BEATRICE, Nebraska - The Lower Big Blue NRD will close recreation areas to vehicle traffic for the season on October 28, 2021. Big Indian Recreation Area, located southwest of Wymore, Swanton Wildlife Management Area, located north of Swanton, Walnut Creek Recreation Area, located north of Crete and Willard L. Meyer Recreation Area located east of Tobias will be closed to vehicle access.  The north entrance at the Willard L. Meyer Recreation Area, east entrance at Swanton Wildlife Management Area, west archery range entrance and east entrance at Big Indian Recreation Area and the west entrance at Walnut Creek Recreation Area will remain open to provide access for fishing and hunting.  The recreation areas are open to hunting, fishing, trapping, and hiking by foot traffic only. Typically, recreation areas reopen for the season in late March or as conditions allow.

Just prior to the end of camping season on October 23rd, the spooktacular will be held at Willard Meyer recreation area. Campers are invited to dress up, decorate your camper and hand out candy to the kids.

LBBNRD also plans to open Cub Creek Recreation area southwest of Plymouth in spring of 2022 with a public open house planned in March. The area is closed with crews working to remove sediment, relocate the swimming beach, and add additional camping spots. The years’ worth of work that has taken place just southwest of Plymouth is the culmination of nearly a decade of work to improve water quality and ultimately remove the structure from the Federal 303d list of impaired watersheds.

As a reminder, the discharging of firearms is prohibited on district lands from June 1st to August 31st.  Hunting in accordance with general hunting and special area regulations is allowed at the areas from September 1st to May 31st unless prohibited or restricted.  Hunting is not allowed within 100 yards of any public-use facility or activity area including the picnic area, parking lot and boat ramp. It is also prohibited within 200 yards or an occupied dwelling or livestock confinement.  

If you have any questions, please call the Lower Big Blue NRD at 402-228-3402.