- Archery range
- Biking
- Boating
- Camping
- Canoeing/kayaking
- Cross-country skiing
- Disc golf
State Recreation Area
12000 W. Branched Oak Road | Raymond, NE 68428-9728
Branched Oak State Recreation Area will not be hosting organized Halloween activities in 2026 to better support visitor safety. Campers are encouraged to celebrate Halloween in a more informal, self-guided way by decorating their campsites and trick-of-treating in the campground.
Branched Oak State Recreation Area features the largest lake in eastern Nebraska and has long been a popular spot for fishing, boating and camping. Approximately 1,800 acres of water, along with well-maintained campsites, two swimming beaches, hiking trails and an equestrian campground draw visitors from near and far. A marina offers fuel, bait, boat rental, concessions and a bar and grill.
A boy plays on the swim beach on Lieber's Point at Branched Oak State Recreation Area in Lancaster County. Copyright Nebraskaland Magazine, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Catamarans sailing at Branched Oak Lake at Branched Oak State Recreation Area (SRA) in Lancaster County. Eric Fowler, Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
A woman and her dog cross-country ski on a trail in Area 1 at Branched Oak State Recreation Area. Eric Fowler, Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Bank swallows nest in a bank in Area 14 on the south shore of Branched Oak State Recreation Area in Lancaster County. Eric Fowler, Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
A mountain bike trail runs through Area 7 at Branched Oak State Recreation Area in Lancaster County. Eric Fowler, Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Tent camping in Area 1 gets guests close to the water at Branched Oak State Recreation Area in Lancaster County. Eric Fowler, Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Sailboarding is popular at Branched Oak State Recreation Area in Lancaster County. Eric Fowler, Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
The Branched Oak Lake Marina is located in the northeastern area of Branched Oak Lake. The marina sells bait, firewood and fuel, among other amenities, and also offers boat rental and a bar/grill.
Branched Oak Lake offers great fishing opportunities and is a popular spot with anglers. Available species include blue catfish, bluegill, common carp, channel catfish, crappie, flathead catfish, freshwater drum, largemouth bass, striped bass, walleye, white perch and wiper. There’s a daily bag limit of one walleye, 22 inches or longer, and there’s a 10-inch minimum length limit for crappie. Striped bass, white bass, wiper and flathead catfish are catch-and-release. A wheelchair-accessible deck is available near the marina, and fish cleaning stations are located at areas 5 and 11.
Branched Oak Lake is open to all types of boating. Nine ramps and 49 docks are available. The marina sells fuel and also offers boat rental.
Branched Oak SRA offers 41 picnic shelters, three of which offer reservations. Contact the park to reserve a picnic shelter for $50/day without electric. The park also offers numerous picnic tables and grills.
Branched Oak features two swimming beaches. There are no lifeguards on duty at either.
Branched Oak has about nine miles of interlocking multi-use trails for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and horseback riding. The trails meander through trees, open grasslands and scenic overlooks on the south side of the lake. Area 7 has approximately 5 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Trails include six miles of mountain bike trails and three miles of horse trails. A multi-use trail along the south side of the lake offers great wildlife viewing and scenic views of the lake.
Branched Oak SRA also has about 3 miles of equestrian trails. A horse camp is located in Area 2 (Homestead Campground). Please see equestrian camping information below. The equestrian trailhead is located out of the Homestead Equestrian campground.
Branched Oak also offers archery, a disc golf course, sand volleyball courts, horseshoe pits and a nationally recognized dog trial area. It’s also a popular spot for wildlife viewing, particularly in the spring when many visitors stop by to view bald eagles.
Nearby Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area offers boating, camping, swimming, fishing and other activities.
Wildwood Wildlife Management Area, three miles south of Valparaiso, is an eastern Nebraska favorite for fishing, no-wake boating, camping and picnicking. The area includes a 103-acre lake on the 491-acre property.
Branched Oak offers an array of camping amenities. South Shore campgrounds offer Full Hookups, Electric Plus and Electric camping along with Basic campsites. Middle Oak campground offers Electric Plus, Electric and Basic campsites. Along with the electrical modern camping, Branched Oak offers numerous Basic and Primitive campsites at several of its campground locations. The lake has five shower houses, modern restrooms, primitive restrooms, dump and fill stations and playground equipment.
Camping reservations are available for half of the campsites in Middle Oak Creek, Homestead and South Shore campgrounds during peak season (mid-April to mid-October). All other camping is all first-come, first-served; campers must register their nightly camping fees in a raised, locked box called an Iron Ranger. Self-service envelopes are provided at each station and accept cash or checks only. Campsites must have a camping unit (tent, etc.) on site at the time of registration.
Visitors can camp with their horses at Homestead Campground equestrian area (Area 2). This area offers 15 pull-through Equestrian Electric Plus campsites. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance and cannot be reserved online. To reserve, please call the park office at 402-783-3400. Other amenities include 14 corrals, hand-pump drinking water, primitive toilet, picnic tables and fire rings. The equestrian camping area also provides 8 Equestrian Basic campsites for those that do not need the electricity, which are first-come, first-served.
Picnic shelters at Branched Oak State Recreation Area may rented for your activity.
Park Pricing
A park entry permit is required to visit state parks and may be purchased at the park, statewide Game and Parks offices and permit vendors, or in advance of your arrival online. View those fees, as well as attraction and amenity pricing.
Reservations
Reservations are accepted for cabins, lodge rooms, and group lodges up to one year in advance of the arrival date. Reservations for camping are accepted up to 180 days in advance of arrival date. Call the Reservation Call Center at 1-844-637-2757 (1-844-NEPARKS) or book online.
