Burwell Economic Development Recreation

Burwell
Economic
Development

Our
Community

Recreation

Recreational Opportunities
Bowling | Burwell Swimming Pool | Calamus Golf Course | Canoeing & Tubing |
Fishing & Boating | Hunting | Movie Theatres | Rodeos | Park & Playground |
Lodging Accomodations | Visitors Packet

Attractions
Burwell Bridge
Listed on Nebraska's National Register is the Burwell Bridge, which on June 25, 1939, floodwaters washed out the existing Highway 11 bridge over the North Loup River on the northern edge of Burwell. No effort was made to replace the structure until the following winter, when in March 1940 engineers for the Nebraska Department of Roads and Irrigation designed a new steel bridge. The structure consisted of three steel stringer spans, supported by concrete abutments and piers. With a thirty-degree skew, the Burwell Bridge featured a seventy-three-foot span in the center suspended by cantilevered arms from the outside spans, for a maximum span of 109 feet. The Burwell Bridge represents one of the longest cantilevered beam structures identified in the statewide bridge inventory. It is technologically significant for its representation of long-span beam bridge experimentation conducted by the state engineer's office in the 1930s.

Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area
Located 6 miles northwest of Burwell the Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area offers some of the state’s finest recreational opportunities. Camping, fishing, boating, hiking, sightseeing and hunting are the real attractions on the 5,123-acre lake and surrounding 4,958 acres of rolling Sandhills. Five boat ramps provide convenient access along the shoreline. Primary sport fish in the Calamus Reservoir include walleye, white bass, wipers, channel catfish, carp, drum and crappie. For additional information on the Calamus Reservoir SRA contact 308.346.5666.
www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks

Calamus Fish Hatchery
Located 7 miles northwest of Burwell is the Calamus State Fish Hatchery. The hatchery is owned by the Bureau of Reclamation and is operated and maintained by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. The Calamus State Fish Hatchery is one of five hatcheries in Nebraska's fish production system. The Calamus Fish Hatchery includes a main hatchery building where eggs are hatched, fish are raised and visitors are welcome for tours. For additional information on the Calamus Fish Hatchery contact 308.346-4226. www.ngpc.state.ne.us/fishing

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Cowboy Hang-Time
Unveiled in the Summer of 2005 was the bronze statue “Cowboy Hang-Time”. This original bronze statue of a bucking horse and rider was sculpted by renowned western artist Herb Mignery. This six foot high sculpture sits on a seven ton granite and is positioned at the entrance of Burwell’s downtown business district. This sculpture recognizes and celebrates the community’s western heritage and Nebraska’s Big Rodeo.

Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park
Located 11 miles southeast of Burwell is Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park. From 1874-1881 Fort Hartsuff served as a buffer zone between the settlers and the Indians in the North Loup River valley. During this time soldiers patrolled the Loup and Cedar River Valleys and pioneered a new trail to the Black Hills gold fields. In 1961 the fort was restored and designated as a historical park to recognize its importance in Nebraska’s history.
www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks

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Garfield County Frontier Fairgrounds
One of the most prominent places in Burwell and listed on Nebraska's National Register is the Garfield County Frontier Fairgrounds. The idea of a permanent rodeo at Burwell was conceived by local real estate man Homer C. Stokes. In 1921 while on a business trip, Stokes attended a rodeo at Norton, Kansas, and decided that Burwell would be a good location for such an event in conjunction with the Garfield County Fair. A corporation was formed, land was purchased, and the erection of permanent structures began. The first rodeo held in Burwell was in September 1922 and attracted nationwide interest. By the 1930s the rodeo had become one of the major shows on the rodeo circuit. "Nebraska's Big Rodeo" at Burwell is the oldest continuous rodeo in Nebraska and retains most of the 1922 structures.

Garfield County Historical Museum
The Garfield County Historical Society was originally organized in March of 1965 with the intent of establishing a museum for the county. In 1969 a generous donor bought the building that housed Dr. Cram’s Hospital and donated it to the historical society. When donated to the historical society the building underwent a desperate repair and cleaning. On July 9, 1972 the Garfield County Historical Museum was dedicated and opened to the public. Today, a visit to the museum is a walk through Garfield County’s history. Rooms included in the museum include a library, surgery room, cowboy/Indian room, tool room, military room, parlor, bedroom, country school room, etc.

Kamp Kaleo
Kamp Kaleo, 2 miles east of Burwell offers more than 200 acres of woods and grasslands, stretching over a mile of riverfront. Set in the Sandhills of Nebraska Kamp Kaleo calls out to yearning spirits seeking retreat from life's stress. Kamp Kaleo is the perfect setting for meetings, learning retreats, family, school and church reunions as well as special camp experiences. For further information on Kamp Kaleo call 308.346.5083.

Loup Rivers Scenic Byway
The Loup Rivers Scenic Byway acquired its name from the North, Middle and South Loup Rivers swirling through the heart of Nebraska’s Sandhills. The view along the Loup Rivers Scenic Byway is breathtaking as the rivers pass through the gently rolling farmland and Sandhills. Habitat along the river make the Loup Rivers Scenic Byway a home for countless wildlife.
www.visitnebraska.org/byways/

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Recreational Opportunities
Bowling
Longhorn Lanes located directly off of Highway 91 and 11 is a six (6) lane bowling alley that offers women’s, men’s and couples bowling leagues. Open bowling is available Friday and Saturday evenings. For additional information call 308.346.4483.

