Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest

Quick Facts

Nebraska

(308) 533-2257

Map

Things To Do

Overview

The Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest is located in north-central Nebraska. It is named after former Governor Samuel R. McKelvie. The forest is 115,703 acres, and is a combination of prairie grasslands and pine forest 'islands'.

Indigenous wildlife such as pronghorn, white-tailed deer, mule deer, coyote and fox are plentiful. Of the 150 species of birds known to inhabit the forest, pheasant, grouse, hawk and turkey are the more commonly found.

Most of the modern forested sections were man-made, planted by hand over the past 75 years. The protein content of the native grasses is among the highest found anywhere in the world and numerous lease options are provided to local ranchers.

Map of Samuel McKelvie Forest

Latitude, Longitude: 42.689810, -100.935490

Boating
Merritt Reservoir offers boaters and anglers great opportunities to get on the water and catch some fish.
Camping
Steer Creek campground is quietly nestled into a group of pines, has 23 sites for tents or RVs. There are no hook-ups or waste stations, however.
Fishing
Merritt Reservoir offers boaters and anglers great opportunities to get on the water and catch some fish.
RVing
Steer Creek campground is quietly nestled into a group of pines, has 23 sites for tents or RVs. There are no hook-ups or waste stations, however.