Skip to main content

Statewide Park Improvements

Explore our ongoing and completed improvements made at state parks across this state.

In order to keep our nearly 80 state parks, state historical parks and state recreation areas vibrant, beautiful and well-maintained, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission continually works to upgrade aging infrastructure and add new amenities, in addition to performing regular maintenance on infrastructure.

Our capital maintenance plan prioritizes critical infrastructure needs so we can ensure our parks and facilities meet current safety and functionality standards, as well as the demand for new experiences.

Nebraska Game and Parks works to make improvements at parks around the state year round. The following park projects are under development.

Bluestem SRA
  • Campground electrical upgrades
  • ADA-compliant shower facility upgrades
Bridgeport SRA
  • Center lake channel widening
Conestoga SRA
  • Electrical campsites, ADA upgrades and shower facility design concept
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
  • Peter Kiewit Lodge guest room HVAC upgrade
  • Peter Kiewit Lodge ADA-compliant entrance
  • Cabin 44 remodel and window replacement
  • Waterway design concept
Fort Atkinson State Historical Park
  • Northeast barracks log replacement
Fort Robinson State Park
  • Aquatic Habitat Rehabilitation phase 2
  • Bakery reconstruction design concept
  • Cabin floor upgrades
  • 1887 Adobe kitchen upgrades
  • 1887 Enlisted Men’s Barracks reconstruction design concept
  • Gutter and column repairs to the lodge, Comanche Hall and cabins
Indian Cave State Park
  • Motorboat access improvement
Lewis and Clark SRA
  • Burbach Campground expansion
  • South Shore sediment removal
Niobrara State Park
  • Playground installation
  • Road seepage and pond work design
Platte River State Park
  • Crawdad Creek and Lake well repair design
Ponca State Park
  • Mini-lodge bedroom and great room expansion
Rock Creek Station SRA
  • Lagoon repairs design concept
Sandy Channel SRA
  • Well system installation
Wildcat Hills SRA
  • Campground expansion design concept
Willow Creek SRA
  • Campground electrical upgrade design concept
  • Fish-cleaning station design concept
Windmill SRA
  • Aquatic Habitat Project

Projects were completed at all of our parks and recreations areas between 2014 and 2025. They include:

