Visitors to state park areas in southwestern Nebraska will find enhanced day-use and camping amenities. Projects in the works or completed will appeal to an array of park users. The following is a roundup of those improvements and projects:

Ash Hollow State Historical Park – Visitors will find upgraded lights in the interpretive center built over the entrance of Ash Hollow Cave to protect it while allowing visitors to experience its unique features. The museum in the visitor center also received upgraded lighting where park guests can view displays of pioneer history, Native American history, as well as geologic and palaeontologic history. The lighting project was completed in March 2025 with park cash funds of $1,000.

Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area –Concrete voids were repaired at the Martin Bay boat ramp and boat ramp repairs were made at Cedar View in October 2024. The $30,900 in repairs was funded by the boating access program.

Martin Bay is slated to build a new, full-service, 37-pad campground with 50-amp electric soon.

Upgrades to the Martin Bay dump station will give the existing basic campground and the proposed new campground ample room for use.

At the public archery range, the archery shelter was reroofed and painted last October. The $2,500 project was funded by Park Cash and Big Mac Sports Club.

Buffalo Bill Ranch SRA – Three new waterfront basic camping sites were built in 2024 using Park Cash funds of $3,500.

Lake Maloney SRA – The project at Kansas Point has increased access along the shoreline at the inlet for anglers to be able to fish closer to the water’s edge.

An approximately 340-foot walking trail was constructed from the fish-cleaning station and parking area and leads to a new wooden fishing pier overlooking the spillway at the inlet. An Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant paved angler access walkway was included in the project and provides about 450-feet of accessible fishing along the shoreline. The walkway contains block walls with built-in lighting, benches, along with ADA parking and ramp. Additional lighting was added to help make the area more user friendly for night anglers. Tree removal along the inlet also was completed, which opened access to the shoreline, providing room for bank fishing or wading.

Five rock shoals were installed perpendicularly along the paved walkway to create habitat diversity for fish. The shoals contain four cubic yards of concrete rip rap and are marked with fish stamps along the walkway. Three gravel spawning beds were placed on the sandy bottom of the canal to enhance fish habitat and increase angler success.

This $1.1 million project was completed with Nebraska Game and Parks Aquatic Habitat Funds in partnership with the Nebraska Public Power District who provided the engineering design and rip rap for erosion control and rock shoal construction.

At the outlet, shoreline cleanup of trees, filling in holes, and waterfront restoration is almost complete. This project is funded by park cash funds.

Adding electrical camping sites on the outlet side is in the planning phase.

Swanson SRA - Park guests at Swanson SRA will enjoy 24 new, basic camping sites along the waterfront that have direct access to the beach. A new 1.5-mile hiking trail across from the day-use shelter on Trail 4 was built. These projects were completed in March 2025.

Beach and shoreline cleanup to remove overgrowth of a mile of Russian Olive and cottonwood trees along with thick buckbrush on Trails 3 and 7 are almost complete; more cleanup will continue throughout the year. The projects at Swanson SRA are funded by park cash funds.

Red Willow SRA – This park has an electric campsite upgrade in the planning stage. This project will boost all electric sites to 50 amps for all types of campers and RV use.

Medicine Creek SRA – This park has three rental cabins that received floor upgrades in April 2025. A shower house restoration included sealing and painting of walls and floors. Shower walls were made taller, providing more room for guests. New shower heads and curtains were installed.

The day-use and beach areas were expanded by removing Russian Olive trees and thick areas of buckbrush, which opened the beach area, giving park visitors more space to recreate on the water’s edge. These projects were funded by park cash.

To provide fish habitat, spawning habitat and shoreline protection, 42 rock shoals are slated to be built this fall if water levels are low enough. The project will be funded by a Bureau of Reclamation grant along with Aquatic Habitat Funds.

Rock Creek SRA – People visiting this park have a new vault toilet with ADA-compliant parking and a walkway to use. The upgrade was added in April 2025 with a cost of $24,000 with Land and Water Conservation Funds and Capital Maintenance Funding to complete.

The projects funded by Capital Maintenance and Land and Water Conservation Funds improve safety and accessibility, protect natural habitats, boost local economies, and ensure long-term sustainability. These investments create more welcoming parks for everyone to enjoy now and in the future.

Capital Maintenance Funds were established by the Nebraska Legislature to help preserve Nebraska’s public outdoor recreation facilities and parklands. These, as well as state and federal funding sources, and Nebraska Game and Parks’ funds generated from user fees of the state park system, funded these park improvement projects.

Nebraska Birding Bowl is back this May

Participate in the third Nebraska Birding Bowl and learn about birds, enjoy the outdoors and contribute data toward bird conservation. This fun, free statewide competition is returning this May for Nebraska Bird Month.

The Birding Bowl is a great opportunity to try out this fun hobby, improve skills, and share your love of birding with others. Birding opportunities exist across the state.

Participants of all experience levels are invited. Birders can compete as individuals or teams, registering online in April or May. They may participate in one of the following categories:

  • Fledgling Flock — for youth groups and families to introduce birding to youth.
  • Backyard Birder — for households that enjoy watching birds from their home.
  • Dabbling Birder — for beginner-to-casual birders.
  • Competitive Birder — for those who like to observe the most bird species.

Birders will use eBird, a community science platform, to track observations while contributing data for bird conservation.

Teams have a chance to win prizes, such as Vortex binoculars and a $1,000 cash prize.

The Nebraska Birding Bowl is a joint project of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Audubon Great Plains and the Wild Bird Habitat Store.

Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search “Birding Bowl” to register and learn more.

