Top Story NEBRASKA PASSPORT PROGRAM Families will find lots to do at Red Willow State Recreation Area near McCook Marjie Ducey World-Herald Staff Writer Jun 23, 2023 Jun 23, 2023 Updated Jun 30, 2024 0 2 min to read 1 of 4 There’s lots of activities for kids at Red Willow State Recreation Area. NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS Chuck and Janet Gray enjoy the fishing at Red Willow. TREVOR GRAY The views of the lake at Red Willow State Recreation Area are beautiful, visitors say. TYLER FRANCISCO, NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save Marjie Ducey World-Herald Staff Writer Marlyn Peters never brought just her three kids to Red Willow State Recreation Area.kAmt249 @7 E96> 2=H2JD 925 2 7C:6?5 2=@?8] |2J36 E96 ?:646D 2?5 ?6A96HD H@F=5 36 E96C6[ E@@]k^AmkAm“xE’D 2 D276 2C62[” D96 D2:5] “z:5D 42? C:56 3:<6D] %96J 42? 8@ 5@H? 2?5 8@ DH:>>:?8]”k^AmkAmq6DE @7 2==[ :E’D 2? 62DJ `a\>:=6 ;2F?E 7C@> |4r@@<[ H96C6 !6E6CD =:G6D[ E@ 6?;@J 7:D9:?8[ 3@2E:?8[ DH:>>:?8[ <2J2<:?8 @C ;FDE 7:?5 2 A=246 E@ C6=2I]k^Am kAm%92E AC@I:>:EJ E@ 2 E@H? :D 8C62E 7@C EC2G6=6CD[ E@@[ H9@ 5@?’E 92G6 E@ 5C:G6 72C :7 E96J 7@C8@E 2 ?646DD:EJ 2E 9@>6]k^Am People are also reading… Lincoln man cited for November fatal crash near Waverly, deputies say Nebraska football quarterback commit earns high praise at camp SEC meets at a crossroads — and its grip on college football is at stake Nebraska commit Trae Taylor named to 2026 Elite 11 Finals roster An ex-Nebraska coach watched from Northern Colorado’s bench. He says this team is title-bound Malcolm man dies after motorcycle crashes near Lincoln Airport during pursuit with State Patrol Former Nebraska head coach Scott Frost to host Husker commit for visit Rural Nebraska village aims to survive, grow with new housing efforts No. 6 Nebraska softball takes Big Ten lead with rout of Minnesota, Washington loss Lincoln record store faces threats after video shows staff smashing copies of new Ye album Substitute teacher cited after disturbing comments at Raymond Central Nebraska volleyball notes: How NCAA's '5-in-5' affects NU's superstar seniors; spring portal opens What's happening with house prices in Omaha in 2026? Former mayor to fill in on Kearney council during Straatmann's stint at Naval War College Ohio State's seven home runs decimate Nebraska 10-1 Swimming is a popular activity at Red Willow. NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS kAm%9:D DF>>6C[ E96C6 92G6 >@C6 E92? E96 FDF2= G:D:E@CD E@ E96 `[eag\24C6 =2<6 2?5 :ED DFCC@F?5:?8D] #65 (:==@H 92D 366? 5C2H:?8 >@C6 E92? f_[___ A6@A=6 2 J62C]k^AmkAm#65 (:==@H[ H9:49 :D 23@FE 7:G6 9@FCD 7C@> ~>292[ :D @?6 @7 f_ DE@AD :? E9:D J62C’D }63C2D<2 !2DDA@CE AC@8C2>[ E96 2??F2= E@FC:D> AC@>@E:@? 677@CE E92E 6?4@FC286D }63C2D<2?D 2?5 @E96CD E@ G:D:E 2 G2C:6EJ @7 2EEC24E:@?D[ A2C<D[ 4@7766 D9@AD[ C6DE2FC2?ED[ DE@C6D 2?5 >@C6 24C@DD E96 DE2E6] t249 H66<[ H6’C6 9:89=:89E:?8 @?6 @C >@C6 @7 E96 =@42E:@?D]k^Am kAm!2DDA@CE A2CE:4:A2?ED 4@==64E A9JD:42= @C 5:8:E2= DE2>AD 2E 6249 DE@A 2?5 BF2=:7J 7@C AC:K6D 32D65 @? 9@H >2?J A=246D E96J G:D:E 5FC:?8 E96 AC@8C2>[ H9:49 CF?D 7C@> |2J ` E@ $6AE] b_]k^Am kAm(9:=6 E96 cg 42>A:?8 A25D H:E9 6=64EC:4:EJ FDF2==J 7:== FA 6249 H66<6?5[ !6E6CD D2:5 E96 A2C< 5@6D?’E 92G6 E96 D2>6 4C@H565 766= 2D D@>6 @7 E96 3FD:6C 42>A8C@F?5D :? E96 62DE6C? 92=7 @7 E96 DE2E6] t249 D:E6 :D d_ 766E @C >@C6 2A2CE[ D@ E96C6 :D?’E 2 =@E @7 4@>A=2:?:?8 23@FE ?