340 replies to this topic

[Diana N]

Hi 

the site says primitive camping. Can I bring an rv??

Thank you

Yes, you can bring an RV.  There aren't any hookups on the Snake Campground where the star party is held, buy you can park your RV there (and run a generator during the day if you like), or you can reserve an RV spot at nearby Boardman Campground or at Cedar Bay Campground and commute between that site and the star party site (we have an Early Bird parking area for people to park their cars if they don't think they will be staying all night).

 

Here's some information about the actual star party site (complete with an aerial photo):  https://www.nebraska....org/site-info/

 

This video gives you a better idea of the actual size of the site, and you'll see RVs parked all over the field:  https://www.youtube....h?v=Fqk_AaxI5XY

Edited by Diana N, 15 March 2024 - 10:10 PM.

[paul]

Thanks!!

[harpo80]

Registered - first timer, can't wait!

[chvvkumar]

I will have to skip this year, unfortunately. Lots and lots of travel this month for family and the eclipse. But fingers crossed!

[Diana N]

I will have to skip this year, unfortunately. Lots and lots of travel this month for family and the eclipse. But fingers crossed!

You’ll be missed!

[Bob W4]

I will have to skip this year, unfortunately. Lots and lots of travel this month for family and the eclipse. But fingers crossed!

Dude ... You are such a nice person to visit with.  I will miss you, but will toast a Dos XXX to you.  See you in 2025.

Bob

[vsteblina]

I was driving through the neighborhood and decided to swing by Snake Campground. 

 

The campground is down along the lake and the Star Party is above on the flat.  The campground is not really suited for RV's, but the flat up above looks great.  I got the only close to flat spot in the campground and I am in a fairly small RV. It would be nice if Nebraska State Parks would put in some campsites in the flat above the lake.

 

Nice area, really impressed with the entire Sand Hills area.  Lots to do if your into the outdoors from hunting, fishing, bird watching, astronomy, etc.  Even my bird dog, that normally sleeps while we are traveling poked her head up and started looking at all the hunting ground!!!

 

Perfectly clear and still tonight after a very windy day.  Won't set up the telescope tonight, but I am looking forward to getting a SQM reading after the moon sets tonight.

 

I always downplayed the Nebraska Star Party simply because it was in Nebraska.  This is a really cool part of the country, and if South Dakota or Wyoming had it the area would have a lot more visitors. 

 

The Sand Hills were always on my bucket list, and they way exceeded my expectations.

 

If your here outside the star party dates, I would not recommend Snake Campground, but there are other campgrounds with RV electric hookups at minimum, but without the wide open sky.

 

The local advertising spends a lot of time on the dark skies in the area. 

 

There also seems to be a proposal for an Industrial Wind Area for the Sand Hills.  Not good.

Edited by vsteblina, 12 April 2024 - 08:53 PM.

[vsteblina]

Last nights SQM readings.

 

After moon set at 12:30 am it was 21.75.

 

At about 3:30 in the morning the reading was 21.83.

 

Both readings straight up at zenith.

 

By morning clouds had moved in and quickly burned off after the sun got a bit of elevation.

 

It was not a good night for observing.  Wind, then the seeing was pretty bad.  But it is a very dark site.  I could not see any light domes on the horizon, but I was in a slight depression.

 

Too bad there are not camping spots on the large flat above Snake Campground.  It would be a simple matter to designate some dispersed camping sites up there. 

[harpo80]

If your here outside the star party dates, I would not recommend Snake Campground, but there are other campgrounds with RV electric hookups at minimum, but without the wide open sky.

 

 

Good report, thanks - is this because of light in the campground at other times?
 

Edited by harpo80, 13 April 2024 - 10:13 AM.

[vsteblina]

Good report, thanks - is this because of light in the campground at other times?
 

The campground is set up for tent camping along the lake shore. 

 

No view to the south, so you would have to set up in the flat above the campground and drive there.  I didn't drive into the other campgrounds but they are flatter and I think you can find a spot on the outer rim where you can get out of the trees and still see you telescope from your campsite.

 

If you don't need power or hookups there are plenty of camping spots on the National Forest, and state wildlife and recreation areas.  Those camping areas are "outside" of the trees and have great open horizons.

 

I was impressed with the Sand Hills and was there before green up. 

