Recreation
The Little Blue NRD operates and maintains seven Recreation Areas that are open to the public. Each area has its own unique features and offer a wide variety of activities.
If you are planning to visit a Little Blue NRD recreation area please take a moment to review our Park – Rules & Regulations and daily camping fees.
Curious what rules you need to follow during your stay at our recreation areas? Please check out our Rules & Regulations Page!
Lone Star
Lone Star Recreation Area is located 4 miles east and 1/4 mile south of Ohiowa, NE and has 75 acres of surface water with 160 acres of land surrounding the structure. The lake is stocked with catfish, blue gill and large mouth bass.
Recreation
Twenty electrical ($20 per night fee effective May 1, 2021) RV Camper pads , two shelters, three restrooms, boat ramp, floating dock, fishing pier with handicapped accessibility, foot bridge, 11,700 feet of trails (1,300 feet concrete handicapped accessible trails and 2,300 feet of limestone chipped trails), water wells, camping, grills, picnicking, swimming beach, fishing, boats less than 5 mph, no hunting.
Winter Sports
Primary Benefits
Area Highlights
Visit Lone Star
- Located near Ohiowa, NE
- 20 electrical camper pads
- 2 shelters
- 3 restrooms
- boat ramp
- floating dock
- fishing pier
- playground
Learn more about Lone Star’s rules and regulations.
Liberty Cove
Recreation
Eight RV camper pads with electrical hookups ($20 per night fee; effective May 1, 2021), two shelters, two restrooms, boat ramp, boat dock, fishing, swimming, beach, picnicking, grills, camping, playground, well water, hiking trails, horse riding trail, arboretum, small game hunting, archery for deer and turkey and boats less than 5 mph.
Winter Sports: Sledding, ice skating, fishing and snowmobiling.
Primary Benefits
Area Highlights
Visit Liberty Cove
- located near Lawrence, NE
- 8 electrial camper pads
- 2 shelters
- 2 restrooms
- boat ramp
- boat dock
- playground
- arboretum
Learn more about Liberty Cove’s rules and regulations.
Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake Recreation Area, located 2 miles north and 1/2 mile west of Ayr, NE, is a 33 acre park adjacent to the Little Blue River and features a five acre lake.
As of May 4, 2011 the area was transferred from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to the Village of Ayr. The Little Blue NRD is providing assistance to the Village in various management aspects. Contact (402) 463-8880 for any questions or information.
Primary Benefits
Area Highlights
Visit Crystal Lake
- 46 electrical campsites
- 50 additional non-designated campsites
- 2 shelters
- 4 restrooms
- playground
- tennis court
Learn more about Crystal Lake’s rules and regulations.
Learn more about Crystal Lake’s campground fees.
View the map of Crystal Lake Below.
Buckley Creek
Buckley Creek, developed in 1977, is located 1 mile east and 1/2 mile north of Reynolds, NE and has 20 acres of surface water with 98 acres of land surrounding the structure.
The rustic area is an ideal spot for fishing, hiking and boating while providing a natural setting with a quiet atmosphere.
Recreation
Public nine hole sand green golf course, shelters, picnicking, hiking, fishing (no hunting), grills, public rural water, restrooms, 6 camper hookups ($15 per night fee; effective May 1, 2021), boating (motors less than 5HP) and a limited playground.
Winter Sports
Snowmobiling, fishing and ice skating.Primary Benefits
Area Highlights
Visit Buckley Creek
- Located near Reynolds, NE
- four electrical camper pads
- shelters
- restrooms
- nine hole sand green golf course
- limited playground
Learn more about Buckley Creek’s rules and regulations.
Prairie Lake
Prairie Lake Recreation Area, located 3 miles south and 1/4 mile east of Juniata, NE has 160 acres of public land which includes 36 acres of water and access for 29 additional water acres.
This rustic area provides excellent wildlife habitat and presents many natural grasses and wildflowers.
Recreation
20 RV camper pads with electrical hookups ($20 per night fee; effective April 1, 2022), shelter, restroom, Archery range, fishing, horseback riding, grills, picnicking, well water and boats less than 5mph. (No boat launch)
Winter Sports
Snowmobiling, fishing and ice skating.Primary Benefits
Area Highlights
Visit Prairie Lake
- Located near Juniata, NE
- 20 electrical camper pads
- archery range
- restrooms
- Shelter
- grills
Learn more about Prairie Lake’s rules and regulations.
Roseland Lake
Roseland Lake is located 4 1/2 miles west and 2 1/4 miles south of Juniata, NE in Adams County. It consists of 66 acres of surface water and 118 acres of land.
This lake offers a natural setting for fishing and nature hikes.
Recreation
Winter Sports
Ice skating and ice fishing.Primary Benefits
Area Highlights
Visit Roseland Lake
- Located near Juniata, NE
- fishing
- hiking
- waterfowl hunting
- upland game hunting
Learn more about Roseland Lake’s rules and regulations.
Bruning Dam
The Bruning Dam is located 2 miles east, 1 mile north and 3/4 mile east of Bruning, NE. The dam consists of 250 acres of surface water and 123 acres of public land.
This dam is in a rustic area and an ideal spot for fishing, hiking and boating.
Recreation
Winter Sports
Skating and ice fishing. The area provides excellent hunting and wildlife habitat with its many tree and shrub plantings.Primary Benefits
Area Highlights
Visit Bruning Dam
- Located near Bruning, NE
- restroom
- fishing
- trapping
- boat ramp
- water fowl hunting
- upland game hunting