View a map of Walnut Creek Lake
and Recreation Area

Walnut Creek Lake and Recreation Area is a 105-acre flood control reservoir serving as the centerpiece of a rustic 450-acre park. Opened to the public by the Natural Resources District in 1999, Walnut Creek Lake and Recreation Area became a City of Papillion park on October 1, 2007.

Walnut Creek Lake was built by the NRD primarily for Papillion Creek Watershed flood prevention. The park, however, hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The lake has always been a water quality success story and is still considered one of the best fishing lakes in the state by the NE Game and Parks Commission. A volunteer Clean Lakes Council was formed before the lake was built and continues to protect this water-based recreation and flood control resource.

Initial construction of the flood control reservoir and park cost $7 million and was funded by the NRD and the NE Natural Resources Commission through the commission?s Resources Development Fund. Federal grants administered by the NE Game and Parks Commission and the NE Department of Environmental Quality were also used.

Walnut Creek lake is located south of Highway 370 and west of 96th. St. in Sarpy County. The dam and downstream channel improvements to the West Branch Papio Creek offer much needed flood control for the City of Papillion.

For more information on the Lake and Recreation Area contact.
Mike Cunningham
mcunningham@papillion.org
(402) 592-8877

PARK OPEN YEAR-ROUND 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 P.M.

        *   Hiking/Biking Trails ( 5K - approx. 3 miles )                  
      *   Boat Dock and Ramp
      *   Picnic and Playground Areas                             
      *   Fishing Pier
      *   Lake Islands for Fishing  
      *   Wildlife Management Areas
      *   Equestrian Trail
      *   RV and Tent Camping
                    

Fish species stocked by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission include:
        Channel Catfish
        Largemouth Bass (21-inch minimum length limit)
        Redear Sunfish
        Bluegill ( 8-inch size limit)
        Black Crappie (10-inch size limit)
  

CAMPING
Drinking water is now available from three faucets located within the campground. One hundred deciduous trees were planted around the pads to offer more shade.

A 2.5-acre primitive camping area is now available, by reservation only, to youth and civic groups. The area includes picnic tables, water, grills and toilet facilities.

EQUESTRIAN TRAIL E
A 3.5-mile equestrian trail is now open. Mowed grass trails with trailer parking and water can be accessed from the Turkey Rd. entrance to the park. Those riding to the park can access the trail from Schram Rd. (southwest corner of park).