Looking for an adventure where you can explore Bayard and then fall asleep in your tent? The Dyrt helps you find campsites near Bayard with tent camping. Search nearby tent campgrounds or find top-rated spots from other campers.
5 Day limit for camping at Packer Lake Campground.
Legend
Open May 1– October 1. Got the second to last site on a Wednesday in July(you can reserve sites after the campground opens on May 1). We chose this campground for its proximity to Scottsbluff. Although there is a tent site area, the campground was filled mostly with large RVs. The hosts were very friendly and welcoming and even though it was not a large campground, the host escorted us to our site. He offered several times to deliver firewood to us if we wanted. Reasonable cost for sites($10 tent camping,$20 water and electric,$25 for full hook-up). Best sites are the ones at the end of the rows as they have a nice patch of lawn. Alcoholic beverages are permitted but must be consumed inside your rig/tent. WiFi is available but not a strong signal; using our own data worked much better. Restrooms were reasonably clean(accessed via a code) and there are showers. This campground is located within a city park and there are other facilities(fitness trail, dog park, and supposedly a zoo). I did a little exploring but rain was imminent so I didn’t wander far, however, the facilities outside the campground looked like they could have used a little TLC. Of course, there is a nearby train!
Scout
Some of us still prefer to rustic camp in a tent with no amenities; listen to the sound of birds, wind, silence, to feel the night wrap around you when you sleep. Your mobile homes are too big for the rustic lake sites! You’re generators are ridiculous and loud. Take that to the RV site. This one camper was so big that it took up half the one way road, now people tear up the nice grass to get around a RV that was never meant to camp in these sites when the camp sites were built. Serious.
GuideWe tent camped here on the last night of a road trip after stopping at the national monument. It was a nice, quiet campground. The tent area was a nice open, grassy area. There weren’t many of us tenting so we didn’t have anyone close! We explored down by the river for a little bit then had to run back as a storm was threatening! Hosts very kind and accommodating. They only take cash, though, so just be prepared.
Scout
Easy on and off from 80. We camped in the RV part with full hookups. We have stayed here twice and it is nice to have hookups while traveling across the Midwest. There are sites that are just electric or tent sites. The bathrooms and showers are clean.
GuidePulled in around 6pm on a monday evening in june. The “Real RV” section was packed, but the electric only sites and tent sites were completely empty. perfect for our class b.
There was a playground and a building which had laundry and maybe showers, but it was closed due to COVID.
TravelerI tent camped and booked online earlier on the same day (use this link, the one listed above is incorrect: https://www.campspot.com/park/riverside-campground-scottsbluff-ne). For only $10, I certainly had everything I needed. The restroom had an access code, which should be provided at check-in. The only downside was that there were a few pesky bugs, but it is “Riverside” after all. If you’re going to Scotts Bluff, I highly recommend this spot!
LegendTired of driving-take a break here. We stumbled across this campground when returning from Colorado and needing a place to stay over. It is self register at night and the sites are level, on gravel, and clean. There is a picnic table and a fire grill at each site. There are about 30 Rv sites and some tent sites. It will be a few years until the trees grow large enough to give shade.
ScoutStayed one night using one of the six tent camping sites. You either have to self register at the main office (unmanned) or go to Cabalas store and pay. A nice lady and daughter was waiting on a bus at the campsite building explained the procedure and most importantly gave me the 3 number pass to get into the bathroom (priceless)!
Bathrooms were clean. Camp is noisy due to I-80 is 1/4 mile away...u can see headlights at nite on your tent walls. Plenty fresh water outlets. Electrical was the large round 30/50 amp? I wasn’t able to hook in due to no adapter. Got around 2 hours of sleep. Bring ear plugs.
Guide
We originally were planning on staying at West Wind, but our GPS couldn’t locate it at first and since it was late we just settled here. The reservable sites aren’t too bad being paved and somewhat near the bathrooms. However, the camping on the beach is not very well maintained. There was trash everywhere. People also pulled in at all hours of the night and when you are tent camping it’s not the best. The staff was friendly which is a plus. The showers cost $$$ which after paying $$ to both camp and park seems outrageous. If we go back we will more than likely try to stay at a different campground around the lake.
Legend
This private campground directly overlooks Carhenge and is not too far from (small) downtown Alliance. Although tent prices were listed, I’m not sure it would appeal to tenters. Prices range from $17 for tents to $27 for water to $35 for full hookups. 50% off after the third day. Weekly and monthly rates listed and it appears that credit cards are accepted. I believe there were four full hookup sites. The day we were there, there were only two RVs there and I didn’t see anyone to talk to. (There was a phone number prominently displayed to call but I did not). Pit toilet. No shade at all. If you are passing through, it might be good for an overnight stay but other than Carhenge, not much to do in this area. Was suggested that it might be a good stop on the way to Sturgis (tent camping?)
LegendThis campground rating is based on a short-term stay versus destination. The Cabela's RV Park& Campground(CG) was easy to find and we arrived early in the afternoon. As this is a first-come-first-serve CG, we drove through until we found a site (19 with FHUs) we liked. As Cabela’s Club members we got a 20% discount so we walked over to Cabela’s and paid for our site in a regular checkout line. You can also pay by credit card, cash, or check at the little unmanned office on the backside of the restrooms, showers, and laundry building. The laundry room was very clean and very reasonably priced with four washers and four dryers. Along with the majority of the sites being FHU, there are also electric-only and tent sites. They have cable but it’s pretty much the same as the OTA channels. There’s WiFi and we got 4 bars on Verizon and T-Mobile. You are near the interstate so there is some road noise, but not as bad as expected. This is a great CG for a couple of days' stay.
