Box Butte Reservoir SRA encompasses 2,212 acres on the west edge of the Sandhills, 9 miles north of Hemingford. It includes a 1,600-acre lake. The area is a good spot for fishing, camping and picnicking and also features some of the best birdwatching opportunities in the Nebraska panhandle.

Attractions

Fishing
Box Butte Reservoir provides good fishing opportunity for northern pike, channel catfish, walleye, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch and rock bass. A fish cleaning station is available.

Boating
All types of boating are permitted. There are two ramps and two docks available.

Birding
Box Butte Reservoir State Recreation Area is well-known for its birding opportunities. Among species that have been spotted there are Say’s Phoebes, Ferruginous Hawks, Eastern Bluebird, Eastern Wood-pewee, Indigo Bunting and Wood Thrush.

Swimming
A swimming beach allows visitors a chance to cool off on hot summer days. There are no lifeguards on duty.

Picnicking
Box Butte Reservoir SRA offers four picnic shelters, 40 tables and 29 grills. Cottonwoods and willows provide shade.

Camping

Modern camping
There are 14 camping pads with 30- and 50-amp electrical hookups. The park also offers water, and vault toilets. Camping is all first-come, first-served.

Primitive camping
The park offers 40 non-pad camping sites without electricity, as well as water and vault toilets.