MAIN Beaches US Nebraska Beaches

Yes, it's true - the Cornhusker State is a lot more than corn.

In fact, when summer rolls around the state reveals itself in all its natural beauty -- ranging from the spectacular MIssouri River bluffs around Omana and stretching to the dramatic sandhills in Hoosier county.

Dotted by lakes and reservoirs, arguably Nebraska's most popular swimming spots are encompassed within the Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area it shares with bordering South Dakota, along with the 35,700-acre Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area, ("Big Mac") home to the Nebraska's largest reservoir.

A 45-minute drive from Omaha, another popular "hot spot" for keeping your summer cool is Fremont State Recreational Area featuring three swimming beaches and other water activities for splashing the day away.

A popular Nebraska summer pastime: beach camping at Big Mac, Lake McConaughy.

Check out all that Nebraska has to offer in acres of state parks featuring natural and man-made lakes for swimming, boating, fishing and more ways to beat the heat during a fun Nebraska summer ...

DID YOU KNOW? Nebraska lake beach fun facts:

• A lighthouse...in landlocked Nebraska? Yes, the 75 year-old beacon overlooks the shores of Linoma Beach off U.S. Highway 6 between Omaha and Lincoln. Today considered a fine example of America's unique roadside architecture, it stands as a protected historic landmark.

• The only triply landlocked state in the U.S., in Nebraska you have to cross three different states to reach the Pacific Ocean (Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon), the Gulf of Mexico (Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas) or Hudson Bay (South Dakota, North Dakota and Manitoba).

• Taking a thermos of Kool-Aid to the beach this summer? It's kind of a civic duty, really. The popular kids' favorite is the state's official soft drink, having been invented by Edwin Perksins of Hastings, Nebraska, in 1927.

also see -> Nebraska tourist attractions | Nebraska campgrounds

More about Nebraska lake beaches around the Web:

Branched Oak State Recreation Area - Check out the largest of the Salt Valley Lakes near Lincoln, Nebraska encompassing 5,595 acres with two swimming beaches, campgrounds, fish cleaning stations, boating facilities, and picnic areas, plus TripAdvisor reviews.

Johnson Lake State Recreation Area - Located between Lexington and Cozard, here's another popular spot for boating angling and swimming with a beach, picnic area, and 8 boating docks.

Louisville State Recreation Area - Discover camping, picnicking and boating, plus a swimming beach on Lake No. 2 with change houses nearby.

Mormon Island State Recreation Area - A part of Nebraska's unique "Chain of Lakes", check out an historical overview and description of seasonal attractions (including the world's largest spring migration of sandhill cranes), great boating and fishing, a swimming beach, picnic area.

Oliver Reservoir State Recreation Area - Located near Kimball, Nebraska, the lake is a favorite with boaters, water skiers, anglers and swimmers all sharing the water. Check out the north side for the designated swimming area..