$30 / night

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Established Camping

Butte View Campground - Lake Minatare SRA

2 Reviews

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There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

The Nebraska Game & Parks Commission maintains the right to establish "black-out" dates and reserve facilities or lodging for Special Events and maintenance related needs.

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Butte View Campground near Minatare, NE, is surrounded by flat plains and rolling hills. Temperatures range from lows in the 20s during winter to highs in the 90s in summer. Nearby, visitors can explore the scenic Lake Minatare State Recreation Area and the historic Chimney Rock National Historic Site.

Description

Summary

At 2,158 acres, Lake Minatare SRA is the Panhandle’s largest body of water, attracting thousands of anglers, campers, water skiers and swimmers each year. Lake Minatare boasts excellent outdoor recreation opportunities, while irrigating thousands of acres in the North Platte Valley. Lake Minatare is closed to public access from October 15 to January 15 as it is part of the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge.

Attractions

Plains Lighthouse – Lake Minatare’s landmark lighthouse was a beacon of hope in the dark days of the Great Depression, when many American’s were jobless. It was built entirely of native stone between 1937 and 1939 by the Veteran’s Conservation Corps (VCC). The unusual structure stands 55 feet tall and serves as a combination shelter house and observation tower. It is open to public access.

Lake Minatare is surrounded by notable historic and recreational sites including the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge, Chimney Rock National Historic Site, Scotts Bluff National Monument and Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area.

Campground Notes

Campers will find a variety of options at Lake Minatare SRA. Lake View Campground offers 52 Electric Plus sites. Butte View Campground offers 49 Electric Plus sites and West Wind Campground offers 20 Basic sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Numerous non-designated Primitive sites are available including beach sites.

ATTENTION - IMPORTANT INFORMATION, READ CAREFULLY

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.

Lake Minatare is closed to all public access from October 15 to January 15 annually.

Hunting is prohibited at Lake Minatare SRA.

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

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Location

Butte View Campground - Lake Minatare SRA is located in Nebraska

Directions

From Scottsbluff: The intersections of Hwy. 71 and Hwy. 26, go three miles north on 71 to Lake Minatare Road. Turn east on Lake Minatare Road and go eight miles to a T with Stonegate Road. Turn left (north) on Stonegate Road for one mile. Turn right into the Lake View entrance immediately after crossing the canal bridge. The office is half mile up the road on your right. From Minatare and Hwy. 26: Turn north on Stonegate Road at the northeast corner of Minatare. Go nine miles on Stonegate Road to the Lake View entrance, turning right after crossing the canal bridge. The office is half mile up the road on your right.

Address

PO Box 188
Minatare, NE 69356-0188

Coordinates

41.94385907 N
103.475449 W

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Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BY

Walgren Lake State Rec Area

1 hr 38 min away

Roberts Tract Camping Area

1 hr 43 min away

Drive Time

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1 hr 50 min from Cheyenne
2 hrs 25 min from Fort Collins
2 hrs 39 min from Greeley
2 hrs 59 min from Rapid City

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T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
30 Amp Hookups
50 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

Reservations

Make reservation

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Sue G.

Guide

Reviewed May. 13, 2025

Great lake view

Although this is the Butte View area, all the sites back up to the lake. We did not have reservations but there were plenty of walk up sites available. They are farther from the boat ramp and bathrooms, which was fine with us. There was some weekend traffic to the beach at the end of the road. So peaceful at night, except some coyotes howling in the distance.

Site91

Month of VisitMay

Boldt E.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 24, 2022

Lake is nice, campground could improve

We originally were planning on staying at West Wind, but our GPS couldn’t locate it at first and since it was late we just settled here. The reservable sites aren’t too bad being paved and somewhat near the bathrooms. However, the camping on the beach is not very well maintained. There was trash everywhere. People also pulled in at all hours of the night and when you are tent camping it’s not the best. The staff was friendly which is a plus. The showers cost $$$ which after paying $$ to both camp and park seems outrageous. If we go back we will more than likely try to stay at a different campground around the lake.

Month of VisitJune

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find a camping map for Lake Minatare?

Camping maps for Lake Minatare are available at the park entrance station upon arrival. For advance planning, you can find maps on the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission official website. The map shows different camping areas including Butte View Campground with its paved sites near the lake. You can also call the park office directly to request map information or check with the visitor center for the most current maps and campground layouts.

What do reviews say about Lake Minatare State Recreation Area?

Lake Minatare SRA offers a mix of camping experiences. The Butte View area features lakeside sites with good water access, though some visitors note these aren't directly visible from the camping area. The reservable sites are paved and located closer to bathrooms, while walk-up sites are available further from facilities. Weekend traffic to the beach area can create some activity at the end of the road. The beach camping areas may have maintenance concerns, with some trash issues reported. Overall, the campground provides decent access to the lake with varying site quality throughout.

How do I make camping reservations at Lake Minatare State Recreation Area?

Reservations for Lake Minatare SRA can be made through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website or by calling their reservation line. The Butte View Campground has both reservable and first-come, first-served sites. The reservable sites are paved and located closer to bathrooms and amenities. Walk-up sites are typically available even without advance planning, especially during weekdays. A Nebraska park entry permit is required in addition to camping fees. For the most current reservation policies, contact the park office directly.

Where is Lake Minatare located in Nebraska?

Lake Minatare is located in western Nebraska, approximately 12 miles northeast of Scottsbluff. It's situated in Scotts Bluff County and is part of the North Platte River watershed. The lake serves as a popular recreation destination in the Nebraska Panhandle region, offering water-based activities and camping opportunities. The surrounding landscape features buttes and prairie terrain typical of western Nebraska.

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