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Platte River State Park’s 40th anniversary celebration is Aug. 13

Platte River State Park will celebrate its 40th anniversary Aug. 13 with a daylong event for the entire family. There will be a bison stew cookout and Dutch oven desserts to sample, as well as food to purchase, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ball field. Live classic country and country swing music will be playing. The amphitheater will be site of presentations at 11:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. The first will be on Native American …

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Explore the parks with these Game and Parks events in August

Spend some time this summer in Nebraska’s state parks. During August, a variety of events are planned for those interested in history, conservation, nature and just having a good time. Here are several examples: Merritt Reservoir SRA to host Spectacular Stars, Magnificent Moths Nocturnal Insects Uncover the fantastic world of nighttime insects at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, renowned for its dark skies, on Aug. 4. The program Spectacular Stars, Magnificent Moths Nocturnal Insects will introduce visitors to the process …

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Mayflies a natural phenomenon that passes quickly at Lewis and Clark Lake

Mayflies cover a rocky escarpment hanging over the water at Lewis and Clark Lake near Crofton.

They’re almost here. The annual emergence of mayflies at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area near Crofton means the insect soon will be plentiful near and around the lake as they swarm to lights from the marina, cabins, facilities and campers. Nebraska Game and Parks asks for patience during the aquatic insect’s short-lived emergence period, which typically occurs in July or August over a very short period of time — typically a few days or a week. Mayflies are aquatic …

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Mahoney SP’s conservatory to close temporarily for construction of new Venture Parks project

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s James Family Conservatory will be closed temporarily starting July 20 for the start of a yearlong construction project. The closure will accommodate the addition of the new Nature Center and Outdoor Education Classroom, a Venture Parks project. The tentative completion of the new project will be summer 2023. The addition will be the park’s new home base for outdoor education activities. “This new addition will help us expand our education programs for park guests and …

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Southwest state parks temporarily banning campfires

NGPC news release logo

Some state recreation areas in southwest Nebraska are temporarily banning campfires as drought conditions have triggered extreme fire danger. The following Nebraska Game and Parks Commission areas will have campfire bans until further notice: Enders State Recreation Area Gallagher Canyon SRA Medicine Creek SRA Red Willow State Recreation Area Rock Creek Lake SRA Swanson SRA Additional parks may be added if drought conditions persist. Because of regularly changing conditions, guests also should call park areas prior to arrival to determine …

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Seven unusual places to stay at Nebraska’s state parks

Ready for some adventure? Ditch your hotel room this summer and stay somewhere a bit unconventional – like a tepee or a remodeled caboose. Nebraska’s state parks have several unexpected opportunities like these that you might want to try. Here are several lodging options that are sure to give you stories to tell. Tepees at Platte River State Park This isn’t a camping opportunity you get every day: to sleep in a tepee. Platte River State Park offers four tepees …

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Float these 5 Nebraska water trails

Two women kayak in a meandering backwater of a river with grass-covered sand dunes, known as the Sandhills, in the background.

With summer sizzling, now’s the time to hit Nebraska’s water trails for a chance to cool off. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission features 10 water trails along stretches of the state’s well-known rivers and creeks. For the most part, these water trails — which cover more than 500 miles — are calm and perfect for kayaking, canoeing, tubing or even tanking. Choose a trail or a portion of the trail to suit your interests and skills. Here are our top …

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Five state recreation areas will allow fireworks on July 4

Fireworks at Branched Oak SRA on July 4th. [Alternate filename: EF20080707_2.] Fowler, July 4, 2008. Copyright NEBRASKAland Magazine, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

Visitors to five state recreation areas will be allowed to touch off fireworks on July 4. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission urges them to be careful when lighting fireworks. The areas that will permit fireworks from 8 a.m. until midnight on July 4 are Branched Oak (Liebers Point only), Fort Kearny, Memphis, Pawnee and Wagon Train. Signs at recreation areas will point the way to designated fireworks sites, and boundaries will be clearly marked. Use of fireworks elsewhere in …

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Limited boat ramps available at Lake McConaughy for Fourth of July weekend

Boaters planning to enjoy the Fourth of July holiday weekend at Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala state recreation areas will find ramps available at select locations. The available boat ramps at McConaughy will be: Lemoyne low water, Martin Bay low water and Burma Road/Diver’s Bay. Two boat ramps will be open at Lake Ogallala. As of June 27, Lake McConaughy’s level was at 3,236.1 feet. That’s nearly a foot lower than a week ago, 7.1 feet lower than a month …

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Tyler Vanderheiden Memorial Run donation has $40K impact for Nebraska trails

Two women hold a large fake check while standing in front of a waterfall in a wooded area in eastern Nebraska.

The Tyler Vanderheiden Memorial Run, an annual race aimed at raising awareness and understanding of mental health, raised more than $8,000 for Nebraska Game and Parks state park trails. The donation triggers access to up to $32,000 in matching federal Recreation Trails Program funds. Event organizers, Shannon and Tim Vanderheiden, Tyler’s parents, and Trudy Merritt of Platte River Fitness Series, presented a check to Game and Parks on June 22 at Platte River State Park. “Because of their generous donation, …

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