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Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area park
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Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area
Nebraska · South Platte watershed
About this park
Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area
Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area, located in the state of Nebraska, offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors to enjoy. Nestled in the heart of Nebraska's scenic Sandhills region, this reservoir and surrounding area provide a serene and picturesque setting for outdoor enthusiasts. Here is a summary of the key points regarding Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area:
Reasons to Visit:
1. Water Recreation: Sutherland Reservoir is a popular destination for water-based activities such as boating, sailing, water skiing, and fishing. The reservoir is known for its excellent fishing opportunities, with a variety of species including walleye, crappie, catfish, and white bass.
2. Camping and Picnicking: The recreation area offers multiple campgrounds and picnic areas with beautiful lakeside views. Visitors can enjoy the tranquility of nature while camping, picnicking, or participating in various outdoor games and activities.
3. Hiking and Wildlife Viewing: The park features several nature trails that wind through the scenic Sandhills landscape, providing opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and bird-watching. These trails offer a chance to spot a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, waterfowl, and various bird species.
4. Hunting: During designated seasons, Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area is open to hunting for species such as deer, turkey, pheasant, and waterfowl. Hunting enthusiasts can enjoy the abundance of game in the surrounding area.
Points of Interest:
1. Lake Ogallala: Located adjacent to the recreation area, Lake Ogallala offers additional recreational opportunities, including boating, water skiing, and fishing. It is also a popular spot for birdwatching and scenic walks along the lake's shoreline.
2. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Visitor Center: Situated near the recreation area, the visitor center provides information about the Sandhills region, the park's wildlife, and its recreational opportunities. It offers exhibits, interactive displays, and educational programs for visitors of all ages.
Interesting Facts:
1. Sutherland Reservoir, constructed in 1941, was initially established for irrigation purposes but has since become a popular recreation spot.
2. The reservoir covers approximately 3,017 acres and has a shoreline of about 35 miles, providing ample space for various activities and enjoying the scenic beauty of the surroundings.
3. The Sandhills region, where the recreation area is located, is the largest area of stabilized sand dunes in the Western Hemisphere and is home to unique plant and animal species.
Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area largely depends on personal preferences and the desired activities. Spring and fall offer pleasant weather for outdoor activities such as hiking and wildlife viewing. Summer is ideal for water-based activities and camping. Anglers may find fishing at its peak during the spring and fall seasons when the water temperature is favorable for various fish species.
While this summary provides a general overview, it is always recommended to verify the details and check for any updates or specific regulations by referring to official Nebraska Game and Parks Commission sources or relevant tourism websites.
Reasons to Visit:
1. Water Recreation: Sutherland Reservoir is a popular destination for water-based activities such as boating, sailing, water skiing, and fishing. The reservoir is known for its excellent fishing opportunities, with a variety of species including walleye, crappie, catfish, and white bass.
2. Camping and Picnicking: The recreation area offers multiple campgrounds and picnic areas with beautiful lakeside views. Visitors can enjoy the tranquility of nature while camping, picnicking, or participating in various outdoor games and activities.
3. Hiking and Wildlife Viewing: The park features several nature trails that wind through the scenic Sandhills landscape, providing opportunities for hiking, wildlife viewing, and bird-watching. These trails offer a chance to spot a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, waterfowl, and various bird species.
4. Hunting: During designated seasons, Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area is open to hunting for species such as deer, turkey, pheasant, and waterfowl. Hunting enthusiasts can enjoy the abundance of game in the surrounding area.
Points of Interest:
1. Lake Ogallala: Located adjacent to the recreation area, Lake Ogallala offers additional recreational opportunities, including boating, water skiing, and fishing. It is also a popular spot for birdwatching and scenic walks along the lake's shoreline.
2. Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Visitor Center: Situated near the recreation area, the visitor center provides information about the Sandhills region, the park's wildlife, and its recreational opportunities. It offers exhibits, interactive displays, and educational programs for visitors of all ages.
Interesting Facts:
1. Sutherland Reservoir, constructed in 1941, was initially established for irrigation purposes but has since become a popular recreation spot.
2. The reservoir covers approximately 3,017 acres and has a shoreline of about 35 miles, providing ample space for various activities and enjoying the scenic beauty of the surroundings.
3. The Sandhills region, where the recreation area is located, is the largest area of stabilized sand dunes in the Western Hemisphere and is home to unique plant and animal species.
Best Time to Visit:
The best time to visit Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area largely depends on personal preferences and the desired activities. Spring and fall offer pleasant weather for outdoor activities such as hiking and wildlife viewing. Summer is ideal for water-based activities and camping. Anglers may find fishing at its peak during the spring and fall seasons when the water temperature is favorable for various fish species.
While this summary provides a general overview, it is always recommended to verify the details and check for any updates or specific regulations by referring to official Nebraska Game and Parks Commission sources or relevant tourism websites.
StateNebraska
WatershedSouth Platte
Latitude41.0787°
Longitude-101.0980°
Land designation
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- 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 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.
- 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.
Detailed forecast
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Hourly detail
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
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Deep dive
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Long-term outlook
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
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Around the spot
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
FAQ
About Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area
What can I do at Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
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