NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1008599
By Erin Lenz, Nebraska Tourism Commission Travelogue Travel to Keith County/Ogallala S urround yourself with wide open spaces, blue sky and warm hospitality when you visit Keith County. Home of the sparkling blue water and white sand beaches of Lake McConaughy, Keith County has plenty of activities in and out of the water to keep you occupied. Explore Ogallala is home to Nebraska's largest reservoir, Lake McConaughy. The possibilities are endless at Lake Mac with activities from water sports to sunbathing to bird watching. Grab a group of friends and spend the day boating or choose a more peaceful route and go fishing instead. Lake McConaughy's clear, deep waters make it a great destination with species such as walleye and catfish. With a lot of habitat diversity, the lake is also a great place to go birding with more than 360 species identified in the area, including large numbers of bald eagles that can be seen in winter months. Enjoy sunbathing? Soak up the sun on the popular white sand beaches and jump in the lake to swim and cool off. Kayaking, paddle boarding, water skiing, wind surfing and more are also available. On one side of the Kingsley Dam sits Lake McConaughy and on the other, Lake Ogallala. With its chilling waters, the primary water sport at Lake Ogallala is rainbow trout fishing. For a change of pace later in the year, hunt at the Clear Creek Wildlife Management Area. Known for Canada goose hunting, Clear Creek includes acres of controlled waterfowl hunting, public hunting lands and a waterfowl refuge. Do Immerse yourself in the rich history of Keith County at one of these destinations. When it was completed in 1887, the Mansion on the Hill was Ogallala's finest residence. Tour the mansion and view the beautiful hand carved cherry wood fireplaces, curved staircases and 10-foot ceilings. Walk around Boot Hill Cemetery, the final resting place for cowboys, drifters and settlers back in Ogallala's Texas Trail era. Read the stories told of the people buried there and get a feel for what went on in the town back then. The Petrified Wood Gallery in Ogallala boasts a collection of ancient woods, gemstones, fossils and Native American arrowheads and artifacts. The most exceptional part of this gallery is that much of the artwork is constructed using petrified wood pieces. Finally, golf at the Bayside Golf Course located at Lake McConaughy, complete with rolling hills, native grasses, valleys and ravines. Eat Enjoy an extraordinary dining experience at Ole's Big Game Steakhouse & Lounge in Paxton. Open for eight decades, this restaurant not only serves delicious food but also showcases more than 200 big game trophies and mementos of Ole's worldwide safaris. Considered the "Cowboy Capital" of Nebraska, Ogallala is home to the Front Street Steakhouse and Crystal Palace Saloon. After you're done eating head over to the cowboy museum and general store. The new Prairie Rodeo Museum exhibit pays tribute to Nebraska's rodeo history. Then stay for the Crystal Palace Revue, a performance recreating what Ogallala was like back when cowboys came to town off the Texas trail. Spending the day on the lake? Take a quick break for lunch or dinner at the Open Range Grill. Close to Lake McConaughy, locals and lake regulars recommend chowing down on one of their amazing gourmet burgers and hand-cut fries. Stay If your ideal stay is close to the lake, there are many options available. Lone Eagle, Little Thunder and Cedar View are modern campgrounds located on the shores of Lake McConaughy, equipped with shower and restroom facilities. Camping on the beach or i n any mowed area is also allowed at Lake McConaughy for a more primitive experience. If camping isn't your style, Lonesome Dove Lodge offers hotel rooms and suites that keep to the western theme of Ogallala. ■ Lake McConaughy's beaches are a great place to relax and enjoy the sand and water. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE NEBRASKA TOURISM COMMISSION 8 NEBRASKAland • AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 2018 ● Ogallala