Lake McConaughy Sandy Beach

01/17/2020

Several groups in the Lake McConaughy area, including the Keith County Visitors Committee, Keith County Board of Commissioners, Keith County Area Development, and Ogallala Keith County Chamber, have asked the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission to table action on proposed management changes at the Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area. Officials are requesting more time for collaboration on solutions that balance the Commission’s safety and management concerns with local economic impact and recreational opportunity concerns. Well over 200 people turned out for a public open house yesterday (Jan. 16) at the Lake McConaughy Visitors Center to learn more on the proposed changes and provide input to NE Game & Parks commissioners and staff.
The item is on the agenda for the NE Game & Parks Commission’s next meeting Jan. 21-22 in Lincoln, and public comments and questions are still welcomed at: http://outdoornebraska.gov/LakeMacChanges.

Several groups in the Lake McConaughy area, including the Keith County Visitors Committee, Keith County Board of Commissioners, Keith County Area Development, and Ogallala Keith County Chamber, have asked the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission to table action on proposed management changes at the Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area. Officials are requesting more time for collaboration on solutions that balance the Commission’s safety and management concerns with local economic impact and recreational opportunity concerns. Well over 200 people turned out for a public open house yesterday (Jan. 16) at the Lake McConaughy Visitors Center to learn more on the proposed changes and provide input to NE Game & Parks commissioners and staff.
The item is on the agenda for the NE Game & Parks Commission’s next meeting Jan. 21-22 in Lincoln, and public comments and questions are still welcomed at: http://outdoornebraska.gov/LakeMacChanges.

01/07/2020

Some changes may be coming to Lake McConaughy.

According to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lake McConaughy hosted unprecedented amounts of visitors in 2018 and 2019 which stressed both park infrastructure and resources and local public safety resources. In response, NGPC has partnered with Keith County Commissioners, local public safety officials and the general public to propose changes that would reduce crowding and create higher quality experiences for visitors to Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala.

Proposed solutions to overcrowding, if adopted by the Commission, may include reservation-only camping for all modern campground, beach, and primitive sites. No overnight camping would be allowed without a reservation. Specific day use areas would be available and not require a reservation, but occupancy numbers will be regulated and parking will be limited to designated areas. If reservation-only camping is implemented, reservations would be available up to 90 days in advance through an app. A public open house is scheduled for Thursday, January 16 from 3-6pm at the Lake McConaughy Visitor Center and Water Interpretive Center. Input on proposed changes is also welcomed at OutdoorNebraska.gov/LakeMacChanges.

We know our visitors who love Lake Mac are very interested in any possible changes at the lake, and we’ll continue to pass along information as it becomes available on the Lake McConaughy page and the Keith County tourism website: ilovelakemac.com.

OPEN HOUSE: The open house on proposed camping changes will be held Thursday, Jan. 16 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Lake McConaughy Visitor Center. Attendees may drop in anytime during the open house hours and visit stations that will be set up for specific areas of interest, such as camping, fishing, day use, etc.

Some changes may be coming to Lake McConaughy. According to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lake McConaughy hosted unprecedented amounts of visitors in 2018 and 2019 which stressed both park infrastructure and resources and local public safety resources. In response, NGPC has partnered with Keith County Commissioners, local public safety officials and the general public to propose changes that would reduce crowding and create higher quality experiences for visitors to Lake McConaughy and Lake Ogallala. (Press release available at: http://bit.ly/2T1rU1L)

Proposed solutions to overcrowding, if adopted by the Commission, may include reservation-only camping for all modern campground, beach, and primitive sites. No overnight camping would be allowed without a reservation. Specific day use areas would be available and not require a reservation, but occupancy numbers will be regulated and parking will be limited to designated areas. If reservation-only camping is implemented, reservations would be available up to 90 days in advance through an app. A public open house is scheduled for Thursday, January 16 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Lake McConaughy Visitor Center and Water Interpretive Center. Input on proposed changes is also welcomed at OutdoorNebraska.gov/LakeMacChanges.

We know our visitors who love Lake Mac are very interested in any possible changes at the lake, and we’ll continue to pass along information as it becomes available on the Lake McConaughy page and the Keith County tourism website: ilovelakemac.com.

