MAY 2015 • NEBRASKAland 49
stand as an apt namesake, provide canopy throughout the
area.
In our aim to choose the perfect spot, we stopped to take
a look around near the park's only other visitors. The Hay
Springs couple, about retirement age, immediately walked
over and exchanged pleasantries. After telling us how much
they enjoy the park, they gave us fair warning: "We will
have some friends showing up in a little bit and we like to
stay up late talking," said the husband. "You're certainly
welcome to camp by us, but we just want to tell you in case
you'd rather not be bothered by it."
Having camped at other lakes on Memorial Day weekend,
late night conversation from nearby campsites is something
I had learned to accept and sometimes enjoy. Because we
pretty much had the property to ourselves, however, we
heeded the advice and pitched a tent on the other end of the
park.
An American bullfrog sits along the bank at Cottonwood Lake.
Cottonwood Lake State Recreation Area is located just south of
Bowring Ranch State Historical Park and Merriman.
Cottonwood
Lake SRA
Arthur Bowring Sandhills
Ranch State Historical Park
Cottonwood Lake
State Recreation Area
Merriman
Bear
Creek
Leander
Creek
MAP
BY
TRISHA
SCHLAKE,
NGPC
GIS
APPLICATIONS
DEVELOPER
