24 Nebraskaland • March 2025
ABOVE: A spotted sandpiper is among the many avian species
observed at Box Butte, a popular destination for birdwatchers.
BELOW: Whether it's panfish by jigging rod or northern pike by tip-
up, Box Butte provides ample opportunity for ice anglers.
OPPOSITE: Snow and frost decorate the towering cottonwoods at
the lake, which offer scenic value year-round.
and its 14 miles of shoreline. Woodpeckers,
nuthatches, bluebirds, orioles, finches,
warblers and many songbirds can be located
around the lake in spring and summer.
Spring is also prime for viewing shorebirds
and waterfowl, with the occasional sighting
of common loons and trumpeter swans.
The fun doesn't stop there. Take into
account a swimming beach and four
picnic shelters, and there's something for
everyone. Whether it is what's below the
water's surface or above it, people surely
enjoy the pleasant surprises of Box Butte.
N
Box Butte Reservoir
Box Butte Reservoir SRA encompasses
2,212 acres on the western 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 in the state.
