Summary
The reservoir covers over 1,600 acres and is stocked with a variety of fish species, including bass, crappie, and catfish. Visitors can also enjoy water sports like skiing and tubing on the lake.
In addition to outdoor activities, Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation Area has several points of interest to see, including a scenic overlook, a wildlife viewing area, and a nature trail. The area is also home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, turkeys, and waterfowl.
Interesting facts about the area include that the reservoir was created in the 1960s for flood control and irrigation purposes, and that it is now one of the largest bodies of water in southwest Nebraska. The reservoir is also a popular spot for birdwatching, with over 200 species of birds recorded in the area.
The best time of year to visit Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation Area depends on the activities you are interested in. Fishing is best from April to October, while boating and water sports are popular in the summer months. Camping is available from May to September, and the fall is a great time to enjoy the changing colors of the trees and the wildlife in the area.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Red Willow Reservoir State Rec Area
|
||
Kiwanis Point Campground
|
||
Willow View Campground
|
||
Buffalo Roam Campground
|
||
Karrer Park
|