New water trail at Gallagher Canyon SRA

Paddlers now can explore Nebraska Game and Parks’ newest water trail, which begins at Gallagher Canyon State Recreation Area south of Cozad.

The 9.5-mile scenic trail winds through the backwaters and fingers of beautiful Gallagher Canyon. A second trail, starting at the state recreation area’s boat ramp, offers 4.5 miles of paddling through the canal system to the Plum Creek Wildlife Management Area boat ramp.

Paddlers will have gorgeous views of the canyon and canal system where wildlife, such as deer and other mammals, turtles, eagles, herons and other birds, may be seen.

Anglers can have great success from a kayak or canoe along the trail catching sauger, crappie, white bass, drum, channel and flathead catfish.

A trail map sits adjacent to the Gallagher Canyon boat ramp, and includes QR codes showing the trail map and the Nebraska boating guide to assist paddlers before launching.

The canal system flows into many south-central lakes and is owned by Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District. Staff there worked with Nebraska Game and Parks staff to make this trail available to the public.

“When I first visited Gallagher Canyon on my kayak, I fell in love with it and just wanted to share it with others,” said Caden Picquet, Johnson Lake SRA park superintendent, who developed the idea of the trail. “It is a unique place here in Central Nebraska.”

While boats also may use the canal and the lakes from Gallagher Canyon to Plum Creek, a 5 mph no wake regulation is in effect. This makes the new trail a calm and relaxing paddling experience with little to no boat traffic.

As cooler weather approaches, paddlers should use caution to avoid hypothermia as temperatures and water get cold. Find cold-weather kayak safety tips at OutdoorNebraska.gov by searching for “stay safe paddling.”

Learn more about Nebraska’s water trails at the same web address by searching for “water trails.”