Our state parks and recreation areas have been a place for many to escape and seek security, comfort and therapeutic relief from COVID-19 worries, and that’s why your health and well-being and caring for our natural and cultural resources are our top priorities. We have continued to work to provide services while also reducing the spread of the novel coronavirus disease to our guests and the greater community.

Select state park area service centers are open for customer service, information and permit sales. Learn more on our COVID-19 FAQs page. Or, if you have specific park questions related to your trip, please call the park you plan to visit. Find your park here.

FAQs Find your park

Park grounds remain open for recreation activities, including fishing, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, and other recreation. We remind park guests to recreate responsibly and take personal precautions, such as using hand sanitizer, when using high-risk areas.

Any modifications to this will be announced by news release, email and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission social media.

State parks and recreation areas

Our state parks and recreation areas are open for fishing, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, camping and other recreation that provides adequate room for proper physical distancing among guests who are not experiencing signs of illness. Necessary permits, such as fishing licenses and parks entry passes, can be purchased online. Parks permits also can be purchased at self-service stations located at each park area.

Select state park area service centers are open for customer service, information and permit sales. All park service center visitors must wear a face mask. For the most up-to-date listing of openings, including to interpretive displays and gift shops, visit our FAQs page.

Limited overnight lodging is available at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s Peter Kiewit Lodge and the Fort Robinson State Park Lodge. State park and recreation area cabins are open on a limited basis. Find more additional information on our COVID-19 FAQs page.

If you have specific park questions related to your next trip, please call the park you plan to visit. Find your park here.

Events

In-person programming has resumed! While we will continue to provide virtual learning opportunities by popular demand, we now are providing in-person programming with some limitations and requirements. Check our Outdoor Calendar for the most up-to-date information on programming.

Outdoor Calendar Education Calendar

Health and safety

We know that cleanliness is more important than ever right now. We’re taking guidance from the CDC, which recommends regular cleaning as one of the most important preventive measures we can take to prevent the spread of COVID-19. We are cleaning our facilities regularly, focusing on high-touch and high-traffic surfaces such as doors and door handles, bathroom surfaces, handrails and light switches.

We also recommend our guests take precautions recommended by the CDC, including social distancing even in outdoors spaces. Any person who is sick, has a fever of 100.4 degrees or higher, or has been exposed to sick individuals, should remain at home. Please also use thoughtful consideration regarding your public attendance and group interactions.

Keep in mind, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services recommends travelers coming to Nebraska or back to Nebraska from out-of-state limit public interactions, practice strict social distancing, self-monitor for symptoms, and self-quarantine for 14 days, if feasible.

Responsible recreation

We ask our guests to do their part to keep our communities safe from the spread of the coronavirus. We recommend people follow these tips to recreate responsibly:

• Stay up-to-date with all local, state and federal advisories.
• Maintain at least a 6-foot distance from other guests.
• Engage in recreational activities only with members of your household.
• Stick to low-risk activities to reduce stress on local emergency response and health care systems.
• Minimize travel distance from home. If your intended location is congested, come back at another time or move to a nearby, less-crowded site.
• Pack — and use — hand sanitizer often.
• Avoid high-touch areas. Clean public use surfaces, such as boat dock handrails and fish cleaning stations, with disinfecting wipes prior to use.
• If boating, do not congregate at boat ramps, boat docks, and beach areas.
• If you are sick, or have been exposed to someone who is sick with COVID-19, stay home.
• Leave no trace: Pack out everything you bring with you.

FAQ’s

Find our answers to the most frequently asked questions regarding swimming, reservations, fishing, and more.