Hugh Butler Lake (Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation Area) is managed by . Recreation at Hugh Butler Lake, Frenchman Cambridge Division, in southwestern Nebraska, is managed for the Bureau of Reclamation by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The Frenchman Cambridge Division extends from Palisade southeast along Frenchman River and from Trenton east along the Republican River. Water storage facilities consist of the Enders Reservoir and Swanson, Red Willow Dam (Hugh Butler Lake), and Harry Strunk Lakes. The four dams, reservoirs, and irrigation systems provide irrigation, flood control, fish and wildlife conservation and recreation benefits. Numerous tracts at each reservoir and impoundment provide food and cover for pheasant, quail, small fur-bearing animals, and mule and white-tail deer. The reservoir has 1,629 water surface acres, 4,461 land acres and 35 miles of shoreline. There are 2,960 acres available for public hunting. Reservoir open 24 hours. Fair access roads. Available species include walleye, crappie, white bass, channel catfish, and wipers. Irrigation supply reservoir experiencing moderate fluctuations. Reservoir peaks at 1,630 surface acres. Fishing season is year-round. Current reservoir levels
Popular activities at Hugh Butler Lake (Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation Area) include:
Hugh Butler Lake (Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation Area) is a popular destination. Check individual facility pages for specific booking windows and availability.
Site is located 10 miles north of McCook, Nebraska. Nearest highway is Nebraska 83.
GPS Coordinates: 32.17421200000000, -104.44585499999999
All visitors who enter the cavern are required to walk on bio-cleaning mats after exiting. This extraordinary measure is due to the potential presence of the fungus which causes White-Nose Syndrome in New Mexico.
Kennel Information
The park concessioner, Carlsbad Caverns Trading Company, operates a kennel service where you may leave your pet in a temperature controlled environment while you tour the cavern. The kennel is for day use only—no overnight stays.
Fee: $15/day
Vaccine Requirements
For dogs: Rabies, Distemper, Bordetella (kennel cough) and Canine Influenza
For cats: Rabies, Distemper and Panleukopenia
Owners are required to show a copy of the pet’s vaccination record with the expiration date when boarding a pet.
No exceptions. Collar tags do not meet this requirement.
Please be prepared with pet vaccine information when checking in.
Service Animals
Dogs that are task trained for people with disabilities are permitted in the Big Room and Natural Entrance trails, King’s Palace and the Bat Flight Amphitheater.
Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, emotional support animals are not considered service animals and are not permitted in the cavern.
Phone: 308-345-5899
Additional Information: