Searching for a place to camp with your dog near Missouri Valley? Find the best information on pet-friendly campsites and dispersed camping near Missouri Valley, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the woods or a place near local attractions, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect spot for you and your pup.
$10 - $50 / night
While tent camping won’t be available in 2024 due to our expanded youth programs and the transformation of the space for versatile events, our dedicated team is actively working on future plans to introduce a primitive camping option for an even more immersive outdoor experience. Stay tuned for updates!
Whether you are visiting Omaha for the first time or looking for an affordable, family-friendly staycation, we’ve got what you’re looking for at Lake Cunningham. Discover the abundance of activities we have to offer, catered to those looking to explore the beauty of our park from land or water…or both!
For those of you who plan to stay with us, we have 42 new campground stalls equipped with water, power and sanitary to each pad as well as a new well and shower house for campers to enjoy. We also have 41 upgraded campground stalls with access to a renovated shower house and electrical amplification. All campground stalls have new grills and firepits for you to enjoy.
$15 - $40 / 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!
The Walnut Creek Lake and Recreation Area is a 450-acre mixed-use recreation area with a 105-acre reservoir. The park is located south of Highway 370 and west of 96th Street The park has 2 entrances, 1 off of 96th St and the other a 1.5 mile farther south and 1.5 mile west on Schram Road to Turkey Road
Walnut Creek is unique, as it is a “pack in, pack out” facility. No trash service is offered in the park; you are responsible for removing any trash you generate during your visit, thus leaving the cleanliness of the park up to you, the user.
RV park - 44 electric sites (30 or 50 amp), city water available, dump station, 55 feet concrete pads, paved roads, first come first serve, $16 per night with a 2 week limit, 402-679-9889
$20 / night
$12 - $26 / night
$30 / night
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
The Lewis and Clark campground is a great place to spend a leisurely vacation in the outdoors. The campground features both electric and full hook-up sites (water and sewer) which lie along the lakeshore. Modern restrooms and showers are available, as is a trailer dump station.
$20 - $26 / night
Traveler
Cute little campground, electrical only. Picnic table and grill at each site. No fires. Shower house available until it's gets down to freezing weather. Dump station and water fill.
Traveler
Very quiet and peaceful place I have been there few times and I never see anyone else around. There is no bathroom or drinking water so make sure you are ready for that. October is a very colorful time of the year very peaceful the pond for what I heard isn’t a good place for fishing but just a mile away there is a hunting park highly recommend it
Guide
I pulled in late at night easy to navigate stayed the next day and did some trails apparently the land formations are 1 of only 2 in the world how about that Iowa.
Ranger
It’s been a few years since we stayed at Lake Wanahoo, but we decided to stay there over our anniversary weekend. The place is still great, and this time of year it was very quiet and peaceful.
I was able to fish at the lake, we used the trails for walking and biking. Being close to town allowed us to have a great anniversary dinner at a steakhouse!
We are definitely going to be using it more!
Traveler
We didn’t get to see the camp area as it was closed for hunting season.
Guide
This is a no-frills stop off on a road trip kind of place. The bathrooms were pretty gross and there are lights on all night so hopefully you have a blackout tent or good shades on your RV. It's nothing to write home about but it was quiet and I slept well. I would stay again
Scout
It’s a good place for camping not perfect. Has a descent size lake good for kayaking and fishing.
TravelerStopped overnight in late August. Did not want to drag our gear up/down a hill to the tent campsites in the lower loop. Paid more to stay in the upper RV loop where we listened to a neighbor's generator all night. Pretty buggy. Showers/toilets okay. Note there are at least 2 railroads running nearby in the wee hours of the morning. Also, this is on the flight path for jets leaving (I assume) the Omaha airport. Not a restful night--won't be back.
Scout
If you don’t mind lugging your stuff to your tent spot, it’s primitive, no frills camping at its finest! We chose the closest spot to the vault toilets. There are only 4. It’s a bit off the beaten path but we got to enjoy the beautiful horses. Bonus!
Scout
I planned an event at this military installation because of pricing and being a gated community. The prices are good and the overall area is clean but the reason for the rating given is below:
Due to this being a military site with a managed gate, ID or authorization roster is required...I submitted and got my roster approved within the allotted time only to find out that it was not shared with the gate guards so no one was being let in. The keys for each facility had issues like broken locks or no pin code given for the key system to even get the keys. The cabins are nice but not very well cleaned and the emergency phone number that is provided is a great feature although no one answered it.
If you find yourself looking for a venue for your event, pass on this one. Too much hassle for the money saved. I wish the state of Nebraska could figure out how to hire competent people to manage their facilities.
Scout
This campsite seems nice, but with blaring Omaha heat and no trees, the heat here is absolutely brutal. It was mid July and still 96 degrees at 7:00pm, so I ended up leaving knowing it would be too hot for a comfortable night sleep. Beautiful view of the lake and short walk to the swimming beach.
Traveler
There are areas dedicated for daily use, primitive camping and electric sites. Great Lake for kayaking or a small jon boat. Has restrooms available, no showers. No dumpsite. Fire pit and picnic table available at sites.
Appears to be a quiet retreat with minimal campers.
Ranger
Great spot! Easy on/off. Was $45 for overnight with amenities.
We opted for the free stay which was great. Nice, flat parking lot with other rv’s and tractor trailers off to the side.
Slept great. Used the casino bathrooms and really liked it for a free overnight. Casino is fun too!
Would def stay here again. Felt very safe and well lit. Noise was minimal and only came from the tractor trailers. If I had parked at the other end I wouldn’t have even heard it.
