Branched Oak State Recreation Area features the largest lake in eastern Nebraska and has long been a popular spot for fishing, boating and camping. Approximately 1,800 acres of water, along with well-maintained campsites, two swimming beaches, hiking trails and an equestrian campground draw visitors from near and far. A marina offers fuel, bait, boat rental, concessions and a bar and grill.
A boy plays on the swim beach on Lieber's Point at Branched Oak State Recreation Area in Lancaster County. Copyright Nebraskaland Magazine, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
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People relax and grill dinner at the Area 10 swim beach at Branched Oak State Recreation Area. Copyright Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Catamarans sailing at Branched Oak Lake at Branched Oak State Recreation Area (SRA) in Lancaster County. Fowler, May 12, 2009. Copyright NEBRASKAland Magazine, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
A woman and her dog cross-country ski on a trail in Area 1 at Branched Oak State Recreation Area in Lancaster County. Eric Fowler, December 30, 2020. Copyright NEBRASKAland Magazine, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
A boat pulls a wakeboarder on Branched Oak State Recreation Area in Lancaster County. Copyright Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Bank swallows nest in a bank in Area 14 on the south shore of Branched Oak State Recreation Area in Lancaster County. Copyright Nebraskaland Magazine, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
A horse eats hay in a corral in the Homestead Campground equestrian area at Branched Oak State Recreation Area. Copyright Nebraskaland Magazine, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Sailboarding is popular at Branched Oak State Recreation Area in Lancaster County. Copyright Nebraskaland Magazine/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
A mountain bike trail runs through Area 7 at Branched Oak State Recreation Area in Lancaster County. Copyright Nebraskaland Magazine, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Tent camping in Area 1 gets guests close to the water at Branched Oak State Recreation Area in Lancaster County. Copyright Nebraskaland Magazine, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
The Branched Oak Lake Marina is located in the northeastern area of Branched Oak Lake. The marina sells bait, firewood and fuel, among other amenities, and also offers boat rental and a bar/grill.
Branched Oak Lake offers great fishing opportunities and is a popular spot with anglers. Available species include blue catfish, bluegill, common carp, channel catfish, crappie, flathead catfish, freshwater drum, largemouth bass, striped bass, walleye, white perch and wiper. There’s a daily bag limit of one walleye, 22 inches or longer, and there’s a 10-inch minimum length limit for crappie. Striped bass, white bass, wiper and flathead catfish are catch-and-release. A wheelchair-accessible deck is available near the marina, and fish cleaning stations are located at areas 5 and 11.
Branched Oak Lake is open to all types of boating. Nine ramps and 49 docks are available. The marina sells fuel and also offers boat rental.
Branched Oak SRA offers 41 picnic shelters, three of which offer reservations. One of the shelters that take reservations has electricity and accommodates up to 60 people. Contact the park for information and reservations. The park also offers numerous picnic tables and grills; reserve a picnic shelter for $50/day without electric and $70 with electric.
Branched Oak features two swimming beaches. There are no lifeguards on duty at either.
Branched Oak has more than seven miles of interlocking multi-purpose trails that meander through trees, open grasslands and scenic overlooks on the south side of the lake. Trails include six miles of mountain bike trails and three miles of horse trails. A multi-use trail along the south side of the lake offers great wildlife viewing and scenic views of the lake.
A horse camp is located in Area 2 (Homestead Campground) which offers 15 electrical rock pad campsites, water, restrooms, grills, picnic facilities, an accessible mounting ramp, hitching posts and corrals. Half of the electrical sites may be reserved up to 1 year prior to arrival. The equestrian trailhead is located out of the Homestead Equestrian campground.
Branched Oak also offers archery, a disc golf course, horseshoe pits and a nationally recognized dog trial area. It’s also a popular spot for wildlife viewing, particularly in the spring when many visitors stop by to view bald eagles.
Nearby Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area offers boating, camping, swimming, fishing and other activities.
Wildwood Wildlife Management Area, three miles south of Valparaiso, is an eastern Nebraska favorite for fishing, no-wake boating, camping and picnicking. The area includes a 103-acre lake on the 491-acre property.
Branched Oak offers an array of camping amenities. Middle Oak Creek and South Shore campgrounds offer Full Hookups, Electric Plus and Electric camping along with Basic campsites. The lake has five shower houses, modern restrooms, primitive restrooms, dump and fill stations and playground equipment. Along with the electrical modern camping, Branched Oak offers numerous Basic and Primitive campsites at several of its campground locations.
Camping reservations are available for half of the campsites in Middle Oak Creek, Homestead and South Shore campgrounds. All other camping is all first-come, first-served; campers must register their nightly camping fees in a raised, locked box called an Iron Ranger. Self-service envelopes are provided at each station and accept cash or checks only.
Visitors can camp with their horses at Homestead Campground equestrian area (Area 2). This area offers 15 pull-through Equestrian Electric Plus campsites. To make reservations for these 15 sites, please contact the park office. Other amenities include 14 corrals, hand-pump drinking water, primitive toilet, picnic tables and fire rings. The equestrian camping area also provides 8 Equestrian Basic campsites for those that do not need the electricity. These sites are first-come, first-served.
Picnic shelters at Branched Oak State Recreation Area may rented for your activity.
