Cheyenne State Recreation Area
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Cheyenne State Recreation Area is a popular destination in Nebraska for outdoor enthusiasts.
°F
°F
mph
Wind
%
Humidity
Summary
Located in the northwestern part of the state, the park offers a variety of activities including fishing, boating, camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
One of the main attractions of the park is its 2,400-acre reservoir, which is stocked with fish such as walleye, catfish, and bass. Visitors can also rent boats and enjoy water sports like skiing and tubing.
For those who prefer to stay on land, the park has several hiking trails that showcase the park's natural beauty, including rolling hills and scenic vistas. Wildlife viewing opportunities are also abundant, with sightings of deer, turkeys, and waterfowl common.
The park has three campgrounds with a total of 69 sites, including both primitive and modern camping options. RV sites are available with electric hookups and there are also several picnic areas throughout the park.
Interesting facts about Cheyenne State Recreation Area include that it was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression and that it was once a site for Native American buffalo hunts.
The best time of year to visit Cheyenne State Recreation Area is during the summer months when the weather is warm and water-based activities are available. However, the park is open year-round and offers unique experiences during each season. In the fall, the park's foliage is particularly beautiful and winter visitors can enjoy ice fishing on the reservoir.
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
Area Campgrounds
| Location | Reservations | Toilets |
|---|---|---|
Cheyenne State Rec Area
|
||
War Axe State Rec Area
|
||
Mormon Island State Rec Area
|