Arnold State Recreation Area
Small-Town Lake and Campground in Nebraska’s Sandhills — 10-Acre Park on 22-Acre Arnold Lake, Electric and Water Hookup Sites Plus Primitive Tent Camping, First-Come First-Served Basis No Reservations, Covered Pavilion for Group Events, Shower House and Restroom Facilities, Fishing for Bass Bluegill Catfish and Stocked Trout, Swimming and Boating Access, Mature Shade Trees, Village of Arnold Custer County Nebraska Along Highway 40
Arnold State Recreation Area is a 10-acre recreation area on the shores of the 22-acre Arnold Lake, approximately ½ mile south of Arnold on Highway 40 in Custer County, Nebraska, managed by the Village of Arnold. The park features camping sites with electric and water hookups as well as primitive tent camping areas, all available on a first-come first-served basis with no advance reservations, a shower house with restroom facilities, a large covered pavilion popular for family reunions and community events, mature cottonwood and elm shade trees throughout the grounds, a boat ramp with fishing access on Arnold Lake stocked with bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and trout, swimming access on the lake, and a peaceful small-town Sandhills setting with basic services available in nearby Arnold.
Arnold Lake is a classic Nebraska Sandhills small-town recreation area — a 22-acre impoundment offering surprisingly productive fishing for largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and seasonally stocked rainbow trout. The mature cottonwood and elm trees provide welcome shade against the open Sandhills prairie sun — a real comfort in July and August.
Camping is strictly first-come, first-served — there are no reservations, which keeps things simple and low-key. The covered pavilion with its large capacity is the go-to venue for Arnold-area family reunions and community barbecues.
Arnold itself is a small, friendly Sandhills ranching town with a gas station, café, and basic supplies. The recreation area is a popular stop for travelers crossing the Sandhills on Highway 40.
Things to Do
- Fishing — bass, bluegill, catfish, stocked trout
- Camping — hookup + primitive, first-come first-served
- Swimming — lake access
- Boating — boat ramp on Arnold Lake
- Picnicking — covered pavilion, shaded grounds
- Group events — pavilion for reunions, barbecues
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | ½ mi S of Arnold on Hwy 40, Custer County, NE |
| Park Size | 10 acres |
| Lake | Arnold Lake — 22 acres |
| Camping | Electric/water + primitive — FCFS only |
| Facilities | Shower house, covered pavilion |
| Fishing | Bass, bluegill, catfish, stocked trout |
| Managed By | Village of Arnold |
| Coordinates | 41.4192° N, 100.1961° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Arnold SRA — on a small lake in the Nebraska Sandhills. The area’s grassland, lake, and sandhills terrain support sharp-tailed grouse, greater prairie-chickens, and white-tailed deer.
Nearby Attractions
Arnold — adjacent. Nebraska Sandhills — surrounding — the largest sand dune formation in the Western Hemisphere.
Does Arnold State Recreation Area take reservations?
No — Arnold State Recreation Area near Arnold, Nebraska operates on a first-come, first-served basis only. No advance reservations are accepted. The 10-acre park sits on 22-acre Arnold Lake in Custer County and offers both electric/water hookup camping and primitive tent camping. Facilities include a shower house, covered pavilion, boat ramp, and fishing for bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and stocked trout. Located ½ mile south of Arnold on Highway 40 in the Nebraska Sandhills, managed by the Village of Arnold.
Last updated: May 2026
Park Location
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