60 | Parks Info: 402-471-0641
B
uilt to protect Overland Trail travelers, Fort
Kearny near Kearney was a stage station,
home station for the Pony Express, outfitting
depot for the Indian campaigns and home of the
Pawnee Scouts. Today it has become a Nebraska
state historical park, and the stockade, parade
grounds and blacksmith shop have been rebuilt.
In the spring, the world's largest concentration
of sandhill cranes and waterfowl gathers in the
central Platte River Valley. Crane information
is available at the Fort Kearny SHP Visitor Center
from early March through mid-April.
Just east of the historical park is the 186-acre Fort
Kearny SRA. Dotted with seven sandpit lakes, it is
a popular place among anglers and kayakers, and
offers a swim beach on Lake 7. A 1.8-mile nature
trail winds through the park, and the Fort Kearney
Hike/Bike Trail takes visitors across the Platte
River. The trail connects to the city of Kearney trail
system leading to Cottonmill Park, a 13-mile jaunt
from the park. Facilities include: Electric Plus,
Electric and Basic camping, showers, dump-and-
fill station, modern restrooms, water, picnic tables,
grills, shelters, wheelchair-accessible fishing pier,
nature trail, non-power boating and nine-hole
disc-golf course.
FISHING
Seven sandpit lakes offer anglers everything from
largemouth bass and bluegill to trophy channel
catfish. In spring and fall, Lake 6 is stocked with
catchable trout.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
AND GROUP TOURS
Phone: 308-865-5305
Email: ngpc.fort.kearny@nebraska.gov
FORT KEARNY STATE HISTORICAL PARK AND RECREATION AREA
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