Lake McConaughy Visitors & Water Interpretive Center

The Lake McConaughy Visitors Center and Water Interpretive Center is perched on a bluff one-quarter mile south of Kingsley Dam, about eight miles north of Ogallala on Highway 61.
(1475 NE Hwy 61 N., Ogallala, NE 69153)
The Visitors Center features interactive educational exhibits on the Platte River and High Plains Aquifer.  The 8,700 square foot facility houses administrative offices for both the Game & Parks Commission and Central Nebraska Public Power & Irrigation District.

Questions on the Nebraska Game & Parks Lake McConaughy/Lake Ogallala Master Plan, adopted October 21, 2016?  Learn more here.

Summer Hours (May 21 – Mid-September)

8:00am to 6:00pm Daily

Winter Hours

8:00am to 4:00pm Daily

The facility also includes:

• The Big Mac Community Room, available for public meetings and receptions, contributed by CNPPID
• A 50-seat (two handicapped designated) state-of-the-art theater with complete audio/visual capability, contributed by the Ethel S. Abbott Charitable Foundation
• A reception area and information desk, gift shop, and public restrooms

A video presentation of the construction of Kingsley Dam made from original photos and 8mm footage is available for viewing at the Ethel S. Abbott Theater.

Call 402-471-1414 for State Camping Reservations or click here.

Visit the Nebraska Game & Parks Lake McConaughy page.

Vehicle permits must now be placed in the lower left corner of your windshield.

Nebraska law requires any motorboat operator (including personal watercraft) born after December 31, 1985, complete a Boating Safety Course and be in possession of a course certificate when operating the boat.  See boatsafenebraska.org for more information.

Anglers and boaters also need to be aware of a new regulation that requires every vessel to drain all water from compartments, equipment or containers before leaving the launch area.

You can help protect Lake Mac from invasive species like zebra mussels.  Click here to learn more.