Merritt Reservoir

Overview

Brochure InfoSituated in a narrow, picturesque valley of the Snake River, Merritt Reservoir is 26 miles southwest of Valentine in Nebraska's unique Sandhills. Fishing & Boating: Merritt offers some of Nebraska's premier fishing. It is a deep lake with excellent inflow from the Snake River and Boardman Creek. Consequently, the reservoir is well insulated against excessive drawdown during the irrigation season. Walleye, crappie and white bass have long been the favorites with anglers here, although lunker catfish have recently been discovered in the Snake River arm. Fishermen also like the addition of modern fish cleaning stations at Merritt. Ready access to the lake is available at five public boat ramps at the Powder Horn, Main Cedar Bay, Beed's Landing and Snake River area. Motorboat travel through the island channel in the Powder Horn Arm is one-way from north to south. In the Boardman Creek, Powder Horn Arm and Snake Arm areas, no one may operate or manipulate water skis, surfboards, or similar devices and the speed of all vessels must be reduced. Camping and Picnicking: For campers, primitive and/or modern overnight facilities are available at all areas on this scenic reservoir. A dump station is located at the Main Area, southeast of the dam. There are 28 electric sites, and 18 standard sites without electricity in Cedar Bay Campground and 20 electric sites and 11 standard campsites without electricity in Beed's Landing. There are 140 tent sites found throughout the lake, over 200 picnic tables and 8 picnic shelters. Other facilities include drinking water, fire grates and grills, one modern restroom with an ADA accessible coin operated shower as well as several vault toilets. Hunting: Hunting is permitted, in season at Merritt Reservoir beginning the day after Labor Day. Sharp-taill's and prairie grouse are prime upland species in the Sandhills. Both whitetails and mule deer along with wild turkey offer good action here. There is some excellent waterfowl hunting on the lake and on the sandhill lakes in the area. Area Concession: Merritt Dam Trading Post, the area concession, is located at the east end of the dam. Facilities there include permits, fee camping with RV hookups, modern cabins, hunting and fishing guide service, boat and pontoon rentals, groceries, bait tackle, ice, fish freezing and fuel. Area Attractions: Merritt lies in the heart of Nebraska's unique Sandhills. Smith Falls State Park, 3 miles west of Sparks, is the site of the state's tallest waterfall and some unique flora and geology. The state's other major waterfall, Snake Falls, is just 3 miles north of Merritt. McKelvie National Forest lies immediately to the north with its thousands of acres of grassy Sandhills and grouse hunting. Other sites include nearby Valentine National Migratory Bird Refuge, Fort Niobrara National Wildlife and Valentine State Fish Hatchery. The drive along U.S. 20 across northern Nebraska is one of the most scenic in the region.Brochure Info - OrientationSituated in a narrow, picturesque valley of the Snake River, Merritt Reservoir is 26 miles southwest of Valentine in Nebraska's unique Sandhills.Brochure Info - RecreationCamping, fishing, boating, skiing, picnicking and hunting to name a few activities one can enjoy at Merritt Reservoir. Merritt lies in the heart of Nebraska's unique Sandhills. Smith Falls State Park, the site of the state's tallest waterfall and the Scenic Niobrara River trail providing excellent canoeing, kayaking and tubing. McKelvie National Forest lies immediately to north, with its thousands of acres of grassy Sandhills and grouse hunting. Other sites include nearby Valentine National Migratory Bird Refuge, Fort Niobrara National Wildlife and Valentine State Fish Hatchery. The drive along U.S. 20 across northern Nebraska is one of the most scenic in the region.Brochure Info - Facilities and RestrictionsMerritt Reservoir has a shower building in the Cedar Bay Campground Area, modern camping with electrical campsites, trailer dump station, boat access, fish cleaning stations, day use facilities also include picnic tables and grills. Merritt Trading post is the lake's concession. Concession provides camp necessities, hunt/fish licenses and park entry permits, boat rental and fuel available.Brochure Info - Nearby AttractionsSmith Falls State Park, the site of the state's tallest waterfall and the Scenic Niobrara River trail providing excellent canoeing, kayaking & tubing. Niobrara River Canoe/Kayak and Tube outfitters available in Valentine. McKelvie National Forest lies immediately to north, with its thousands of acres of grassy Sand hills and grouse hunting. Other sites include nearby Valentine National Migratory Bird Refuge, Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge and Valentine State Fish Hatchery. The drive along U.S. 20 across northern Nebraska is one of the most scenic in the region.Key InfoATTENTION - IMPORTANT INFORMATION, READ CAREFULLY Updated COVID 19 Policies: We ask that you protect yourselves and the staff by maintaining appropriate social distancing guidelines. The Game and Parks Commission reminds park guest to practice social distancing to ensure compliance with the state’s Directed Health Measures amid the COVID-19 heath situation. Necessary permits, such as fishing licenses and parks entry passes, should be purchased in advance online here: https://ngpc-home.ne.gov/ The health and safety of our customers and employees is our top priority. Based on health concerns regarding COVID-19, we are working to reduce the spread of the novel coronavirus disease to our guests, employees, and the greater community by implementing the following policies. If boating, do not congregate at boat ramps, boat docks, and beach areas. Avoid high –touch areas. Clean public use surfaces, such as boat dock handrails and fish cleaning stations, picnic tables, with disinfecting wipe prior to use. Camping reservations may be made a minimum of three days in advance of arrival and a maximum of 180 days in advance of arrival. CHECK IN AND OUT SCHEDULE- If you check out early, the unused portion of your payment will be forfeited. Merritt Reservoir was built for irrigation by the Bureau of Reclamation and expereinces water fluctations. Boaters should be causious of water levels. A Nebraska State Park Permit is required to enter this park area. A Nebraska Licensed Vehicle Park Entry Permit is $30 for an Annual Permit, $15 for a Duplicate Annual Permit (used for that second vehicle in your family) or a Daily Permit which is $6 per day you are staying. A Non-Nebraska Licensed Vehicle Park Entry Permit is $60, $30 for a Duplicate Annual Permit or a Daily Permit which is $12 per day. You may purchase your Park Permit prior to your stay by shopping online at OutdoorNebraska.org.All vehicles entering a Nebraska Park Area are required to have a valid park entry permit.Important Information for Daily EntranceDirectionLocation for Merritt Reservoir is 26 miles southwest of Valentine on Highway 97. Or 47 miles north of Mullen on Highway 97.Booking Window Product InfoFee Cancellation DescFee Information Payment in full will be charged to your credit card upon completion of the reservation. A $8.50 non-refundable on-line reservation fee will be charged for each reservation. Payment Methods Accepted On-line: Cancellation Policy Reservations may be cancelled online or submitted by email to the Nebraska reservation call center at ngpc.reservations@nebraska.gov or directly submitted to the park where the reservation(s) are held, by mail, e-mail, or fax. A non-refundable fee of $5.00 will be charged for any reservation cancellation. Additional late cancellation fee may apply to cancellations less than 30 days prior to the scheduled arrival date, depending on your reservation Please read the Fee and Cancellation Policy for more information