ORD, Nebraska – The Lower Loup Natural Resources District’s two recreation areas will reopen Wednesday, May 20. Pibel Lake Recreation Area south of Bartlett and Davis Creek Recreation Area south of North Loup are currently limited to day-use only.

NRD General Manager Russell Callan said that RV camping will be available at both areas. He said social distancing and group-size recommendations of 10 or less will be maintained to help ensure compliance with the state’s public health directives amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

RV sites at Davis Creek Recreation Area can be reserved online at ReserveAmerica.com. At Pibel Lake, social distancing will be emphasized. Callan said that campers must maintain a 25-foot separation between RVs or occupy a designated camping stall.

Tent camping will not be allowed at either rec area.

Only self-contained recreational vehicles will be allowed at either area. RVs with factory features that allow them to hold potable water, contain wastewater/sewage and connect to electrical service will be allowed to reserve a site at Davis Creek. Pibel Lake will be limited to the same types of campers, although the same services are not available.

The Davis Creek shower-house will not be open. However, the RV dump station and fish cleaning station will remain open. Playground equipment at both recreation areas will continue to be off-limits.

The rec areas will remain open to the public for day use. The Lower Loup NRD will retain the right to scale back the number of campsites if social practices are not followed or if public health officials determine there is an increased incidence of the virus.

The LLNRD will continue to evaluate the situation and make determinations about future usage. The cooperation of the public with these restrictions is appreciated and will speed the return to normal operations