Merritt Reservoir

Situated in a narrow, picturesque valley of the Snake River, Merritt Reservoir is 26 miles southwest of Valentine in Nebraska's unique Sandhills.

Fishing & Boating

Merritt offers some of Nebraska's premier fishing. It is a deep lake with excellent inflow from the Snake River and Boardman Creek. Consequently, the reservoir is well insulated against excessive drawdown during the irrigation season.

Walleye, crappie and white bass have long been the favorites with anglers here, although lunker catfish have recently been discovered in the Snake River arm. Fishermen also like the addition of modern fish cleaning stations at Merritt.

Ready access to the lake is available at five public boat ramps at the Powder Horn, Fisherman’s Boat Ramp, Cedar Bay, Beed's Landing and Snake River areas. Motorboat travel through the island channel in the Powder Horn Arm is one-way from north to south. In the Boardman Creek, Powder Horn Arm and Snake Arm areas, no one may operate or manipulate water skis, surfboards, or similar devices and the speed of all vessels must be reduced.

Camping and Picnicking

For campers, primitive and/or modern overnight facilities are available at all areas on this scenic reservoir. A dump station is located across from the Fisherman’s Boat Ramp area, southeast of the dam.

There are 161 total campsites at Merritt that span over 8 separate campgrounds, including:

• 105 ELECTRIC-PLUS sites: 50/30/20 AMP hookup, fire pit, picnic table (no water or sewer)
• 56 BASIC sites: Fire pit and picnic table (no electricity)

68 ELECTRIC-PLUS and 6 BASIC sites are available by reservation in the Cedar Bay, Beed’s Landing, Boardman Creek, and Willow Cove Campgrounds.

Other amenities include over 150 picnic tables, 9 picnic shelters, drinking water, fir

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.

Merritt Reservoir was built for irrigation by the Bureau of Reclamation and expereinces water fluctations. Boaters should be causious of water levels.

A Nebraska State Park Permit is required to enter this park area. A Nebraska Licensed Vehicle Park Entry Permit is $35 for an Annual Permit, $17.50 for a Duplicate Annual Permit (used for that second vehicle in your family) or a Daily Permit which is $7 per day you are staying. A Non-Nebraska Licensed Vehicle Park Entry Permit is $70, $35 for a Duplicate Annual Permit or a Daily Permit which is $14 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