Mulberry Bend Wildlife Management Area

Anglers and boaters have clear reason to stop at Mulberry Bend Wildlife Management Area, a dispersed camping area along the Missouri River outside Vermillion, Nebraska. The boat ramp sees consistent traffic, with visitors reporting launches as early as before 7 a.m. and arrivals past midnight, so expect activity around the water rather than a quiet riverside retreat. The area is managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and sits within a state fish and wildlife management area, making it a functional base for fishing and wildlife observation rather than a developed campground.

Access comes via a well-maintained gravel road, and reviewers towing trailers up to 20 feet report no trouble getting in. Space is limited to roughly six or seven rigs. One picnic table and a vault toilet are on-site, though cleanliness of the toilet has varied across visits. No potable water is available. Bring your own or plan to treat water from the river. A Walmart sits about five miles away for resupply. Andres K. describes it as "clean dry bathroom, plenty of space, quiet, and nice view on the river," though other visits have found the toilet in worse shape.

There are no posted camping signs on-site, and several campers note they saw no indication that overnight stays were prohibited. Cell service is listed as available. Campers looking for more developed facilities nearby can consider Lions Park to the north or Clay County Park for a different setup in the area.

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Map & DirectionsMulberry Bend Wildlife Management Area is located in Nebraska near Vermillion

Detail location of campground
Dispersed Camping

Coordinates

42.7143112 N
96.94325822 W

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Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 9/12/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 14 users
    Last on 9/12/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 9/12/26

Connectivity

  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 9/12/26
  • signal strength bars
    VerizonLTE
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 14 users
    Last on 9/12/26
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 9/12/26

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • WiFi
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Mulberry Bend Wildlife Management Area needs a permit.

Drive Time


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Reviews8 Camper Reviews - Mulberry Bend Wildlife Management Area

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5 Stars

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1 Star

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3.5

out of 5

8 Reviews

Riverside location offers scenic Missouri River views with basic facilities like toilets and trash service, though some access confusion exists. Most found adequate space for various RV sizes despite mixed reports about closures.

Reviewed Jul. 11, 2026

Great place

Clean dry bathroom, plenty of space, quiet, and nice view on the river.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jun. 26, 2026

Ok overnight

Easy to get to and set up and a pretty view of the river if you are to the right of the toilet. Two other motor homes look like full timers here, toilet is unusably dirty, boat ramp is pretty active. Someone pulled out at midnight last night others were ready to launch before 7 this morning. I Not a vacation destination but ok for an over night. YouTube @TKCompass

Month of VisitJune
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Mulberry Bend Wildlife Management Area by Curious Compass B., June 26, 2026
  • Review photo of Mulberry Bend Wildlife Management Area by Curious Compass B., June 26, 2026
Reviewed Sep. 17, 2025

Quiet but bugs

This was a fine location. A few people stopped by the boat ramp but no one else stayed the night. I looked everywhere and saw no signs regarding camping here and I was not disturbed. Lots of mosquitos and flies made me stay indoors.

Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Sep. 8, 2025

Mulberry Bend Wildlife Management Area

Nice spot to overnight for a day or two. Not a very large spot but enough room for 6 or 7 rigs. I tow a 20ft trailer Next to Vermilliom river. 1 picnic table, pit toilet, boat ramp. Easy to get to. Well maintained gravel road. No potable water. Walmart is 5.3 miles away.

Sitedispersed camping
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Mulberry Bend Wildlife Management Area by Travis A., September 8, 2025
Reviewed Aug. 16, 2025

Open in August 2025. No idea what all the fuss is about.

I almost skipped this spot because people were complaining about it being roped off or closed, or it didn't look safe or whatever, and it couldn't be farther from the truth. Whoever is writing those is probably either overly conscious, or they're trying to dissuade other campers so that they can have the spot to themselves. But it's such a big place and a lot of places to park that it doesn't really make a whole lot of sense to do that, so I don't know what their motive was.

There are trash cans and if you can do water procurement, there's the Missouri River. I don't see a grey dump though.