 

Ecologically the Sand Hills are an interesting area and I wanted to see the Niaobra Scenic River.  Then the famous Nebraska National Forest was another draw for me.  So as long as I was in the area, I decided to stop at the star party site.  What surprised me were all the wildlife areas and prairie potholes.  I think every duck gets their own personal private pothole.

 

Interesting area you can easily spend some time exploring for a week or more.  I would float the river and bring birding stuff depending on the season binoculars or shotgun and dog.

 

I don't know if the Star Party allows folks to camp next to their telescopes.  That was be great.  I really think the Nebraska Parks department should just put in a few campsites with a telescope pad. I bet you that would get used.particularly if the sites were large enough for RV's.
 

[Knasal]

I don't know if the Star Party allows folks to camp next to their telescopes.  

Yes they do.

 

And the debate about / proposal for a wind farm in this area has been going on for some time, I’ve heard and been told.

Kevin

[Diana N]

I don't know if the Star Party allows folks to camp next to their telescopes.  That was be great.  I really think the Nebraska Parks department should just put in a few campsites with a telescope pad. I bet you that would get used.particularly if the sites were large enough for RV's.

 

Nebraska Game and Parks mows about 30 acres above the official campsite right before the star party is held, so people can indeed camp (either in a tent or in an RV) right next to their telescopes.  Outside the star party dates, the grass (at least in a wet year) gets a bit too tall for comfortable camping outside the official campground, but you are still allowed to park up there and observe if you like.

[Diana N]

Good report, thanks - is this because of light in the campground at other times?
 

No, it's because there are NO amenities at the Snake Campground other than a pit toilet (not water or electrical hookups), the campground itself is near the lake and is surrounded by trees which restrict the view, and the hills around the campsite (which have great, unobstructed views) will be covered with tall, unmowed grass.  You're still allowed to set up on the hills to observe, though.

 

Snake Campground is dark all the time (barring any lighting brought in by other campers, of course).

Edited by Diana N, 13 April 2024 - 04:20 PM.

[Diana N]

I was driving through the neighborhood and decided to swing by Snake Campground. 

 

The campground is down along the lake and the Star Party is above on the flat.  The campground is not really suited for RV's, but the flat up above looks great.  I got the only close to flat spot in the campground and I am in a fairly small RV. It would be nice if Nebraska State Parks would put in some campsites in the flat above the lake.

 

Nice area, really impressed with the entire Sand Hills area.  Lots to do if your into the outdoors from hunting, fishing, bird watching, astronomy, etc.  Even my bird dog, that normally sleeps while we are traveling poked her head up and started looking at all the hunting ground!!!

 

Perfectly clear and still tonight after a very windy day.  Won't set up the telescope tonight, but I am looking forward to getting a SQM reading after the moon sets tonight.

 

I always downplayed the Nebraska Star Party simply because it was in Nebraska.  This is a really cool part of the country, and if South Dakota or Wyoming had it the area would have a lot more visitors. 

 

The Sand Hills were always on my bucket list, and they way exceeded my expectations.

I am glad you enjoyed visiting our little neck of the woods.  The Sand Hills are a well-kept secret for nature lovers!  They are one of the largest areas of virgin mixed-grass prairie left in the US, all because it's impossible to plow the land there.

[vsteblina]

I am glad you enjoyed visiting our little neck of the woods.  The Sand Hills are a well-kept secret for nature lovers!  They are one of the largest areas of virgin mixed-grass prairie left in the US, all because it's impossible to plow the land there.

Yep, I was wondering why it never got plowed.  Thanks for the answer.

 

Have you found any papers on the difference between native grasses found originally and invasive s in the Sand Hills today. 

 

My dog and me found every burr possible walking around.  They are nasty.

[Diana N]

Yep, I was wondering why it never got plowed.  Thanks for the answer.

 

Have you found any papers on the difference between native grasses found originally and invasive s in the Sand Hills today. 

 

My dog and me found every burr possible walking around.  They are nasty.

No, I haven’t found any papers on invasive plants in the Sand Hills , but that would be interesting reading. I am sure there must be some there! But they probably aren’t there to the same extent that they are in other areas, simply because most of the ground has never been disturbed. The biggest problem is those red cedars which are spreading in areas that have not been regularly burned.

