If you're looking for a place to pitch your tent near Carter Lake, look no further. The Dyrt can help you find the best tent campsites for your next trip. Whether you're looking for a quiet, dispersed site or an established camgpround with amenities, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to pitch your tent.
Welcome to Hitchcock County Nature Center, nestled near Honey Creek, IA. This campground is a gem, especially if you're into hiking and enjoying nature. Open from April to November, it's a great spot for both short stays and longer getaways.
The campground offers a mix of tent, RV, and cabin accommodations. If you're bringing an RV, you'll appreciate the electric and sewer hookups. Tent campers will find spacious sites, many shaded by trees, providing a good amount of privacy. There's even firewood available for those cozy campfires.
One of the standout features here is the cleanliness. Visitors consistently rave about the spotless bathrooms and hot showers. Even the pit toilets are kept in good condition, which is a pleasant surprise. If you're planning to stay, remember to bring cash as it's first-come, first-served, though you can also pay by card if the camp store is open.
Hitchcock County Nature Center is a hiker's paradise. There are numerous trails right at your doorstep, ranging from easy to challenging. Some campers have even mentioned friendly cows along the way, adding a bit of charm to your hike. And if you're into stargazing, the clear skies here offer a great view, especially if you have a Starlink setup.
For those who like a bit of convenience, there's a market on-site, and pets are welcome, so feel free to bring your furry friends along. The campground also allows alcohol, so you can enjoy a drink by the fire.
In short, Hitchcock County Nature Center is a fantastic spot to unwind, explore, and enjoy the great outdoors. Whether you're here for a night or a week, you'll find plenty to love.
$10 - $50 / night
Mahoney State Park offer Full Hookup, Electric Plus and Electric campsites. There are a total of 148 campsites. Lakeside Campground (100-148 campsites) are located close to Baright Lake and Owen Marina. Little Creek Campground (1-99 campsites) is close to a playground, basketball court and the coin operated laundry facility. Both campgrounds have drinking water, showers and modern restrooms. A dump and fill station is located conveniently near the park entrance.
Tent camping is available at Mahoney State Park in the two modern campgrounds. Tent campers will use the grassy area next to the pad site to set up their tent. Those tenting will pay the camping fee applicable to the site occupied. If making reservations, look for the site description of “tentable.” This means there is a level grassy space for a tent.
Reservations are accepted for half of the campsites in Lakeside and Little Creek campgrounds up to 180 days in advance of arrival date and paid in full at the time the reservation is made. All other camping at Mahoney State Park is first-come, first-served. Campers with advance reservations and those camping first-come, first-served must stop at the Lauritzen Administration building located at the park entrance to check-in or register to camp prior to setting up on a campsite. If arriving after hours, campers must go to the Peter Kiewit Lodge customer service desk and check in or register for a first-come, first-served site.
This modern state park is the perfect year round destination for a family escape. Families can visit the aquatic center and indoor playground, explore the park’s hiking and biking trails, adventure through the treetop ropes course, climb the observation tower and, when the weather turns cold, enjoy indoor rock climbing, sledding and ice skating. The jewel of the park is Peter Kiewit Lodge, which offers 40 guest rooms, most with balconies that offer a stunning view of the Platte River valley. The park also offers an arts and crafts center, an array of cabins, as well as camping opportunities. Mahoney State Park is located midway between Nebraska’s two largest cities, Lincoln and Omaha and is open year round.
There's plenty to do at this award-winning KOA, just a short drive from downtown Omaha and Lincoln. Enjoy the Jumping Pillow, mini zip line, pedal karts, banana bikes, large playground, swimming pool, mini golf, basketball, sand volleyball, badminton and horseshoes. Weekends (Memorial Day to Labor Day) feature breakfast in the Cornhusker Cafe, hayrides, ice cream socials, movie nights, tie-dye and other planned activities. Area attractions include the Henry Doorly Zoo, Strategic Air & Space Museum, Boys Town and museums, and the new beautiful Nebraska Crossing Outlet Mall. Nearby, enjoy wineries, casinos, top - rated golf courses and hiking/biking trails. Patio RV Sites and Deluxe Cabins make camping seem like a luxury vacation. Wings and freshly made pizza get rave reviews: You can even have them delivered to your site! Fido will love the off-leash doggie playground. Pool: Memorial Weekend - Labor Day Weekend. Max pull thru: 90 feet. Your hosts: Carrol & Eric Murray.
