Welcome to Nebraska’s state park areas. The Game and Parks Commission operates them for your enjoyment. You’ll find a vast array of things to see and do – from picnicking along the Platte River to hiking the high country, from camping under the cottonwoods to boating our vast lakes. All this and more awaits your pleasure.
We do ask you to abide by the rules and regulations outlined in this pamphlet. They are mostly common-sense requirements and are designed to make your stay and that of other visitors as enjoyable as possible. At the same time, they are geared to the protection of our park lands and natural resources, so they can continue to provide such enjoyment for generations to come.
You can help keep our parks pleasant places to visit not only by adhering to the rules and regulations, but also by reporting vandals and lawbreakers to park officials.
For Reservations
Call (402) 471-1414 (9 a.m. - 6 p.m. (CT) Monday through Friday or go online at www.OutdoorNebraska.org to Reserve Your Fun Today! Web reservations are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Year to date reservations begin at 9 a.m. CT. The call center observes all state holidays and will be closed.
Lodging
Lodging reservations are available up to a year in advance on a first-come, first-served basis online at www.OutdoorNebraska.org or by calling the Nebraska State Parks Reservation Center at (402)471-1414. The Reservation Call Center hours are Monday – Friday 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (CT) and closed on Saturday and Sunday.
During peak season a two night minimum stay is required. (This requirement may be waived if a room or cabin is available for one night between two prior reservations or walk-in registration.) During non-peak season, one-night stays are accepted for Sundays through Thursdays. Reservations require a $7 reservation fee per unit in addition to the regular lodging fee. Cabin check-in time is 4 p.m. and check-out time is 11 a.m.
(except at Fort Robinson State Park, where check-in time is 5 p.m. and
check-out time is 10 a.m.).
Camping
Designated camp sites may be reserved up to a year in advance at 24 park locations across the state. Reservations require a $7 reservation fee in addition to the regular camping fee. Reserved sites may not be available until 4 p.m. the day of arrival.
Reservations for primitive tent campsites are also accepted at Smith Falls State Park. To make reservations to camp at Smith Falls, please call the park number at (402)376-1306. Camping at all other areas is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Camping sites must be vacated by the time posted unless you re-register.
Reservations
Areas marked with * accept reservations.
Payment
Payment in full is required at the time the reservation is made.
Payment may be made by Visa or MasterCard, check, money order, cash or NGPC Bucks.
There is a non-refundable $7 (plus tax) reservation fee per lodging unit, camp site, picnic shelter or facility. To reserve a horse stall there is a nonrefundable $5 (plus tax) reservation fee.
Payment in full is required within 10 calendar days of making reservation when paying by check and when reservation is made more than 30 days ahead of your arrival. Payment must be received at the park within 10 calendar days of making a reservation or the reservation will be canceled.
Cancellations and Refunds
All cancellation requests must be submitted by mail, fax or e-mail to the park where the reservation is held or reservation holder may cancel online by logging into their reservation account.
Partial Cancellations
On year-to-date reservations, canceling dates from the beginning dates of a reservation is not allowed and is non-refundable at any time during peak season. Reservations that encompass both non-peak and peak season dates are governed by the peak season partial Cancellation Guideline. Guests are not allowed to transfer their arrival date to a later date within the same existing reservation dates.
Cabins, Lodge Rooms, Cabooses, Overnight & Day Use Group Lodges (*except Comanche Hall at Fort Robinson, see below)
Reservation fees per unit are not refundable.
If cancelling less than 30 days prior to arrival date, a refund is given, minus a 1 night’s rental per unit being cancelled and cancellation fee of $5 per unit.
If cancelling 30 days or greater prior to arrival date, a refund is given, minus a cancellation fee of $5 per unit.
Camping, Tepees, Horse Stalls, Boat Docks and Picnic Shelters
Reservation fees per unit are not refundable.
If cancelling less than 7 days prior to arrival date, a refund is given, minus a 1 night’s rental per site/unit being cancelled and cancellation fee of $5 per site/unit.
If cancelling 7 days or greater prior to arrival date, a refund is given, minus a cancellation fee of $5 per site/unit.
*Comanche Hall (Fort Robinson State Park)
If cancelling less than 90 days prior to arrival date, a refund is given, minus a 1 night’s rental and $5 cancellation fee.
