Willow Creek State Recreation Area is a hidden gem of relaxation on the plains in Northeast Nebraska. The park covers over 1,600 acres of wooded grounds that surround a 700 acre lake. The mature cottonwood and oak trees make for a comfortable retreat by shadowing more than 160 spacious campsites. Many of the sites are reservable, electrical sites are paved and level, and the shower houses are clean and maintained.
The park also includes an equestrian camp and corral area away from the other camps. There are plenty of opportunities for hiking and biking along the 8-mile crushed limestone bike path among the trees, which encircle the lake. The space between campsites at this park is very generous, which makes for a pleasant stay. Fishing and non-motorized boating is allowed outside of the roped-off swimming beach. This park is a bit unique in that it hosts a challenging 9-hole disc golf course as well as multiple geocaches.
The hardwood trees in the park put on a spectacular show of color every year as the air cools in Nebraska. Plan ahead as there is no dump station at the site. Campers may use the station located behind the county courthouse in the town of Pierce, which is only 2 miles from the park. One can stop for fuel and stock up on groceries while in town.
Campfire Recap
We have met friends of ours at this campground a couple of times as it is a good halfway location and includes all that we need for our 5th wheel campers. We usually have a television set up under the awning and spend part of the day sitting outdoors and watching college football.
We noticed on our first meeting that the park had a disc golf course. Neither of us had ever played, so we both found some discs for beginners and brought them to our second meeting. For those that are unsure, disc golf uses specifically shaped discs (like Frisbies) to advance down a course, hole-by-hole, reaching a pole with a basket that captures your disc with loosely hanging chains.
The day that we played, the wind was quite strong and our skills were a bit suspect. As the course was a little over a mile from the campground, we drove over to the course and set out to put on a clinic. We found the course to be very challenging and we spent much of our time walking through tall weeds and shaking tree branches to encourage various species of tree to give up our errant throws. Needless to say, I was schooled by my long time friend, but we had a lot of laughs and considered it a success, since we picked up no wood ticks along the way!
As we were finishing our second round, my wife came walking up and learned the finer points of the game from now seasoned golfers. As we prepared to head back to the campers, I showed my wife where we had parked and she declined, saying that she would walk back. I reminded her how far it was even though she had just walked that to the course (ya, I know). As my friend and I drove back, I commented how my wife was definitely getting her exercise today. My friend replied, “Hey. Don’t ever discourage that”.
He was right. We had exercised around the course a couple of times, but as long as we are able, we should stretch the legs as often as we can, especially in retirement. It is easy to become complacent. Even if it is a walk to the shower house and back or carry the trash to a dumpster, get out and keep mobile as long as you possibly can.
Seasonings
Marry an outdoors woman. Then if you throw her out into the yard on a cold night, she can still survive. – W.C Fields
So What Is Available?
Click the link to find more information about Willow Creek State Recreation Area
| Spacious Campsites | X |
| Shade | X |
| Picnic Table | X |
| Electric Hookups | X |
| Paved Pads | X |
| Full Hookups | |
| Fire Pit | X |
| Fresh Water | X |
| Shower House | X |
| Laundry | X |
| Dump Station | see article |
| Cabins | |
| Lake | X |
| Stream | |
| Hiking Path | X |
| Bike Path | X |
| Playground | X |
| Swim Beach | X |
| Swimming Pool | |
| Watersport Rental | |
| Disc Golf | X |
| Geocaching | X |
| Historical Site | |
| Festivals | |
| Guided Tours |
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