Summary
Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities in the area, including fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and hunting. One of the main attractions is the 5,123-acre reservoir, which is stocked with a wide variety of fish species such as walleye, northern pike, and channel catfish. There are also several points of interest in the area, such as the Calamus Dam and the Cowboy Trail, a popular 195-mile trail that runs across Nebraska.
In addition to outdoor activities, the area is home to several interesting facts. For example, the Calamus Reservoir was created in 1985 as a flood control project by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Before that, the area was home to several small communities that were removed during the construction of the dam. Today, the reservoir is a popular tourist destination that attracts visitors from all over the state.
The best time to visit Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area is during the summer months, between May and September, when the weather is warm and sunny. However, visitors can also enjoy the area during the fall and spring months, when the scenery is particularly beautiful. Overall, Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area is a must-visit destination for anyone who loves the outdoors and wants to experience the natural beauty of Nebraska.
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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.
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