If cancelling 90 days or greater prior to arrival date, a refund is given, minus a cancellation fee of $5.
Park Areas with Cabins and/or Lodging plus Modern Camping Areas
15951 Highway 385, Chadron, NE 69337-7353 Phone: 308-432-6167 / Fax: 308-432-6102 E-mail:ngpc.Chadron@nebraska.gov Camping: $7.00 - $18.00 Lodging Season: mid April – mid Nov. Cabins: 2-bedroom, $75 & $85 Group Facilities: Central building only; $85 day (with kitchen, $170) Reserve a Picnic Shelter: $40 per day; $50 with electric hookup Horse Trail Rides: $16 Swimming: Daily – Adults $4; Children, $3. Season Pass – Adult $65, Child $45, Family $120 Paddleboat Rental: $5 for 2 people or $8 for 4 people per half-hour
7 miles north, 4 miles west of Crafton, U.S. 81 & Nebraska 121 / 54731 897 Road,
Crofton, NE 68730-3290 Phone: 402-388-4169 / Fax: 402-388-2610 E-mail: ngpc.Lewis.Clark@nebraska.gov Camping: $7 - $18 per night Lodging Season: Year-round Cabins: 2-bedroom, $140 per night
Reserve a Picnic Shelter: $40 per day; $50 with electric hookup
Marina: Slips available for rent by day, month or season
43400 Hwy S 21A, Anselmo, NE 68813-7036 Phone: (308)749-2235 E-mail: russ.wilkie@nebraska.gov Camping: $11-17 per night Lodging Season: May – Nov. Cabins: 2-bedroom, $65
Paddleboat Rental: $5 for 2 people
Reserve a Picnic Shelter: $50 per day with electrical hookup
Park Locations with Modern Camping Areas
Modern camping facilities are open from May 15 through Sept. 15. Camping Fees range from $7 for primitive to $18 for improved sites, plus $3 for water and $3 for sewer where available. Many areas use self-registration envelopes. At these areas, there is a $5 late fee for failure to register on time.
Group rates in group campgrounds are $1.00 per person, and there is a $5 fee for each extra picnic table for groups. Pay showers, where available are 75 cents.
Camping is available year-round, including campsites with electricity. When modern facilities are closed mid September – mid May (weather depending), a minimum camping fee of $7 (plus $6 for electric hookup, if available will be collected). Areas marked with a * accept reservations.
- 3 ½ miles north of Malcolm Phone: 402-783-3400 / E-mail: ngpc.Branched.Oak.@nebraska.gov Camping: $7 - $24;
Reserve a Picnic Shelter: $40 per day; $50 with electric hookup
Horse Camp (Area #2): $24
2 miles west & four miles north of Burwell Phone: (308)346-5666 / E-mail: ngpc.Calamus@nebraska.gov Camping: $7-$18; Valley View Community Group Camp $28. Reserve a Picnic Shelter: $40 per day
/ ¾ miles east, 1 mile north of Fort Kearny State Historical Park Phone: (308)865-5305 / E-mail: ngpc.Fort.Kearny@nebraska.gov Camping: $12/$18; Reserve a Picnic Shelter: $50 per day
west edge of Fremont on U.S. 30 / 2351 County Road 18, Ames, NE 68621-2149. Phone: (402)727-3290 / E-mail: ngpc.Fremont.Lakes@nebraska.gov Camping: $12-$18
Group Facility: Mon.-Thurs., $150; Fri.-Sun., $275
9 miles north of Ogallala on Nebraska 61 Phone: (308)284-8800 / E-mail: ngpc.Lake.McConaughy@nebraska.gov
Camping, $7-$24; Visitor Center meeting room, $35 part / $60 whole; Private dock mooring fee, $125.
12 miles northeast of Scottsbluff / P.O. Box 188, Minatare, NE 69356. Phone: (308)783-2911 / E-mail: ngpc.Lake.Minatare@nebraska.gov Camping: $7-$18: Reserve a Picnic Shelter, $40 per day
57426 710th Road, Fairbury, NE 68352-5550 Phone: (402)729-5777 / E-mail: ngpc.Rock.Creek.Station@nebraska.gov Camping: $12/$18: Reserve a Picnic Shelter, $40 per day
Smith Falls State Park
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18 miles east of Valentine
HC 13 Box 25, Valentine, NE 69201-9103. Phone: (402)376-1306 / Fax: (402)376-3558 / E-mail: john.lemmon@nebraska.gov Camping: $4 per person per night (call Smith Falls directly for reservations)
Group Shelter: w/kitchen, $45; Scout Shelter: $30
Non-modern and day-use areas are available year-round. Primitive camping is available for $7 per night. (*indicates electricity). These unstaffed areas use self-registration envelopes.