This West Omaha KOA campground offers Nebraska camping at its finest! Our campground is Big-Rig friendly, with 80-foot full-hook-up pull-throughs and 50-amp service available. You can also enjoy our scenic tent sites, or stay cozy in one of the cabins. Our cabins and deluxe cabins are all heated and air-conditioned for your maximum comfort. All cabins and RV sites have cable TV.
Once you're here, relax under a huge shade tree or activities, then refuel with a freshly made pizza - delivered right to your campsite! Or, enjoy breakfast in our tropical Cornhusker Cafe.
Canine owners will love our K-9 Park, where you can let Fido romp and play off the leash.
Your KOA hosts will be happy to provide you with information and maps to the many fun places to see. Come visit us - we'll make you feel welcome!
Platte River State Park is nestled halfway between Nebraska’s two largest cities – and makes a great place for camping near Omaha. Before it was a state park it was two separate camps – Harriet Harding Campfire Girls Camp and Camp Esther K. Newman – and a tract of woodlands. The charming, vintage cabins that once housed campers today provide cozy accommodations while the gorgeous new glamping cabins offer a luxurious yet nature-immersive experience. Other popular draws are the park’s picturesque waterfall, spray park, scenic hiking and biking trails and two observation towers that allow those who climb to the top a spectacular view of the Platte River Basin.
$10 - $165 / night
Encompassing 192 acres, Louisville State Recreation Area boasts five sandpit lakes with approximately 50 surface acres of water. Surrounded by towering cottonwood trees, this inviting area offers picnicking, swimming, fishing, non-power boating, canoe access to the Platte River and a brand new floating playground. Paddle board, water bike and kayak rentals are also available. These amenities, along with the area’s close proximity to Platte River, Mahoney state parks and Schramm Park State Recreation Area and Education Center, have made Louisville SRA a favorite spot among outdoor enthusiasts in the eastern part of the state.
Camping reservations are available on half of Louisville SRA campsites.
Louisville State Recreation Area offers campers Electric Plus, Electric and Basic campsites and is very popular with campers with 223 camping pads with 20-, 30- and 50-amp electrical hookups, as well as Basic campsites without electricity. Other amenities include shower facility and modern restrooms. Campers also have access to drinking water and a dump and fill station and a playground for children.
Lousiville State Recreation Area offers canoe access to the Platte River, as well as a special canoe campsite on the river.
$10 - $35 / night
Welcome to Arrowhead Park Campground! Nestled near Neola, IA, this spot is a gem for anyone looking to escape into nature without straying too far from civilization. The campground offers a mix of tent, RV, and cabin accommodations, making it a versatile choice for different camping styles.
One of the standout features here is the extensive network of mowed trails. Perfect for a leisurely stroll or a more vigorous hike, these trails are a hit with visitors, especially those with dogs. The campground also boasts clean pit toilets and showers, ensuring a comfortable stay even if you're roughing it a bit.
For those traveling in RVs, you'll find electric hookups and a sanitary dump station conveniently located near the entrance. The sites are spacious, giving you plenty of room to spread out and enjoy your surroundings. If you're into fishing or boating, the nearby lake is a great spot to cast a line or paddle around.
Pets are welcome, so feel free to bring your furry friends along for the adventure. And if you need to stock up on essentials, there's a market on-site. Fires are allowed, so you can enjoy a cozy evening around the campfire, roasting marshmallows and sharing stories.
Visitors have praised the friendly management and the overall cleanliness of the campground. Whether you're just passing through or planning a longer stay, Arrowhead Park Campground offers a peaceful retreat with plenty of amenities to make your visit enjoyable.
$30 / night
Campground Opening: The new campground is anticipated to open in early summer of 2022.
Please check the official website for updates: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Iowa-State-Parks/Lake-Manawa-State-Park
$26 - $28 / night
$12 - $26 / night
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Carter Lake, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Carter Lake, IA is Hitchcock County Nature Center with a 4.7-star rating from 26 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Carter Lake, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 79 tent camping locations near Carter Lake, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
