Fort Kearny State Recreation Area, 2199 30 Road near Lowell (Kearney mailing address), covers 186 acres with nearly 100 campsites in two campgrounds, seven sandpit lakes totaling 21 acres (rainbow trout in Lake 6 in season), a swimming beach on Lake 7, a nine-hole disc golf course, showers and a dump station. Its hike-bike trail crosses the Platte on former railroad bridges, renovated in 2026 with eight viewing platforms; in March and early April up to 20,000 sandhill cranes roost near the bridge. A park entry permit is required. Phone (308) 865-5305.