🌤 Weather at Johnson Lake State Recreation Area by season
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12–56 °F | 40–66 °F | 12–55 °F | 5–28 °F |
Each range runs from the coldest monthly average low to the warmest monthly average high in that season (1991-2020 climate normals), measured at Soldotna 5SSW, 10 mi away, elevation 180 ft. Conditions at the park can differ from the station, especially where elevation differs — check a forecast before you go.
2,068-Acre Nebraska Lake — Boating, Water Skiing, Walleye and White Bass Fishing, Sandy Beach, 113 Campsites, Near Lexington Off I-80, Gosper County
Johnson Lake State Recreation Area is a state recreation area at 1 East Park Drive, Elwood, Gosper County, Nebraska, approximately 10 miles south of Lexington (I-80 Exit 237, then 7 miles south on Highway 283). The area features a 2,068-acre lake popular for boating, water skiing, jet skiing, and wakeboarding, walleye, white bass, and wiper fishing with accessible fishing piers and fish cleaning stations, a sandy swimming beach, 113 campsites across two campgrounds (Main Campground: 82 electric pads + 30 non-designated sites; Inlet Campground: 31 electric pads + 10 non-designated), modern restrooms with showers and dump station, multiple boat ramps, picnic shelters, and hiking/walking trails around the lake.
Johnson Lake is central Nebraska’s water sports destination — the 2,068-acre lake provides wide-open water for boating, water skiing, jet skiing, and wakeboarding, while walleye, white bass, and wiper fishing from accessible piers draws anglers from across the state.
The convenient I-80 location (Exit 237, then 7 miles south on Highway 283) makes this an easy weekend destination from anywhere in central Nebraska. Two campgrounds provide 113 sites with electric hookups, showers, and a dump station.
Things to Do
- Boating — 2,068-acre lake, multiple ramps
- Water skiing — wide-open water
- Fishing — walleye, white bass, wiper, piers
- Swimming — sandy beach
- Camping — 113 sites, electric hookups
- Hiking — trails around the lake
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 1 East Park Dr, Elwood, NE 68937 |
| Lake | Johnson Lake — 2,068 acres |
| Camping | 113 sites — Main + Inlet campgrounds |
| Access | I-80 Exit 237 → 7 mi S on Hwy 283 |
| Permit | Nebraska park permit required |
| Managed By | Nebraska Game and Parks |
| Coordinates | 40.6944° N, 99.8532° W |
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Johnson Lake SRA — on the Kenai Peninsula. The area’s boreal forest, lake, and wetlands support moose, brown bears, and loons. Rainbow trout and silver salmon fill the lake.
Nearby Attractions
Kasilof — adjacent. Kenai — 15 miles north. Cook Inlet — nearby.
Can you camp at Johnson Lake Nebraska?
Yes — Johnson Lake State Recreation Area near Elwood, Nebraska, has 113 campsites across two campgrounds (Main: 82 electric pads + 30 non-designated; Inlet: 31 electric + 10 non-designated) with modern restrooms, showers, and dump station. The 2,068-acre lake is popular for boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, and walleye/white bass/wiper fishing from accessible piers. Sandy swimming beach and multiple boat ramps. Access from I-80 Exit 237. Nebraska park permit required.
Last updated: May 2026
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Kasilof River State Recreation Site (a short drive away) or Crooked Creek State Park (a short drive away).
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Alaska state parks online at alaskastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
🐾 Dogs & Pets at Johnson Lake State Recreation Area
- Pets allowed? statewide rule
- Pets are welcome in Alaska State Parks and campgrounds when leashed and accompanied by the owner; unleashed dogs are allowed in the backcountry if under voice control.
- Leash rule statewide rule
- Leash not exceeding 9 feet required in developed facilities (campgrounds, picnic areas, trailheads, swim beaches, boat ramps).
- Beaches & swim areas statewide rule
- No statewide pet ban on beaches; swim beaches count as developed facilities where the 9-foot leash rule applies.
- Statewide exceptions statewide rule
- In the backcountry leashes are not required but pets must remain under voice control; in trapping areas (e.g. Chena River SRA) leashing is strongly advised for dog safety.
- Dogs & wildlife
- ADF&G's statewide moose guidance applies on these trails: moose see dogs as enemies and will sometimes go out of their way to kick at one even when it is leashed, so give any moose an extremely wide berth when you have a dog along and never let the dog chase it.
Are dogs allowed at Johnson Lake State Recreation Area?
Pets are welcome in Alaska State Parks and campgrounds when leashed and accompanied by the owner; unleashed dogs are allowed in the backcountry if under voice control. Individual parks can post stricter rules — check signage on arrival.
Rules verified July 2026 via dnr.alaska.gov. More: Alaska state parks guide · Dog rules in all 50 states compared
🐻 Wildlife at Johnson Lake State Recreation Area: What to Watch For — and Watch Out For
Worth watching for: Johnson Lake SRA is 332 wooded acres wrapped around the lake at Mile 110 of the Sterling Highway, about fifteen miles south of Soldotna near Kasilof. Alaska State Parks writes that moose, black and brown bear, lynx, squirrels and hares are plentiful throughout this stretch of the Kenai Peninsula, so watch the spruce-birch edges along the campground loop road and the day-use area in the low light of early morning and evening. On the water, the park lists canoeing and fishing for rainbow trout as the main draws, with a boat launch, picnic shelters and a group picnic area on the lakeshore.
Watch out for: Alaska State Parks names moose and both black and brown bear as residents here and asks visitors to help them by not feeding them and keeping a clean camp - which in a 15-day-limit campground means food and scented gear go away after every meal, not overnight in the tent. For moose the concrete behavior comes from ADF&G statewide guidance, not from the park: never approach a moose and give it plenty of space; raised hair on the hump, ears laid back and lip-licking mean it is agitated; if it charges, run and get something solid like a tree between you and it, and if you are knocked down, curl up, protect your head and stay still until it moves off. ADF&G also flags the seasons: cow moose with young calves are very protective in spring and early summer, and bulls can turn aggressive during the late-September and October rut.
Are there bears at Johnson Lake State Recreation Area?
Yes — see above for where they occur in the park and how to behave. Sightings are a normal part of a healthy park; incidents are rare when visitors keep distance and store food properly.
Wildlife information verified July 2026 via dnr.alaska.gov.
Park Location
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