Buckley Creek Recreation Area

🌳 Introduction / Overview: Discover Buckley Creek Recreation Area

Nebraska residents searching for a peaceful, rustic escape with a unique recreational twist need look no further than the Buckley Creek Recreation Area. Managed by the Little Blue Natural Resources District (NRD), this location offers a blend of quiet lakeside camping, excellent fishing opportunities, and—perhaps most distinctively—an extremely affordable on-site golf experience. It provides a simple, clean, and well-maintained environment perfect for families, anglers, and budget-conscious RVers and tent campers.

The core of the area is the Buckley Creek Reservoir, a body of water ideal for non-motorized activities, offering beautiful sunset views and a serene backdrop for your stay. What really sets Buckley Creek apart is its commitment to value and community. The camping fees are remarkably low, and the environment is highly rated by visitors for being quiet, clean, and perfectly suited for enjoying the last evenings of summer or a relaxing weekend anytime. Reviews frequently highlight the well-maintained facilities and the unique amenity of having a golf course right on the property.

The key takeaway for local users: This is a rustic, affordable NRD recreation area where you can camp with power/water hookups right next to a quiet reservoir, fish, hike, and play an unforgettable, low-cost round of sand greens golf.

🗺️ Location and Accessibility

Buckley Creek Recreation Area is located in the southeastern quadrant of Nebraska, providing easy access from numerous population centers yet maintaining a distinctly rural and quiet setting. It is situated in Jefferson County, near the community of Gladstone.

Navigating to Buckley Creek:

• Physical Address / Location: Buckley Creek Reservoir 3-F, Gladstone, NE 68352, USA. It is generally described as being located approximately 1 mile east and 1/2 mile north of Reynolds, Nebraska.
• Managing Authority: The area is managed by the Little Blue Natural Resources District (NRD).
• Access for All: The site includes a handicapped-accessible fishing pier, ensuring that the reservoir and its activities are available to anglers of all abilities.
• Nearby Exploration: The location serves as an excellent jumping-off point for exploring nearby public lands, such as the Rose Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA), which is recommended by visitors for hiking and wildlife viewing, including the trek to the historic mausoleum site in the vicinity.

The approach to the campground is typically straightforward, with the surrounding peaceful nature setting the tone for a relaxing outdoor experience.

🔌 Services Offered

Buckley Creek provides essential services for both RV and tent campers, focusing on utility and convenience without the frills of a commercial resort, which contributes to its low cost and rustic appeal.

Camping and Utility Amenities:

• Electrical and Water Hookups: The main campground area features several sites with power and water hookups, suitable for travel trailers and RVs, or even tents that require electricity. The fee for sites with hookups is highly competitive at approximately $15 per night.
• Primitive Camping: A dedicated primitive camping area is available for those seeking a more traditional, off-grid experience.
• Cleanliness and Maintenance: Customers consistently review the campground as very clean and the bathroom facilities, including vault toilets, as nicely maintained and recently repainted.
• Shelters and Grills: The area includes a couple of large, reservable shelter areas equipped with plenty of picnic tables. These shelters feature large, built-in charcoal grills that are noted by guests as being some of the best campground grills they have used, complete with awesome lids and ash clean-out mechanisms.
• Water Access: Drinking water is available on-site, along with a boat ramp for easy access to the reservoir.

⛳ Features / Highlights

The primary appeal of Buckley Creek Recreation Area is the combination of outdoor activities it supports, making it a unique destination in Nebraska's NRD system.

Recreational Highlights:

• The 9-Hole Sand Greens Golf Course: This is the area's most famous feature. It is a public 9-hole golf course with sand greens, providing a distinct and fun challenge. It features good yardage on the fairways, including a water hazard on at least one hole. The experience is highly affordable, with a reported green fee of only $2. Tools needed for smoothing putting lanes and resetting the sand are provided at the greens.
• Boating and Water Sports: The reservoir is open to boating, though motors must be less than 5 HP, ensuring a quiet and peaceful experience on the water, ideal for canoes, kayaks, and small fishing boats.
• Fishing: The lake is known for fishing, with species including Bullhead and Channel Catfish. The accessible fishing pier makes it a great spot for all anglers.
• Hiking and Nature: The area is perfect for those looking for a quiet, rustic spot for hiking and wildlife viewing in a natural setting. The proximity to Rose Creek WMA expands the opportunities for longer treks and bird watching.
• Spectacular Scenery: Visitors consistently note the beautiful sunsets over the lake and the sand golf course, confirming its suitability as a quiet, picturesque destination.

📱 Contact Information

Since Buckley Creek Recreation Area is managed by the Little Blue NRD, all official inquiries regarding the facilities, rules, and general information should be directed to their central office.

Little Blue NRD Contact Details:

• Address (NRD Office): 100 East 6th St, P.O. Box 100, Davenport, NE 68335 (For administrative contact, not the physical park location)
• Phone Number: (402) 364-2145 (Recommended for general park information or specific amenity questions.)
• Email: lbnrd@littlebluenrd.org

Note on Reservations: Camping is typically first-come, first-served, with the low nightly fee paid on site. It is advisable to call ahead for current conditions, particularly during peak summer weekends.

✅ What is Worth Choosing: The Unbeatable Value of Golf and Gateway to WMA

Buckley Creek Recreation Area offers Nebraska campers a phenomenal blend of rustic recreation and modern convenience, all at a price point that is tough to beat. The primary reason this location is worth choosing is its unique recreational pairing. Where else in the state can you find a quiet, clean campground with power and water hookups for a minimal fee, and then walk over to play a round of 9-hole golf for only $2? This feature provides an entertaining and highly affordable activity that makes a weekend stay feel like a true getaway.

The campground’s setting is inherently peaceful—a quiet haven nestled next to the reservoir—and the facilities are intentionally kept simple but notably clean and well-maintained. The new-looking shelters and excellent grills enhance the outdoor cooking and gathering experience. For the outdoor enthusiast, its location near the Rose Creek WMA offers easy access to extended hiking, hunting, and nature photography opportunities, allowing campers to easily expand their adventure beyond the recreation area's boundaries.

In short, for Nebraska residents seeking a simple, low-cost camping experience that is clean, quiet, and includes unique, high-value amenities like boating, fishing, and a memorable round of sand greens golf, Buckley Creek Recreation Area is an absolute must-visit. It truly is one of the state’s best-kept secrets for combining outdoor relaxation with highly affordable recreation.