Lake McConaughy near Lewellen sits at approximately 3,270 feet elevation in western Nebraska, where the climate features hot summers and cold winters with significant wind conditions. The reservoir spans over 22 miles with shorelines consisting primarily of fine white sand—unusual for a midwestern lake. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting beach access and camping conditions at various sites around the lake.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake McConaughy and nearby Lake Ogallala offer excellent fishing spots. "Great trout fishing here and excellent bird watching. We saw the Long-billed Curlew, Burrowing Owl, and several other birds checked off our bucket list," notes a visitor to Cedar View Campground.
Historic exploration: Visit nearby Ash Hollow State Historical Park to learn about Oregon Trail history. "We spent several days learning about the history, walking part of the Oregon Trail, and even learned that the Mormon Trail came through this camp site," shares a camper at Oregon Trail RV Campground.
Water recreation: The white sand beaches provide opportunities for swimming and paddleboarding. "The lake is huge, makes for a great place to paddle board. We had such a good time and experienced great help from the park rangers," reports a visitor at Lakeview campground.
What campers like
Beach camping: Many campers enjoy camping directly on the sandy shoreline. "Backed the Jeep up to the water and called it home for the night... Great sunset and sunrise views," writes a camper at Sandy Beach Campground.
Convenient amenities: Several campgrounds offer full hookup sites with modern facilities. "Sites are large with great areas to have dogs. Cool breeze coming up off lake even though it was in the 90's today," mentions a camper at Lone Eagle Campground.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds provide a peaceful setting away from crowds. "This is a little RV park with a view of hay bales. Large cottonwood trees for shade and plenty of room for the dogs to run!" reports a visitor at Oregon Trail RV Campground.
What you should know
Campsite conditions: The terrain varies significantly between campgrounds. "If you are tenting or car camping, there are miles of dispersed camping right on the beach for only $12 night," advises a camper at Lone Eagle Campground.
Weather patterns: Wind can be intense, particularly around the main lake. "Stayed here on my cross country drive. Real calm at dusk on this reservoir, it picked up real fast into a certified windstorm by 2AM when I felt like my tent was about to be blown away into oblivion," warns a visitor at Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area.
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Half the campground is FCFS other half is reserved. Every site has water/power/sewer. There is shade on almost every site," notes a visitor to Lone Eagle Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Beach safety: Watch for changing water conditions with children. "We camped right on the water. The spot was beautiful. Wake up walk into the lake. At night little frogs like to reveal themselves from the sand. Dog loved it. Kids loved it," shares a camper at Sandy Beach Campground.
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "There is a playground for kids. All outer loop sites face the water," mentions a visitor at Lone Eagle Campground.
Family-friendly camp hosts: Helpful staff can enhance the family camping experience. "Bathhouse was clean and well kept, the quiet hours are kept well, and the host is great - brought suckers and popsicles for our kids!" reports a visitor at Cedar View Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hookup considerations: Water connections may require additional equipment. "Take note. Water is shared and not at every site. Bring several hoses as it's 40-50 feet away," advises an RVer at Lone Eagle Campground.
Site selection: Choose carefully based on your specific needs. "We camped here in our 39' travel trailer in a back-in, full hook up site. The water spigot is equipped with a splitter and is shared by two spots," notes an RVer at Lone Eagle Campground.
Dog-friendly campgrounds near Lewellen: Most sites welcome pets but have specific requirements. "If you have pups, watch out for those [sand burrs]. They were not too bad," warns a visitor at Lone Eagle Campground, highlighting a practical consideration for pet owners at Lewellen area campgrounds.
