Branched Oak State Recreation Area, Water recreation park in Lancaster County, Nebraska
Branched Oak State Recreation Area is a recreation area in Nebraska, northwest of Lincoln, built around the largest reservoir in the state. It offers camping pads, hiking trails, multiple boat ramps, a marina with boat rentals, and dining facilities on site.
The village of Crounse once stood here and was flooded in 1967 to create a reservoir designed to control flooding near Lincoln. The community, which had a school, a post office, and a church, was displaced to make way for the water.
The recreation area was built on the site of the former Crounse community and maintains a historical marker at Area 6 that documents the school, post office, church, and gathering places that once stood there. Visitors can encounter these traces of the past while enjoying the modern waterfront.
The park has parking areas, shower facilities, and entry options for both day visitors and those staying overnight. Summer draws the most people to the water, but hiking and camping are possible year-round.
The Middle Oak Creek Campground has facilities for horse owners, letting visitors stay overnight with their animals and use dedicated riding trails. This makes it one of the few spots in Nebraska where you can combine a camping trip with horseback riding without leaving the park.
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