USACE Pass Information
USACE Annual Pass = $40. Pass holders receive free entrance to U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-operated sites nationwide that charge day use fees. The pass may not be used at areas operated by other agencies even if those areas may be located on USACE-owned property. Camping fees are not included. Pass valid for one year. Valid through month and year shown on the pass. Sold only at USACE projects, please call ahead to ensure the office is open to the public. Can also be purchased by mail via a mail-in form.
Click HERE to access mail-in form.
Please send mail-in form to the lake project office indicated on the form.
Federal Interagency Pass Information
Approximately 240 USACE recreation projects nationwide began issuing America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Interagency Passes on Jan. 1, 2016. These include:
1) Interagency Senior Pass, $80, valid for lifetime of the pass owner and available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents age 62 or older.
2) Interagency Senior Annual Pass $20, valid one year from month of purchase, available to U.S. citizens or permanent residents 62 or older, the Senior Annual Pass can be upgraded to the Lifetime Senior Pass by exchanging four previously purchased Senior Annual Passes or paying the difference between the purchase of one to three Senior Annual Passes to equal the value of the Senior Lifetime Pass, $80.
3) Access Pass, free for lifetime with documentation of permanent disability for U.S. citizens or permanent residents. *Documentation required.
4) Interagency Annual Pass, $80, anyone can purchase this pass.
5) Interagency Military Pass, free to current U.S. military members and their dependents. *Documentation required.
6) Interagency Every Kid in a Park 4th Grade Pass, free to current 4th grade students with valid Every Kid in a Park voucher (visit: https://everykidoutdoors.gov/index.htm for details).
7) Interagency Volunteer Pass, earned with 250-plus hours of volunteer service on public lands.
8) Interagency Military Lifetime Pass, free to gold star families and veterans. *Documentation required.
These passes allow their holders free access to boat launches and swimming beaches managed by USACE. Senior and Access America the Beautiful passes also provide holders a 50 percent discount on campsites at USACE-managed campgrounds. Additionally, USACE will continue to sell its own annual day use pass for $40, which allows visitors free access to boat launches and swimming beaches managed by USACE.
All America the Beautiful passes can be purchased online at http://store.usgs.gov/recreational-passes. There is an additional $10 processing fee for online purchases. They can also be obtained in person at many locations which can be found at https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/pickup-pass-locations.htm. Please call ahead to ensure the office is open to the public and to ensure pass availability.
The US Army Corps of Engineers manages 13,250-acre Harlan County Lake and an additional 17,750 acres of land surrounding the lake. The staff conducts dam safety inspections and maintains the dam and outlet works. Corps employees make water release changes to the Republican River in coordination with the Kansas City District Water Management Section.
Six parks around the lake are managed and maintained by the Corps of Engineers. These parks include roads, utility systems, campsites, beaches, boat ramps, fish cleaning station and picnic grounds. Many maintenance activities are contracted to the private sector. Mowing, trash collection, fee collection, and facility cleaning are just a few of the activities that are performed by private contractors for the Corps. The Corps of Engineers manages the natural resources of Harlan County Lake in cooperation with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission through several techniques. Some of the land has been restored to native grassland, while other areas are leased for agricultural purposes, with wildlife management being a central theme. Other activities by the Corps include public relations, visitor services, real estate management, emergency services, collection of weather data, tree planting, prairie management, rescue and recovery operations, park patrol, buoy maintenance and management of concession leases.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has the responsibility for managing the 31,000 acres of land and water surrounding Harlan County Lake. Lands around the lake are managed by the Corps of Engineers to preserve their natural value. Land management practices such as prairie restoration, prescribed burning and tree planting help conserve soil and benefit wildlife.
Harlan County Dam controls a drainage area of 7,164 square miles and is part of a network of Corps Lakes that help control flooding on the Republican, Kansas, Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.
Authorizations
Harlan County Reservoir was built to provide flood control and the authorized multipurpose uses of irrigation, recreation, fish and wildlife management and sediment accumulation.
Specific storage capacity was allocated by Congress for both flood control and irrigation. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation coordinates the irrigation releases from Harlan County Reservoir. The Kansas City District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers coordinates the flood control releases, as well as operation and maintenance of the dam structure and surrounding land.
