Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area, Nebraska

   If you happen to be in the southwest corner of Nebraska this summer - about an hour west of North Platte as the crow flies - and are looking for a place to camp, fish, swim, boat, hike, explore, dodge rattlesnakes, ride horses, etc., then may I suggest a visit to the Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area?

   There are a few rules you'll have to abide by, and reservations are required for camping (a major change made about three years ago), and there are fees - the day use fee for out-of-state plates has recently gone up to $12.00, though the annual pass fees are the same.

   The visit is worth the money though - there is a lot to enjoy about the lake affectionally known as Big Mac (it's 24 miles long, and up to 4 miles wide in spots, so yeah, Big Mac). 

   Lake McConaughy campsites can be set up right along the shore, or further back towards the brush - that's up to your preferences (and whoever gets there first, I suppose).

   The brush is fairly interesting - lots of flowers, scrub, bushes, and wildlife. Wasn't kidding about the rattlesnakes btw, so stay on the well-marked trails if you chose to go hiking.

   If you're a birder you're sure to find the place interesting (actually, if you're a birder you're pretty much going to find the entire state of Nebraska interesting - never put your binoculars away while in Nebraska).

   It's easy to enjoy a day of two at McConaughy - just be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen and your swimming trunks (and maybe some insect repellant).