Brownville State Recreation Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Brownville State Recreation Area is located in the southeastern part of Nebraska and offers a variety of recreational activities for visitors.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
The area covers over 2,300 acres and is situated on the banks of the Missouri River.
One of the main reasons to visit Brownville State Recreation Area is for its excellent fishing opportunities. The Missouri River is home to a variety of fish species, including catfish, bass, and walleye. There are also several ponds within the park that are stocked with fish.
Another point of interest in the park is the old Brownville town site. Visitors can explore the historic buildings and learn about the town's history through interpretive signage.
For those interested in hiking, the park has several trails that offer scenic views of the river and surrounding area. There is also a designated mountain biking trail for more adventurous visitors.
Interesting facts about the area include its proximity to the Brownville Dam, which was completed in 1963 and generates hydroelectric power for the surrounding area. The park is also home to several bald eagle nesting sites, making it a popular spot for birdwatchers.
The best time of year to visit Brownville State Recreation Area is in the spring and fall when temperatures are mild and the foliage is at its most vibrant. However, the park is open year-round and offers a variety of winter activities such as ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
Weather Forecast
Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
Related References