The top of the multipurpose pool at Harlan County Reservoir is 1,945.73 feet and has a total storage capacity of about 314,000 acre-feet. Irrigation has a dedicated storage capacity of 150,000 acre-feet within the multipurpose pool. The remaining available 164,000 acre-feet of multipurpose storage is shared between sediment accumulation, recreation and fish and wildlife management.
Daily releases from the multipurpose pool are coordinated by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and the irrigation districts in Nebraska and Kansas. Releases to the river are not based on recreation activities like tubing, canoeing or fishing in the stilling basin below the dam.
Inflows this year are the lowest since 2006 and have not been sufficient to fill the multipurpose pool. During drought years, when the lake is unable to fill, the dwindling supply is shared among the authorized operating purposes under the terms of the Consensus Plan for Harlan County Reservoir.
To balance multipurpose pool needs, the Consensus Plan limits irrigation releases. In 2025, the lake is unable to provide irrigators with their maximum allowed volume of water (approximately 100,000 acre-feet is available versus 150,000 acre-feet maximum). Therefore, irrigation releases will shut off if the pool elevation drops to 1,929.3 feet.
Ultimately, as the Water Control Manual states, Harlan County Reservoir was built primarily to provide irrigation water and flood control. It also acknowledges irrigation drawdowns may have an adverse effect on recreation aspects of the reservoir.
Visitors searching for the perfect lake side retreat will find a wide range of camping opportunities available at the six Corps of Engineers parks. In addition camping opportunities can be found at North Shore Marina, Patterson Harbor Marina and at the Alma City Park. Designated campsites located in Methodist Cove and Hunter Cove parks are available for use from May through October. These parks offer sites with utilities, modern handicap accessible shower facilities, playgrounds and picnic shelters.
Gate Attendants are stationed at the entrance to these parks and are on duty to help you, our visitors, by assisting with your campsite registrations or reservations and to answer your questions during booth hours. Reservations for many of the sites in these parks can be made online at recreation.gov, by phone at 877-444-6777, or by clicking on the park name link listed on the left hand side of this page.
Hunter Cove Pork remains open during the months of April, October and November for a reduced fee to provide service to season campers. Gremlin Cove, North and South Outlets and Cedar Point Park offers more basic experiences to campers. Visitors to these parks are encouraged to select a campsite denoted by the presence of a fire ring and picnic table, and settle bock to enjoy the freedom of relaxing at the lake. Fees at these parks collected by park rangers on patrol the use of a self-pay vault.
Some additional rules to remember are-
Camping units (RV’s, tents, etc) will be restricted to one (1) per campsite. Each paid camping unit will be allowed one (1) tent for storage, eating, or children whose residence is with that of the parent. During holiday weekends (Memorial, Independence and Labor Day) one (1) additional tent will be allowed at campsites due to peak demand. Appropriate fees will be collected for the additional tent at the full rate of the campsite fee. This policy is being implemented to reduce the negative impacts due to overuse. All campers shall be responsible for depositing their garbage in trash dumpsters provided in each park. Campers who leave garbage at their campsite will be contacted and a warning or citation will be issued depending on the severity of the infraction in accordance with Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations 327.9 (a) & (c). The objective of this policy is to keep the parks clean for everyone and keep the cost of operating your parks as low as possible to help avoid fee increases
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call the Corps of Engineers office at 308-799-2105.
Make a Reservation
Methodist Cove Park
Hunter Cove Park
Campground Fees
Hunter Cove Park - $18.00 - $24.00 (October, November, and April Shoulder Season $16.00)
Methodist Cove Park - $18.00 - $28.00
Gremlin Cove Park - $14.00
North and South Outlet - $12.00
Cedar Point - $12.00
Hunters can find a wide variety of game animals at Harlan County Lake. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, ring-necked pheasants, ducks, and geese are found around the lake with other species including bobwhite quail, rabbit, squirrel, bobcat, and coyote rounding out the list of game species. Public access is available, but vehicles are restricted to authorized roadways only. Hunting pressure can be high at times and the Corps encourages everyone to hunt safely and follow all regulations.
