The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will open first-come, first-served camping on May 22 at Smith Falls State Park, 35 state recreation areas and wildlife management areas for all camping units, including tents.
This decision is prompted by overwhelming demand for camping opportunities, challenges in bringing additional park locations and campsites into the reservation system as planned, and public comments regarding the desire to camp even without normal facilities, which will remain closed. Those include shower houses, designated swimming beaches, playgrounds, and park activities. A limited number of primitive restrooms will be available.
Park regulations allow for up to eight people per campsite. The 35 state recreation areas that will be open include Alexandria, Bluestem, Box Butte, Bridgeport, Buffalo Bill, Cheyenne, Conestoga, Cottonwood Lake, Dead Timber, Enders, Gallagher Canyon, Keller Park, Lake Maloney, Long Pine, Memphis, North Loup, Olive Creek, Pelican Point, Red Willow, Riverview Marina, Rock Creek Lake, Rockford, Sandy Channel, Sherman, Stagecoach, Summit, Sutherland, Swanson, Union Pacific, Verdon, Wagon Train, Walgren Lake, War Axe, and Wildcat Hills.
Mormon Island State Recreation Area near Grand Island and Danish Alps SRA near Hubbard will not offer camping, as they are near communities with high COVID-19 incidence.
Game and Parks will open camping on wildlife management areas where it was allowed previous to the COVID-19 health emergency to help distribute camping activity.
“We made the earlier decision to allow limited RV camping, by reservation only, consistent with health directives that encourage limitations on crowd size and our current capacity to protect and serve the public,” Game and Parks Director Jim Douglas said. “We are pleased to be able to offer more opportunities on smaller park areas that typically attract less people. Busier areas such as Branched Oak Lake, Medicine Creek Reservoir and Lake McConaughy, which attract larger crowds, will retain RV camping by reservation only for the time being. As we continue to be able to add needed seasonal personnel and provide for facility maintenance, we will expand further opportunities while managing within the constraints of the ongoing health emergency.”
The prevailing health recommendations for social distancing and group sizes less than 10 to meet the state Directed Health Measures still apply, and it’s incumbent upon park visitors to be responsible for their own actions to protect their health, the health of their community and that of other park users.
For the park locations in the online reservation system, camping will continue to be limited to advanced reservation at OutdoorNebraska.gov/
Game and Parks cautiously will phase in additional park services and amenities in consort with health directives and advice from health departments.
In addition to the above, officials on the Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands will open recreation sites and increase public access beginning May 20, 2020. While no fire restrictions are in place, all dispersed campers are asked to please use a propane stove to enhance public safety and prevent human-caused wildfires. Additionally visitors to the main camping complex must be aware that both the group campsite and shower house will remain closed, but flush toilets will be open. All other campsites will be open for both tents and RVs. Unfortunately, reservations for Memorial Day weekend that were cancelled cannot be honored; all camping is first-come, first-serve through May 31, 2020.
“While we understand there may be some excitement from the public to return to beloved recreation areas, please continue to follow local, state, and federal guidelines on staying safe” says Julie Bain, Bessey District Ranger. “There is still work to be done – ensuring cleanliness of facilities, conducting proper maintenance, and assessing recreation areas for health and safety. Forest Service personnel will clean and disinfect developed recreation sites twice weekly. For you own safety please bring your own handwashing and/or hand sanitizer supplies.”
Visitors should come with all the essentials for a day trip, including food, emergency supplies, and resources to pack-out trash. Please follow the latest health guidance, stay at least six feet from others, and avoid gathering in large groups.
The Forest Service is asking visitors to recreate locally and responsibly. This will help expand access to facilities, services and other opportunities. Visitors are asked to plan accordingly as certain services may still be unavailable. Prepare to pack out trash and human waste.