North Loup State Recreation Area

Like all state recreation areas, a park permit is required. The NL SRA Park office number is (308) 385-6211.

In addition to cross country skiing, biking, fishing and hunting at North Loup SRA, there is the "Sandy Trail" hike-bike trail.

Located four miles North of St. Paul along Highway 281, this state recreation area consists of 13 acres adjacent to the North Loup River with two ponds.  The area offers fishing, hunting, kayaking, hiking, picnicking and primitive camping.

Boating: electric motor & non-powered boats are permitted.  There are no ramps or docks and there is no access from the park to the North Loup River.
Fishing:  This park offers bluegill, common carp, channel catfish, crappie, large mouth bass among other species.
Hunting: Includes quail, rabbit and waterfowl on 20 acres of land.
Picnic: There are 8 picnic tables and seven grills.
Camping: The area offers 10 non-pad sites without electricity.  There is non-potable water on the area.  A pit toilet is available for visitor use.

Activities in St. Paul, NE

The city of St. Paul has a wide variety of activities for people of all ages and activity levels. 
​1.) Our beautiful water park offers water aerobics/fitness times, swim lessons, and private parties.  
2.) There are several baseball diamonds at the Grover Cleveland Alexander complex, along with small park areas.  The city's 4.) tennis courts are near the public schools and the baseball complex. 
3.) City Park is much bigger than it appears with several different play areas stretching between Howard Avenue and the 5.) Skate Park near the water park.
6.) The Civic Center is located on the main street and has 27,000 square feet inside.  It is handicap-accessible.  The banquet room can seat up to 700 classroom style and can be rented (along with kitchen space, tables and chairs) for events.  There is a gymnasium in the Civic Center as well.  The gym has two full-size courts for youth and adult games, indoor walking and concession stand space for tournaments.  Equipment available includes basketball, volleyball, pickleball, badminton, dodgeball, and more.  

For more information about any of these and the summer actiivities schedule, go to the City of St. Paul website. 

St. Paul Country Club

 Located at 1118 Inman Road, this friendly course is suited to golfers of all abilities.  The ground is level and easy to walk.  The trees lend character and the beautiful course has a view of the Middle Loup River on one side. 

The course is open spring through fall, from 9:00 a.m. to dark every day.  They offer Women's League, Men's League,  Senior Men's League and Couples Night.  

For more information follow them on Facebook, check out their website, or contact the Golf Club at (308) 754-4203 or stpaulcountryclu@gmail.com.

 Historical Museums in St. Paul

The beautiful Howard County Historical Village is located on 6th Street between the courthouse and City Park. It consists of six antique buildings - a church, school, store, blacksmith shop, post office, and depot. All buildings date from 1898 through 1920. The first five buildings were moved here from their original sites around Howard County. The display a wealth of artifacts from pioneer history. The 1911 Union Pacific Depot originated in Gibbon and was moved here in1998. The original St. Paul Union Pacific depot was demolished in 1975, but this one is also built from UP Blueprints. Across the street stands the Gruber House at 1005 6th St. It is a restored merchant's house on the main floor and a Veteran's Museum, Jean Potts Exhibit, a Native American exhibit and a religious exhibit on the lower level.

Located at 619 Howard Avenue in St. Paul, Nebraska, the Museum of Nebraska Major League Baseball has displays of Nebraska Hall of Famers Grover Cleveland Alexander, Wahoo Sam Crawford, Dazzy Vance, Bob Gibson, Richie Ashburn, Wade Boggs, and William (Billy) Southworth. There are other inductees who have made major contributions to Major League Baseball that include players Johnny Hopp, Les Nunamaker, Alex Gordon, Dan McGinn, Joba Chamberlin, Jackie Brandt, Russ Snyder, Sheldon Jones, Bob Cerv, Darrel Johnson, Dwight Seibler, Lee Tate, and Jeff (Whitey) Richardson. Included are also Coach Vern Hoschert, OWH Columnist Wally Provost, and General Manager Dick Wagner. During the summer of 2023, the museum will welcome its newest inductee, baseball scout Terry Wetzel originally from Grand Island. The back room of the museum has a historical timeline that features every major league player with ties to Nebraska.

The Great Outdoors!

The most beautiful sunrises and sunsets & night skies can be seen in this area!  If you enjoy fishing, St. Paul is surrounded by rivers and has two nearby reservoirs (Davis Creek Res 21 mi & Sherman Res 23 mi from here) that allow fishing all year long!

Whether you like to hunt,  fish, or trap, St. Paul, Nebraska (nestled between two rivers and in the pristine sandhills) has some of the most awe-inspiring places to do that!
Or if you just enjoy a great hike...there are miles scenic walking and biking! Nearby, Dannebrog (15 mi from here) has a dedicated 12.7 mile trail, too.

Boating and camping are available at the two nearby reservoirs.  At Sherman there is everything including surfing, wake-boarding, skiing, tubing, sailing, jet-skiing, and kayaking. 
Davis Creek has 67 camps sites with electricity, and 11 designated tent camp sites, primitive and modern and a coin-operated bath house.

Sherman Reservoir is near Loup City, in Sherman County, has a marina with concessions and a beer garden, 360 non-pad camping sites (and is adding more), picnic shelters, water, dump stations, "modern" restrooms, four boat ramps fish cleaning stations, coin-operated showers and cabin rentals.

Check out all there is to do, purchase your permits, and find out all the regulations surrounding outdoor sports in Nebraska by going to The Nebraska Game & Parks Commission at outdoornebraska.gov.