Lake McConaughy
- Road
- Paved
- Permit
- Required
- Dogs
- Allowed
Vehicle entry needs a reservation: overnight camping by advance reservation May 20 to Sept 10. Entry fee: Park entry permit required: NE vehicle $7 daily / $35 annual. Lake McConaughy is a lake cove in Keith County, Nebraska.
Closures and warnings
Avoid marked Interior Least Tern and Piping Plover nesting areas on the shoreline. Keep pets on leashes. Alcohol is prohibited at Lake McConaughy SRA. As of September 30, 2026.
Before you swim
| Swimming allowed | Yes |
|---|---|
| Water type | Lake cove |
| Entry | Walk in |
| Lifeguards | No lifeguards on duty. |
| Water clarity | Nebraska Game and Parks describes white sand beaches and clear waters; swimming allowed at beach areas unless otherwise posted. |
- Martin Bay day-use beach : Large designated walk-in beach day-use area near the Martin Bay entrance.
- Arthur Bay day-use beach : Large designated walk-in beach day-use area near Arthur Bay.
- Sandy Beach day-use : Large designated walk-in beach day-use area near the Sandy Beach entrance.
- Cedar View day-use beach : Large designated walk-in beach day-use area near Cedar View campground.
Access
| Road | Paved |
|---|---|
| Parking | Day-use beach parking near Martin Bay, Arthur Bay, Sandy Beach, and Cedar View entrances; Visitor Center at 1475 Highway 61N, Ogallala. |
| Fee | Park entry permit required: NE vehicle $7 daily / $35 annual; non-NE $14 daily / $70 annual. |
| Hours | Visitor and Water Interpretive Center open 8 AM to 6 PM MT daily in peak season; 8 AM to 4 PM MT daily in non-peak season. |
| Reservation or permit | Required |
| Reservation window | Overnight camping by advance reservation May 20 to Sept 10; beach camping reservable up to 30 days ahead in peak season. |
| Managed by | Nebraska Game and Parks Commission (Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area) |
| Restrooms | Yes |
|---|---|
| Showers | Yes |
| Picnic sites | Yes |
| Note | White sand beaches, day-use areas, campgrounds, fish cleaning stations, and the Visitor and Water Interpretive Center. |
Rules
| Dogs | Allowed |
|---|---|
| Camping | Allowed |
| Fires | Allowed |
Common questions
Common questions
Is Lake McConaughy open?
Avoid marked Interior Least Tern and Piping Plover nesting areas on the shoreline. Keep pets on leashes. Alcohol is prohibited at Lake McConaughy SRA. As of September 30, 2026. Hours: Visitor and Water Interpretive Center open 8 AM to 6 PM MT daily in peak season; 8 AM to 4 PM MT daily in non-peak season.
Can you swim at Lake McConaughy?
Yes, swimming is allowed at Lake McConaughy. Lifeguards: No lifeguards on duty.
How do you get to Lake McConaughy?
The road in is paved. Parking: Day-use beach parking near Martin Bay, Arthur Bay, Sandy Beach, and Cedar View entrances; Visitor Center at 1475 Highway 61N, Ogallala.
Do you need a reservation for Lake McConaughy?
Yes. A reservation or permit is required: Overnight camping by advance reservation May 20 to Sept 10; beach camping reservable up to 30 days ahead in peak season.
Is there a fee at Lake McConaughy?
The fee is Park entry permit required: NE vehicle $7 daily / $35 annual; non-NE $14 daily / $70 annual.
What facilities are at Lake McConaughy?
Restrooms, showers, and picnic sites. White sand beaches, day-use areas, campgrounds, fish cleaning stations, and the Visitor and Water Interpretive Center.
What are the rules at Lake McConaughy?
Dogs are allowed, camping is allowed, and fires are allowed.
Sources
3
- https://outdoornebraska.gov/location/lake-mcconaughy/ (accessed September 30, 2026; backs manager / waterbodyName / swimming / beaches / lifeguardSeason / amenities / hazardNote, access.hours, access.parking / beaches, access.reservationWindow / rules.camping, swimmerNotes.swimmingAllowed / waterType / entryType / waterClarityNote / lifeguardSeason)
- https://outdoornebraska.gov/parks/park-pricing/ (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.fee)
- https://outdoornebraska.gov/parks/park-faqs/ (accessed September 30, 2026; backs access.permitRequired, rules.dogs, rules.fires)
More: Nebraska swimming holes