Lmeandering

ocated 1½ miles southwest of Pierce, scenic WILDLIFE & HUNTING

Willow
Willow Creek SRA draws its name from the
stream that feeds the Elkhorn River
in northeast Nebraska. It covers 1,633 acres,
including a 700-acre flood-control reservoir. The
Parts of the recreation area are open to
hunting, in season, beginning the first Tuesday
after Labor Day. Species available include
pheasant, quail, mourning dove, rabbit, squirrel

Creek
area is particularly popular with campers, anglers,
picnickers and hunters.
Begun in 1982, the $5.2 million reservoir project
was built by the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources
District with cost-sharing by the Nebraska Natural
Resources Commission.
Recreation is managed by the Nebraska Game
State and Parks Commission. The recreation area opened
in August 1984, and offers camping, fishing, boating
and a variety of waterfowl. Deer hunting is
allowed, but it is restricted to archery only.
Rifles, muzzleloaders, slugs and handguns
may not be used on the area.
Bird watchers will find an intriguing array of
birds to capture their fancy. There are numerous
species, some rare, to entice sharp-eyed viewers.

Recreation Area
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
www.OutdoorNebraska.org
and swimming. Picnickers will find shelters with an
ample supply of tables and fire grates. Scheduled
for 2008 completion, a scenic 11-mile hike/bike
trail connects to Pierce, and circles the reservoir.
There is a designated swimming beach, but
swimming is unsupervised. Since there are no
lifeguards, swimmers should use care and swim
with a companion.
CAMPING
The area boasts 124 campsites, half of which are
reserveable online at www.OutdoorNebraska.org
or by calling (402) 471-1414. Included are 10
overnight equestrian sites with electricity and
individual pens that compliment the extensive
mowed trail system welcoming traveling riders.
The campground offers 30-amp and 50-amp sites
with a shower-house and laundry facilities. Stays
are limited to 14 days in a 30-day period. Fees are
charged for camping, with an additional cost for
electricity. Campers are asked to self-register on
arrival and deposit the appropriate fee in the drop
box. Drinking water and vault toilets are available
at the campground, as well as other sites around
the lake.
BOATING & FISHING
The reservoir accommodates both anglers and
boaters well. The main body of the lake is open to
all boating and to water skiing, while the wooded
west end (about half the lake surface) is restricted
to 5 mph, wake-less boating. Shore anglers will
find excellent access from the seven rock jetties.
Anglers will find action on wipers, crappie, bluegill,
bass, catfish, and walleye. This is a fairly shallow
lake, and the deepest point measures only about
30 feet.
GENERAL INFORMATION
A current Nebraska Park Entry Permit is
required for all vehicles at Willow Creek SRA.
Permits and other goods and services are
available in nearby Pierce or from any other
Nebraska hunting/fishing permit dealer. Pets are
permitted, but must be kept on a leash. Alcoholic
beverages are prohibited. Vehicles must remain
on roadways and motorized vehicles and horses
are not permitted on the limestone portions of
the trail. For further information contact us at
www.willow.creek@ngpc.ne.gov.
NEARBY RECREATION
Pierce offers an award winning arboretum,
museum complex, swimming pool, golf course,
Nebraska’s first winery, and all other amenities
expected for a “complete family vacation
experience.”
Several other Nebraska park areas lie within
a short driving distance of Willow Creek SRA.
To the north and east are Niobrara and Ponca
State Parks, and Lewis and Clark Lake SRA.
These areas all have modern campgrounds,
picnicking and other facilities. Cabin lodging
is also available. Niobrara and Ponca have
swimming pools.
About a half hour to the northwest is Grove
Lake Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and
Trout Rearing Station. Visitors can feed the
fish in the rearing ponds. One of the few trout
streams in northeast Nebraska crosses the
area, and visitors may have the opportunity
to view a variety of wildlife.
A few miles north and west of Grove Lake
WMA is Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical
Park, a fascinating area. Here visitors can
watch ongoing excavations of prehistoric
animals preserved under layers of volcanic
ash deposited eons ago.
 121 81
Pierce
98
13
WILLOW CREEK
Hadar

Norfolk
275