@:DJ ?6:893@CD @C 5@8D]k^AmkAm“xE’D ?@E E92E H2J @FE 96C6[” D96 D2:5] “|@DE A6@A=6 2C6 7C:6?5=J]”k^Am kAm%96C6 2C6 2=D@ d_ 32D:4 42>AD:E6D]k^AmkAm|4r@@< C6D:56?E y2?6E D2:5 E96 42>A8C@F?5D 2C6 H6==\>2:?E2:?65 H:E9 >@56C? D9@H6CD]k^AmkAm$96 2?5 96C 9FD32?5[ r9F4<[ FDF2==J 3C:?8 E96:C 42>A6C E96C6 5FC:?8 E96 H66< H96? :E’D ?@E D@ 3FDJ]k^Am kAm}@ C6D6CG2E:@?D 2C6 2446AE65[ D@ J@F >:89E 92G6 E@ 2CC:G6 2 76H 52JD 367@C6 E96 H66<6?5 E@ 86E H92E !6E6CD 42==D 2 “AC:>@” DA@E E92E @G6C=@@<D E96 =2<6]k^Am kAm%96 @FE=@@< 7C@> E96C6 :D 362FE:7F=[ D2JD %J=6C uC2?4:D4@[ E96 D@FE9H6DE C68:@? DFA6CG:D@C 7@C }63C2D<2 v2>6 2?5 !2C<D r@>>:DD:@?]k^AmkAm“xE :D ;FDE 2 C62==J 4@@= G:6H[” 96 D2:5]k^Am Tyler Francisco, the Southwest Region supervisor for Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, loves the views of the lake. NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS kAm{@H H2E6C =6G6=D 42FD65 3J =2DE J62C’D 5C@F89E 2C6 :>AC@G:?8[ 96 D2:5] }@ 5C2H5@H?D 3J E96 qFC62F @7 #64=2>2E:@?[ H9:49 @H?D E96 =2?5[ 2C6 A=2??65]k^Am kAmvC2J 2?5 96C 9FD32?5[ #@5[ @H? 2 7:D9:?8 3@2E[ 2?5 E96J’G6 925 =@ED @7 =F4< 42E49:?8 32DD[ 4C2AA:6[ H2==6J6[ ?@CE96C? A:<6[ DEC:A6CD[ >FD<:6[ 3=F68:== 2?5 42E7:D9]k^Am kAm“(6 42F89E 2 ab\:?49[ d\A@F?5 H:A6C E9:D H66<[” vC2J D2:5] “(6 7@F89E :E 7@C `d >:?FE6D] yFDE E96 DA@CE @7 7:D9:?8 :D C62==J 8@@5]”k^AmkAmw6C 9FD32?5 AF==65 E92E @?6 :?] vC2J D2:5 96C 3:8 7:D9 8@E 2H2J]k^Am Some bison on private property next to Red Willow. TYLER FRANCISCO, NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS kAmp=E9@F89 2== EJA6D @7 3@2ED 2C6 2==@H65[ uC2?4:D4@ =:<6D E92E 2 <2J2<6C 42? 7:?5 2C62D E92E 3:886C 3@2ED 5@?’E @7E6? 2446DD]k^AmkAm“x E9:?< :E’D @?6 @7 E9@D6 9:556? 86>D :7 J@F 2C6 =@@<:?8 7@C 25G6?EFC6[” 96 D2:5] “*@F 92G6 2 ?:46[ BF:6E 2E>@DA96C6 H9:=6 A255=:?8 2=@?8 E96 D9@C6=:?6]”k^Am kAmu@C E9@D6 H9@ H2?E 2 3C62< 7C@> E96 H2E6C[ E96C6’D 2 H2=<:?8 2C496CJ EC2:=] %96 H:=5=:76 >2?286>6?E 2C62 @? E96 ?@CE9H6DE D:56 @7 E96 =2<6 >62?D E96C6’D 2? 23F?52?46 @7 2?:>2=D E@ D66 H9:=6 9:<:?8 E96 9:==J E6CC2:?]k^Am kAm%96 A2C< DEC6E496D 24C@DD c[ba_ 24C6D]k^AmkAm~? $2EFC52J ?:89ED[ !6E6CD =:<6D E@ 6?;@J E96 =:G6 >FD:4 2E E96 >2C:?2] %96C6’D D2?5 G@==6J32==[ E@@]k^Am kAm“xE’D G6CJ 72>:=J 7C:6?5=J[” uC2?4:D4@ D2:5]k^Am There's lots to do at Red Willow Weekends find lots of boaters and swimmers enjoying the lake. TYLER FRANCISCO, GAME AND PARKS Red Willow is a place to get away from busier parks. TYLER FRANCISCO, GAME AND PARKS Visitors can enjoy a picnic while watching the boats on the lake. TYLER FRANCISCO, GAME AND PARKS Some buffalo on the private property next to Red Willow. TYLER FRANCISCO, GAME AND PARKS Visitors will see lots of wildlife on hikes. TYLER FRANCISCO, GAME AND PARKS Enjoy the beautiful views at Red Willow. NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS Swimming is a popular activity at Red Willow. NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS All kinds of watercraft can be found at the lake. NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS A beach at Red Willow. NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS There's RV and primitive camping at Red