Known as the second largest of the Salt Valley Lakes, Pawnee Lake is a fantastic option for RV lovers looking to spend some time in the great outdoors. Located around 11 miles west of Lincoln, Pawnee Lake is part of the Salt Valley Lakes, which is a system of 20 different lakes that are within the Lancaster County in Nebraska.
The individual lakes within the Salt Valley were originally built by the U.S Corps of Engineers to help with flood control in and around the city of Lincoln. In the current day, the lakes still serve as great flood control deterrents, while also offering visitors and locals alike the chance to participate in some great recreational activities. The 740-acre lake is awesome for fishing and boating, and there are a further 1804 acres of land around the lake that you are free to explore, known as the Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area. People love to relax here, and there are so many great places to picnic thanks to the 53 picnic shelters and 225 grills that available for you to use. Other popular activities include hiking, hunting, horseback riding, and birding.
RV travelers wanting to stay the night will be pleased to note that there are 68 campsites that have electrical hookups and a further 97 primitive sites that you can choose to call home during your stay.
Getting to and from Pawnee Lake will be no issue as the lake is only 11 miles to the west of Lincoln, which is one of the major cities in Nebraska. The lake can be accessed from the north, south, east, and west, with the most popular way being to take the I-80 and turn off at Pawnee Lake State Recreation Road.
If you are looking for a place to pick up some last-minute supplies before your trip you will anything you may need within the city of Lincoln. There are also many smaller towns located near the lake, including Emerald (around four miles away), Malcolm (around five and a half miles away), and Pleasant Dale (around nine miles away).
The conditions for driving an RV in and around Pawnee Lake are very straightforward thanks to the well maintained and paved roads that are at the site. During the wintertime, the area is known to get a lot of snow, so you may not be able to reach the lake depending on the weather conditions. We recommend that you call ahead to the park office to confirm the road openings if you plan to visit during this time.
There are three large parking lots available on the east, west, and south sides of Pawnee Lake.
The best place to set up your RV when visiting Pawnee Lake is the campground that is within the recreation area. Lake View Campground is known to be a very well maintained campground that consists of both sites that offer electric hookups or those that are more primitive.
In total there are 68 sites that feature concrete camping pads with the option to connect to 20, 30, and 50-amp electrical hookups, 34 concrete pads that don't have electricity, and a further 97 that have no pads. Each site is also equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring for you to use during your stay. RV's that are up to 53 feet in length can use the pad sites and they will be very easy to set up camp on since they are completely flat. Some of the campground amenities include water collection points, a shower house, toilets, and a dump station.
If you are planning on staying at the campground, it's a good idea to book a reservation online before you arrive for your stay. Lake View Campground is open all year round.
If you prefer to camp at one of the primitive sites within the Lake View Campground there are 47 sites that are available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Like the other sites, the first-come, first-served section of the campground is close to all of the great amenities available for you to use.
One of the most popular activities for visitors to Pawnee Lake is to get out on the water and explore all that it has to offer. You are free to explore the 740 acre lake in any type of watercraft as there are no restrictions on what types of boats can be launched. There are three boat ramps and two docks that are open to the public, but remember to bring your own watercraft as there is no guarantee that any will be available for rent.
Another recreational activity that is a must-do when visiting Pawnee Lake is to grab a rod and reel and do some fishing. The lake is a haven for anglers thanks to the wide variety of fish species that can be found in its waters, which include catfish, bluegill, largemouth bass, walleye, and white bass. There is also a fish cleaning station for your connivence and you can fish from the banks of the river or a boat. Go have some fun!
Pawnee Lake is a fantastic picnic destination during the warmer months thanks to its large array of facilities available for you to enjoy. There are 53 picnic tables scattered throughout the groups of the recreation area, 225 grills for you to cook on, and even two shelters that are perfect for larger groups.
One of the two shelters can be reserved in advance if you want to secure a great picnic spot, which you probably should do if you are planning on holding a large gathering.
Unfortunately there are no public transport options that will take you to Pawnee Lake.
For RV travelers wanting to stay at a different campground outside of the lake area, check out Conestoga Lake State Recreation Area. Conestoga Lake State Recreation Area has one campground near the lake that has a total of 25 sites featuring electric hookups, as well as a further eight primitive sites.
All of the campsites feature gravel pads and they have been reported to be quite large. Some of the campground amenities include vault toilets, water collection points, and a dump station. Cell phone reception is a little difficult to find within the campground, but you may find a bar or two on some of the major networks.
No reservations can be made for the Conestoga Campground so the sites are available on a first come, first serve only basis. For more information on the campground we recommend that you contact the park office.
For those interested in getting out and exploring around the lake you will be thrilled to know that there are over six miles of trails that you can check out. The trails are marked as being multi use, so that means hikers, bike riders, and equestrians can use them as much as they want. the trails take you all around the park and they will be the best way to get up close and personal with the flora and fauna that calls Pawnee Lake home.
Once the hunting season begins on the first Tuesday after Labor Day, many flock to Pawnee Lake to have some fun. There is a large variety of game available within the area, including whitetail deer, turkeys, and waterfowl. Before you begin your hunt, you must make sure that you are following all of the Nebraska state hunting rules and have your permit and tags at the ready. For more information on hunting within the lake area, contact the park office.
If you love to bird than you will have to remember to pack your binoculars before you begin your adventure to Pawnee Lake. The lake is a fantastic place to spot some waterbirds during the migration months and until the freezing winter sets in.
Around the lake you may also get to witness some of the songbirds that call the park home. They are often seen hanging out in the wooded areas going about their day without a worry in the world. If you see a park ranger during your visit you should ask them where they think the best birding area is - they might have some secret spots!