 

Yes, those burrs and those tiny little prickly pear cactuses are nasty. That’s why we warn newbies to make sure they wear good shoes when they come to NSP, and also to bring some heavy tarps to put on the ground on which to pitch their gear and tent. I am surprised the prickly pears don’t cause real problems for the cattle grazed there!  

Edited by Diana N, 14 April 2024 - 08:38 AM.

[harpo80]

Good stuff, thanks Diana and Vsteblina. 

[Starlancer]

Bought my ticket, See ya all there!

[relayer370]

I'll be there!  Got my tickets!

[relayer370]

During June 2022, my wife and I stayed at Snake River Campground as a layover on our big summer trip.  We of course have stayed during the star party many times in the July-August timeframe, but we hadn't stayed in the actual Snake River Campground until that year.  The only concrete in the campground is the boat ramp.  The rest is brush and sand.  I'll include a photo of our campsite for an idea.

 

Album: Merritt Reservoir

4 images

0 comments

[rdmarco]

I was driving through the neighborhood and decided to swing by Snake Campground. 

 

The campground is down along the lake and the Star Party is above on the flat.  The campground is not really suited for RV's, but the flat up above looks great.  I got the only close to flat spot in the campground and I am in a fairly small RV. It would be nice if Nebraska State Parks would put in some campsites in the flat above the lake.

 

Nice area, really impressed with the entire Sand Hills area.  Lots to do if your into the outdoors from hunting, fishing, bird watching, astronomy, etc.  Even my bird dog, that normally sleeps while we are traveling poked her head up and started looking at all the hunting ground!!!

 

Perfectly clear and still tonight after a very windy day.  Won't set up the telescope tonight, but I am looking forward to getting a SQM reading after the moon sets tonight.

 

I always downplayed the Nebraska Star Party simply because it was in Nebraska.  This is a really cool part of the country, and if South Dakota or Wyoming had it the area would have a lot more visitors. 

 

The Sand Hills were always on my bucket list, and they way exceeded my expectations.

 

If your here outside the star party dates, I would not recommend Snake Campground, but there are other campgrounds with RV electric hookups at minimum, but without the wide open sky.

 

The local advertising spends a lot of time on the dark skies in the area. 

 

There also seems to be a proposal for an Industrial Wind Area for the Sand Hills.  Not good.

"I always downplayed the Nebraska Star Party simply because it was in Nebraska" WOW. Really? You must now realize we have some of the darkest skies in the lower 48. Why the dislike for Nebraska? Seems Odd. There is plenty of space for even large RV's at the site. Tons or room. I'm confused with your post. Were you actually there?

Edited by rdmarco, 20 April 2024 - 09:52 PM.

[Diana N]

"I always downplayed the Nebraska Star Party simply because it was in Nebraska" WOW. Really? You must now realize we have some of the darkest skies in the lower 48. Why the dislike for Nebraska? Seems Odd. There is plenty of space for even large RV's at the site. Tons or room. I'm confused with your post. Were you actually there?

Vsteblina’s posts make it clear that he was actually there. He just didn’t realize before he actually saw it how nice the Snake River campground is for stargazing (once you are away from the official campsite down by the lake) and just how dark the skies at Merritt actually are. And that is not so surprising, really, as a lot of parties are held in not-so-dark skies for logistics reasons, even west of the Mississippi. We are lucky to have a good public access park in the Sand Hills which is suitable for hosting a large star party!

[JimMo]

In Vsteblina's defense I've driven across Nebraska, on both east/west interstates and on a state highway in the middle between them. Saw a lot of cows, corn, and prairie and not much else. I have been to Alliance where we saw the 2017 solar eclipse at Carhenge.

 

In Nebraska's defense Iowa, Kansas, the two Dakotas, and parts of Colorado and Wyoming are pretty barren and bleak, too. Let's not forget Oklahoma, parts of it are flatter than Michigan. 

Edited by JimMo, 23 April 2024 - 06:35 AM.

[bunyon]

It always amazes me that people don’t find prairie beautiful.

The world is a more beautiful place if you don’t expect every bit of it to look like some other bit.

[Silent_Light]

Weather permitting, I'll be up there a few times prior to the event, I'll leave some stars for ya