Ready to get on the water at Harlan County Reservoir?
Check dates and book online in a few minutes, or call or text us at 888-205-7119.
Harlan County Reservoir, also called Harlan County Lake, is Nebraska's second-largest lake, about 13,000 acres of open prairie water on the Republican River in south-central Nebraska, just a few miles north of the Kansas line. With about 75 miles of shoreline and plenty of room to spread out, it is a great lake for wakeboarding, skiing, tubing and jet skiing. We offer the best boats, jet skis and water toys at Harlan County Reservoir, ready and waiting for you right at the lake.
Harlan County Reservoir Boat Rentals
The wide-open main lake has plenty of room for wakeboarding, wakesurfing and skiing, and calm mornings are the best time to get out before the prairie wind picks up. Our Harlan County Reservoir boat rentals include:
- MasterCraft wakesurf and wakeboard boats for family and friends
- Ski boat rentals for water skiing, slalom and tubing
- Tubes, wakeboards and wakesurf boards for every age
- Paddle boards and water trampolines for beach days and swimming in the coves
Rather have someone else drive? Book a private boat charter and our captain will handle the boat. Damage waiver coverage is available on every rental.
Harlan County Reservoir Jet Ski Rentals
Jet skis are a great way to explore the coves and long shoreline of Harlan County Lake, from Republican City to Alma. Most of our jet ski rentals can pull a tube, depending on the model, and guided rides are available. See our jet ski models to pick your ride.
Pontoons, Marinas and Boat Service
Harlan County Lake has two full-service marinas on the east end, Patterson Harbor Marina and North Shore Marina, plus public boat ramps at parks like Hunter Cove near Republican City and Methodist Cove near Alma. We don't rent pontoons or service boats, but we offer surf boats, jet skis and water toys to go with your pontoon day or lake house stay.
A Lake Born From a Flood
In 1935, a storm dropped about 24 inches of rain on the Republican River watershed, and the flood that followed swept away the original town of Republican City. The dam was built to tame the river, and Republican City was rebuilt about two miles north on higher ground in 1952. Today the lake is one of the most popular places to play on the water in Nebraska.
Walleye, Wipers and White Bass
Harlan County is one of the best fishing lakes in Nebraska, and anglers come for walleye, wipers, white bass, northern pike and channel catfish. Spring and early summer are great times to fish, and a boat makes it easy to reach the points and coves.
Camping on the Prairie
Hunter Cove Park on the east end has about 150 campsites, and Methodist Cove near Alma on the west side has more than 130, both with boat ramps close by. The Republican River Valley was once home to huge herds of buffalo and was a favorite hunting ground of the Pawnee, Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapaho.
Getting to Harlan County Reservoir
Harlan County Lake is in south-central Nebraska, about an hour south of I-80. Take US-183 south to Alma, then follow US-136 east toward Republican City and the dam. From Kansas, head north on US-183 from Phillipsburg. See all of our Nebraska lakes.
Good to Know Before You Go
- Boater safety course: Nebraska requires anyone born after December 31, 1985 to complete a boater safety course before driving a boat or jet ski. The course can be taken online, and approved courses from other states are accepted.
- Life jackets: Nebraska law requires life jackets for children under 13 and for everyone riding a jet ski.
- Watch the wind: Harlan County Lake is big, open prairie water, and the wind can build waves quickly, so plan watersports for calm mornings and head for a sheltered cove if it picks up.
- Book early: summer weekends and holidays fill up fast.
Lakes Near Harlan County Reservoir
More lakes we service in Nebraska and Kansas: Lake McConaughy, Lewis and Clark Lake, Wilson Lake and Milford Lake in Kansas.
