Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area (Nebraska) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area |
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Sailing on Lewis and Clark Lake
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 Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area
Location in Nebraska
Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area
Location in the United States
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| Location | Knox, Nebraska, United States |
| Area | 864 acres (350 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,214 ft (370 m) |
| Governing body | Nebraska Game and Parks Commission |
Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area (SRA) is a super fun place to visit in northeastern Nebraska. It's a big park, about 864 acres, right on the southern side of Lewis and Clark Lake. You can find it in Knox County, not too far from Crofton. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission takes care of this awesome area.
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About Lewis and Clark Lake
Lewis and Clark Lake was made when the Gavins Point Dam was built on the Missouri River in 1957. This dam helped create the large lake we see today. The lake is about 25 miles long and has over 90 miles of shoreline. It's a great spot for many outdoor activities.
After the lake was formed, several public areas were set up. These areas let people enjoy the land and water. The Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area is one of these places. It's managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Different Areas to Explore
The Lewis and Clark SRA has a few different sections for visitors.
- The Weigand-Burbach Area is where you'll find the main office and marina. It also has the biggest campground and cabins.
- The South Shore Recreation Area is perfect for getting to the lake. It has a boat ramp and trails for walking or riding. There's even a special campground for horses.
- The Bloomfield Recreation Area offers another campground and a boat ramp.
- Miller Creek Recreation Area has a campground, a boat ramp, and a hiking trail.
Fun Activities at the Lake
There are tons of exciting things to do at Lewis and Clark SRA!
Camping and Cabins
The recreation area has over 150 campsites with electricity. There are also more than 100 simple campsites. All of them are close to Lewis and Clark Lake. Campgrounds have showers, picnic tables, and fire pits. You can camp all year, but the modern facilities are open from April to October. There's also a special camping area for people with horses.
If you prefer something comfier, there are 10 modern cabins. They are right on the lake shore. Each cabin has two bedrooms and can sleep up to eight people. They come with beds, towels, a kitchen, and even an outdoor grill.
Weigand Marina
The Weigand Marina is open during the summer, from Memorial Day to Labor Day. You can buy snacks, ice cream, bait, and fuel there. The marina has many docks you can rent for your boat. There's also a public boat ramp to launch your boat onto the lake.
Boating and Fishing
Boating is super popular on Lewis and Clark Lake. You can bring sailboats, pleasure boats, and personal watercraft. Anglers will find many types of fish here. You might catch walleye, sauger, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, crappie, and catfish.
Trails and Winter Fun
The South Shore Area has 4.5 miles of trails. You can use them for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding. In the winter, when the ice is thick enough, the lake is open for ice fishing and ice skating. You can also go snowmobiling on the trails.
Hunting Opportunities
Hunting is allowed starting the Tuesday after Labor Day. You can hunt for upland game like pheasant and quail. There are also white-tail deer and wild turkey. Hunters should check with the park office for all the rules.
Protecting Our Lake: Zebra Mussels
In 2014, tiny creatures called zebra mussels were found in Lewis and Clark Lake. These mussels are an invasive species, meaning they are not native to the area. They can cause problems like clogging water pipes and damaging boat motors. To help protect the lake, there are special rules for boaters. These rules help stop the spread of these mussels to other lakes.
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