Description
Summary
Named for the winter stopover used by Mormon emigrants heading westward, Mormon Island State Recreation Area still offers comfort and conveniences to campers and other travelers on Interstate 80, as part of Nebraska's unique "Chain of Lakes." The first of these areas developed was Mormon Island. This area and companion Windmill SRA near Gibbon are the most intensely developed, because of their ready access to travelers.
Attractions
Mormon Island SRA hosts a spectacular gathering each spring, as hundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes stop to rest and pursue their courtship rituals. The world's largest concentration of these magnificent birds draws thousands of visitors to the region every year. Mormon Island lies on the eastern edge of this spring migration route.
Arriving in early to mid-February, the numbers peak about mid to late March. The cranes spend their days feeding and engaging in colorful courtship dances. After the first of April, the birds start flying to northern breeding grounds and are usually gone by mid-April.
A variety of geese, ducks and other waterfowl also come to the area before heading farther north. Ask park personnel for more information about the best times and locations to view these impressive wildlife displays.
Fishing, non-powered boating and boats with electric motors are permitted on the lake. Fish species available include: Largemouth bass, walleye, channel catfish and bluegill. Of course, anglers must have a fishing permit, available at the office.
There are picnic facilities, a shelter house and restrooms. Swimming is allowed only at the marked swimming beach. Change houses are provided.
Campground Notes
Mormon Island SRA offers modern camping facilities, restrooms, electrical hookups, a shower building and a laundromat. A trailer dump station and abundant picnic tables and firegrates are also available.
Services & Amenities:
- Antiquing
- Bird Watching
- Boat Ramp
- Boating
- Boating, Jon (Paddle)
- Boating, Kayaking
- Campground Host
- Camping, Improved Site
- Canoeing
- Comfort Station
- Dump Station
- Dump Station, Camper
- Fire Rings
- Fishing, PARK LAKE
- Fishing, River/Stream
- Grills
- Information/Contact Station
- Kiosk
- Laundry
- PARK LAKE
- Parking
- Pay Telephone
- Photography
- Picnic Area
- Picnic Shelter
- Picnic Tables
- Picnicing
- Playground
- Restrooms
- Scenic Driving Routes
- Shelters
- Showers
- Sightseeing
- Stargazing
- Sunbathing
- Swimming - Park Lake
- Trailhead
- Walking
- Water Drinking
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hunting
- Retail, Drinks/Ice/Snack
- ATM/CASH MACHINE
- Airport
- Ball Field
- Car Rentals
- Catering
- Church
- Emergency Services.
- Golf
- Grocery Store
- Group/Community Facility
- Hospital
- Interpretive Center
- MEETING SPACE
- Maintenance, RV/Camper
- Maintenance,Vehicle
- Mall
- Medical Clinic
- Motel
- Museum
- Nature Center
- Nature Study
- Newspapers
- Propane
- Put-Put
- Restaurant
- Shopping
- Town
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.
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.
Non Licensed motorized vehicles are not allowed in the area.
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 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.
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.
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
Mormon Island SRA offers modern camping facilities, restrooms, electrical hookups, a shower building and a laundromat. A trailer dump station and abundant picnic tables and firegrates are also available. Mormon Island does not offer full hookups at this time, however, campers may use the dump station and each site has electricity.
Getting There:
GPS Info. (Latitude, Longitude):
40.82472,
-98.37083
40°49'29"N,
98°22'15"W
MORMON ISLAND SRA - Interstate 80, Grand Island Interchange, Exit 312
Contact Information:
Mailing Address:
Mormon Island SRA
7425 S US Hwy 281
Doniphan
NE
68832-9526
Phone Number:
Project Office:
(308) 385-6211