Best Tent Camping near Ashland, NE

State recreation areas surrounding Ashland, Nebraska provide several tent camping options within a short drive. Riverside Campground at Two Rivers State Recreation Area in Waterloo offers tent sites directly along the river, while Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area features dedicated tent campsites spread across multiple lakes. Area Three Campground and Wirth Brothers Lake provide more primitive tent camping experiences for those seeking less developed settings.

Most tent campgrounds in the region feature basic amenities with varying levels of development. Riverside Campground provides flat tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables, though campers should bring their own firewood as supplies sometimes run out. Fremont Lakes offers both developed and primitive tent-only sites, with the older lakes section providing more seclusion from RV areas. Wirth Brothers Lake features primitive tent camping with fire rings, raised grills, picnic tables, drinking water, and basic toilet facilities. Fees range from $5-20 per night, with some locations charging additional vehicle entry fees.

Tent campers visiting in late fall or early spring often experience greater solitude. According to reviews, Riverside Campground tent sites near the water offer good river access for tubing, though weekends can become crowded and noisy. One visitor noted that Fremont Lakes has "big beautiful sites" but warned about noise from nearby train tracks that "run about every 20 minutes all day and all night." Walk-in tent sites at Wirth Brothers Lake provide more seclusion, with a camper describing it as "off the beaten path with camping spots that offer some seclusion from other people." Area Three Campground offers primitive tent camping on a peninsula with waterfront sites on the east end, providing good access to beaches and morning walks along the shore.

Best Tent Sites Near Ashland, Nebraska (9)

Show More
Showing results 1-9 of 9 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Tent Camping Reviews near Ashland, NE

553 Reviews of 9 Ashland Campgrounds


  • Joe R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2018

    Wagon Train Primitive sites

    Wagon Train easy going camping

    This SRA about 25 minutes Southeast of Lincoln Nebraska is a favorite go to for me and my boys. Wagon Train is far enough from major roads that all you’ll hear is nature and the crackle of your fire. There are 28 pad/powered sites and 80 non powered, non pad sites for basic tent camping. If you want a sad spot reserve early. This SRA experienced a tornado a few years ago and many trees were lost. Those trees are in a pile near the non pad sites though, so claiming free fire wood is easy if you have a saw. Potable water is available and vaulted toilets are a short walk from the non powered sites. If you RV you’ll also have access to a dump station. There is a short hiking trail but nothing to write home about. Your camp sites will all have fire rings and picnic tables. I think the best part of this lake is the sand beach swimming area which is near a large covered picnic area. As with many Southeast Nebraska lakes, you can boat but there is a 5mph speed limit. If you don’t make reservations online you can show up and self register at the camp entrance. For me Wagon Train isn’t the prettiest lake in the area be a long shot but I love how quite it is and you’ll love the dark starry skies at night.

  • J
    Aug. 28, 2020

    Arrowhead Park Campground

    Peaceful Serenity

    I arrived just in time to see the beautiful sunset over the small lake near the primitive campground closest to the Park Office. It only cost $10 for tent camping and $3 for a vehicle pass. Campground and vault toilets were pretty clean. There is a fire ring and picnic table at each tent campsite and there are plenty to choose from near the water. You can bring your own kayak or canoe and even fish here. We had a nice encounter from the campground employee who explained how to put the stake out to claim our campsite. Right away, I saw abundant wildlife, including turkey, deer, black squirrels, woodpeckers, geese, ducks and bats. Come prepared for the mosquitoes but overall I would highly recommend this place!

  • Tarrah C.
    Apr. 5, 2023

    Waubonsie State Park Campground

    Nice Trails

    This is a great weekend spot not much to do around the park. The campsites are nice but close with not much space in between. There are 2 campgrounds, the one north of the highway is a horse campground but required. There are nice trails in this area. The campground on the south is more of a tent site. There are vault toliets, no showers. A lot of great trails o this side. All campsites include a picnic table and fire ring.

  • D
    Sep. 16, 2020

    Memphis Lake State Rec Area

    Camping Right on the Lake

    It is a nice spot a bit off of the main roads. Many of the tent sites allow you to camp right next to the lake. It's generally pretty quiet and people respect the 10 pm quiet hours rule. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring.

  • C
    May. 5, 2024

    Czechland Lake Recreation Area

    Great first come first serve campground

    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

  • Jennifer T.
    May. 28, 2024

    Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area

    Beautiful spot

    We spent Memorial weekend here in 2022. We had to park in a designated parking spot and walk in to set our tent. The site was shady and came with a picnic table, fire ring and We were right on the shores of the lake. It was a beautiful and very relaxing to hear the waves, although the wind coming across the lake was mighty fierce and destroyed the canopy that we had over the picnic table. And the beating of the tent all night long was a little hard to get some decent sleep. But the area was nice and close to the restrooms and spacious campsites

  • Kyla B.
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Czechland Lake Recreation Area

    Peaceful

    Has fishing, kayaking, hiking, 3 covered picnic areas with electricity, wildlife watching, no-wake boating, 11 (50 amp) RV/tent pads/sites at $20 per night, 3 free non-electrical RV/tent pads/sites, & free tent camping area by the dock. No park permit required. Can pay for pads/sites with cash or with mobile phone. Sites have trash cans, picnic tables and fire rings. Primitive bathrooms available. Water spigots available and working. No dumpsite. Dogs welcome but must be leashed.