Alexandria SRA
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
  • Vault toilet restroom replacement (2)
  • New south dike design
Alliance District Office
  • Walk-up office window installation
  • Sewer investigation
Arbor Lodge State Historical Park
  • Mansion renovations, including shutter replacements, portico plaster and painting
  • New shutters, portico plaster, and painting at the mansion
  • HVAC system replaced
  • ADA-compliant modern restroom
Ash Hollow State Historical Park
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
  • Aging infrastructure building removal (2)
  • Visitor Center building and restroom improvements compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act
Bluestem SRA
  • Two ADA-compliant precast latrines
Bowring Ranch State Historical Park
  • Window replacements
Box Butte Reservoir SRA
  • ADA-compliant vault toilet upgrades (2)
  • Campground expansion including ADA-compliant upgrades
  • New precast vault latrine installed at the main campground
Branched Oak SRA
  • Area 11 campground expansion with ADA-improvements
  • Concrete vault toilet installations (4)
  • Campground electrical upgrade at Area 1 and 4
  • Water storage repair and painting
  • ADA-compliant vault toilet installations
  • ADA-compliant fish-cleaning stations upgrade
  • Campground expansion investigation at Area 11
  • Erosion repair and riprap installation at Area 2
Bridgeport SRA
  • Latrine at swimming beach area upgraded with ADA-compliant features
  • Group fire rings and special event bleachers and platform
  • Entrance signs installed
  • Three horseshoe pits installed
  • Two ADA-compliant vault toilets
Buffalo Bill State Historical Park
  • Mansion renovations, including porch improvements and window installations
  • Barn roof refinished
  • Hardwood floors refinished in mansion
  • Porches and railings on mansion rebuilt
Calamus Hatchery
  • Gates construction and reservoir water line repair
Calamus SRA
  • Hot water heater replacement
  • Fish grinder replacement
  • Office expansion viability study for ADA-upgrade
  • Fish-cleaning station with grinder installation (2)
  • Hatchery waterline upgrade and valve replacement
  • Installed two boat docks with ADA-accessible railings
  • Replaced shower building with ADA-compliant precast shower/latrine facility
  • Installed two ADA-compliant precast latrines
  • 63 campground pedestals upgraded
  • 10 50-amp camp pads added
  • Buckshot Bay ADA-compliant vault toilet replacement
Chadron State Park
  • Trading Post HVAC upgrade
  • Campground electrical 50-amp and ADA accessible upgrades
  • Campground upgrade design concept
  • Entrance sign replacement
  • ADA-compliant camping pads and electrical upgrades
  • New shower facility
  • New vault toilets
  • Installation of new ADA-compliant playground equipment and surfacing
  • Construction of new shooting range building
  • Cabin upgrades/improvements and ADA-access
  • Pinecone Shelter ADA-upgrade
  • Built ADA-compliant precast latrine
  • Updated plumbing in group cabins
  • Audio visual system and lighting at group meeting facility upgraded
  • ADA-compliant mini-golf course design concept
  • Vault toilet replacements (2)
Cheyenne SRA
  • Campground expansion with ADA upgrades
  • Vault toilet replacement
Conestoga SRA
  • ADA-compliant fish-cleaning stations upgrade
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
Cottonwood Lake SRA
  • Two ADA-compliant precast latrines
Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail
  • Erosion control work at Neligh on Highway 275
  • Erosion control work at the Norfolk Bridge 147
  • Flood repair at Long Pine SRA
  • Surfacing repairs plans for Madison, Antelope, Holt, Rock, Brown and Cherry counties
  • Storm damage repairs, including fencing
  • Erosion-control design concept at Norfolk Bridge 147
  • Flood-repair design concept at Oakdale Bridge 211 and Valentine
Danish Alps SRA
  • ADA-compliant cement walkway
  • ADA-compliant fishing pier
  • ADA-compliant fish-cleaning station
Dead Timber SRA
  • Two vault toilets replace
  • New grills and picnic tables installed
Enders Reservoir SRA
  • ADA-compliant camping pad installation
  • Installed boat dock with ADA-accessible railings
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
  • Upgraded all pedestals to 50-amp
  • Drinking water well, distribution lines and eight hydrants installed
  • Five target archery ranges installed
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
  • Sewer system improvement
  • Kountze Theater fire protection upgrades
  • Peter Kiewit Lodge guest room improvements design concept
  • Conservancy window replacement and structure repair design concept
  • Dump utilities improvement design concept
  • Concrete restroom installation
  • Drainage improvements
  • Peter Kiewit Lodge erosion mitigation
  • Lakeside Campground electrical upgrade
  • Elevator modernization
  • New group rental facility
  • New precast vault latrines
  • Cabin upgrades (2 per year)
  • Facility audio and visual capabilities upgraded
  • Peter Kiewit Lodge air-conditioning system replacement
  • Little Creek electrical upgrades
  • Telecommunications fiber upgrade
  • Cabins 2 and 16 remodel