Got take out from Modern Love to bring back. Molo is amazing - all vegan and most GF too. Never pass through Omaha without a visit there. Great way to end the night.
Scout
Don’t forget the day use fee it’s $14 a day for out of state and seven dollars in state A decent number of mosquitoes on my visit in July in the evening
Scout
Do not pay Dyrt to use this campground. They are not affiliated.
Guide
Beautiful park, beautiful scenery and amazing playground!
GuideWe camp all the time at different locations, and I 100% recommend this campground! The hosts are so polite and helpful and they keep the place immaculate. Even the pit toilets were spotless and didn’t smell. The hosts went around several times a day collecting trash and even mopping the pit bathrooms. Camping here also gives you access to the playground and nature trails into some beautiful countryside. The only downside is bring several bottles of bugspray, the mosquitos are terrible!
Scout
This was the perfect place for us — just passing through on our way out to Wyoming. This camp ground is awesome all around — especially for tent campers. Absolutely beautiful views of the lake and so many open camp sites even on the 4th of July. I wish we could have spent more time here.
Scout
Populated but spacious. Friendly staff. Lots of greenery and trees. Only stayed one night but the list of activities seemed great. Safe, relaxing place. Bathrooms and showers could use some work but I was happy for a warm shower after traveling so long. Highway and trains can be heard from a distance but I found it soothing.
Scout
Did not stop to Camp!!, only dumped my tanks and filled up water. Wish I would’ve stayed. Looks like a very well done out-of-the-way and quaint park. $20 for dumping, or camping and dumping, seven dollars for tent campers.
Guide
Clean and mostly well-kept campground. Much nicer than I had expected. Has on-site host, but we didn't see much of her/him/them. Had good cell service (ATT).
The only serious complaint I can make is that the water, while potable (so we were told), has a very, very strong iron/metallic taste. To the point that, for us, it was undrinkable.
The campsite we chose was level, concrete, and cost $20 (the site we wanted by the water had electric). Very little shade though, which made it really hot (other sites had more shade).
Other observations:
The river current is quite fast here. I wouldn't plan on letting my kids or dogs get into the water, except to, maybe, wade at the boat ramp where it is protected from the current by small islands where the creek comes in.
They have a table near the boat ramp that, I assume, is for cleaning your caught fish. If it matters, it did not have running water.
The small dock from the boat access area felt unstable and one had to step across a couple of rocks to get to it from land, maybe because the river level was up(?).
Of the 4 bathroom/shower combination rooms in the bathhouse, only two were unlocked. That said, we were the only tent campers and the RV campers didn't seem to be using them. And they were clean and in good repair.
Our campsite was right next to the facility loading/unloading barges next to the campground. (They were unloading dried soybeans while we were there.) There are also security lights, but the light is mostly blocked by the trees at night. They start work at 7am and seem to stop at 4pm during the week.
I would call this location reasonably quiet. But not absolutely quiet. There is noise from various sources at various times: the loading/unloading from the barges, the farming going on across the road from the campground, boats going up or down the river, and, minimally, the sound from the traffic on the highway. So not absolutely quiet, but it wasn't loud enough or continual enough to detract from the stay.
Lastly, it probably doesn't need to be said, but I didn't think of it before our stay (duh), so just a reminder. You're camping by a river (i.e., water), so there are many, many flying insects. Be sure to have insect repellent, as they are merciless.
ScoutPerfect place to get away for the weekend. Grounds are clean bathrooms are clean. Shout out to Dave the park ranger for being very generous. We drove from Davenport to stay here for Father’s Day weekend and we will definitely be back. You also can tent camp right next to the water as well. Love it!
Guide
A short drive from Omaha, two rivers offers generally clean TV and tent camping sites across multiple campgrounds. I camped right by the river. Also a short walk to the outhouse and playground. Fun and quick trip if you’re in the Omaha area. My boys (4&7) loved it.
Guide
Nice site for a tent camper passing through, beginner adventurers, glampers, or a family staycation. The entire park is well maintained, has a large lake stocked with fish, tent sites are close together, but tolerable. Occupancy depends on the time of year. I was there in September and it was not crowded at all. Tent sites are primitive. New roads leading into the park.
Guide
This is a nice small campground that is well taken care of. We stayed at site number 8 which may be one of the more unlevel spots. The passenger side of our 5th wheel was about 7" lower than driver side and rear of fifth wheel was about 3" lower than front before we levelled out.
Pros:
-Well maintained walking trails that are perfect for dogs
-Most sites have 30 and 50 amp hookups
-Fire rings and picnic tables at most sites
-$18 a night for electric hookups
-Quiet
Cons:
-Some sites are very unlevel
-No water or dump station
ScoutWe called the casino & they told us we could park in the lot for free. If you want electricity & ahowers, you can pay. We just needed a place to sleep as there are not a lot of campgrounds here. Highway was a bit noisy and a distant train was heard twice through the night. No one bothered us which was all we needed! Got a shower at a nearby truck stop. Big open lot with lots of space. Also had a dumpter I made use of (small bag of car trash).
ScoutOnly spent one night but would have stayed longer if we would have had time. Nice clean bathhouse and restrooms. Lots of hiking trails and even hiking sticks. We really enjoyed this short stay!
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Missouri Valley, IA?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Missouri Valley, IA is Hitchcock County Nature Center with a 4.7-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Missouri Valley, IA?
TheDyrt.com has all 78 dog-friendly camping locations near Missouri Valley, IA, with real photos and reviews from campers.