Burwell Swimming Pool
Located in the Burwell City Park area is the Burwell Swimming Pool. The Burwell Swimming Pool facilities include 2 diving boards, a baby pool and locker room facility. Community members and visitors can participate in Red Cross swimming lessons and adult aerobics. The Burwell Swimming Pool is open daily Memorial Day Weekend – mid-August. For additional information contact the Burwell City Hall at 308.346.4509.

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Calamus Golf Course
Located 7 miles northwest of Burwell and directly east of the Calamus Reservoir SRA is the Calamus Golf Course. The course is open April 1st – November 1st each year. The Calamus Golf Course features a 2,845 yard course with fully watered bluegrass fairways and bent grass greens and water hazards and grass bunkers. The newly completed clubhouse offers refreshments and food and is open weekday afternoons and all day on weekends. The clubhouse is available to rent for business meetings, receptions and other events. For additional information on the Calamus Golf Course contact 308.346.5559 or 308.346.4705. www.calamusgolf.com

Canoeing & Tubing
Canoeing and tubing is a fun and relaxing way to spend any afternoon in the Burwell area. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery as you relax on the waters of the North Loup and/or Calamus River. Take your own trip down one Burwell's rivers or contact the Calamus Outfitters for a guided tour. For more information on canoeing or tubing the North Loup and/or Calamus River contact 308.346.5210.

Fishing & Boating
Any fishing and/or boating enthusiast will enjoy the opportunities available at the Calamus Reservoir SRA. Fisherman are encouraged to try their real at the walleye, white bass, wipers, channel catfish, carp, drum, crappie or any of the other fish in the Calamus Reservoir SRA. The Calamus Reservoir offers 5,123-acres of wetland for boaters and fishermen alike. Fisherman and boaters are also encouraged to explore the opportunities at other area ponds including Ladybird Lake and the city park pond.

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Hunting
The Burwell area offers many opportunities for the hunting enthusiast. Ninety percent of the land around the Calamus Reservoir SRA is public property and open for hunting during the hunting season. The Burwell area also has a number of private outfitters which provide guided hunting tours; this includes Calamus Webfooters and Calamus Outfitters. Wildlife hunted in the Burwell area includes coyotes, deer, dove, duck, geese, grouse, pheasants, quail, rabbit and turkey. For additional information on Nebraska’s hunting season, Nebraska’s hunting guides or hunting permits contact the Nebraska Game & Parks Commission at 402.471.0641.

Movie Theatres
Located in Burwell’s downtown business district is the Rodeo Theatre. At the Rodeo Theatre movie watching is enjoyed year-around on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings. For additional information on the Rodeo Theatre call 308.346.4556.

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Rodeos
Burwell is recognized as the “Outdoor Rodeo Capital of Nebraska” and hosts the annual Nebraska’s Big Rodeo the last weekend in July each year. At each of the four (4) performances of the rodeo spectators enjoy Canadian Chuck Wagon Races, Wild Horse Races, the Dinner Bell Derby and Trick Riders. Also part of the annual rodeo are the Chapter 11 FMX Extreme Motorcycle Daredevils, 2002 Rodeo Announcer of the Year, Hadley Barrett and world champion clowns, bucking stock and contestants. For additional information on Nebraska’s Big Rodeo contact the Burwell Area/Garfield County CVB at 308.346.5210.
The community’s western culture is also celebrated each year during the annual Burwell & Taylor High School Rodeo held at the county fair grounds in Burwell. Each year during the second weekend in May high school-aged kids take to the grounds to show their experience and talents in rodeo performances. For additional information on the annual Burwell & Taylor High School Rodeo call 308.348.2204.

Park & Playground
Located on the north side of town is the Burwell City Park, open to the public. Burwell’s city park is bordered by the North Loup River and includes a number of enjoyable activities including 2 tennis courts, a Frisbee Golf Course, a new playground, a baseball field and a fishing pond. Burwell’s City Park also includes picnic facilities and camping facilities. For additional information on the Burwell City Park contact the Burwell City Hall at 308.346.4509.
The City of Burwell has recently invested in its youth and built a new baseball field called the Field of Dreams. Along with the new baseball field included in this project was new bleachers, new lighting, a new concession stands and new restroom facilities. Throughout the spring and summer months the field is used continually for baseball, softball and little league games. For additional information on the Field of Dreams contact the Burwell City Hall at 308.346.4509.
Coming this fall is the new community track at the Burwell Elementary School. The track will be open to the public and will be enjoyed by cross country and track and field athletes.

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Lodging Accomodations
Click here for a complete list of lodging accomodations in the Burwell area.

Visitors Packet
The Burwell Chamber of Commerce provides a Visitor's Packet to those interested in learning more about what to see and do in Burwell on vacation. Items we include are a city map, attraction, recreation and event information, golf course information and free postcards from Burwell.
To request a Burwell Visitor's Packet complete and submit the following form.

If you do not have an email client and cannot email this form, please call our office at (308) 346-5210 and ask request a Visitors Packet.

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Promoting economic growth by retaining, growing, and expanding businesses in the Burwell area.