Camping is permitted at all five of the recreation areas managed by the Upper Big Blue NRD from April to November, but each location offers something a little different. Only two of our recreation areas (Bruce L. Anderson and Pioneer Trails) offer RV hookups, however you are allowed to park an RV and camp at any of our rec areas.

Since we are a first-come, first-served camping facility with no advance reservations, we can't guarantee there is a campsite available. 

Only Bruce L. Anderson and Pioneer Trails recreation areas have a cost associated with camping. The cost is $5 for tent camping/night and $15 for RV camping/night. Payment is made on-site at the parks at a kiosk near the campground entrance and by the tent camping area. The other recreation areas offer free camping.

Day use of all of our recreation areas is free.

No. We don't offer any reservations for camping at our recreation areas. They are strictly first come, first served. Paying for an RV spot doesn't guarantee use of that spot unless you park your vehicle on it immediately.

There are RV hookups at Bruce L. Anderson and Pioneer Trails Recreation Areas only (20, 30, & 50 amps available at each RV site). Bruce L. Anderson has a dump station on-site near the park entrance and Pioneer Trails has a dump station nearby at Streeter Park in Aurora. At both parks with RV camping, there is a shared water source (you must bring a long hose) but not individual water hookups at the RV pads.

No. None of our recreation areas offer shower facilities.

All of our campgrounds have a 14-day maximum stay in any 30-day period for RVs and tent camping.

At Pioneer Trails and Bruce L. Anderson Rec Areas, you can pay by cash or check at the kiosk at the campgrounds. Credit card payment is not available. The rental period begins with the day of registration. All fees must be paid in full at the time of registration. You'll complete a registration form, put your payment with it in an envelope, and deposit them into a dropbox. The tear-off receipt will be your camping permit, which must be displayed on the individually numbered post at the campsite you'll occupy so as to be readily visible for inspection. Camping permits are non-transferable. Additional days may be purchased at the end of your stay if you are within the 14-day time limit.

Each recreation area offers a variety of activities from swimming to hiking to fishing. Some have picnic tables/shelters and playgrounds. Explore the individual rec area pages for a full list of what is available at each location.

Boating and canoeing are permitted with the limitation of a five (5) m.p.h. speed limit. For your safety and the integrity of the structure, boats, canoes and other flotation devices are restricted from entering the spillway area. 

Oxbow Trail in Ulysses tends to have the best fishing of all of our recreation areas. Many people also enjoy fishing at Pioneer Trails near Aurora. 

Consumption of alcoholic beverages on recreation area lands owned or controlled by the district is permitted with the following exceptions:

• Consumption is prohibited on all roadways, parking areas, designated swimming areas, Youth Camping Areas and the archery range. 
• Consumption of alcohol may be prohibited on any park or recreation area or portions thereof with the use of appropriate signage.
• Consumption is prohibited between the hours of 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. 
• Containers of alcoholic beverages whose single liquid capacity is greater than one gallon are prohibited.
• Presence in a recreation area when under the influence of alcohol, or drugs, to a degree that may endanger oneself or another person or property or may cause unreasonable interference with another person’s enjoyment of a recreation area, is prohibited. 
• Alcohol is permitted in your RV or tent campsite.

See the full regulations listing for more details.

If you see vandalism or another illicit activity taking place, please call the sheriff's department immediately. 

• York: (402) 362-4927
• Aurora: (402) 694-6936
• Utica: (402) 643-2359
• Ulysses: (402) 643-2359
• Hampton: (402) 694-6936

Yes, you are welcome to bring your pets to the recreation areas as long as they stay on a leash or in a crate/cage at all times. 

In park areas where hunting is permitted, the use of hunting dogs is allowed, provided the area is open to hunting and the dogs' owner or handler accompany and have control of such dogs and are responsible for the actions of such dogs. 

Horseback riding and the use of pack animals is permitted only on roadways and designated trails. 

See full rules and regulations concerning dogs, cats, and other livestock here.

The use of fireworks is not permitted at our recreation areas.

The camping season generally runs from mid-April through late October, depending on the weather. We will announce the specific dates in spring and fall.

 

Camping season will end Monday, November 4, 2024, at our recreation areas. The parks will remain open for day use year-round.

 

Fish consumption advisory: Many waterbodies in Nebraska have an increased load of certain toxins that may cause health concerns for those that consume a large amount of fish from these lakes and rivers. As of the most recent report (2023) from the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy, the lakes at Oxbow Trail and Pioneer Trails Recreation Areas are listed as having increased levels of mercury. The advisory is not a ban on eating fish from affected waterbodies, but it is suggested that the public limit long-term consumption of fish caught from those specific waterbodies to eight ounces per week (for adults). Women of child-bearing age, those who are pregnant or nursing, and children under 15 years of age are the population most sensitive to the effects of mercury. For more information, see http://dee.ne.gov/NDEQProg.nsf/OnWeb/FCA