08/05/2019

The name has been created for Lake McConaughy Sandy Beach FaceBook Page. This means it is now easier for people to find our Page in a search. Also, people can visit the Page at fb.me/LakeMcConaughySandyBeach and send Page messages at m.me/LakeMcConaughySandyBeach.

Sandy Beach:
Approximately four miles west of the dam on the north side of Lake McConaughy, Sandy Beach is located at the western end of the Shoreline Road. It is a favorite site for “light” sailboat launching, wind surfing and jet skiing.

08/05/2019

Lake McConaughy, Sandy Beach!

08/05/2019

Public Facilities!
Boat Ramps, Fish Cleaning-Locations, Shower Facilities, RV Dumps, State Modern Campgrounds, and Private Campgrounds

08/05/2019

Camping & Lodging at Sandy Beach Lake McConaughy:
All vehicles inside the State Recreation Area must display a valid Nebraska Park Entry Permit.

Permit Fees:
Nebraska Licensed Vehicles
– annual, $30
– duplicate annual, $15
– daily, $6

Non-Nebraska Licensed Vehicles
– annual, $45
– duplicate annual, $22.50
– daily, $8

Overnight Camping Fees:
Sandy Beach, Lake McConaughy is considered a primitive site and the fee is $12 per night.

Park Entry Permits and Overnight Camping Fees are available at the Park Visitor Center and gate houses during peak hours. Park Entry Permits can also be purchased online at https://ngpc-permits.ne.gov/NGPC-PS/faces/public/welcome

Overnight Camping Fees and Daily Park Entry Permits can be purchased 24/7/365 at Self-Pay Stations located at each modern campground and most park entrances.

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Beach Camping:
Beach camping is one of the most unique features of Lake McConaughy SRA. The entire shoreline at Lake McConaughy is within the State Recreation Area. Water levels permitting, you can pull your camper or RV on the beach, rent an RV (https://ilovelakemac.com/lake-info/rentals-repairs-storage-towing/), or pitch a tent in designated areas. These areas qualify as “primitive” camping sites and are subject to the $12/night fee. Also be aware that changing water levels and drying sand can provide a challenge to vehicle traffic on the beach. 4×4 is a necessity, and some private concessions also offer towing service (https://ilovelakemac.com/the-lake/rentals-repairs-storage-towing/).

Beach Areas are generally designated by Day Use Area, Walk-In Access Area, Managed Vehicle Access Area, Threatened and Endangered Species Area or they remain undesignated, but fall under all of Nebraska Game and Parks – Park Regulations.

Day Use Areas are generally open to all designated recreational activities with the exception of overnight camping and vehicle access. Walk-In Access Areas are generally open to all designated recreational activities with the exception of vehicle access. Managed Vehicle Access Areas are generally open to overnight camping and vehicle/RV access. Threatened and Endangered Species Areas are closed to all public access including foot and vehicle traffic.

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Showers:
Pay showers are available at Lone Eagle, Little Thunder, Cedar View, and Lake Ogallala East Campgrounds in addition to the stand-alone shower buildings near the Martin Bay and Arthur Bay entrances to the State Recreation Area.

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Be Considerate!
Remember to share the shoreline with the many bird species that make their home at Lake McConaughy, especially the endangered least tern and threatened piping plover. Visitors are asked to avoid marked or fenced off nesting areas of beach, obey all signs, and keep all pets on leashes. For more information, see the Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District website.

08/05/2019

Outdoor Report
July 30, 2019

Some walleye success has been reported the past week trolling with spinner baits from Bayside to Eagle Canyon on the south side of Lake McConaughy. Some white bass action was noted near Otter Creek and near Van’s Lakeview, where catfish were also being caught slabbing in 25-35 feet of water. Some walleye are still being caught late evening or at night on the face of the dam. The water temperature at the dam was reported to be 73 degrees, with higher temperatures likely in the bays.

Irrigation season is underway and water levels are beginning to recede at Lake McConaughy, exposing more beach daily. At 3,258.8 feet elevation, Lake Mac is at 89.5% capacity or 6.2 feet from full pool as of August 1.

08/05/2019

Timelapse from the dam road to Sandy Beach Point.