Willow. NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS There's lots of fun activities on the water. NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS Visitors enjoy water skiing at Red Willow. NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS There's lots of trails to explore on the hilly terrain of the park. NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS There's lots of activities for kids at Red Willow State Recreation Area. NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS Beautiful skies at Red Willow. NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS Tyler Francisco, the Southwest Region supervisor for Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, loves the views of the lake. NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS A duck swims along the lake. NEBRASKA GAME AND PARKS A deer and some buffalo share some grazing space near Red Willow. TYLER FRANCISCO, GAME AND PARKS Campgrounds are clean, one guest said. TYLER FRANCISCO, GAME AND PARKS marjie.ducey@owh.com, 402-444-1034, twitter.com/mduceyowh 0 Comments Be the first to know Get local news delivered to your inbox! Sign up! * I understand and agree that registration on or use of this site constitutes agreement to its user agreement and privacy policy. Related to this story Some of the featured 2023 Nebraska Passport Program stops A look at Red Willow State Recreation Area A look at Red Willow State Recreation Area Big Mama's Kitchen in North Omaha serves up oven-fried chicken and sweet potato pie ice cream Big Mama's Kitchen and Catering is one of 70 stops on the Nebraska Passport tourism program. The popular North Omaha restaurant is known for i… After 2 years, 10,655 miles and 533 Nebraska towns, couple’s travels are over for now A York couple decided to visit all of Nebraska's communities after reading a book by Wahoo native Seth Varner called Visit531Nebraska — a trav… Crunchy Bits candy store in Auburn is cool and tasty Nebraska Passport destination Freeze-dried Skittles on the internet led to a new career for an Auburn woman — and a fun stop for the Nebraska Passport tourism program. Located on historic ground, Falls City museum brings collections together People collect all kinds of things, from lighthouse models to pig-themed items. This year's Nebraska Passport features a museum in Falls City,… Nebraska's Ashfall Fossil Beds is a 'one-of-a-kind place' Featured in this year's Nebraska Passport program, Ashfall Fossil Beds in northeast Nebraska tells the state's history from 12 million years a… Nebraska Holiday Passport program to begin Nov. 17 The 20 Holiday Passport stops will include a Christmas lights show at Platte Valley Equipment in Fremont and Christmas activities and events a… Railroad Towne Antique Mall is a journey down memory lane Railroad Towne Antique Mall is the perfect place to “buy memories" and is a stop on this year's Nebraska Passport tourism program. The Grand I… The Loft by Lee Douglas Interiors takes pride in offering a unique Lincoln experience The Loft by Lee Douglas Interiors in Lincoln has 11 rooms on two floors, with each room having its own theme to display hand-selected furnitur… The big little zoo: Riverside Discovery Center brings a world of wildlife to Scottsbluff The Nebraska Passport season will soon draw to a close, but