  • Interpretive waterway trail design concept
  • Lakeside water and wastewater improvements
  • Recreational vehicle dump utilities upgrade
Fort Atkinson State Historical Park
  • New entrance design concept
  • Fort wall log replacements
  • Relocated park entrance road to improve access
  • Replaced logs and repaired west wall of the fort
Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park
  • New roofs on Quartermaster’s Storehouse, Quartermaster’s Stable and Commanding Officer’s Quarters
  • Chimneys tucked on Storehouse, Laundress Quarters, Stables, Officers Quarters, Commanding Officer’s Quarters and Hospital
Fort Kearny SRA
  • Toilet installation
  • Campground electrical upgrades
  • Three ADA-compliant precast latrines
  • ADA-accessible camping pad
  • Pressurized drinking water well installed
  • New two-lane dump station
  • Wastewater lagoon system installed
  • ADA-compliant bathroom and shower addition
Fort Robinson State Park
  • Cabin electrical upgrades to the 1874 cabins
  • Officers Quarters upgrades
  • Campus tuck-pointing and masonry repairs
  • Lodge updates and repairs
  • Concrete toilet installation
  • Cabin foundation replacement design concept
  • Horse Barn foundation repair design concept
  • Mare Barn Campground expansion design concept
  • ADA-compliant playground equipment installation
  • Red Cloud Campground expansion
  • Maintenance shop upgrades
  • Water tower painting
  • Steel shed door replacement
  • New precast vault latrines
  • Cabin upgrades
  • Buffalo Barracks new siding
  • Firehall, Barn 105 and 106 new roofs
  • Porch roof replacement
  • Post Playhouse updated HVAC
  • Upgrades to the exterior of the Adobe buildings
  • Electrical and HVAC upgrade in 309 Building
  • New duplex-style lodge combining historical features with modern amenities
  • New roof and siding added at the Post Playhouse storage facility
  • Decking and porches replaced at Officer’s Row
  • HVAC in Bricks group lodging facilities
  • Aquatic Habitat Rehabilitation Phase 1 with ADA-access
  • Horse Barn foundation repairs
  • Mare Barn ADA-compliant shower facility replacement
  • Cabin electrical upgrade
  • Soldier Creek Campground electrical upgrade
  • Mare Barn Campground expansion, with ADA-compliant sites
  • Cabin foundation replacements in 309 and 310
  • Recreational vehicle electrical pedestal upgrades
  • Bakery reconstruction design concept
  • Cabin floor upgrades design concept
Fremont Lakes SRA
  • Shower facility replacement
  • Dump station replacement
  • Electrical upgrades at Pathfinder and Victory Lake campgrounds
  • Victory Lake erosion prevention improvements
  • Installed boat dock with ADA-accessible railings
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
  • ADA-compliant precast shower facility
  • Sewer system upgrade at Victory Lake shower facilities and dump station
  • Victory Lake shoreline erosion repair design concept
  • Pathfinder and Victory Lake campgrounds electrical upgrade design concept
  • Public docks system and concession area design concept
Gallagher Canyon SRA
  • Boat dock with ADA-accessible railings
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
Indian Cave State Park
  • Horse Camp water line replacement design concept
  • Concrete repair for parking/boat ramp
  • Transformer upgrade
  • New precast vault latrines, including two that meet ADA-compliance
  • Upgrade shower facility to meet ADA regulations
  • New ADA-compliant precast shower/latrine facility
  • 44 new 50-amp electrical installed at campground
  • Upgraded water system
  • Road improvements to park and equestrian camping area
  • New gatehouse
  • ADA-compliant cave-viewing walkway
  • ADA-compliant vault toilet replacements (2)
  • St. Deroin Bridge replacement
Johnson Lake SRA
  • Fish-cleaning station upgrade
  • Shower facility replaced with ADA-compliant precast shower/latrine facility
  • Recreational vehicle campsites electrical upgrade
  • Wildlife viewing blind installed
  • Dump station upgrade
Kearney Outdoor Education Center
  • Vault toilet replacement
Keller Park SRA
  • Campground electrical upgrade plan
  • Vault toilet replacements (2)
  • ADA-compliant camping pads upgrade (2)
Grove Trout Rearing Station
  • Flood repairs
  • Recreational vehicle campsites electrical upgrade
Lake Maloney SRA
  • Campground expansion and renovation design concept
  • Wastewater system upgrades
  • 56 pedestals at Kansas Point campground upgraded
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
Lake McConaughy SRA
  • Cedar View Campground shower replacement
  • Arthur Bay Campground shower replacement
  • Added ADA-compliant campsites
  • Renovated shower and restroom facilities at four campground areas
  • Improved sanitary sewer, expanding trailer dump stations and building two wastewater treatment lagoons
  • Completed three new campgrounds with a total of 170 sites and updated electrical at 42 sites
  • Added two ADA-compliant precast latrines
  • Added six ADA-compliant constructed latrines
  • Expanded Visitor’s Center Nature Trail
  • Expanded contracted services for refuse removal and portable restrooms
  • New gatehouses installed
  • Angler access improvements made
