Garfield County: Water, History and Rodeo

For your trip to Garfield County, choose from experiences by the water, historic sites and events. At Calamus, outdoor activities and wildlife viewing take center stage. Fort Hartsuff offers a glimpse into Nebraska’s history, while Nebraska’s Big Rodeo features a range of events at a historically listed site. Hours and seasonal offerings also vary: check them as you plan if a particular visit is important to you.

Water, Scenery and Wildlife Viewing at Calamus

Calamus State Recreation Area offers camping, fishing, boating, picnicking and hiking at a 5,123-acre lake and across 4,958 acres of gently rolling terrain. Water access includes five docks and four boat ramps; there is also access to the Calamus River. Calamus Reservoir is six miles northwest of Burwell on Highway 96.

A wildlife viewing blind is located at Valley View Flat on Calamus Reservoir. Visitors can observe bald eagles, ospreys, pelicans, waterfowl and trumpeter swans from there; sandhill cranes can also occasionally be seen. This gives the site a different focus from boating or hiking: here, birdwatching takes center stage.

On the scenic Calamus River, Calamus Outfitters offers summer float and tubing trips. This seasonal river offering is distinct from activities on the lake when planning your visit. For exact dates, check the latest information about summer trips.

Visitor Hours and History

Calamus Fish Hatchery is located below the dam and offers self-guided tours and exhibits about fish propagation. The main building also has an information exhibit about fish, the hatchery and Nebraska Game and Parks. The hatchery is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is closed on all state and federal holidays. Check visitor information before you arrive.

Fort Hartsuff served as an infantry outpost on the Nebraska prairie from 1874 to 1881. The historic buildings are open to visitors from May through September and year-round by appointment; the park grounds are open daily. If you want to tour the buildings, plan your visit around these hours and appointment options, and check the information before you travel.

Rodeo, Museum and Golf

Nebraska’s Big Rodeo takes place annually on its original 40-acre grounds and at its associated facilities; the site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Events include bull riding, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, team roping, wild horse races, Canadian chuckwagon races, the Dinner Bell Derby, and trick riding and trick roping. The program can vary from year to year. The grounds also include a ¾-mile racetrack and original covered wooden grandstands. If the rodeo is a deciding factor in your trip, check the specific event dates and that year’s program.

Garfield County Historical Museum has more than 30 rooms of history and artifacts. Visitors interested in different aspects of local history will find a different subject here than at the historic fort or rodeo grounds. Calamus Golf Course offers a sporting option: the course is 2,845 yards long and features irrigated bluegrass fairways, bentgrass greens, water hazards and grass bunkers.

Things to Do in Burwell

Burwell City Park has picnic and camping facilities. Burwell Swimming Pool is a seasonal municipal facility with diving boards, a children’s pool and locker rooms; it also offers Red Cross swimming lessons and water aerobics for adults. Opening dates may change, so it’s a good idea to check before your visit.

Burwell’s dining options include Nebraska beef, salads, burgers, fries and homemade desserts. Travelers to Calamus can also find takeout and deli counter options. Individual businesses and menus may change. You can plan your trip and choose when to visit based on the offerings that matter to you, without assuming that all locations have the same hours or seasonal conditions.

Discover more destinations: Burwell, Gage County, Otoe County, York County, Thayer County, Phelps County, Dodge County, Cedar County.

For the broader travel overview: Nebraska.