State Recreation Area

Gallagher Canyon State Recreation Area

Dawson County, NebraskaAbout 29 acres
Status
Open (per official listing)
Entrance fee
Not posted
Day-use reservations
None mentioned
Dogs
Not stated — check with park
Camping
Yes
Official site
outdoornebraska.gov(308) 785-2685

Official page last checked Oct 29, 2026. How we keep this current

Overview

In Dawson County, about 13 miles west of Lexington, Gallagher Canyon State Recreation Area covers about 29 acres.

Visitors come for boating, fishing, wildlife watching, and picnicking. On the water side, there is a boat ramp. Overnight options include campsites, with tent sites.

Camping

Campground or site typeSitesHookups / featuresPrice
Camping
Park-level flags from NGPC GIS; individual campgrounds and site counts not published in this source.
——
Camping details from the park

Camping: Yes. Site types: non-pad sites without electric, primitive camping only.

From the official park page, checked Oct 29, 2026. Site counts and prices can change; confirm when booking.

Things to do

CampingBoatingFishingPicnickingWildlife viewing and birding

Boating and paddling

Boating, Boat ramp, Boat dock

Fishing

Fishing

A state fishing license is usually required.

Amenities

Facilities

  • Restrooms
  • Vault or pit toilets
  • Picnic areas
  • Playground

Water

  • Boat ramp
  • Marina or boat slips

Camping

  • Tent camping

✓ listed by the park · ✕ the park says it is not available. Anything not shown here isn’t mentioned by the official source — that means unknown, not unavailable.

Getting there

Address
75243 Road 422
Elwood, NE 68937-9804
Nearest town
Lexington — about 13 mi west (straight line)
Coordinates
40.7353, -99.9810
Phone
(308) 785-2685
Email
ngpc.Johnson.Lake@nebraska.gov

Google Maps directionsApple Maps

Nearby state parks

Johnson Lake State Recreation Area
8.3 mi southeast (straight line)
Medicine Creek State Recreation Area
27.3 mi southwest (straight line)
Sandy Channel State Recreation Area
32.1 mi east (straight line)
Union Pacific State Recreation Area
38.3 mi east (straight line)
Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation Area
44.5 mi southwest (straight line)
Maloney Reservoir State Recreation Area
46.9 mi northwest (straight line)
Fort Kearny State Historical Park
51.5 mi east (straight line)
Buffalo Bill Ranch State Recreation Area
51.5 mi northwest (straight line)

Sources and freshness

“Last checked” is when our system last read the official source. No change has been detected since this page was first published. Hours, fees and rules can change without notice — confirm with the park before you go. Methodology

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