About Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District
Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District is a management office of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It was established in 1963 when the Service began acquiring critical migratory waterfowl habitat in southeastern Nebraska. Today, 63 individual Waterfowl Production Areas have been purchased, most of them with Federal Duck Stamp dollars.The ancestral homelands of the Pawnee (Pâri) and the Jiwere, this geographic area, called the Rainwater Basin, is a complex of wetlands scattered throughout a 21-county area. The wetlands are shallow basins that provide resting and feeding areas for millions on birds during spring and fall migration. Historically, bison and wildfire kept the wetlands open with annual plants growing during dry summer months and droughts. With bison gone and wildfires controlled, management is done to keep these wetlands in a condition favored by ducks, geese, and other water birds.
How to Get There
Here's how to find our main office.GPS: 40.5172456, -99.2168979From Axtell (15 miles South of Kearney, Nebraska): 4 miles West on HWY 6/34 & 3 ½ miles North on V RoadFrom Funk: 4 ¼ miles North on Funk/Odessa HWY, 2 miles East on 738 Road, and ½ mile South on V RoadFrom I-80: Exit 263, 10 miles South on Funk/Odessa HWY, 2 miles East on 738 Road, and ½ mile South on V RoadOREnter your starting address at Google Maps for directions to Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District Office Complex.When using this feature, you will be leaving the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service domain. We do not control the content or policies of the site you are about to visit. You should always check site policies before providing personal information or reusing content.These driving directions are provided as a general guide only. No representation is made or warranty given as to their content, road conditions or route usability or expeditiousness. User assumes all risk of use.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District
Heading to Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District?
No central reservation system listed for Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1576) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District?
Here's how to find our main office.GPS: 40.5172456, -99.2168979From Axtell (15 miles South of Kearney, Nebraska): 4 miles West on HWY 6/34 & 3 ½ miles North on V RoadFrom Funk: 4 ¼ miles North on Funk/Odessa HWY, 2 miles East on 738 Road, and ½ mile South on V RoadFrom I-80: Exit 263, 10 miles South on Funk/Odessa HWY, 2 miles East on 738 Road, and ½ mile South on V RoadOREnter your starting addre…
How do I contact Rainwater Basin Wetland Management District?
You can reach the park at phone: 308-263-3000 or email: rainwater@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
