12 | Parks Info: 402-471-0641
T
here are seven Salt Valley Lakes around Lincoln
managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks
Commission. Together, these state recreation
areas attract more visitors than any area in the
state parks system.
Two of these recreation areas have been highly
developed by the Commission for water-based
recreation – Branched Oak and Pawnee Lake are
well-suited for fishing, power boating and water
skiing. Branched Oak and Pawnee allow swimming
at unsupervised beaches. Picnicking and relaxing
in the sun are favorite activities.
BRANCHED OAK SRA
Branched Oak, 2½ miles north of Malcolm via
S-55M, is the largest of the Salt Valley Lakes
encompassing 5,595 acres, with 1,800 acres
of water and more than 600 campsites. The
swimming beaches are unsupervised. Full
Hookup campsites are available in South Shore
Campground. The campgrounds have restrooms,
showers, drinking water, dump-and-fill stations,
and Electric and Electric Plus campsites. There
is ample space for Basic and Primitive camping.
The area has four boat ramps, fish-cleaning
stations, a private marina and concession, disc
golf course, and several miles of hiking, biking
and horse trails. It also features an equestrian
campground with 15 Electric Plus sites, corrals,
water and primitive restrooms.
The lake is open to all types of boating,
and has nine ramps and 49 docks. The marina
sells fuel, camping supplies, bait and tackle.
A restaurant/bar and grill with lakeside views
is open during the summer.
A shotgun range is located on the north side of the
lake and hunting in season is available on portions of
the recreation area the Tuesday following Labor Day.
FISHING
Offers channel and blue catfish, along with
largemouth bass, walleye, carp and crappie,
striped bass, white bass, wiper and flathead
catfish are catch-and-release.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Phone: 402-783-3400
Email: ngpc.branched.oak@nebraska.gov
THE SALT VALLEY LAKES:
BRANCHED OAK, PAWNEE, CONESTOGA STATE RECREATION AREAS
