People don’t usually think of Nebraska when naming beautiful beaches, but we’ve got a few that could impress just about anyone. The fabulous Lake McConaughy gets all of the attention, but there’s a rather underrated white sand beach in the Sandhills that deserves some love, too.

Calamus State Recreation Area is located just northwest of Burwell in Garfield County.

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This gorgeous recreation area with white sand beaches isn’t a hidden gem at all; it’s actually quite popular. But in the eyes of many vacation-goers, it’s not as much of a destination as Big Mac.

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We think this lovely sandy beach and its surroundings deserve a place at the top of the list of Nebraska beach destinations.

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This is a year-round destination. During the spring and fall migrations you can see large numbers of shorebirds here, and plenty of birds are here throughout the summer. There are various organized activities all throughout the year.

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Of course, summer is the most popular time to visit these impressive sandy beaches and enjoy everything the recreation area has to offer.

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Boating, fishing, and swimming are always popular activities. In the warmer months you can often see windsurfers dotting the water.

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Although you can’t camp on the beach here, primitive and RV camping sites are available elsewhere in the recreation area. You can even reserve a group tent site that accommodates up to eight full-size tents.

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Next time you’re planning a beach getaway, check out this Sandhills oasis. It’s full of fun activities, beautiful scenery, and the kind of beach fun you’ll remember all year.

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Find Calamus State Recreation Area at 42285 York Point Rd., Burwell. You’ll need a parks permit to enter the park and there’s an additional charge for camping. Learn more about the site right here.

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For another underrated central Nebraska destination, check out this fantastic town that’s not too far from Calamus.

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