Attention:
The Nebraska Game & Parks Commission maintains the right to establish "black-out" dates and reserve facilities or lodging for Special Events and maintenance related needs.
Description
Summary
At 2,158 acres, Lake Minatare SRA is the Panhandle’s largest body of water, attracting thousands of anglers, campers, water skiers and swimmers each year. Lake Minatare boasts excellent outdoor recreation opportunities, while irrigating thousands of acres in the North Platte Valley. Lake Minatare is closed to public access from October 15 to January 15 as it is part of the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge.
Attractions
Plains Lighthouse – Lake Minatare’s landmark lighthouse was a beacon of hope in the dark days of the Great Depression, when many American’s were jobless. It was built entirely of native stone between 1937 and 1939 by the Veteran’s Conservation Corps (VCC). The unusual structure stands 55 feet tall and serves as a combination shelter house and observation tower. It is open to public access.
Lake Minatare is surrounded by notable historic and recreational sites including the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge, Chimney Rock National Historic Site, Scotts Bluff National Monument and Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area.
Campground Notes
Campers will find a variety of options at Lake Minatare SRA. Lake View Campground offers 52 Electric Plus sites. Butte View Campground offers 49 Electric Plus sites and West Wind Campground offers 20 Basic sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Numerous non-designated Primitive sites are available including beach sites.Recreation:Boating
Boaters will find three ramps with courtesy docks located around the lake, which has plenty of running room for power boating, water skiing and sailing. Non-motorized boating is a popular activity at the lake and adjacent Winter’s Creek Reservoir due to their tree lined backwaters, secluded coves and beautiful vistas. Kayaks are available for rent from the Park Office. Facilities:Rental Facilities
Scout’s Cabin, located at the Scout’s Rest area on the north side of Lake Minatare, was constructed between 1937 and 1939 by the VCC and is available for public use. The cabin offers a functioning fireplace, electrical outlets and lighting. It an accommodate up to 50 people and is available for ½ day and full day rental by Reservation.
Sunrise Beach day use area hosts a large outdoor shelter with fireplace and accepts reservations at the Park Office at no additional cost. Services & Amenities:
- Bird Watching
- Boat Ramp
- Boating
- Campground Host
- Camping, Improved Site
- Camping, Primitive
- Canoeing
- Comfort Station
- Dump Station, Camper
- Fire Rings
- Fish Cleaning Station
- Fishing
- Fishing, PARK LAKE
- Grills
- Hiking
- Laundry
- Office/Ranger Station
- PARK LAKE
- Parking
- Photography
- Picnic Area
- Picnic Pavilion
- Picnic Shelter
- Restrooms
- Scenic Driving Routes
- Shelters
- Showers
- Skiing - Water
- Stargazing
- Sunbathing
- Swimming - Park Lake
- Walking
- Water Drinking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Church
- Dining
- Fuel, Boats
- Historic Sites
- Motel
- Museum
- Restaurant
- Town
Alerts and Important InformationATTENTION - Firewood Alert:
Voluntary Firewood Restriction
If you have brought firewood from another state, please burn it immediately and do not transport it to another location. Many invasive pests are being transported across our country in firewood. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a serious pest that is near Nebraska's border. Your cooperation to help prevent EAB from invading Nebraska woodlands and landscapes is vital to protecting our valuable natural resources.
If you need additional firewood, your options are:
1) Purchase firewood at parks that sell it.
2) Purchase firewood at vendors near many parks.
3) Gather dead firewood laying on the ground within park boundaries.
Learn more about invasive pests and the risk of transporting firewood at:
www.emeraldashborer.info
www.dontmovefirewood.org As a wildlife refuge, Lake Minatare is closed October 15 - January 15th
ATTENTION - IMPORTANT INFORMATION, READ CAREFULLY
Camping reservations may be made a minimum of three days in advance of arrival and a maximum of 180 days in advance of arrival.
CHECK IN AND OUT SCHEDULE- If you check out early, the unused portion of your payment will be forfeited.
Lake Minatare is closed to all public access from October 15 to January 15 annually.
Hunting is prohibited at Lake Minatare SRA.
A Nebraska State Park Permit is required to enter this park area. A Nebraska Licensed Vehicle Park Entry Permit is $35 for an Annual Permit, $17.50 for a Duplicate Annual Permit (used for that second vehicle in your family) or a Daily Permit which is $7 per day you are staying. A Non-Nebraska Licensed Vehicle Park Entry Permit is $70, $35 for a Duplicate Annual Permit or a Daily Permit which is $14 per day. You may purchase your Park Permit prior to your stay by shopping online at OutdoorNebraska.org.All vehicles entering a Nebraska Park Area are required to have a valid park entry permit.
See Reservation Policies details
NotesPark Office
Office hours are Memorial Day to Labor Day; Sunday - Thursday 8-5, Friday - Saturday 8-7.
After Labor Day we usually go 9-4 Sunday-Thursday and 9-6 Friday & Saturday until the recreation area closes on Oct. 15th. January 15th we go 9-4 Monday through Friday, usually until April 1st when we start staying open on weekends and go 8-5 daily until Memorial Day.
Phone number is (308) 783-2911 and email is ngpc.lake.minatare@nebraska.gov.
Getting There:GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
41.93306,
-103.49556
41°55'59"N,
103°29'44"WFrom Scottsbluff: The intersections of Hwy. 71 and Hwy. 26, go three miles north on 71 to Lake Minatare Road. Turn east on Lake Minatare Road and go eight miles to a T with Stonegate Road. Turn left (north) on Stonegate Road for one mile. Turn right into the Lake View entrance immediately after crossing the canal bridge. The office is half mile up the road on your right.
From Minatare and Hwy. 26: Turn north on Stonegate Road at the northeast corner of Minatare. Go nine miles on Stonegate Road to the Lake View entrance, turning right after crossing the canal bridge. The office is half mile up the road on your right. Contact Information:Mailing Address:Lake Minatare SRA
PO Box 188
Minatare
NE
69356-0188
Phone Number: Project Office:
(308) 783-2911
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