RV sites near Ashton, Nebraska offer campers access to several unique river fishing opportunities and prairie wetlands. Most campgrounds in this central Nebraska region sit at elevations between 1,900-2,300 feet, creating mild summer evenings ideal for camping. Winter camping remains available at several locations though services become significantly reduced during colder months.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Fort Kearny State Recreation Area offers seven sandpit lakes with accessible fishing piers on Lakes 5, 6, and 7. A camper noted, "There are tent site that are free. You can camp there off season. Some of the site are on the river. There are also several hiking trails."
Beach activities: Bader Memorial Park features multiple recreation options including "a swimming beach with a sandvolleyball net, and multiple fishing ponds. During the year they have fun activities for children and adults including Bird/Nature hikes, a Haunted forest, and Haunted Halloween Campgrounds."
Bike trail access: Fort Kearny State Recreation Area connects to the 50-mile Cerro Gordo County trail system, perfect for cycling enthusiasts. As one visitor mentioned, "There's a bike trail that goes to the Fort at the historical park," making it easy to combine outdoor recreation with historical exploration.
What campers like
Storm shelters: Kearney RV Park & Campground provides weather safety features that campers appreciate: "Bathrooms were nice with laundry and 'storm shelter'" and another noted "There are storm shelters available in the bathhouse," providing peace of mind during severe weather.
Clean facilities: Many RV sites near Ashton maintain exceptionally clean facilities. One camper at Kearney RV Park praised "Great wifi and the cleanest/nicest bathroom and shower area!" while another commented on the "Friendly staff, nice laundry and bathroom facilities that are handicapped accessible."
Fishing without licenses: Several parks offer unique fishing opportunities for travelers without requiring state fishing licenses. At Kearney RV Park, a camper mentioned, "There is a stocked pond you can fish without a license. It is catch and release only," making it convenient for travelers passing through.
What you should know
Additional permit costs: Nebraska parks often require daily vehicle permits in addition to camping fees. At Fort Kearny State Recreation Area, a camper noted, "A daily vehicle park permit is required and when this is added in to the cost, it's a bit pricey for what it is." The vehicle permit costs approximately $14/day on top of camping fees.
Highway noise levels: Several campgrounds experience road noise due to proximity to major highways. One camper at Kearney RV Park observed, "Being right next to the highway very bad road noise. Had to turn the fan on high to drown it out."
Water access limitations: Water connections may not be available at all sites year-round. A camper at Fort Kearny mentioned, "Electric h/u, but no water. Need to fill up prior to camping," indicating campers should arrive with water tanks filled.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Firefly Meadows offers family amenities despite being a relatively new development. One camper noted, "Bathhouse itself was nice and clean... No playground or amenities besides the bathhouse and laundry. Some kids fishing at the pond were catching small fish."
Swimming locations: Fort Kearny offers designated swimming areas for children. "Lake 7 has the swimming beach," reported one camper, making it a good option for families seeking water recreation.
Bike rentals for kids: Some parks provide bike rentals for children to explore. A camper at Fort Kearny mentioned they "even have bikes for the kids," while another noted the campground is "great camping ! Enjoyed our short stay here."
Tips from RVers
Level site conditions: Tomahawk Municipal RV Park in Broken Bow provides reliable sites for various RV sizes. A reviewer noted, "All sites are full hook ups with a few on concrete but most on gravel. Most sites are pull thru. Not every site has a picnic bench, they are scattered around."
Overnight convenience: Many campgrounds are specifically designed for efficient overnight stays. One camper at Kearney RV Park appreciated that "We rolled in and didn't even need to unhook. Level site, quiet (except for the interstate), easy breezy check in, clean, and easy out." Another at Wood River Motel & RV Park mentioned, "Nice small campground. Only 30 or so spots. Small playground for kids. Fishing hole."
Spacing between sites: Site spacing varies considerably between parks. At Firefly Meadows, "The sites on the North side are close together," while at Bader Memorial Park, "The tent sites are a mix on being right in the middle of everything or far away. If you stay at K,M,N you will have a nice quiet stay."
