Description
The scenic Louisville State Recreation Area has long been popular with eastern Nebraska outdoor enthusiasts and has now become an important adjunct to nearby Platte River State Park. The area boasts an excellent complex for Recreational Vehicles (RVs).
The area is situated on the south bank of the Platte River in Cass County, near the north edge of the community of Louisville on Nebraska Highway 50. It is ideally located for campers who want to enjoy not only this picturesque area itself, but also take advantage of the facilities at Platte River State Park.
Attractions
Encompassing some 192 acres, Louisville has five sandpit lakes with some 50 surface acres of water. Surrounded by towering cottonwood trees, this inviting area offers picnicking, swimming, fishing, non-power boating, and canoe access to the Platte River in addition to camping. Anglers will find bass, catfish and bluegill in all of the lakes. Non-powered boats and those powered only by electric motors are permitted on any of the five lakes, anywhere but the swimming area, which is off limits to boats.
Swimming is available at the designated beach area on Lake No. 2. Change houses are conveniently located near the beach.
Louisville has the amenities of any well-equipped recreation area; picnic tables, firerings, drinking water, modern restrooms, showers and even a playground for the youngsters.
Campground Notes
Louisville State Recreation Area is situated on the south bank of the Plate River in Cass County, near the north edge of the community of Louisville on Nebr. 50. It is ideally located for campers who want to enjoy not only this picturesque area itself, but also take advantage of the facilities at Platte River State Park. Newly upgraded camping facilities include showers and restrooms and some 223 all-weather camping pads, complete with electrical hookups, in the A.C. Nelsen Campground. Campers will find another 13 all-weather pads without electricity. The area can handle yet another 75 units on primitive, non-designated sites. As a convenience for those with self-contained rigs, there is also a trailer dump station on the area.
Services & Amenities:
- ATM/CASH MACHINE
- Bicycling
- Bird Watching
- Boating, Jon (Paddle)
- Campground Host
- Camping, Improved Site
- Canoeing
- Comfort Station
- Convenience Store
- Dump Station
- Dump Station, Camper
- Fire Rings
- Fishing
- Grills
- Group Picnicking
- Handicap Access
- Jogging/Running
- Office/Ranger Station
- PARK LAKE
- Parking
- Pay Telephone
- Photography
- Picnic Area
- Picnic Shelter
- Picnic Tables
- Playground
- Retail , Bait & Tackle
- Retail, Drinks/Ice/Snack
- Retail, Seasonal Concessions
- Retail,Supplies
- River/Stream
- SWIMMING, PARK LAKE
- Shelters
- Showers
- Stargazing
- Sunbathing
- Swimming - Park Lake
- Water Access, Park Lake
- Water Access, River/Stream
- Water Drinking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Art & Museum
- Church
- Emergency Services.
- Maintenance,Vehicle
- Restaurant
- Town
- Grocery Store
- LODGING, CABINS
- Lodging, Group Facilities
- Lookout Tower
- Viewing Platform/Overlk
- Area Attraction
- Dining
- Golf
- Horse Rentals
- Motel
- Shopping
Alerts and Important Information
ATTENTION - Firewood Alert:
Voluntary Firewood Restriction
If you have brought firewood from another state, please burn it immediately and do not transport it to another location. Many invasive pests are being transported across our country in firewood. The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is a serious pest that is near Nebraska's border. Your cooperation to help prevent EAB from invading Nebraska woodlands and landscapes is vital to protecting our valuable natural resources.
If you need additional firewood, your options are:
1) Purchase firewood at parks that sell it.
2) Purchase firewood at vendors near many parks.
3) Gather dead firewood laying on the ground within park boundaries.
Learn more about invasive pests and the risk of transporting firewood at:
www.emeraldashborer.info
www.dontmovefirewood.org
Camping reservations may be made a minimum of three days in advance of arrival and a maximum of 180 days in advance of arrival.
CHECK IN AND OUT SCHEDULE- If you check out early, the unused portion of your payment will be forfeited.
Concession List
Louisville Lakeside Concessions
P.O. Box 454, Louisville, NE 68037
(402)234-2368
Offers Meals, Ice Cream, Live & Prepared Bait, Tackle, and Camping Supplies
Office Details
Louisville State Recreation Area Office
Hours Memorial Weekend - Labor Day 10 a.m. - 10 p.m. Week Days and 8 am - 10 pm on Week Ends
Rest of the Year Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
A Nebraska State Park Permit is required to enter this park area. A
Nebraska Licensed Vehicle Park Entry Permit is $30 for an Annual Permit, $15 for a Duplicate Annual Permit (used for that second vehicle in your family) or a Daily Permit which is $6 per day you are staying. A
Non-Nebraska Licensed Vehicle Park Entry Permit is $60, $30 for a Duplicate Annual Permit or a Daily Permit which is $12 per day. You may purchase your Park Permit prior to your stay by shopping online at
OutdoorNebraska.org.All vehicles entering a Nebraska Park Area are required to have a valid park entry permit.
See Reservation Policies details
Notes
Modern camping facilities are open (depending on weather conditions) beginning in May and normally through mid October. Camping is available year-round, including campsites with electricity. When modern facilities are closed, a winter rate camping fee is charged.
Only one camping unit is allowed per campsite. An extra tent may be used for dependant children only. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Generators may not be operated during these hours. Pets are allowed, but they must be kept on a secured leash that is no longer than 6 feet. Campers staying over must re-register by 2 p.m. Check in time is 4 p.m. and check out time is 2 p.m. Campers must vacate their campsite no later than 2:00 p.m. on the date the camping reservation or registration expires. All persons entering the campground after 10pm must be registered campers.
When a reservation is made one year to the date in advance, the arrival date must remain the same within that reservation. No cancellation of that arrival date is allowed.
Non Licensed motorized vehicles are not allowed in the areas.
*****REFERRALS***********
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
Two Rivers State Recreation Area
Branched Oak State Recreation Area
Pawnee State Recreation Area
Fremont State Recreation Area
Willow Creek State Recreation Area
Getting There:
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
41.00583,
-96.17056
41°0'21"N,
96°10'14"W
From Omaha: Take Exit 440 from I-80 south on Hwy 50 to 1 block south of Main Street Louisville and turn right into the park.
From Lincoln: Take Exit 426 from I-80. Go east on Hwy 66 to Hwy 50, Left on on Hwy 50 or North 2 miles. Turn left into the Park.
Contact Information:
Mailing Address:
Louisville SRA
15810 Hwy. 50
Louisville
NE
68037-2880
Phone Number:
Project Office:
(402) 234-6855