    May be difficult parking for larger rigs (35ft+) due to the one way entrance and curvature of the campground. Also note that you will need to bring leveling blocks for nearly every site since the campground is build on a hill.

    https://lpnnrd.org/outdoor-recreation/czechland-lake-recreation-area/

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Lake Manawa State Park Campground

    Nice metro campground

    Large concrete pads with patio and permanently mounted mesh steel picnic table with a fire pit grill on the corner.. Lakeside locations are quite well spaced with a panoramic Lake view. small restroom and shower pair with unisex entry. Quite spartan, but relatively clean. Trees surround the campground, but none provide any campground shade. Entry gate code required, which provides some security. all amenities are available within a limited distance. Some lake activity noises during the day, and depending upon wind, some aircraft traffic, otherwise very quiet.

  • Sarah H.
    Aug. 7, 2016

    Arrowhead Park Campground

    Easy Family Camping Near Omaha

    Our family and another family shared a primitive tent site near the back of the park. We were first and foremost impressed with the freedom we had in choosing our site. Tent camping here is non-reservable, but once you enter the park, you may choose from any spots containing a fire pit outside of RV loops. Tent sites range from lake-front, to playground side, to more private sites on the outer rim of the park. We chose a large, private site at the back of the park. This site was well maintained and had enough space to easily accommodate two families of four. We even had a picnic shelter all to ourselves. Our site was lined by woods and farmland and had a good view of a small pond. The night was full of exciting animal noises from both the nearby farm and pond. Vault toilets were a short walk away with clean shower facilities just a few loops away. The kids enjoyed riding bikes up and down gravel roads, looking for frogs, and playing on the playground. Canoe and paddle boat rental is extremely reasonable. Hiking trails near the park entrance are rugged. The staff was incredibly kind and easy-going, yet attentive. Just a short drive from neighboring towns, this is a good starter campground for families with younger kids. We hope to return in winter to check out the camping cabins.


Guide to Ashland

Tent camping around Ashland, Nebraska offers a mix of waterfront and wooded sites within 45 minutes of the city. The region sits along the Platte River valley with elevations ranging from 1,100 to 1,300 feet. Most campgrounds operate from April through October, with primitive sites available for $5-15 per night and improved sites costing $15-25 depending on amenities and season.

What to do

River activities: At Riverside Campground in Two Rivers State Recreation Area, families can enjoy tubing and swimming. "The river is decently safe and a good place to tube. There were not any other campers but I could see it getting pretty busy on the weekends," notes Emily M. from Riverside Campground.

Hiking and biking: The trail system at Fremont Lakes connects multiple small lakes and extends beyond the park boundaries. According to Anji L., "Very woodsy feeling through the whole park and a nice bicycle trail that leaves the park and winds out to Hormel Park on the Platte River" at Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area.

Morning walks: Area Three Campground offers waterfront sites with easy lake access for morning strolls. Chelsea K. reports, "Our site was a few hundred yards from the lake, and we had a great morning walk."

Archery practice: Wirth Brothers Lake features an archery range for campers wanting to practice their skills, along with a swimming beach for cooling off afterward.

What campers like

Riverside sites: Tent campers appreciate the waterfront locations at Two Rivers. As Michael M. describes, "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."

Clean facilities: Fremont Lakes receives praise for maintenance. "Facilities were very clean. Cleanest I have ever seen in a campground," reports Alyssa E.

Seclusion options: For those seeking privacy, Wirth Brothers Lake offers more secluded spots. Becky D. notes it's "off the beaten path and has camping spots that offer some seclusion from other people."

Affordable full hookups: Fairgrounds camping provides budget options with amenities. Lucian F. found the Saunders County Fairgrounds to be a "Great Find. Located near downtown Wahoo. $20 per night for full hookup. Appear to be approximately 40 sites."

What you should know

Weather preparations: Spring and fall camping can bring temperature extremes, with lows occasionally dropping below freezing. Chelsea K. from Area Three Campground notes, "Late October tent camping- low around 19f... we seemed to be the only souls in the place."

Noise factors: Train noise affects some campgrounds significantly. At Fremont Lakes, Alyssa E. warns, "there is a very busy set of train tracks that run about every 20 minutes all day and all night. Didn't get any sleep, even with earplugs. Plus, it's right next to a busy highway."

Limited shade: Some tent sites offer little protection from summer sun. Molly M. advises, "The lake was awesome, not much shade on most tent sites. Make sure you ask when they dredged the lakes that you want to stay on."

Supplies availability: Firewood can be limited at certain times. Check ahead or bring your own supplies, especially for weekend camping when local stores may sell out quickly.

Tips for camping with families

Breakfast options: Two Rivers SRA offers affordable dining options for families who don't want to cook every meal. Shannon G. from Wirth Brothers Lake recommends bringing "drinking water, and there are picnic tables and a covered group picnic shelter" for family meals.

Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children, with Two Rivers and Wirth Brothers both offering playground equipment near camping areas.

Wildlife viewing: The area supports diverse wildlife including deer, turkeys, and various birds, making morning and evening wildlife spotting walks an enjoyable family activity.

Water safety: When camping with children near water, bring personal flotation devices. The shallow areas of the lakes and rivers can change depth unexpectedly, especially after rainfall.

Tips from RVers

Dump station access: Multiple locations offer sanitary dump facilities, including Two Rivers SRA and Saunders County Fairgrounds, making multi-day stays more convenient.

Site selection: Ask for older section sites at Fremont Lakes for more separation between tent campers and RVs. Charles C. notes that at Area Three Campground, "On the east end there are sites right on the water" which offer better views and privacy.

Weekday camping: For quieter experiences, consider non-weekend visits. Most campgrounds report significantly reduced crowding and noise from Sunday evening through Thursday.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ashland, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ashland, NE is Riverside Campground — Two Rivers SRA with a 3.8-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Ashland, NE?

TheDyrt.com has all 9 tent camping locations near Ashland, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.