Lake & Water Sports

Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area offers some of the state’s finest recreational opportunities. Pronounced Cal-Uh-Muss, the name refers to a common marsh plant eaten by muskrats. Visitors can camp, fish, boat, hike and hunt on the 5,123 acre lake and surrounding 4,958 acres of gently rolling land, covered with native grasses and forbs. Some 1.2 miles of the Calamus River and 3.5 miles of other streams meander through the area. Calamus Reservoir is fed by the Calamus River, which starts at Moon Lake 60 miles northwest of the park.

The reservoir offers 4 boat ramps that are located around the reservoir for convenient access and a canoe launching site exists at Hannaman Bayou. Campers will enjoy modern camping facilities located in three of the parks four campgrounds. The park offers 132 hard surface 30/50 amp electrical sites and 55 basic tent sites. Modern coin operated showers are available at three of the campgrounds. The park offers two fish cleaning stations and an RV dump station which stay open from May to October. The park headquarters office located at Little York Point is open 7 days a week starting the second week in May through October, fall and winters hours are Monday through Friday.

By mid-July through November, park visitors can enjoy 31 miles of white sand beaches that rival oceanfront properties. There is no designated swimming beach on the area and swimming is at your own risk and not allowed within 50 yards of boat ramps and docks. Calamus Reservoir is a bird watchers paradise, the park offers a wildlife viewing blind located at Valley View Flat and bird viewers can enjoy, Bald Eagles, Ospreys, Pelicans, waterfowl, Trumpeter Swans and the occasional Sandhill Crane.

Calamus Reservoir formed by the Virginia Smith Dam, is six miles northwest of Burwell on Highway 96. A valid Nebraska Park Entry Permit is required to enter the park.

For more information on Calamus Reservoir SRA call 308-346-5666.