Wildcat Hills SRA and Nature Center |
210615 Highway 71, P.O. Box 65 Gering, NE 69341-0065 Phone: (308)436-3777 or (308)436-3394 / Fax: (308)436-3494 E-mail: ngpc.Wildcat.Hills@nebraska.gov
Nature Center Hours: April-September, 8 am – 4 pm daily; October-March, 8 am – 4 pm Monday – Friday only
Nature Center Rental: Facility Rental - $185; Classroom, $75, Lower Meeting Room, $110, ½ day $50. Camping: $7
State Historical Parks
From May 28 through Sept. 3, 2012, grounds at all state historical parks are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. From September 4, 2012 through May 27, 2013, grounds are open from 8 a.m. to sunset. After season and after hours tours may be conducted at the superintendent’s discretion.
82034 Fort Ave. Burwell, NE 68823-9801 / Phone: (308)346-4715 E-mail: ngpc.Fort.Hartsuff@nebraska.gov
April 1- Sept. 30--- Most buildings open 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Seven days a week. Grounds open 8a.m.-sunset.
May 26 – Sept 3; Office & Gift Shop open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays or by appt. Buildings open 8a.m. – 8 p.m. seven days a week. Grounds open 8 a.m. to sunset. Oct. 1 – March 31; Most buildings open 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Grounds open 8 a.m. to sunset.
Admission: Adults (13 & up), $2; Children (3-12), $1; Under 2, free.
Order
a FortHartsuff DVD- This DVD is a historic review of Fort
Hartsuff, Nebraska, from 1874 to present day. Highlights include a
look at fort structures and their purpose, the infantryman uniform
and the process of baking bread in the brick oven. Price: $6.95
1020 V Road, Kearney, NE 68847-9804 / Phone: (308)865-5305 E-mail: ngpc.Fort.Kearny@nebraska.gov
Visitor Center & Buildings: March 4- April 10, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Daily (Crane Information Center), April 11-May 20, by appointment only or at superintendent’s discretion, May 21 – Sept. 12, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Daily.
Admission: Adults (13 & up), $2; Children (3-12), $1; Under 2, free.
195 miles of the 320-mile long Cowboy Trail from Norfolk to Chadron are now open for ay-use, including biking, hiking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing. (No motorized vehicles please.) The sections now open are from Valentine to Norfolk. A voluntary trail user fee is requested. For more information about sections that are open, call (402)471-5511 or go online at www.outdoornebraska.org.
Picnic Shelters Group picnic shelters may be reserved at some areas. A reservation may be made online, phone, or in person up to a year in advance.
Fees are $50 with electricity and $40 without.
Reservations require a $7 reservation fee in addition to the regular shelter fee.
Shelters are available by reservation at Chadron, Fort Robinson, Indian Cave, Eugene T. Mahoney, Niobrara, Platte River, Ponca and Smith Falls state parks. Fort Kearny and Rock Creek Station state historical parks; Branched Oak, Lake Minatare, Calamus, Victoria Springs and Lewis & Clark state recreation areas.
Notice of Non-Discrimination Under federal and/or state law, discrimination is prohibited on the basis of race, color, religion, age, gender, marital status, national origin, disability or political affiliation. If you think you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility of want more information, contact the Affirmative Action Officer, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln, NE, (402)471-0641; the Equal Opportunity Commission, Lincoln, NE, (402)471-2024, TTY / TDD (402)471-4693.
Park Entry Permit (Available online at www.outdoornebraska.org)
A valid Nebraska park permit is required for all motor vehicles entering all state parks, recreation areas and historical parks. Annual permits are available for $25.00 from any Game and Parks office or online. Duplicate annual permits are available for $12.50 and daily permits for $5.00.
OFFICIAL STATE OF NEBRASKA WEB SITE Nebraska Game and Parks Commission - 2200 N. 33rd St. Lincoln, NE 68503 - (402) 471-0641 -
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