Map showing campground location near Scottsbluff, Nebraska

Camper submitted image from West Wind - Lake Minatare SRA

West Wind - Lake Minatare SRA

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Fishing, swimming, and direct lake access draw campers to West Wind, one of several campgrounds along the shore of Lake Minatare in western Nebraska. Sites vary considerably in character: some sit close enough to the water that mosquitoes and flies can be a genuine problem, while others on the west side of the lake sit farther from the shoreline with no lake view at all. Local anglers frequently use the area around the campsites, though reviewers note they tend to stay out of the way or move on when campers are present.

The campground has electric hookups, drinking water, showers, and a dump station, making it workable for RVs. Laundry and showers are located near the office rather than distributed across all sections, so campers on the west side of the lake will find only a vault toilet nearby. Primitive sites are also available, where campers can position themselves on the beach or in a more sheltered spot depending on preference.

Reservations are available and worth booking in advance, especially on summer weekends. The campground sits roughly 20 minutes from camping near Scottsbluff, making it a reasonable overnight stop for travelers passing through the region. Nearby alternatives include Lakeview Point Campground - Lake Minatare SRA and Butte View Campground - Lake Minatare SRA for campers who want to compare sites around the lake. Mindy B. describes the host as offering a "friendly host clean bathrooms" experience, though bathroom quality has varied in other reviews. Pack insect repellent if you're staying near the water, and confirm your specific site location when booking to avoid surprises on arrival.

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Map & DirectionsWest Wind is located in Nebraska near Scottsbluff

Public Campground

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.

Coordinates

41.93973338 N
103.51604136 W

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Connectivity

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T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 8 users
Last on 7/26/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 7/26/26
AT&T
No Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 7/26/26

Connectivity

Presented by

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

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Verified by 8 users
Last on 7/26/26
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 7/26/26
AT&T
No Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 7/26/26

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

1 hr 45 min from Cheyenne, WY
2 hrs 20 min from Fort Collins, CO
2 hrs 34 min from Greeley, CO
2 hrs 53 min from Rapid City, SD

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - West Wind

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

3.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Campers frequently mentioned the quiet atmosphere and spacious sites, with good fishing opportunities nearby. Some visitors experienced reservation issues and mixed facility quality, though most found it suitable for overnight stops.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Mindy B.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 25, 2025

Shady, quiet lakeside sites

20 minutes from Scottsbluff popular spot, reservations are a good idea. Friendly host clean bathrooms.

Site38

Month of VisitJune

Greebly M.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 21, 2025

Pretty good

We stayed one night in June in transit from RMNP to WCNP. Our ginormous campsite was on the west side of the lake by the highway (which wasn't a problem - no traffic at night/couldn't hear it). We had that area to ourselves, but there is no lake view, or view of anything except a farmhouse from there. The campground has laundry and showers over by the office, only a vault toilet in our side. We

Sitenot sure of the number

Month of VisitJune

Jennifer H.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 26, 2023

Great car/RVspot

We arrived after 5pm so the office was closed, but we found the camp spot easily with the information from the booking email, and our site had our names on it which was great. Walking around the beach by the lake was so nice and we found a fun tire swing. There were only a few other people there and we had a great campfire. The bathrooms weren’t great but overall a good spot!

Month of VisitSeptember

(4) View All

Kathi V.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 20, 2019

Not a great place to stay

We arrived to find that the site we had reserved was not only occupied by another RV, but the people had essentially taken off for days. We were given a different, worse site, and had no options, since the campground was full. The person in charge of the campground was less than helpful. We had chosen that site MONTHS in advance so we could accommodate a screen tent. The bugs are horrendous (mosquitoes primarily, with flies coming in a close second). We were unable to put up the screen tent due to how small the site was, and how close to the water we were...like a few feet from stagnant, buggy water. To say it was NOT a good experience is an understatement. We left after one unpleasant night. We will not go back, and instead re-route to go to a better rated campground next time.

Month of VisitJune

Ashley Y.

Ranger

Reviewed Aug. 31, 2016

A quiet place to spend the night

Stayed a night here on a road trip. Not much to say, it was quiet and not crowded. Most of the people were locals and there to fish only a few people were camping overnight. I would stay here again if driving through the area!

Kylie C.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 25, 2016

Lake Minatare SRA

At Lake Minatare there are primative and normal campsites. The primative spots are where ever you feel is fit. You can build your own campfire, which I found fun, and build your very own campsite the way you like it. You can camp right on the beach or tucked away if you want. A lot of locals come and fish by the campsites but they are very respectful of your space and will either keep to themselves or turn right around and leave. The fishing is great there, just depends on the time of the year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Lake Minatare located in Nebraska?

Lake Minatare State Recreation Area is located approximately 20 minutes from Scottsbluff, Nebraska. It sits in western Nebraska, making it a convenient stopping point for travelers moving between national parks in the region. The West Wind section of the campground is situated on the west side of the lake near the highway, though traffic noise isn't typically an issue for overnight campers.

What camping facilities are available at Lake Minatare State Recreation Area?

Lake Minatare SRA offers both primitive and developed campsites. The primitive sites allow campers to choose their own spot and build personal campfires, with options to camp directly on the beach or in more secluded areas. The developed area, including West Wind campground, has designated sites with names posted on them for easy identification when arriving. The campground features clean bathrooms and is managed by friendly hosts. Reservations are recommended, especially during busy periods, as the campground can fill up during peak times.

What do visitor reviews say about Lake Minatare State Recreation Area?

Experiences at Lake Minatare are generally positive, with campers noting the quiet, uncrowded atmosphere, particularly on weekdays. The campground receives praise for its cleanliness, friendly hosts, and spacious campsites. Some visitors appreciate the freedom offered by primitive camping options. Campers mention the lake views and beach access as highlights. The location makes it popular with both overnight travelers and locals who come to fish. Some campers have encountered minor issues with site assignments during busy periods. Overall, Lake Minatare is regarded as a good stopping point for travelers passing through western Nebraska.

What activities can visitors enjoy at Lake Minatare State Recreation Area?

Visitors to Lake Minatare can enjoy a variety of outdoor recreation activities centered around the lake. Fishing is popular, with many locals coming specifically for this purpose. The area features beaches for swimming and shoreline walking, and some visitors have discovered fun amenities like tire swings. For those who prefer land-based activities, there are opportunities to explore the grounds and enjoy the natural setting. The campground's peaceful environment also makes it ideal for relaxing and enjoying the outdoor experience away from crowds, especially during less busy periods.

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