Traveling Through Nebraska: Lake Minatare Lighthouse
Located approximately eight miles east of Scottsbluff in Western Nebraska, the Lake Minatare Lighthouse is a notable landmark in the region. While not a traditional lighthouse built on an ocean coast, the tower serves as an aid to boaters and fisherman at Lake Minatare State Recreation Area, a 2,970-acre body of water. The lighthouse stands 55 feet tall, providing a vantage point of the surrounding landscape, including the Great Plains landscape that stretches for miles to the north and south.
The Lake Minatare Lighthouse was initially designed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for navigation assistance. The State of Nebraska took control of the lighthouse's operation and maintenance in 1983, as part of the broader Lake Minatare State Recreation Area. Each summer, park officials schedule guided tours of the tower. A few stairs, as well as a ladder system in the upper segments, facilitate the ascent, giving climbers ample opportunities for photography and appreciation of the surrounding views.
This Nebraska lighthouse relies on solar panels to generate the electricity needed for the beacon's light source. At night, the beacon is an aid for boaters navigating the waters of the lake, providing reference points for preventing navigation errors. Inside the tower, an elevator enables handicapped visitors to ascend halfway, and they can enjoy an educational display room detailing the facility's design and operational needs.
The surrounding recreation area of the Lake Minatare Lighthouse encompasses numerous wildlife such as American white pelicans, bald eagles, and white-tailed deer. Birdwatchers and outdoor enthusiasts from throughout the region have deemed this recreation area one of their preferred day-trip spots.
Lake Minatare State Recreation Area park admission requirements dictate that individual patrons pay a usage fee that directly pays for environmental conservation services in the area.
Additionally, other tourists from further away take photographs from beside U.S. Route 71, particularly in cases where the tower stands prominently against the high plains of Western Nebraska. Typically locals in the Scottsbluff urban area speak about the long vistas surrounding both the lighthouse, and lake in conjunction with opportunities at regional trail network spots, such as numerous public hunting locations.
The Lake Minatare Lighthouse was initially designed by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation for navigation assistance. The State of Nebraska took control of the lighthouse's operation and maintenance in 1983, as part of the broader Lake Minatare State Recreation Area. Each summer, park officials schedule guided tours of the tower. A few stairs, as well as a ladder system in the upper segments, facilitate the ascent, giving climbers ample opportunities for photography and appreciation of the surrounding views.
This Nebraska lighthouse relies on solar panels to generate the electricity needed for the beacon's light source. At night, the beacon is an aid for boaters navigating the waters of the lake, providing reference points for preventing navigation errors. Inside the tower, an elevator enables handicapped visitors to ascend halfway, and they can enjoy an educational display room detailing the facility's design and operational needs.
The surrounding recreation area of the Lake Minatare Lighthouse encompasses numerous wildlife such as American white pelicans, bald eagles, and white-tailed deer. Birdwatchers and outdoor enthusiasts from throughout the region have deemed this recreation area one of their preferred day-trip spots.
Lake Minatare State Recreation Area park admission requirements dictate that individual patrons pay a usage fee that directly pays for environmental conservation services in the area.
Additionally, other tourists from further away take photographs from beside U.S. Route 71, particularly in cases where the tower stands prominently against the high plains of Western Nebraska. Typically locals in the Scottsbluff urban area speak about the long vistas surrounding both the lighthouse, and lake in conjunction with opportunities at regional trail network spots, such as numerous public hunting locations.
