Lake McConaughy, Nebraska

Thanks for all the input everyone, we've booked country view campground in ogallala, although i really wanted to stay at lake ogallala, it was as someone posted, booked.

Then will be doing a 4 nighter at rafter J. Wanted 5 but took what i could get.

Like originally posted, still want to show the wife the lake, so i figure we can pull across the dam.

I'd like to consider NE 92 Scenic west, and kind of remember it as a kid, but anyone know if the road is worth traveling, i would prefer this route for the fun of it, but i can also visualize it to be a mess conditions wise.

We'll be going from the dam to Chimney Rock, then Carhenge, then ????

Another nice camping spot, should you need one in that area, is Robidoux RV Park in Gering, near Scottsbluff. It's a county park, very tidy & well cared for, has hookups, and a view of the Bluff. Quite popular; you may need reservations unless you have a small rig.

We stopped at Ash Hollow and Chimney Rock back in 2010. There is a nice visitor center at Chimney Rock.

We have used route 26 between Ogalalla and I25 in Wyoming several times coming to or going from Yellowstone. kind of out of the way for the Black Hills, but there are several other good Oregon trail sites along route 26 beyond Chimney Rock.

Scotts Bluff National Monument
Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Wagon Ruts and Register Cliff Near Guernsey

Another stop is Oley's a bar, good place to eat. In Paxton on the interstate 19 miles before Ogallala. He was a big game hunter and there are Many displays of big game including a full size Polar Bear as you walk in. Small town hospitality and a neat place. Carhenge will take maybe 30 min. to see. Best spend some time to Fort Robinson. And the Museum of the Fur Trade in Chadron.

Best camping is below the dam on Lake Ogallala. the west side is undeveloped. The east side has full service sites. And is shady and protected from the wind. Turn off is just after the dam. Any camps on the north side of the lake gets all night coal train traffic. Big Mac is a great place...

Just a note...chimney rock will be slightly out of your way if you're headed to the Black Hills (about 10 miles or so). You could also consider Fort Robinson (Crawford). They have a very nice RV campground. Have fun!

Then again, you could take either Hwy 20 (across northern Nebraska) or Hwy 2 through the Sandhills (my former home)...can I go, too? Both routes have plenty of communities with RV hookups for cheap (Ainsworth, Cody, Valentine, Thedford, Mullen, Alliance).

I like Lake Ogalalla campground. It's right below the dam. Showing up on Fri and getting a site might be tough. Looks like the reservable sites are all booked.

Since you're going to Chimney Rock don't forget to stop at Ash Hoolow and Windglass Hill. There are ruts from the covered wagons that carried the pioneers west.

CloudDriver wrote:
Not on the lake, so this probably isn't going to be of any help, but we have stayed a few times at Country View Campground in Ogalalla.

Also off topic, but for your consideration, we like to get away from the speeders and truck traffic on I80 in NB by taking route 30 from Grand Island to Ogalalla. Takes a little longer as there are small towns with an occasional traffic light along the way, but IMO a much more relaxing ride.

considered that actually. we were originally going to go from omaha straight up to SD, was going to back highway that trip.

just last night we decided to see big mac, carhenge, and chimney rock on the way.