Recreation

One of the continent’s central waterways, the longest in North America, the Missouri River has been a source of sustenance and transportation for over 12,000 years.

At Decatur, the river and its bluffs were home to native people before Lewis & Clark and their “Corps of Discovery” came through the area in 1804. A trading post was established in 1854, and the Village of Decatur grew from there. (See History)

Today, the river offers abundant recreation opportunities for boating, fishing (catfish, walleye), kayaking, hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing. Decatur’s Beck Memorial Park (see below), with its campground, picnic areas, and benches, is a perfect spot to sit and watch the river flow.

Current river data: USGS, NOAA

Decatur Marina is located on the west side of the Missouri River, just upriver from the bridge. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, the marina has 20 slips for boat parking and a ramp for boat launching. Gas is available.

The marina is home to Pop-n-Doc’s restaurant and bar. (See Businesses) You can enjoy indoor seating or out-on-the-deck viewing of the marina and the river.

Come visit to see Decatur’s largest population of turtles!

Beck Park was established after the Village of Decatur bought twenty-two unimproved lots along the Missouri River in 1972. Mayor Kenneth Beck played an important role in obtaining the land. Federal grants helped to turn the park into the beautiful river refuge it is today. It officially opened in 1975.

Over the years, improvements have included:

• Picnic shelters
• Riverside benches
• Camping area
• RV hookups
• Dump station
• Restrooms
• Showers
• Boat ramp
• Floating dock
• Fish cleaning station
• Playground
• Sports fields
• A “splash pad” for kids

Campground and amenities are open April 1 – October 31.

For more information, contact DecaturClerk@nntc.net or (402) 349-5360.

Directly across the river from Decatur are several wildlife and habitat restoration areas managed by the Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP). These areas provide public access to the river’s backwaters and floodplain, featuring amenities like trails for hiking and ramps for boat access.

• Middle Decatur Bend
• Upper Decatur Bend
• Tieville Bend
• Blackbird Bend

Lewis and Clark State Park, across the the river from Decatur in Iowa, is both a picturesque park and a historic location along Lewis and Clark’s 1804 expedition.

The park is a popular destination for camping, hiking, boating, fishing and other outdoor activities. The lakeshore campground features a playground and full RV hookups. Restrooms, showers, and a dump station are also available.

The Visitors Center, with a full-size reproduction of Lewis and Clark’s keelboat, offers an opportunity to explore the expedition’s history. The Visitors Center is open seasonally May through October. Please call in advance for hours at 712-423-2829.

Just south of Decatur is the Summit Lake State Recreation Area. The park includes a 190-acre lake, surrounded by 345 acres of land. Enjoy opportunities for fishing, boating, hiking, swimming and camping, along with a playground, horseshoe pits, and an archery range. The park also features equestrian trails for those bringing horses.

Decatur’s baseball park is dedicated to the memory of Nebraska State Highway Patrolman Mike Farber. Come visit our local “Field of Dreams” to watch a game, play a little catch, or participate in the Home Run Derby during Riverfront Days.

In 1997, a long-envisioned pedestrian bridge over Elm Creek, linking Beck Memorial Park to downtown Decatur, became a reality. The bridge (pictured here to the right), a joint project of the Village of Decatur and the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resources District, is dedicated in honor of Decatur mayor and councillor Jack Maryott.