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission rules and regulations apply to Corps of Engineers managed property at Harlan County Lake. Hunting is permitted on government land surrounding the lake, with the exception of parks and administrative areas. Complete NG&PC regulations may be found by clicking on the links to the left.
Waterfowl hunting information, waterfowl blind locations, and lake regulations, may also be found on the links to your left.
Hunting Links
Harlan County Lake Interactive Hunting Map
Purchase a Nebraska Hunting Permit
Big Game Guide NG&PC
Waterfowl Hunting Guide NG&PC
General Hunting Guide NG&PC
The Corps of Engineers operates three picnic shelters. These shelters can be reserved 360 days in advance by calling the Corps office at 308-799-2105. Each shelter can be occupied from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily. Those planning special events need to coordinate with the Harlan County Project Office and must reserve those days they plan to set up prior to the event day.
The following is a brief overview of each shelter house-
Gremlin Cove Shelter House – This shelter house is located in Gremlin Cove Park near the north end of Harlan County Dam. This shelter house is enclosed and includes an open fireplace, picnic tables, restrooms, and grills. A playground is also located near the shelter.
Methodist Cove Shelter – This shelter is centrally located in Methodist Cove Park and is located closed to restrooms, playgrounds, and parking lots. This open walled pavilion has picnic tables, pedestal grills, and is handicap accessible. Many churches, reunions, and tournament events have been held at this location.
High Point Shelter House – With panoramic views of Harlan County Dam and Lake this shelter has been the location of many weddings, family reunions, and large gatherings. This enclosed shelter includes a large open fireplace, picnic tables, pedestal grills, and restrooms. Located on the south side of the lake.
Boat Ramps & Day Use Fees
Due to fluctuations in lake levels, the Corps of Engineers at Harlan County Lake will not be collecting day use fees. Annual day use passes are still available for purchase at the Corps of Engineers office for those users who may be traveling to other lakes.
The Hunter Cove Low Water Boat Ramp and access road will be closed until further notice. Due to rising lake levels the roadbed has become saturated and begun to erode. To protect the ramp and road for future use, vehicle traffic and boat launching will be prohibited until further notice.
Update - Due to rising lake levels, the boat ramp at Methodist Cove has become usable. Channel depth is less than 2'6" and boaters are urged to use caution. A courtesy dock has been placed at the ramp. The Corps of Engineers will monitor channel depth and lake elevations daily to determine ramp open periods.
Public boat ramps at Gremlin Cove, Methodist and Patterson Harbor are all open.
Located in South Central Nebraska, lands surrounding Harlan County Lake are primarily classified as mixed grass prairie land. Harlan County Lake grasslands are made up of Big and Little Bluestem, Indian grass, western wheatgrass, buffalo grass, blue gramma and switch grass.
Natural Resource management efforts at Harlan County Lake focus on maintaining and enhancing natural ecosystems. Native grasses are managed by controlled burning and hay production. These practices attempt to prevent envasion by introduced species, enhance prairie community health, and increase wildlife habitat value.
Harlan County Lake’s woodlands are restricted to locations providing sufficient moisture. A band of mature woodlands may be found along the Republican River and throughout the deeper drainages leading into the lake. Wood cutting permits are utilized to manage the woodland community. This practice assists with maintaining age and species diversity.
One of the most effective tools for enhancing wildlife populations and habitat at Harlan County Lake is the Agricultural Lease Program. Under this program several thousand acres of public lands are leased to farmers for the purpose of crop and hay production. Conditions of these lease agreements require the operator to incorporate specific wildlife management practices into their operation. These requirements often include specific crop rotations, food plots, and native grass and shrub establishment.
Campground Open Seasons
Hunter Cove & Methodist Cove 1-May thru 30-Sep
Gremlin Cove, North & South Outlet - 15 May thru 15 Sep
Cedar Point - Day use only
More information including reservations,
site prices, and park maps can be found in the
camping section in Outdoor recreation.
Rules and Regulations
The Harlan County Lake is regulated by Title 36 CRF 327 governing public use of Corps of Engineers water resources development projects. For a list of all rules and regulations please reference this link.