Maloney Reservoir State Recreation Area
Rate this placeNearby: Interstate Park Menorial Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
Maloney Reservoir State Recreation Area is located in the state of Nebraska and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
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Summary
The area offers a range of activities, including fishing, boating, hiking, and camping, making it a great place to spend a weekend or longer.
One of the main reasons to visit Maloney Reservoir State Recreation Area is for the fishing. The reservoir is stocked with a variety of fish, including rainbow trout, largemouth bass, and channel catfish, making it a great spot for anglers of all levels. Visitors can also rent boats and explore the reservoir's waters.
Another point of interest is the hiking trails. The area has several trails that wind through the surrounding hills and offer great views of the reservoir and the surrounding landscape. There are also picnic areas and playgrounds for families to enjoy.
Interesting facts about the area include that the reservoir was built in the 1930s as part of the New Deal program, and it was named after a local rancher, Tom Maloney. Additionally, the area is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, wild turkeys, and bald eagles.
The best time of year to visit Maloney Reservoir State Recreation Area is in the summer months, when the weather is warm and the water is perfect for swimming, boating, and fishing. However, the area is also beautiful in the fall when the leaves change colors, and the hiking trails offer great views of the changing landscape.
Overall, Maloney Reservoir State Recreation Area is a great destination for anyone looking to get outdoors and explore the beauty of Nebraska. With its fishing, boating, hiking, camping, and wildlife, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
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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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