Finding solid details on the best Nebraska marinas shouldn’t be this hard, but most info online is either too vague or outdated to actually help you decide where to go. You need to know which spots have the right amenities, where they’re located, and what makes each one special. Here’s the deal: Nebraska’s got some seriously great marinas that’ll surprise you—whether you’re after a quick day trip, a full weekend getaway, or just a place to dock without hassle. Let’s break down the top six spots with real details on what each one offers and who they’re perfect for, so you can spend less time researching and more time on the water.
Table of Contents
- Branched Oak Marina
- North Shore Marina
- N P Dodge Park Marina
- Big Mac Marina
- Lewis & Clark Marina (Weigand Marina)
- Captain’s Quarters Marina
- Calamus Reservoir Marina
- Pawnee Lake
- Discover These 8 Best Nebraska Marinas
Branched Oak Marina
Branched Oak Marina sits in the northeastern corner of Branched Oak Lake, about 20 miles northwest of Lincoln near Raymond, NE. The lake spans roughly 1,800 acres, making it the largest in eastern Nebraska’s Salt Valley. The marina sells fuel, bait, and firewood, and offers boat rentals plus a bar and grill right on site. You’ll find boat slips for docking, along with storage options and a convenience store for essentials. What makes Branched Oak boating particularly appealing is the accessibility—you can leave Lincoln after breakfast and be on the water before lunch.
Pros:
- A short 20-minute drive from Lincoln makes it ideal for spontaneous day trips
- Full-service fuel dock and on-site bar and grill eliminate the need to leave
- Massive 1,800-acre lake provides plenty of space without crowding
Cons:
- Popularity means weekends can get busy, especially during the summer
- Bar and grill hours may be limited during off-season months
Related: Top 7 Liveaboard Marinas in South Carolina
North Shore Marina
North Shore Marina claims a spot in the furthest northeast cove of Harlan County Reservoir, near Republican City, NE. After the 1935 flood devastated the area, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built a dam, and the first marina opened in 1952. Recent 2019 flood renovations brought major upgrades. The marina houses a restaurant and bar, a convenience store, a fuel dock, boat slips, boat storage, and campsites. You can rent pontoon boats by the day or hour, and they’ve got around 150 seasonal boat slips and 50-60 courtesy slips, plus two dry storage buildings.
Pros:
- The protected cove location provides calmer waters for docking and swimming
- A restaurant with lake views eliminates the need to drive for meals
- Full-service amenities, including pontoon rentals, are perfect for families without boats
Cons:
- Located in south-central Nebraska, requiring a longer travel time for most visitors
- Campground is RV-only, with no tent or pop-up camping allowed
N P Dodge Park Marina
N P Dodge Park Marina sits right next to N P Dodge Park on the Missouri River in Omaha. This urban marina operates differently than remote lake marinas—you’ve got full-service facilities within city limits. The marina includes 326 boat slips, trailer storage, automobile parking, and an inside boat ramp. The marina offers boat slips with short-term reservations at $40 intra-day or $50 overnight. There’s a public gas dock selling regular and premium fuel, snacks, soft drinks, and ice. The facility includes shower and restroom amenities, and there’s an on-site caretaker handling grounds maintenance.
Pros:
- Urban location allows for spontaneous weeknight boating without long drives
- The inside boat ramp provides weather protection during launch and retrieval
- On-site caretaker provides security and immediate assistance when needed
Cons:
- River conditions vary more than lake marinas, requiring additional navigation awareness
- Requires 7 business days’ advance notice for short-term slip reservations
Big Mac Marina
Big Mac Marina sits in Arthur Bay on Lake McConaughy, Nebraska’s largest reservoir at 30,000 surface acres, near Ogallala in western Nebraska. The marina offers jet ski and boat rentals, along with a convenience store that provides gas, ice, snacks, and souvenirs. They also offer parasailing when conditions allow. Lake McConaughy features white sand beaches and clear waters, making it a favorite for campers, boaters, windsurfers, swimmers, and anglers. The lake’s massive size means you’ve got room to spread out without feeling cramped.
