Boating
Cottonmill Park & Recreation Area
Cottonmill Road, Kearney, NE 68848
(308) 237-7251 or 308-237-4644
cityofkearney.org
Cottonmill Park & Lake offers various opportunities for fun and recreational activities just west of Kearney. Visitors can hike in a native prairie or tour the Nature Barn. A central feature to the park is a 43 acre lake. The lake underwent a complete restoration in 1998 to create a top quality fishing lake. Swimmers can also enjoy the sand beaches available at Cottonmill. If boating and fishing is more to your liking the lake is stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill, crappie, channel catfish and northern pike. They also offer paddleboats. The more athletic visitors can play disc (Frisbee) golf on the east side of the park. Scattered picnic sites and shelters are available throughout the park. Call or visit their website for more information or reservations.
Fort Kearny State Recreation Area
2 miles south and 4 miles east of Kearney
308-865-5305
Fort Kearney SRA
Fort Kearny SRA offers 186 acres dotted with sandpit lakes. In the spring, the world's largest concentration of sandhill cranes and waterfowl gathers in the central Platte River valley. Facilities include electrical and primitive camp pads, showers, dump station, modern restrooms, water, picnic tables, grills, shelters, wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, nature trail, non power boating and hike-bike trail. A Nebraska State Park permit is required.
Union Pacific State Recreation Area
I-80 Exit 263
Odessa, NE 68861
Phone: 308-865-5305
Union Pacific SRA
Union Pacific is a former wayside area comprising 26 acres of land and 12 acres in a sandpit. This area offers boating, picnicking and fishing. There are non-designated campsites with a modern restroom facility.
War Axe State Recreation Area
P.O. Box 427
Gibbon, NE 68840-0427
308-468-5700
War Axe SRA
War Axe is a former wayside area with 9 acres of land and a 16-acre lake. There are 8 non-designated campsites with a modern restroom facility. War Axe is located on Interstate 80, at the Shelton Interchange, Exit 291. This area offers boating, fishing and picnicking. Electric motor and non-powered boats can be used on the area's lake.
Windmill State Recreation Area
P.O. Box 427
Gibbon, NE 68840-0427
308-468-5700
Windmill SRA
Windmill State Recreation Area is one of two highly developed areas operated by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in the state's unique "chain of lakes" along Interstate 80. Situated at the Gibbon Interchange, between Kearney and Grand Island, it was once a stopping spot for early-day travelers. It still serves travelers today with modem camping facilities, a 14-acre man-made lake, and a fascinating assortment of antique windmills. It draws its name from the locale, Windmill Crossing, where the Pawnee Indians forded the Platte River during their annual buffalo hunts. The old-time windmills that add so much to the character of the area were acquired in the early 1970's. They have all been restored to working order.