Bluestem Lake is a fantastic RV getaway near the city of Lincoln in Nebraska. Once you pitch your rig at Bluestem Lake, you'll be hard put to believe it was only a thirty minutes drive out of the suburbs of the state's capital. The three-hundred and twenty-five-acre lake is surrounded by over seven hundred acres of recreational area that's a popular place for city residents to escape to. While the US Army COE was responsible for the creation of the lake by constructing a dam, they no longer manage the reservoir and have leased it to the Nebraska Parks and Recreation Department.
Top activities at Bluestem Lake are fishing, boating, or water sports. There are numerous species of waterfowl inhabiting the lake waters, and anyone enjoying a picnic on the shoreline will be able to do some bird watching at the same time. Those pastimes aside, if you're happy with primitive camping facilities, Bluestem Lake also makes an excellent base for visiting some of Nebraska's nearby state parks while still being able to make the most of the cultural offerings in Lincoln if you want to. The Eugene T. Mahoney State Park and the Platte River State Park are both only one hour's drive from Bluestem Lake. There you'll be able to hike through the forests, view stunning waterfalls or splash to your heart's content in the wave pool of a water park.
It's an easy drive from Lincoln to Bluestem Lake along the NE 77 southbound in the direction of Roca. It's a straight road, so you'll have no hitches motoring on it with your RV no matter how big it is. The two primitive campgrounds at Bluestem Lake are located on opposite sides of the reservoir. One is in Area 3 and the other in Area 5. To find the campground in Area 5, you'll need to turn off the NE 77 and continue along West Roca Road. It's straight too, so no problems there. Take a left down SW 42nd Street, then join the West Martell Road, and you'll be at your pitch in minutes.
The campground in Area 5 is accessed directly from West Martell Road, which circles it in a continuous loop. The only difficulty you may encounter is once you're off the road and getting to the campsite with your rig. The pitches are spread around a grass field, so it could be tricky to negotiate after rain or the ground may be uneven when dry, so be prepared for a bit of a bumpy ride. To find the Area 3 primitive campground carry on down SW 42nd Street until you see West Sprague Road then head west. Area 3 campground is near the dam, so the access roads are good.
There are two primitive campgrounds at Bluestem Lake with around two hundred campsites distributed between them. None of the pitches have utility hook-ups and are not paved. Campsites at both the Area 3 and Area 5 campgrounds are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, so if you get there early enough, you might find one vacant right by the lakeshore. If you want to grill up the catfish you caught for dinner, you'll need to provide your own grill to cook on though there are some communal use picnic tables to sit and eat at. The only amenities provided in either campground are basic vault toilets and drinking water.
There are two campgrounds at the Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Lakeside and Little Creek, with paved pitches suitable for RVs. The campsites are in a wooded area near the Owen Marina Lake and have both only electric or full utility hook-up. The campgrounds are open all year round and have full amenities, including showers and a laundry. Reservations are required but can be made anywhere from three days before your visit to twelve months in advance.
Bluestem Lake is renowned for its catfish fishing, and that's the catch most anglers are after when they tackle up and cast their lines into the reservoir waters. There are over six miles of shoreline where you can pick a suitable spot to fish from plus several launch ramps if you want to fish from a boat. If the catfish prove to be elusive, there's always the chance of reeling in some walleye, crappie, bluegill, sunfish, or carp.
Bluestem Lake is the ideal location for many types of water sport activities. Hit the water with your canoe, kayak, or SUP for a paddle around the tranquil reservoir. To paddle a full circuit of the lake takes around an hour, and the only obstacles you're likely to encounter are a few semi-submerged tree stumps along the northern shore. Go late afternoon as it's getting onto dusk, and you'll see the sunset while out on the water.
You can launch your craft at any one of three different boat ramps at Bluestem Lake. There's one in each of the campgrounds and another close to the dam. Whether you're planning on navigating the reservoir in a motorized launch, a sailing catamaran, or a dinghy, you'll find the waters calm, and there's space enough to enjoy several hours afloat without encountering too much other traffic.
Make a trip back into Lincoln to visit the University of Nebraska State Museum. At the museum, there are interesting exhibits on everything from evolution to weaponry and fossils plus a gallery of dinosaur skeletons. There's also a planetarium with domed theater and a discovery center for children. The museum is open seven days of the week though times vary so check to make sure it's open before you go.
Visit the Platte River State Park, and you'll discover five hundred acres of recreational space where you can play tennis, ride a horse, or go skeet shooting on the rifle range. The park is near Louisville, which is only a fifty-mile drive from Bluestem Lake. While you're there, climb up to the top of one of the observation towers to check out the views. The grass-covered undulating hills will make you think you're on vacation in England.
If the weather is warm but you don't fancy taking a dip in Bluestem Lake, go to the Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland. It's around a fifty-minute drive from the lake and well worth the trip. Recreation-wise, there is everything under the sun at the park. As well as the regular state park outdoor activities like hiking, fishing, boating, and horse riding, there's mini-golf, disc golf, a climbing wall, and an adventure course, and that's not all. There's an aquatic park with water slides and an indoor playground. If you're there in the wintertime, you'll be able to participate in ice skating, sledding, cross country skiing, and tobogganing.
