Mormon Island Sra

Open — Open year-round on a first-come, first-served basis. During peak season, half the sites accept reservations up to 180 days in advance. Limited to 14 consecutive nights per 30-day period.

About

Named for the winter stopover used by Mormon emigrants heading westward, Mormon Island State Recreation Area continues to offer comfort and conveniences to travelers along Interstate 80, serving as part of Nebraska's unique Chain of Lakes system. The recreation area features two primary lakes: Mormon Island West with 42 surface acres and the middle island with 19 surface acres, both maintained as no-wake zones ideal for peaceful paddling. The campground offers Electric Plus, Electric, and Basic camping options with modern amenities including restrooms, showers, dump and fill stations, and laundry facilities. Two electrical campsites at Cedar Campground feature accessible amenities. The park provides abundant day-use facilities with numerous picnic tables, fire rings, grills, four small picnic shelters, and one large group pavilion that seats approximately 50 guests. Fishing opportunities abound with largemouth bass, redear sunfish, black crappie, walleye, channel catfish, bluegill, and muskellunge in Lake 1. Accessible fishing docks and boat ramps on Lakes 1 and 2 provide easy water access. The marked swimming beaches with shower houses make this a popular summer destination. Mormon Island serves as an exceptional wildlife viewing location year-round, with spectacular sandhill crane migrations drawing thousands of visitors each spring as hundreds of thousands of these birds stop to rest along the Platte River.

Directions

Mormon Island State Recreation Area is located just off Interstate 80 at Exit 312 near Grand Island, Nebraska. From the exit, head north on US Highway 281 for approximately 0.2 miles; the park entrance will be on your right.

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