The Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest covers about 116,000 acres of Sandhills prairie south of Nenzel, with about 2,200 acres of hand-planted pines. It began as the Niobrara Forest Reserve in 1902 and was named for Gov. Samuel R. McKelvie in 1971. Reach it on Spur 16F from US 20 at Nenzel, or west from NE 97 near Merritt Reservoir. It is open all year with no entry fee; Steer Creek Campground is the only developed campground. Managed by the Bessey Ranger District in Halsey.