  • New boat docks installed, one with ADA-accessible kayak and canoe launch
  • Upgraded fish-cleaning stations
  • Pollinator gardens established at the Outdoor Discovery Area at the Lake McConaughy Water Center
  • The Ethel Abbott Theater, Balancing Unlimited Needs topographic display and Water for Communities displays were upgraded with new automated audio/visual systems
  • Motorboat access improvements
  • Wayfinding signage design
Lake Minatare SRA
  • Lakeview campground electrical upgrades
  • Installed boat dock with ADA-accessible railings
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
  • ADA-compliant precast shower/restroom facility and ADA-compliant constructed latrine
  • Upgraded 62 campground sites to 50-amp
  • Electrical pedestals upgraded to 50-amp at main campground
  • ADA-compliant vault toilet replacement (4)
  • Added two fish-cleaning stations
  • Maintenance shop upgrades
Lake Ogallala SRA
  • Installed boat dock with ADA-accessible railings
  • Angler access improvements, including an ADA-accessible sidewalk, accessible gangway and stairwell access
  • Shower and latrine replaced with ADA compliant precast shower/latrine building
  • 44 pedestals upgraded
  • 82 sites at Lake Ogallala Campground upgraded to 50-amp
  • New gate house installed
  • ADA-compliant floating fishing bridge installed
  • Fish-cleaning station upgraded
Lewis and Clark SRA
  • Wastewater treatment construction
  • Marina expansion design concept
  • Rural water installation at Miller Creek
  • Water line break repair near Bloomfield Area
  • Fish-cleaning station upgrade
  • Boat ramp installation
  • Restroom removal
  • Cabin upgrades
  • Installed boat dock with ADA-accessible railings
  • ADA-compliant precast shower/latrine facility
  • Burbach Campground campsites electrical upgrade
Long Pine SRA
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
  • Replacement well installed at campgrounds
  • Campground expansion design concept
  • Vault toilet replacements (2)
Louisville SRA
  • Angler access project
  • Campground electrical upgrade
  • Small-craft boat dock installation
  • Fishing pier installation
  • Boat dock replacement
  • ADA compliant precast shower/latrine facility
  • Eagleview Campground campsites electrical upgrade
  • Vault toilet replacement
Medicine Creek SRA
  • Aging infrastructure building removal
  • Installed boat dock with ADA-accessible railings
  • 44 sites upgraded to 50-amp service
  • Eight electrical pedestals installed
  • New transformer installed
  • Four new hydrants installed
  • Nine-hole disc golf course added
  • Four target archery ranged installed
Memphis SRA
  • Installed 18 new 50-amp electrical campsites
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
  • Sewer system design concept
  • ADA-compliant vault toilet replacement
Merritt Reservoir SRA
  • Cedar Bay Campground expansion with ADA upgrades
  • Cedar Bay Campground shower facility upgrade
  • Additional campground design concept
  • Fish-cleaning stations upgraded
  • Constructed new large picnic shelter
  • 41 pads upgraded to 50-amp
  • Cedar Bay campground electrical upgrade
  • ADA-compliant vault toilet replacement (2)
  • Breakwater improvements
  • ADA-compliant fish-cleaning stations upgrade
Milburn Dam
  • Vault toilet restroom replacement
Mormon Island SRA
  • Campground expansion viability study
  • Campground improvements
  • Sewer lagoon collection system repairs
  • ADA-compliant precast shower/latrine facility
  • Shower building renovated with LED lighting, new siding, and improved shower stalls
  • Maintenance shop resided
  • Campground expansion design concept
  • Vault toilet replacement
Mulberry Bend WMA
  • Boat launch facilities installed
Niobrara State Park
  • Dump station enhancement and repairs
  • Cabin upgrades
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
  • ADA-compliant precast shower/latrine facility
  • Campsites upgraded
  • New cookout shelter constructed
  • Boat ramp sediment removal
North Platte Fish Hatchery
  • Furnace replacement
Pawnee SRA
  • Campgrounds 3 and 4 electrical upgrades
  • Vault toilet installation
  • Campground electrical upgrades
  • New shower building installation
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
  • Marina building upgrade
  • Campground areas 3 and 4 electrical upgrade
Platte River State Park
  • Erosion repairs at Evergreen Cabin site
  • ADA-compliant duplex renovations
  • Two shelter installations
  • Natural playground installation
  • Cost summary to install fiber
  • Cabin upgrades
  • Two ADA-compliant precast latrines
  • Water tower established and rural water connection and distribution system updated
  • Shoreline enhancements improved angler access
  • Water supply system modifications
  • Owen’s Cabins heating, ventilation and air conditioning replacement
  • Bank stabilization design concept
Plum Creek WMA
  • Boat ramp fishing node removal
Ponca State Park
  • Eric Wiebe Shooting Complex electrical service installation
  • Pool entrance concrete replacement
  • Water and electrical line relocation at the north addition primitive area (2)
  • Education center expansion concept design
  • Gray Fox Cabin HVAC upgrade
  • Shower facility removal
