N Platte/Platte River, Nebraska

[Festus2]

Has anyone driven or camped along the North Platte/Platte River from Scottsbluff via Hwy26 to I80 to North Platte and Grand Island, Nebraska?

On the map, part of this drive is designated as a "Scenic Route" and there are numerous Recreational Areas and some State Parks along the way. It looks like it has possibilities.

Is it "scenic" and what are the camping facilities like?

Thanks.

[ExTowerClimber]

Originally Posted by Festus2

Has anyone driven or camped along the North Platte/Platte River from Scottsbluff via Hwy26 to I80 to North Platte and Grand Island, Nebraska?

On the map, part of this drive is designated as a "Scenic Route" and there are numerous Recreational Areas and some State Parks along the way. It looks like it has possibilities.

Is it "scenic" and what are the camping facilities like?

Thanks.

For the state parks and Rec areas, the Nebraska Games and Parks web site is a good place to start. http://outdoornebraska.ne.gov/parks/places_2_stay.asp .

Depends on the time of year, spring the Sandhill cranes are around Grand Island/Kearney, Buffalo Bill stuff in North Platte, Sidney is the home of Cabela's, the Mormon/Oregon trails run along the Platte river and I80, Lake McConaughy and some Pony Express sites here and there.

Are you just passing through Nebraska?

[Festus2]

ExTowerClimber -

Thanks for the link and the other places of interest that you mentioned. We have a tentative trip planned to Texas (and return) in early April to mid May. Our plan is to go through this area enroute to Texas.

[Andymon]

Take a look at lake McConaughy just north of Ogallala, Nebraska. Lots of places to camp and it's a huge lake with a lower lake. The dam is 3 miles across and the upper lake is or used to be about 26 miles long.
http://www.ilovelakemac.com/

[JeffS]

There are 2 sites along the stretch of I80 between Ogallala and Grand Island we have stayed in on out way out to Colorado.

• Gothenburg , NE (exit 211)- Lafayette Park Campground. This is a small city park, it has water & electric. No sewer but there is a dump station. Nothing special but nice. If you stop be sure to see the Pony Express Station and possibly the Swedish Crosses if you are into iron work.
• Paxton, NE (exit 145) - Ole's Lodge Days Inn RV. This is nothing more than some RV sites around a small pound at the Days Inn but it does have full hookups and reasonable rates. The best thing, in our opinion, about Paxton is Ole's Big Game Bar and Restaurant. Ole has shot and mounted just about everything that moves. Even if you just go for breakfast (good steak and eggs) they will, upon request, let you wander the trophies in the bar.

Both are reviewed on RVParkReviews site.

[Jca3]

The state park near Kearney is nice. The Sandhill cranes between Kearney and Grand Island are something to see. I highly recommend going into one of the blinds to watch them come in at night to the river. What a sound and sight. There are several bird conservation places that will take you in.

[Festus2]

Andymon/JeffS/Jca3 --

I've highlighted these places on our Nebraska map. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Jca3]

March and April are crane months. Over 600,000 migrate through in those months but only in the area between Kearney and Grand Island. You see thousands in the fields during the day but they head to the Platte river at night to avoid predators. The birding groups take you in to a blind before dark so you can hear and see them come in. Then you have to be extra quiet getting back out after dark so as to not disturb the roosting birds. Really a special treat, but you can't leave until after dark so plan on it.