There is no better place to be than poolside or at the beach during Nebraska’s hot summer months! Cool off at six of our Nebraska State Parks spray parks and aquatic centers or take a scenic drive to any of Nebraska’s State Recreation Areas with designated swimming beaches.
Aquatic Centers
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
Ashland, NE
The Family Aquatic Center includes a swimming pool with two water slides, diving area, zero-entry wave pool, water playground, sun deck and concession area.
Ponca State Park
Ponca, NE
Ponca’s new aquatic center features a heated zero-depth entry pool, 172-foot long water slide, climbing wall, diving board, and spray features from small children. Older swimmers may enjoy pool games such as basketball and volleyball. The bathhouse offers a concession area for all park visitors.
Chadron State Park
Chadron, NE
Chadron State Park’s swimming pool offers visitors two diving boards, recently renovated bathhouses and a beautiful view overlooking the pines. Lifeguards are on duty. For visitors who like scenery as they swim, this is the perfect location. The spacious outdoor pool overlooks the picturesque Pine Ridge. As a bonus, the bath houses were renovated in 2016.
Platte River State Park
Louisville, NE
One of the only two-tiered spray parks in the region, the new spray park at Platte River State Park offers various spray features, three water slides, a waterfall, dump buckets and a fountain, as well as a pavilion that may be reserved for birthday parties.
Niobrara State Park
Niobrara, NE
Conveniently located near the park’s cabins, Niobrara State Park’s swimming pool offers visitors a way to cool down in the summer-time heat. This modern pool is handicapped accessible by a recently installed pool lift.
Fort Robinson State Park
Crawford, NE
Rain or shine, the indoor Olympic-sized Lindeken Pool at Fort Robinson State Park is popular among visitors. In addition, the outdoor wading pool and deck caters to sun-worshipers and the youngest of water-lovers.
Hours & Pricing
Eugene T. Mahoney
Hours
Memorial Day through Mid-August:
Daily
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Mid-August through Labor Day:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day
12 p.m. – 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Closed Tuesday and Thursday
Prices
Swimming Daily:
Adults $10
Children $8
Swimming Season:
Adults $135
Children $110
Family Punch Pass $320 (can be used to up to 40 punches)
Ponca
Hours
Memorial Day through Mid-August:
Daily
12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Mid-August through Labor Day:
Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day
12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Prices
Swimming Daily:
Adults $7
Children $5
Swimming Season:
Adults $95
Children $75
Family $180
Chadron, Platte River, Niobrara
Hours
Memorial Day through Mid-August:
Daily
12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Mid-August through Labor Day:
Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day
12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Closed Tuesday and Thursday
Prices
Swimming Daily:
Adults $4
Children $3
Swimming Season:
Adults $65
Children $45
Family $120
Fort Robinson
Hours
Memorial Day through Mid-August:
Daily
12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Mid-August through Labor Day:
Saturday, Sunday and Labor Day
12 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Closed Tuesday and Thursday
Prices
Swimming Daily:
Adults $5
Children $4
Swimming Season:
Adults $65
Children $45
Family $120
Swimming Beaches
Additionally, many of Nebraska’s state recreation areas have designated swimming areas and beaches for visitors to enjoy. View the list of state recreation areas with designated swimming areas below:
Water Safety
Don’t forget, whether you’re swimming at a pool, lake, or elsewhere, it’s important to be safe while you’re in the water!
Swimming Safety Tips
Water Quality
Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) conducts weekly sampling for Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), also known as toxic blue-green algae, and E. coli bacteria at 51 public recreational lakes (54 sites in all) across Nebraska from May through September and these results are updated weekly. Samples are typically collected on Monday and results are posted on the website on Friday.
Click here for the latest harmful algal bloom and E. coli sampling results / Health Alerts.