  • Boat ramp repairs
  • Renovated landscapes at the entrance of Ponca State Park, including adding fill and topsoil to identified areas; planting trees, shrubs and perennials; removing of power poles; trail work; constructing of a small shelter; patio addition to Towers in Time; and other landscape features
  • Two ADA-compliant precast latrines
  • Shower facility replacements, including an ADA-compliant precast shower/latrine facility
  • ADA-compliant zero-depth entry pool, splash pad, water slide and new restroom and shower facility installed
  • New boat ramp
  • Mini-lodge bedroom/Great Room expansion design concept
Red Willow Reservoir SRA
  • Fish-cleaning station upgrade
  • Two ADA-compliant precast latrines
  • 33 pedestals upgraded to 50-amp service
  • Two 400-amp panels installed
Riverview SRA
  • Vault toilet replacement installation
  • Silt removal
Rock Creek Lake SRA
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
  • New boat ramp and dock
Rock Creek Station State Historical Park
  • New lagoon and septic system
  • Bridge repair and bank stabilization
  • Electrical upgrade design concept
  • Sewer system investigation
Rock Creek Station SRA
  • Vault toilet replacement
  • Campground electrical upgrade
  • ADA-compliant precast shower/latrine facility
  • Public drinking water well assessment
Rockford SRA
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
  • ADA-compliant vault toilet replacement
Sandy Channel SRA
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
  • Rock-surface camping pads installed with new grills and picnic tables
  • Camping improvements
Schramm Park SRA
  • 4-H Camp building removal
  • Sidewalk improvements
Sherman Reservoir SRA
  • Fish-cleaning station upgrade
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
  • ADA-compliant vault toilet replacement (2)
  • Recreational vehicle campground expansion
  • Thunder Bay Campground ADA-compliant camping pads upgrades
Smith Falls State Park
  • ADA-compliant boardwalk replacement
  • Additional campground design concept
  • Deck replacement
  • HVAC upgrades
  • Shower facility replacement
  • Removed and replaced roof on the office and shop
Stagecoach SRA
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
  • ADA-compliant vault toilet replacement
Summit Lake SRA
  • Boat dock replacement
  • Campground expansion to include 13 updated camping pads and other improvements
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine and ADA-compliant precast shower/latrine facility
  • ADA-compliant fishing pier
Sutherland Reservoir SRA
  • Vault toilet replacement installation
  • Campground electrical upgrade
  • Fish-cleaning station upgrade
  • New precast vault latrine
  • Electrical upgrade
  • ADA-compliant new vault toilet
Swanson Reservoir SRA
  • Fish-cleaning station upgrade
  • Precast latrines, two ADA-compliant
  • ADA-compliant precast shower/latrine facility
  • Five electrical pedestals upgraded to 50-amp service
  • Four target archery ranges installed
Two Rivers SRA
  • Lakeside Campground electrical and ADA upgrade design concept
  • ADA-improvements to offices
  • Sewage treatment repairs and improvements
  • Two ADA-compliant precast latrines
  • ADA-compliant precast shower/latrine facility
  • Upgrade bathrooms, kitchens, and cupolas lodging cabooses
  • ADA-compliant updates to caboose lodging
  • Electrical and ADA-camping upgrades
Union Pacific SRA
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
Valentine Fish Hatchery
  • Shop roof replacement
  • Flood damage assessment
Verdel Landing WMA
  • Vault toilet restroom replacement
Verdon SRA
  • New vault latrines
Victoria Springs SRA
  • Cabin upgrades and ADA access
  • Concrete toilet replacements
  • New precast vault latrine
  • Electrical upgrade
  • ADA-compliant camping pad upgrades (2)
Wagon Train SRA
  • ADA-compliant precast latrine
Walgren Lake SRA
  • Campground upgrade design concept
  • Installed new vault latrine
  • Replaced boat dock
  • Repaired fishing pier
  • ADA-compliant vault toilet replacement
War Axe SRA
  • Vault toilet replacement
Wildcat Hills SRA
  • Roof repair
  • Family-friendly shooting range installed
  • Visitor’s center expanded to include conference rooms and a larger area for exhibits and educational activities.
Willow Creek SRA
  • Fishing piers
  • Campground electrical upgrade design concept
  • Installed boat dock with ADA-accessible railings
  • Two ADA-compliant precast latrines
  • RV campsites electrical pedestal upgrade design concept
  • ADA-compliant fish-cleaning station design concept
Windmill SRA
  • Archery range installation
  • New playground installation
  • Shower building replaced with ADA-compliant precast shower/latrine facility
Other improvements have included:
  • 403 new grills and 401 new picnic tables, including ADA grills and tables, from Cornhusker State Industries were distributed to 23 park areas statewide for campsite additions and to replace damaged items. In addition, 353 new picnic tables made from recycled tires were distributed across 35 park areas.
  • Regularly scheduled maintenance, including common repairs and paint
  • Statewide ADA-compliant fish-cleaning stations upgrades

