$25 - $30 / night

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Established Camping

Inlet Campground — Johnson Lake State Recreation Area

3 Reviews

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There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!

The Nebraska Game & Parks Commission maintains the right to establish "black-out" dates and reserve facilities or lodging for Special Events and maintenance related needs.

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Inlet Campground near Elwood, Nebraska, is situated in a region characterized by flat plains and open spaces. The area experiences temperatures ranging from lows in the 20s Fahrenheit during winter to highs in the 90s during summer. Nearby, visitors can explore the Elwood Reservoir, which offers opportunities for fishing and boating.

Description

Summary Excellent camping, fishing and water sports are hallmarks of this ever popular area, 10 miles south of Lexington. Though relatively small at 68 acres, this SRA packs a lot of outdoor fun and provides three access points to the 2,068-acre lake. Attractions Johnson Lake offers great boating and skiing and excellent angling for a variety of fish, including walleye, white bass and wipers. Campers will find electrical hookups, non pad sites, showers, modern restrooms, dump station, water, picnic tables, grills, shelters, vault toilets, boat ramp, fish cleaning stations, swimming beach and accessible fishing piers. Johnson Lake campground offers 2 campgrounds. The main campground on the south east side of the lake has 82 camper pads with electrical hook-ups and an additional 30 non-designated campsites. Campground is shady and located close to shower facilities. It has a sandy beach area and plenty of picnic areas. The Inlet campground located on the west side of the lake has 31 camper pads with electrical hook-ups and 10 non-designated campsites. It has a boat ramp and excellent bank fishing as well as a handicap pier. For those golfers there is an 18-hole golf course close by.

Camping reservations may be made a minimum of three days in advance of arrival and a maximum of 180 days in advance of arrival.

CHECK IN AND OUT SCHEDULE- If you check out early, the unused portion of your payment will be forfeited.

Memorial Day-Labor Day Office is open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Kiosk is open Thursday-Sunday 8:00 a.m.-10:00 p.m.

A Nebraska State Park Permit is required to enter this park area. A Nebraska Licensed Vehicle Park Entry Permit is $35 for an Annual Permit, $17.50 for a Duplicate Annual Permit (used for that second vehicle in your family) or a Daily Permit which is $7 per day you are staying. A Non-Nebraska Licensed Vehicle Park Entry Permit is $70, $35 for a Duplicate Annual Permit or a Daily Permit which is $14 per day. You may purchase your Park Permit prior to your stay by shopping online at OutdoorNebraska.org.All vehicles entering a Nebraska Park Area are required to have a valid park entry permit.

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Location

Inlet Campground — Johnson Lake State Recreation Area is located in Nebraska

Directions

Johnson Lake SRA: From 1-80 take exit 237 and go 7 miles south on Highway 283, then make a right hand turn at the Cenex Ampride station then first left in to the Park.

Address

1 East Park Dr. 25A
Elwood, NE 68937-9804

Coordinates

40.69593034 N
99.87284197 W

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Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BY

Arnold Lake State Rec Area — Arnold State Recreation Area

1 hr 11 min away

Willow View Campground — Red Willow Reservoir SRA

1 hr 18 min away

Drive Time

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1 hr 25 min from Grand Island
2 hrs 29 min from Lincoln
3 hrs 6 min from Omaha
4 hrs 14 min from Manhattan

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T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

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Some Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Reservable
Showers
Drinking Water
Electric Hookups
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
Sewer Hookups
Water Hookups
30 Amp Hookups
50 Amp Hookups

Contact

General Info

Reservations

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T S.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 17, 2021

Okay for a Lake Campground

Campground fee is $15 per night. However, if you’re from out-of-state there is an additional $8.00 per-night fee.

The Inlet campground is on the west side of the lake. It is actually two campgrounds: one immediately north of the inlet and one immediately south of the inlet. They’re are linked by an old wooden car bridge (weight limit 17,000 pounds for RV’s).

The southern campground is the more popular with locals. Indeed, in talking to locals they pretty much hold onto the best sites directly on the lake. There is fishing and direct lake access. Most sites on this side have electricity. Families dominate the southern campground.

The northern campground has pit toilets, no electricity, and an extensive archery range. There is direct access to the lake but no beach. Most sites on this side are just pull-along; in contrast, the southern campground sites are all back-in. We stayed in the northern campground. No one else used it the one night we were there. Obviously, it was very quiet since we were alone. It is perfect for a night or two but lacks the amenities for a week’s visit. Unfortunately, the restrooms were quite dirty and bug filled. The inlet had algae in it and smelled.

Additional, attractions include a nearby golf course, bike trail, and marina.

SiteSite 6

Month of VisitSeptember

Kristen B.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 25, 2021

Nebraska Beauty

Stopped here for just a night. Amazing! Here at end of August, beautiful views quiet and tranquil. Host was so kind. Had trees to climb, swing set, and tether ball for kids while we sat and watched the lake. Giant trees for great shade. Totally surpassed my expectations.

Site126

Month of VisitAugust

Alex R.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 13, 2019

Inlet

Clean and well kept campground! Great bank fishing very nice boat ramp right next to one of the most productive fishing spots on the lake!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do visitors rate their experience at Johnson Lake State Recreation Area?

Visitors generally rate their experience at Johnson Lake State Recreation Area very positively. Campers appreciate the clean, well-maintained grounds and the tranquil atmosphere, especially during late summer. The beautiful lake views receive particular praise, as does the friendly campground host. Many highlight the recreation area's fishing opportunities, with the inlet area being noted as one of the most productive fishing spots on the lake. Families enjoy the kid-friendly amenities while parents can relax with lake views. The peaceful setting and natural beauty consistently exceed visitor expectations.

What amenities are available at Johnson Lake State Recreation Area campground?

Johnson Lake State Recreation Area offers a well-maintained campground with several amenities. The Inlet campground features a boat ramp providing easy lake access for water activities. For families, there are recreational facilities including a playground with a swing set, trees for climbing, and tether ball courts. The campground provides shaded sites with large trees, making it comfortable during warmer months. Basic facilities are available, and the grounds are kept clean. The campground is situated near prime fishing locations, making it an excellent choice for anglers.

Are cabin rentals available at Johnson Lake in Nebraska?

There's no indication of cabin rentals being available directly at Johnson Lake State Recreation Area. The Inlet campground appears to focus on traditional camping experiences rather than cabin accommodations. Visitors looking for overnight stays should plan to bring their own camping equipment. For those seeking cabin options, it's advisable to contact Nebraska Game and Parks Commission directly or check nearby private resorts around Johnson Lake that might offer cabin rentals as an alternative to camping.

Is there a map of Johnson Lake State Recreation Area showing campsite locations?

The Inlet campground at Johnson Lake State Recreation Area is divided into two sections—one north of the inlet and one south, connected by a link. While specific campsite maps aren't detailed in available information, visitors can expect to find the campground on the west side of the lake. For detailed campsite maps showing exact locations, amenities, and site numbers, check the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website or contact the park office directly. Having a map is particularly useful for selecting sites with the best shade or proximity to the boat ramp and fishing areas.

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