there’s still time to squeeze in one more adventure out west at Riverside Discover… Branding Iron Cafe offers comfort food, opportunities for memories The Branding Iron Café in Wahoo offers breakfast comfort food and classic lunchtime fare in a setting reminiscent of days long ago. Listen now and subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | RSS Feed | Omny Studio | All Of Our Podcasts Recommended for you Watch Now: Related Video Central Catholic Senior Send-off Dozers razing 7 lots as North Platte races to use up $1.25 million grant Dozers razing 7 lots as North Platte races to use up $1.25 million grant Nebraska softball welcomed back at Eppley Airfield after clinching Big Ten regular season championship Nebraska softball welcomed back at Eppley Airfield after clinching Big Ten regular season championship Scottsbluff's Maria Salazar receives key to the city Scottsbluff's Maria Salazar receives key to the city
Big Mama's Kitchen in North Omaha serves up oven-fried chicken and sweet potato pie ice cream Big Mama's Kitchen and Catering is one of 70 stops on the Nebraska Passport tourism program. The popular North Omaha restaurant is known for i…
After 2 years, 10,655 miles and 533 Nebraska towns, couple’s travels are over for now A York couple decided to visit all of Nebraska's communities after reading a book by Wahoo native Seth Varner called Visit531Nebraska — a trav…
Crunchy Bits candy store in Auburn is cool and tasty Nebraska Passport destination Freeze-dried Skittles on the internet led to a new career for an Auburn woman — and a fun stop for the Nebraska Passport tourism program.
Located on historic ground, Falls City museum brings collections together People collect all kinds of things, from lighthouse models to pig-themed items. This year's Nebraska Passport features a museum in Falls City,…
Nebraska's Ashfall Fossil Beds is a 'one-of-a-kind place' Featured in this year's Nebraska Passport program, Ashfall Fossil Beds in northeast Nebraska tells the state's history from 12 million years a…
Nebraska Holiday Passport program to begin Nov. 17 The 20 Holiday Passport stops will include a Christmas lights show at Platte Valley Equipment in Fremont and Christmas activities and events a…
Railroad Towne Antique Mall is a journey down memory lane Railroad Towne Antique Mall is the perfect place to “buy memories" and is a stop on this year's Nebraska Passport tourism program. The Grand I…
The Loft by Lee Douglas Interiors takes pride in offering a unique Lincoln experience The Loft by Lee Douglas Interiors in Lincoln has 11 rooms on two floors, with each room having its own theme to display hand-selected furnitur…
The big little zoo: Riverside Discovery Center brings a world of wildlife to Scottsbluff The Nebraska Passport season will soon draw to a close, but there’s still time to squeeze in one more adventure out west at Riverside Discover…
Branding Iron Cafe offers comfort food, opportunities for memories The Branding Iron Café in Wahoo offers breakfast comfort food and classic lunchtime fare in a setting reminiscent of days long ago.
Nebraska softball welcomed back at Eppley Airfield after clinching Big Ten regular season championship
Nebraska softball welcomed back at Eppley Airfield after clinching Big Ten regular season championship