Aerial view of campground

Stay up-to-date

This list is updated annually. To stay up-to-date throughout the year, read our press releases.

Crete Carrier Riverview Lodge at Mahoney State Park

Venture Parks public-private partnership

Nebraska’s metro area state parks, also know as Venture Parks, have received a number of major park project improvements in recent years, such as the Crete Carrier Lodge at E.T. Mahoney State Park and the interactive Crawdad Creek at Platte River State Park. Many of these projects are thanks to funding by the Venture Parks public-private partnership, which include generous private donations.

Project Funding Sources

These projects are funded through one or a combination of the following resources:

Park Cash Fund

Park Cash Fund, money generated from Game and Parks user fees from park entry permits, lodging, camping, activities, equipment rentals and facility rentals for improvement, maintenance and operation of the state park system.

Capital Maintenance Fund

The Capital Maintenance Fund, established by the Nebraska Legislature in 2014 to help preserve Nebraska’s public outdoor recreation facilities and parklands. 

NORDA Cash Fund

The Nebraska Outdoor Recreational Development Act Cash Fund, approved by the Nebraska Legislature in 1980, with a portion of the taxes collected funding park maintenance and improvements.

Land and Water Conservation Fund

The Land and Water Conservation Fund, established by the U.S. Congress in 1964 to safeguard natural areas, water resources and cultural heritage, and to provide recreation opportunities to all Americans.

Title 28 Funding

Title 28 funding from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

309 Task Force

The 309 Task Force for Building Renewal program through Nebraska

Other

Nonprofit, state, or agency support or grants from:

  • Keith County Visitor’s Committee;
  • the Papio Missouri Natural Resources District;
  • the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District;
  • the University of Nebraska’s Water for Food Institute;
  • the Nebraska Water Center Foundation;
  • the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality through the Waste Reduction and Recycling Incentive Program;
  • aquatic habitat funds; and/or
  • legislative appropriations.

Explore parks

Discover Nebraska’s state parks that offer a plethora of ways to have fun.