Camping is permitted at the following recreation areas from approximately mid-April until the end of October.  Exact dates vary each year depending on weather.  Each location offers a different camping experience.  Anderson and Pioneer Trails recreation areas offer RV pads and electrical hookups. At Oxbow Trail and Smith Creek, visitors may park an RV, but there are no electricap hookups or RV pads.  All four sites have designated tent camping areas, and Anderson has a Youth Camping Area.

• Bruce L. Anderson
• Pioneer Trails
• Oxbow Trail
• Smith Creek

Since we operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no advance reservations, we can't guarantee there is a campsite available. 

Bruce L. Anderson and Pioneer Trails 

• $5 for tent camping/night
• $25 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.

Oxbow Trail or Smith Creek 

• Free camping - no charge

Overland Trail and Teal View

• Camping Prohibited

Day-use at ALL of our recreation areas is free.

No. We don't offer any reservations for camping at our recreation areas. They are strictly operated on a first-come, first-served basis. Paying for an RV spot doesn't guarantee use of that spot unless you park your vehicle on it immediately.  The campsite must be occupied by a member of the camping party on the first night of the rental period.

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.

Camping is permitted for a maximum of 14 days during any 30-day period.

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, canoeing, and kayaking 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 prohibited within 20 yards of the spillway, as designated on recreation area maps. 

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 Rule 6, Chapter 15 for the complete set of regulations governing alcohol on NRD properties.

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

• Anderson/Recharge Lake or Overland Trail - York County: (402) 362-4927
• Pioneer Trails or Teal View - Hamilton County: (402) 694-6936
• Oxbow Trail - Butler County: (402) 367-7400
• Smith Creek - Seward County: (402) 643-4578

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 Rule 6, Chapter 11 for a complete set of regulations regarding dogs, cats, other pets, and livestock.

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.

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. The most recent Fish Tissue Monitoring Report (2024) and Fish Consumption Advisory (2025), both from the Nebraska Department of Water, Energy, and Environment, indicate Oxbow Trail Reservoir and Recharge Lake have 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.

 

Hunting is prohibited at Anderson, Pioneer Trails, and Overland Trail recreation areas.

Waterfowl hunting is permitted at Smith Creek Recreation Area within designated areas (see map).

Waterfowl hunting and upland game hunting are permitted at Oxbow Trail Recreation Area within designated areas (see map).

Waterfowl hunting and upland game hunting are permitted at Teal View Wetland Education Area when cattle are not present (see map).

Trapping of furbearers on district owned property is authorized only by a special permit issued by the district.

All Nebraska Game and Parks Commission regulations pertaining to hunting and trapping must be followed and are applicable on district properties.

Non-toxic shot is required.

A complete list of prohibited activities is included in Rule 6.

Some prohibited activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Aircraft and powerless flight
• Bow hunting (and rifle hunting)
• Drones
• Fireworks and explosives
• Jet skis
• Rifle hunting (and bow hunting)
• Roller skates, in-line skates, rollerblades, and skateboards
• SCUBA diving
• Snowmobiles
• Soliciting without prior authorization by the district
• Target shooting
• Tent camping within 100 yards of any picnic shelter
• Vending without prior authorization by the district
• Water skiing

When in doubt, please consult Rule 6 or call the District Office at (402) 362-6601.