Merritt Reservoir Recreation Area

Enjoy a day on the water in northern Nebraska.

Merritt Reservoir State Recreational Area is located in Cherry County, Nebraska. It spans 2,906 acres, is 11 miles long, and features 44 miles of shoreline. Located 26 miles southwest of Valentine, you will find this recreational area in the north-central part of Nebraska. The Snake River and Boardman Creek feed into this deepwater lake. Popular activities include boating, fishing, hunting, camping, and more. All forms of boats, including motorized ones, are allowed here. Five ramps and seven docks are located on the lake, and they also have an ADA-accessible ramp. Merritt Reservoir is home to various fish such as walleye, crappie, bass, and catfish. Hunting season begins the day after Labor Day, and wildlife people often hunt for include prairie grouse, wild turkey, whitetail deer, and mule deer.

There are plentiful camping accommodations here; they offer primitive tent campsites plus others that accommodate trailers and RVs. RV sites have full hookups, a centralized dump station, showers, and restrooms. Please note that roughly half of the campsites require reservations, and all others are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you want to come for a daytime outing, bring a meal with you and sit at one of their hundreds of picnic tables, 190 of which have grills available. This is a pristine area to enjoy the scenery and have a good time with family and friends. Any outdoor lover should consider visiting Valentine, Nebraska.