COME ON IN!
LA KE MCCONAUGHY
Yes, Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area is technically in Nebraska. But no matter your age (or where you hail from), Lake Mac’s white-sand beaches, only a three-and-a-half-hour drive away, never fail to provide a launching pad for sun-kissed summer fun.
WHILE YOU’RE YOUNG
Play: The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission recently outlawed all possession of alcohol at Lake McConaughy, so leave the pingpong balls and plastic cups at home. (We’ve heard of thirsty visitors burying beerfilled coolers in the sand and covering them with their chairs, but we’d never dream of employing the tactic ourselves.) Besides, booze and boating don’t mix, and tucked in Arthur Bay on the north shore is Big Mac Marina and its ready supply of Jet Ski, speedboat, and pontoon rentals. bigmacmarina.com
Sleep: Whether it’s Fourth of July or Brandi’s 21st (yay, Brandi!), you’re here for Lake McConaughy’s beaches. You’ll find the most pristine white sand at the Lone Eagle (within walking distance of Big Mac Marina) and Little Thunder campgrounds along the northeast shore, from Martin Bay to Lemoyne. Both have grassy spots, but it’s the select number of right-on-the-sand sites you’ll covet. Whenever you visit, be sure to plan ahead: Beach camping used to be first come, first served, but this past April, the commission instituted a reservation system to limit overcrowding and ensure visitors actually pay their fees (it’s usually about $15 a night) during peak season from May 21 to September 21. nebraskastateparks.reserveamerica.com
Repeat: Some of the best public golf in these parts can be found on the banks of Lake McConaughy at Bayside Golf Club. A links-style course built atop western Nebraska’s undulating hills, Bayside looks like it was plucked from Scotland, the birthplace of golf. From there, it’s a mere 20-minute drive to Ogallala’s Rendezvous Square, where every Thursday night until July 22, the city hosts live music performances by local bands. baysidegolf.com