprap or vegetation. If lawn or green-space damage is occurring, consider applying commercially available goose and bird repellent to grass to prevent feeding.

Wildlife professionals can provide additional guidance for techniques — including hazing or egg oiling — that address goose depredation. Remember: Not all responses are appropriate for all situations, and geese, eggs and nests are protected by state and federal law.

For technical advice or for help with nuisance geese, contact a Game and Parks biologist through the contact form on OutdoorNebraska.gov’s “depredation” page.

 

Women can learn, advance their fishing skills at BOW events

Women looking to learn fishing skills or expand what they already know are invited to events hosted by the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program in April.

The free offerings are:

Introduction to Fishing – April 16 at Platte River State Park, April 23 at Conestoga State Recreation Area, April 24 at Olive Creek SRA.

This evening of fun and fellowship will include selecting a beginner's fishing equipment, baiting a hook, casting a line, and safely releasing fish. All equipment and bait will be provided.

Fishing: Next Steps – April 21 at Platte River SP, April 30 at Conestoga SRA, May 1 at Olive Creek SRA

This evening is focused on women who have cast a line before and would like to build their confidence to fish independently. It will include fish identification, bait selection, choosing equipment for a type of fish, finding your fishing hole, cleaning panfish, and cooking a panfish over an open campfire. All equipment and bait will be provided.

All events are from 6-8 p.m. A park entry permit is required.

See the calendar event entries at Calendar.OutdoorNebraska.gov to register.

The Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program empowers women with the knowledge of outdoor skills. Outdoor experts and instructors teach women a variety of workshops and interactive courses related to hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, kayaking, archery, target shooting, plant and wildlife identification, nature photography, outdoor cooking and more.