Area One Campground

Anglers and boaters find direct water access at Area One Campground, situated within the Branched Oak Wildlife Management Area north of Malcolm. The campground splits into two distinct sections: the west area sits elevated overlooking the lake with its own shower and restroom facility, while the east area provides views of the playground and beach with vault toilets nearby.

Full hookups include electric, water, and sewer connections at select sites, though some reviewers note water availability varies by season. Paved roads connect level RV pads equipped with picnic tables and fire rings. The central shower house serves both camping areas, though tent campers may find it requires a longer walk from their sites. "Can kayak right by your campsite," notes Steph S., highlighting the direct lake access that draws many visitors.

A swimming beach, playground, and dump station serve the campground's 330-plus sites. Trails extend from the east camping area into the surrounding wildlife management area. Coyotes can be heard at night across the property. Weekday visits tend to be quieter than weekends, when activity levels increase significantly. The facility operates under Nebraska Game and Parks Commission management with both reservable and first-come sites available year-round.

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Location

Public Campground

Area One Campground is located in Nebraska

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

40.95639061 N
96.87085082 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.
  • Boat-In
    Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)
  • Group

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups

Drive Time


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Reviews

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4.5

out of 5

5 Reviews

Campers regularly cited the clean facilities, lakefront location with beach access, and family-friendly amenities. Some visitors expressed disappointment with pricing and tight site spacing, though most appreciated the water activities and maintained grounds.

Reviewed Apr. 10, 2025

Cost

During the off season. $25.00 for electric. $14.00 entry fee for a vehicle. More than I was expecting No water hook up at the camp sites. They have water you can fill up your fresh water tank.
this was an overnight stay and $39.00 was not what I expected from what I gathered from there website

Site23
Month of VisitApril
Reviewed Aug. 16, 2020

Lots of space

We love camping on the south shore. Can kayak right by your campsite. Lots of room between sites to play catch or yard games.

Reviewed Jul. 14, 2020

One of the premiere Campgrounds in Nebraska

Branched Oak is not the luxury park that Mahoney is but it is one of the premiere campgrounds at Branched Oak which is one of the premiere parks of Nebraska.

This Camp Area actually is two camping areas (east and west)  the West is high on a hill overlooking the water and has a shower/toilet within the camping area.  The East overlooks the play area and has a vault toilet.  There is a central shower/Toilet structure but it is a little jaunt from even the closest RV spot in either area.  As always they assume that the tent campers don't use toilets and don't need showers so they put those areas as far from the facilities as possible.

There is a beach, a play area, a dump station, and a nice trail going off the east tent camping area.

  • Review photo of Area One Campground by Charles C., July 14, 2020
  • Review photo of Area One Campground by Charles C., July 14, 2020
  • Review photo of Area One Campground by Charles C., July 14, 2020
  • (17) View All
Reviewed Sep. 25, 2018

Lake view, ample sites

Branched Oak-Area One Campground is 2 1/2 miles north of Malcom Nebraska. There are many different areas offering over 330 pads and tons of primitive camping. In Area One we had full hook ups and a level site. There were picnic tables, and fire rings at each site. The shower house/restrooms were clean. There is a swim beach, playground, and fishing in this area. We were here during the week so it wasn't to busy. We were told the weekends could get rowdy. We enjoyed a beautiful night with a campfire and coyotes howling.

Site71
Month of VisitSeptember

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Area One Campground have RV hookups?

According to TheDyrt.com, Area One Campground has water hookups and sewer hookups.

Are fires allowed at Area One Campground?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Area One Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Area One Campground have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Area One Campground does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Area One Campground?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is excellent coverage for AT&T, good coverage for T-Mobile, and excellent coverage for Verizon.