- Boating
- Camping
- Fishing
State Recreation Area
250 County Road and 12 Boulevard | Scriber, NE 68507
Located north of Scribner on Highway 275, Dead Timber is a 200-acre area with opportunities for camping, fishing and non-powered boating. The area offers offers peaceful seclusion for an afternoon or a weekend. A state park permit is required.
Fishing next to a picnic shelter at oxbow lake at Dead Timber State Recreation Area. Copyright Nebraskaland Magazine, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Sunflowers grow near the oxbow lake at Dead Timber State Recreation Area. Copyright Nebraskaland Magazine, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
A couple enjoys a campfire at Dead Timber State Recreation Area. Copyright NEBRASKAland Magazine, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
An aerial photo shows Dead Timber State Recreation Area off the Elkhorn River in Dodge County. The area is centered around an historic oxbow lake crated when the river changed its course, sometime prior to the 1850s. Copyright NEBRASKAland Magazine, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
A family plays cornhole at Dead Timber State Park. Copyright NEBRASKAland Magazine, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Only electric and non-powered boats are permitted on the 50-acre lake at Dead Timber.
Anglers will find bullhead, bluegill, common carp, channel catfish, crappie, flathead catfish, freshwater drum and largemouth bass.
For more information on fishing opportunities here and at parks across the state, visit the interactive public fishing areas map. This map provides detailed information on available species, regulations, public boat ramps, fish cleaning stations and ADA-accessible boat ramps and docks, among other features in reservoirs, lakes, streams and rivers statewide. Lake contour maps are available for some lakes, as well.
Trails throughout the park lead to blinds and benches for wildlife viewing and offer great views, too.
Hunting is permitted in parts of the park. Wildlife viewing blinds can double as hunting blinds in season. The area has good populations of deer, turkey and ducks.
Dead Timber offers picnickers multiple tables and grills for day use.
Dead Timber is adjacent to Powder Horn Wildlife Management Area, where hunting is permitted in season.
Fuel, food and other amenities are available in nearby Scribner.
Dead Timber offers Electric campsites. There are 17 Electric campsites with 30-amp hookups. Drinking water and primitive restrooms are available. There is no dump and fill station. Due to flood damage, the four Primitive campsites are not available at this time.
Camping at Dead Timber SRA is all first-come, first-served and campers register their nightly camping fees in a raised, locked box called an Iron Ranger. Self-service envelopes are provided at each Iron Ranger station. Check or cash only. Iron Rangers are generally located near the park entrance or in the campground area. On-site camping informational signs are provided to help guide campers with the self-registration process.
The Dead Timber SRA Redevelopment Plan is available on the Publications page, under Agency Plans. Thank you to everyone that contributed to the planning process for Dead Timber SRA.
Park Fees
A park entry permit is required to visit state parks and may be purchased at the park, statewide Game and Parks offices and permit vendors, or in advance of your arrival online.
Fishing Permits
Purchase stamps, resident and non-resident fishing permits here.
Hunting Permits
Purchase hunting, big game and turkey permits, as well as supertags and combo lotteries.