No problem at all getting my bus in here.

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Mulberry Bend Wildlife Management Area by Rick M., August 16, 2025
  • Review photo of Mulberry Bend Wildlife Management Area by Rick M., August 16, 2025
  • Review photo of Mulberry Bend Wildlife Management Area by Rick M., August 16, 2025
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Jul. 19, 2025

Nice stop

Not too far down a gravel road. Great views and breeze of the Missouri River. No signs about camping or not. I see a vault toilet but didn't try it.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Play button icon
Reviewed Jul. 19, 2025

No longer a boat ramp - CLOSED

This is now closed off w a fence. There are houses around the area too, off a gravel, curvey road that doesn't seem safe to stay on for the night. No pull off at all anymore.

Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Apr. 6, 2025

Camping

Well from where I come from this is considered a boat landing not a camping spot still going to Camp here don't want to keep driving it is a nice spot right on the river looks like there's spots you could put a tent I'm driving an RV

Month of VisitApril

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a legitimate camping area?

Mulberry Bend Wildlife Management Area functions primarily as a boat launch on the Missouri River rather than a designated campground. While there's no explicit signage prohibiting camping, it's an informal area where overnight stays happen. The area has limited space that can accommodate approximately 6-7 vehicles with room for tents. Due to its primary purpose as a boat ramp, it's best considered a convenient overnight stop rather than a destination camping location.

Is the area suitable for RVs?

Mulberry Bend WMA can accommodate RVs, though space is limited. The area has enough room for approximately 6-7 rigs, including trailers up to 20 feet. Access is via a well-maintained gravel road that's navigable for larger vehicles. There are no hookups or RV-specific facilities, so be prepared to dry camp.

What amenities are available at Mulberry Bend WMA?

Amenities at Mulberry Bend WMA are minimal. The area offers a vault toilet, a boat ramp for river access, and a single picnic table. There's no potable water available, no hookups, and no designated camping facilities. For supplies, Walmart is located about 5.3 miles away.

Are there any fees for staying at Mulberry Bend WMA?

There appears to be no fee system in place for overnight stays at Mulberry Bend WMA. The area doesn't have designated camping infrastructure or payment facilities. However, regulations may change, so it's advisable to check with the local wildlife management authority if planning to stay overnight.

What's the environment like at Mulberry Bend WMA?

Mulberry Bend WMA offers scenic views of the Missouri River with pleasant breezes coming off the water. The natural setting provides a peaceful atmosphere despite being relatively close to town. Be prepared for abundant insects, particularly mosquitoes and flies, which can be quite persistent during warmer months. The surrounding area features some residential houses, and visitors occasionally use the boat ramp during daytime hours.

Is it safe to camp at Mulberry Bend WMA?

Safety reports for Mulberry Bend WMA vary. Most visitors have uneventful stays with no issues, particularly since the site isn't heavily used for overnight camping. The area is somewhat isolated but close enough to town (5.3 miles to Walmart) to feel reasonably secure. Some local traffic uses the boat ramp during the day, but nighttime is generally quiet.

Is the campground currently open?

Reports about Mulberry Bend WMA's accessibility are contradictory. Some visitors have successfully camped there recently, while others report finding the area fenced off. The status may change seasonally or due to management decisions. Before planning a trip, it's advisable to contact the local wildlife management authority for current access information.

How busy does Mulberry Bend WMA get?

Mulberry Bend WMA maintains a relatively low visitor count. The boat ramp sees occasional daytime use by locals, but overnight camping appears uncommon. Many visitors report having the place to themselves for overnight stays, with just a few people stopping by to use the boat ramp during daylight hours. This makes it a good option for those seeking solitude.

How is the road access to Mulberry Bend WMA?

Access to Mulberry Bend WMA is via a well-maintained gravel road. While the road has some curves, it's generally navigable for most vehicles including those towing trailers. The turnoff may be easy to miss, so pay attention to directions. The road leads directly to the river access point.