Pros:
- Located on Nebraska’s largest lake, with over 100 miles of pristine white sand beaches
- Boat and jet ski rentals are available with parasailing during favorable conditions
- Clear waters and excellent fishing opportunities for trophy-sized walleye and other species
Cons:
- The remote western Nebraska location requires a longer travel time from major cities
- Lake can get extremely windy with gusts up to 60 mph, affecting water conditions
Lewis & Clark Marina (Weigand Marina)
Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area sits on Nebraska’s second-largest reservoir, spanning approximately 25 miles long with over 90 miles of shoreline, near Crofton in northeast Nebraska. The Weigand Marina offers groceries, candy, snacks, soft serve ice cream, bait, tackle, firewood, fuel, and other sundries. The area offers 116 leased seasonal dock slips and 10 daily rental dock slips. Four boat ramps are available in the Weigand area. A major expansion project is underway to create a 526-slip marina with a new headquarters building, an amenity plaza, and improved facilities.
Pros:
- Second-largest lake in Nebraska, with excellent walleye and smallmouth bass fishing
- Modern cabins available for overnight stays right on the shoreline
- Major expansion underway will dramatically improve facilities and slip capacity
Cons:
- Marina closed through 2026 for multimillion-dollar upgrade project
- Located on the state’s northeast border, requiring significant travel from most Nebraska cities
Related: 10 Best Liveaboard Marinas in Florida
Captain’s Quarters Marina
Captain’s Quarters Marina sits on Johnson Lake, a 2,068-acre reservoir located just 10 miles south of Lexington in central Nebraska. The marina offers fuel, repair services, dry storage, PWC sales and rentals, boat rentals, life jackets, a convenience store, and dock sales and service. Shore-side amenities include restrooms, laundry services, a picnic area, a playground, and public phones. Johnson Lake offers excellent fishing for walleye, white bass, and wipers, with two handicap-accessible fishing piers. The lake hosts annual events, including Independence Day boat parades and fishing tournaments.
Pros:
- The Central Nebraska location makes it accessible from multiple directions
- Full-service marina with repair services, dry storage, and comprehensive amenities
- Family-friendly atmosphere with playground, picnic areas, and a nearby 18-hole golf course
Cons:
- Smaller lake size compared to McConaughy or Lewis and Clark means less open water
- Limited information available online compared to larger, more established marinas
Calamus Reservoir Marina
Calamus State Recreation Area sits in Nebraska’s beautiful Sandhills with a 5,123-acre lake surrounded by 4,958 acres of gently rolling grasslands, near Burwell in central Nebraska. The lake offers four docks and five boat ramps, plus dining, snacks, groceries, boat rental, bait, and other sundries at concession areas. Primary sport fish include walleye, white bass, wipers, channel catfish, muskie, northern pike, and crappie. One of Nebraska’s five fish hatcheries is located below the dam with self-guided tours. The reservoir’s sandy beaches and clean waters make it a Sandhills gem.
Pros:
- Pristine Sandhills location with some of the best sandy beaches in Nebraska
- Excellent fishing diversity, including trophy muskie and northern pike
- On-site fish hatchery offers educational tours and a unique visitor experience
Cons:
- The remote central Nebraska location requires longer travel from population centers
- Limited marina infrastructure compared to more developed lake facilities
Pawnee Lake
Pawnee State Recreation Area features 2,544 acres with a 740-acre lake located about 12 miles west of downtown Lincoln, just off I-80 at Exit 388. Facilities include a marina, gas station, convenience store, and kayak and canoe rentals. The lake offers three boat ramps and two docks, with fishing for white bass, walleye, largemouth bass, bluegill, and catfish. There are two swimming beaches and 6 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. The proximity to Lincoln makes it a popular day-use spot.
Pros:
- Extremely convenient location just 12 miles from Lincoln with easy I-80 access
- Full amenities, including a marina, a gas station, and a convenience store on-site
- Multiple camping options with over 200 sites ranging from primitive to electric hookups
Cons:
- Smaller 740-acre lake size limits open water activities during busy periods
- Algae issues can occur later in the summer, affecting water quality
Discover These 8 Best Nebraska Marinas
Nebraska’s marina scene has way more to offer than most people realize. Whether you’re after a quick escape from Lincoln at Branched Oak or Pawnee, a full-blown lake vacation at North Shore or Big Mac, spontaneous weeknight trips from Omaha’s N P Dodge, pristine Sandhills beauty at Calamus, or trophy fishing at Lewis & Clark, there’s a spot that fits your style. Each marina brings something different—from unbeatable convenience near major cities to massive white sand beaches and remote getaways. Day-trippers will love the accessible options, while families wanting destination getaways should check out the full-service amenities and protected waters. Don’t overthink it—pick your spot, load up the boat, and get out there. The water’s waiting, and these marinas have everything you need for an awesome time.
