Established Camping
Merritt Reservoir State Rec Area
About
State Park
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
- Cabins
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Big Rig Friendly
Large lake, great fishing
This lake is awesome for water sports since it is so large. It’s about 26 miles from Valentine. There are numerous campgrounds scattered offering different views of the beautiful valley
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Quiet, peaceful and clean
After finding my 1st choice of Smith Falls damn near inaccessible due to washboard road (and then finding no shaded spots in 98° heat) I continued on only to find the next two places full-up. I took a chance to continue on even as it was getting late and was rewarded by this beautiful State Park. There's a main campground by the lake that was pretty crowded with red-Solo-cup type camper's but a more secluded section with 1/2 dozen sites where the folks were there to chill.
Bring your fishing gear
At Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area near Valentine, NE you have some choices to make. There are Merritt Main, Willow Cove , Lone Tree, Cottonwood , Pines, Cedar Bay , Beeds and Board Campgrounds to choose from. Each has sites near the Reservoir or further back in the scrub that have fire rings and picnic tables. Some have electric options, showers and boatramps. All have at least a pit toilet and dumpster. (And sand)
The state employees were a little scarce when I visited and the weather was not real inviting. I decided to not float on the Reservoir due to the low temperatures, but it would seem that the Nebraskans are a little hardier and used to the cold temperatures then me because there were a few out on the water fishing.
This area would be ideal for a large group get together and out in the middle of nowhere so any noise shouldn’t be an issue. I heard coyotes and it was pitch black at night, had the sky been clear the stars would have been amazing.
Valentine, NE is nearby for resupply and entertainment and there are some other recreation areas that offer hiking and of course floating on the Niobrara River.
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Location
Merritt Reservoir State Rec Area is located in Nebraska
Directions
Location for Merritt Reservoir is 26 miles southwest of Valentine on Highway 97. Or 47 miles north of Mullen on Highway 97.
Address
420 E First St
Valentine, NE 69201
Coordinates
42.59600007 N
100.89000028 W