5 reasons to run the Vanderheiden Memorial Run

Registration is open for the annual Tyler Vanderheiden Memorial Run, set for May 31 at Cody Park in North Platte.

This race to raise awareness of mental health doubles as a fundraiser for Nebraska Game and Parks state park trails. It has drawn runners and walkers from all 50 states and 93 Nebraska counties, as well as two countries, in past years because of its message of hope.

Here are five reasons to sign up today.

Run in person or virtually

Participants in the Memorial Run can run — or walk — this race in person at Cody Park,1899 US-83, or from anywhere around the globe.

The in-person event begins at 8:30 a.m. Central time, with race-day registration and packet pickup from 7:30 to 8:15 a.m. at the park pavilion.

Those choosing to run virtually must register by 4 p.m. Central time May 30 and may complete their race anytime and anywhere between May 24-31.

Register for the event at PlatteRiverFitness.com/PublicHealth.

Pick a unique mileage

5K, 10K, and half-marathon races are a dime a dozen. But the Vanderheiden Memorial Run offers participants the choice between a 2- or 5-mile distance.

These mileages are great for beginners, the 2-mile race being just long enough to invigorate someone on a new health journey. The 5-mile inches participants closer to a challenge goal: Entering a 10K or half-marathon.

Both distances take advantage of the relationship between physical health and mental health. Exercise releases feel-good chemicals that can improve your energy and mood, reduce stress and improve your quality of life.

Bring hope to others

This race was started by the Vanderheiden family after the loss of their son, Tyler, to suicide. In his honor, they started the memorial run in conjunction with the Platte River Fitness Series in 2020. 

The race began with the intention of being a space for healing and support for those who struggle with mental health or know someone who has. Those who run it help break the silence on suicide awareness and ensure those who feel alone can see a community of support.

“This run unites us all by lighting a path for all who may be struggling,” said Shannon Vanderheiden, Tyler’s mom. “Join us. Run fast or slow, but with your whole heart. And share in the memory of Tyler and others who are no longer with us but, in their remembrance, can be a beacon of hope.”

Improve trails in Nebraska state parks

This year, proceeds from the race will benefit the 1.8-mile Fort Kearny Hike-Bike Trail at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area.

This trail is part of a 13.1-mile trail system to Cottonmill Park in Kearney. The portion maintained by Fort Kearny crosses both channels of the Platte River, and its south bridge is a popular spot for viewing sandhill cranes during the spring migration. This natural spectacle brings together people from around the world, just as the memorial run does.

“We are incredibly thankful the Vanderheidens continue to support trail improvements within our park system,” said Jeff Fields, parks division administrator at Nebraska Game and Parks. “Because of their support, we are able to maintain or improve trails, which are truly valued by our park guests.”

All proceeds donated this year will be matched by Recreational Trails Program grant funding — doubling the race’s impact.

Because you matter

The memorial run always offers a themed T-shirt as part of the race registration package. New this year: A line of shirts with the words “You matter” emblazoned across the front.

These shirts, available in youth, women’s and men’s sizes, can be purchased from the online storefront at TylerVanderheidenMemorial.com/store. No race registration required.

 

Bighorn sheep regular lottery applications begin April 21

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will accept applications for one 2025 bighorn sheep regular lottery permit beginning April 21.

A $29 nonrefundable application fee must accompany each application. Only Nebraska residents 12 years and older are eligible for the lottery. It is unlawful to submit more than one application in a calendar year for a regular lottery permit. Residents may receive only one permit in a lifetime. The permit is not transferable.

The application period begins at 1 p.m. Central time April 21 and ends Aug. 1.

Applications will be received at Game and Parks offices until 5 p.m. or, if applying at OutdoorNebraska.gov, through 11:59 p.m. CT Aug. 1.

The permit will be drawn later in August, and the successful applicant will be notified.
The 2025 bighorn sheep regular season is Dec. 2-22.

 

Commission will consider big game hunting recommendations

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission will consider staff recommendations for 2025 deer, antelope and elk hunting seasons when it meets April 18 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park.

The meeting will begin at 8 a.m. Central time at Crete Carrier Lodge within the park at 28500 W. Park Hwy., Ashland.

A public hearing is scheduled for proposed amendments to Commission orders pertaining to permit quotas, season dates, bag limits, permit quantities and areas open for deer, antelope and elk hunting. The proposed changes will help the agency meet management goals for big game populations. Management goals take into consideration population and harvest data, as well as input from hunters, landowners, and the public, with the goal of maintaining long-term opportunities and access for hunters.

Staff will recommend, among other big game proposals:

  • removing 10 general either-sex and 30 general doe/fawn antelope permits,
  • removing eight bull and 44 antlerless elk permits,
  • reducing available November Firearm permits by 2% and Antlerless Only Season Choice permits by 4%,
  • reducing River Antlerless permits by 33% and reducing the area open for hunting with River Antlerless permits by 37%.

In other business, staff will recommend Commission approval:

  • to reorganize Nebraska Game and Parks Commission regulations by amending Nebraska Administrative Code Title 163 by creating new titles 164-168 for the current chapters 2-6, Administration Regulations will remain in Title 163, and the sections of current chapters would change to chapters in each title. The reorganization would not make other substantive changes within the regulations.  
  • to change the location of the October 2025 Commission meeting from Omaha to Niobrara State Park.

The commissioners also will hear reports about:

  • the State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan and results of the Generalized Outdoor Recreation Survey.
  • the Nongame Bird Research Project overview.
  • a trails update, including Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail and related 30thanniversary events, as well as the Platte River State Park’s Stone Creek Falls Trail.
  • a summary of Fisheries Division district meetings.

To view a complete agenda, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov and search for Public Notices.