🏆🏆🏆🏆 Lighthouse Lake — Western Nebraska reservoir with a unique inland lighthouse — one of only a handful of lighthouses in the Great Plains
Lake Minatare State Recreation Area features a 2,158-acre reservoir in the North Platte Valley of western Nebraska — distinguished by its unique inland lighthouse, one of only a handful of lighthouses in the entire Great Plains! The 65-foot lighthouse was built in 1939 as a project of the Bureau of Reclamation and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lake Minatare is part of the North Platte Project irrigation system — one of the first Bureau of Reclamation projects (1905). Scotts Bluff National Monument is visible from the lake on clear days.
Visitor Information
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Scotts Bluff County, NE |
| Entry Fee | NE Park Permit Required |
| Lighthouse | 65-foot inland lighthouse — 1939! |
| Lake | 2,158 acres! |
About Lake Minatare
Lake Minatare State Recreation Area in the western Nebraska Panhandle provides water recreation on a 2,158-acre irrigation reservoir. The lake sits beneath the dramatic bluffs of the North Platte River valley, near Scotts Bluff National Monument — a landmark on the Oregon Trail. A unique lighthouse replica — far from any ocean — stands on the shore.
Things to Do
Fishing for walleye, bass, and trout, boating, camping, swimming, visiting the unusual inland lighthouse, and exploring nearby Scotts Bluff National Monument and the Oregon Trail landmarks.
Insider Tips
CCC lighthouse: Lake Minatare features a lighthouse — one of only a handful of inland lighthouses in the US. Pro tip: Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, the lighthouse is purely decorative but makes for a unique photo. Scotts Bluff: Scotts Bluff National Monument (15 minutes away) is one of the most dramatic Oregon Trail landmarks — drive to the summit for 360° views.
Best Time to Visit
Summer: Swimming, boating, and fishing. Spring: Walleye fishing. Fall: Waterfowl migration. Year-round: Scotts Bluff is spectacular in every season.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is there a lighthouse in Nebraska?
The CCC built the Lake Minatare lighthouse in 1939 as a recreational feature — there’s no navigation purpose. It remains one of the most unusual CCC projects in the country and one of the only inland lighthouses in the Great Plains.
Make it a road trip: Pair a visit with Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area (a short drive away) or Bridgeport State Recreation Area (within about an hour’s drive).
Camping reservations: Book campsites and cabins for Nebraska state parks online at nebraskastateparks.reserveamerica.com.
🗼 Visit Lake Minatare SRA
Inland lighthouse on the Great Plains — 1939, Scotts Bluff views!
Wildlife & Nature
Lake Minatare SRA — on Lake Minatare (2,158 acres) near the Wildcat Hills. The area’s prairie, bluffs, and lake support mule deer, pronghorn, and bald eagles. The Lake Minatare Lighthouse — one of only seven inland lighthouses in the US — is a local landmark.
Nearby Attractions
Minatare — adjacent. Scottsbluff NM — 10 miles south — iconic Oregon Trail landmark. Scottsbluff — 10 miles south.
Park Location
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