Discover A Pristine Paradise When You Visit Nebraska’s Box Butte Reservoir State Recreation Area

In northwest Nebraska, you’ll find a little slice of wild paradise. The Box Butte Reservoir State Recreation Area is a natural wonder, home to a beautiful lake that’s teeming with fish and tranquil wild areas that offer habitat to scores of birds. It’s a wonderful place for camping, fishing, birdwatching, or just enjoying Nebraska’s unspoiled natural splendor.

Here’s what you can discover at the Box Butte Reservoir State Recreation Area.

The recreation area is located about 10 miles north of Hemingford and 31 miles southeast of Crawford. It’s beautiful country, on the western edge of Nebraska Sandhills. It's enjoyed by visitors throughout the year.

The state recreation area covers more than 2,200 acres and it has a 1,600-acre lake, which is a reservoir on the Niobrara River.

Picnickers can enjoy a meal under the quiet shade of cottonwood and willow trees. There are four picnic shelters, 40 tables, and 29 grills.

There’s good fishing in the reservoir. The lake is filled with northern pike, channel catfish, walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, and rock bass. The lake has two boat ramps and two docks.

There are 40 campsites in the park and half are located near the lake’s shore. Campers will find a range of sites, including basic but pleasant campsites and more deluxe sites that have electricity.

The natural area has some of the best birdwatching in the Nebraska panhandle. Bring your binoculars – you can spot Say’s Phoebes, Ferruginous Hawks, Eastern Bluebirds, Eastern Wood-pewees, Indigo Buntings, and Wood Thrush.

A park fee is required to enter the state natural area. You can pay the fee when you arrive at the park or pay in advance by going online. Learn more about the natural area here. Interested in exploring more of Nebraska’s unspoiled beauty? Here are some Nebraska state parks that will knock your socks off.