Scout
Hidden gem! This quiet little park is nestled back in a residential area and backs up to beautiful farmland. Three electrical/water sites are located on gravel across from the City park. The park has lush green grass, trees, small playground and pool. You can stay two nights for free, additional nights for a fee. The town of Bayard has very little to offer. Many of the businesses have closed down. This campground is great for visiting nearby Chimney Rock and Scott’s Bluff National Monument.
LegendWe had some difficulty locating this park and eventually asked a local where it was (Google maps will not direct you to the right place; the “campground” is located on East 11th Street and First Avenue). It is located uphill from the downtown area so don’t confuse it with another city park closer to downtown. Now, to review the campground. Western Nebraska campgrounds are unlike other places we are used to – perhaps it is because of summer heat (and biting flies) but most seem to be geared toward RVs. This one has three "sites", although they are not separated in any way save for the electrical and water hook-ups. Just room for three rigs on a gravel area. No tents for sure. Across the street from these “sites” is a nice lawn area with lots of trees and a covered picnic pavilion, which could make your stay more pleasant, as long as a group isn’t using it. There was a persistent barking dog nearby while I was checking it out. About the only redeeming thing I can think of for this place is the price: free for the first two nights but you would need to pay$10 per night after (I guess to discourage people from living there). Close to Chimney Rock and about 25 miles from Scotts Bluff but otherwise not much in the area.
Legend
Captain Critter Country campground is located right off of highway 26 between Mitchell and Scottsbluff Nebraska. There is a set of train tracks on the other side of highway,and the trains blow there horns when they come through. Scared the crud out of me because they were so loud. When you pull into the campground it is obvious real quickly that it is in need of some TLC. There are spray painted tires around saplings throughout the campground. Along with spray painted numbers on the electrical boxes and in need of some clean up. There are bright yellow buckets over the water spigots. One of the reasons we stopped was because it advertised a fruit orchard and veggie garden that we could pick from to eat. So I set off walking to find these. The fruit orchard is non existent. On brochure given said it was coming. And the veggie garden was very overgrown with weeds couldn’t tell if anything was planted in most of it. I passed by a once swimming pool that is beyond repair. With that being said the owner is super nice and the campground has 36 full hook up sites with more being made. We paid $35 for the night. The lanes are cutely named -Bunny Blvd,Critter Court, Deer Drive, Fox Fairway, and Gopher Gateway to name a few. The dog park is a nice size and has water bowls for the pups and deflated balls to play with. There is a small backyard swing set for kids and areas with trees that provide shade. The bathroom and showers are closed due to Covid. A lot of the campers look like full timers, and I did not see any tent areas.
GuideHad reservations as Nebraska Travel Guide listed so figured was ok. River is close by but not at campground. I did not read Dyrt reviews first...lesson learned. It was dirt, dead grass snd I felt in unsafe area. We did not stay!!!
Guide
We arrived to find that the site we had reserved was not only occupied by another RV, but the people had essentially taken off for days. We were given a different, worse site, and had no options, since the campground was full. The person in charge of the campground was less than helpful. We had chosen that site MONTHS in advance so we could accommodate a screen tent. The bugs are horrendous (mosquitoes primarily, with flies coming in a close second). We were unable to put up the screen tent due to how small the site was, and how close to the water we were...like a few feet from stagnant, buggy water. To say it was NOT a good experience is an understatement. We left after one unpleasant night. We will not go back, and instead re-route to go to a better rated campground next time.
Legend
This is a park for small rvs or tent campers. There are a few pull through just after the gun range but the rest of the sites down the road are very small. All sites are very close together. Pit toilet and waste containers.
ScoutVery clean, first-come, first-served grounds for RV/Camper/Tent. Coin laundry services. Clean bathroom and showers. Right next to the Cabela’s store, within walking distance to food, coffee, Walmart. It is, however, right next to a major highway, so it is very loud.
LegendPulling up to this campground, it is right next to carhenge. It is a fairly new camground and has no shade. It is a few miles from town and there really isn’t anything there. We decided not to stay here. It would be ok if you needed to pull over for the night. The sites were pull thru and on gravel. The sites went from full hook ups down to tent.
Scout
It's decent but it's a concrete pad, you have to call city hall to get a code to unlock the water spigot and they close at 4pm. The area is clean but seems to be too expensive compared to other communities within 100 miles. Cross
the border and many Nebraska small towns offer cheaper or free stays. The atmosphere just isn't right but i came in late and needed a place to stay. For $25 next time i will look elsewhere. Maybe I'm cheap, but i expect more convenience for the price and fewer rules. No fires, no fire rings, your grille is ok, that's about all
RangerAt the site of Cabella’s headquarters as well as the site of the original Cabella’s store.
The campground does not take reservations. It’s first-come, first-served. You drive in and find a site, then go to a cashier in the store to register.
Approximately $40 for a 50amp FHU site with grass, a table, and a grill. Sites are level with gravel pads. They also have sites with electric only and a tent area. Showers are clean, as well as the laundry room.
Big rig friendly, but arrive around 3pm since the place fills up fast later in the day.
Note: cable is good with about 60 clear channels. AT&T phone signal is poor here.
TravelerWell maintained grounds, restrooms and showers are clean and easy to access. Unfortunately there are trees but none are mature enough to provide adequate shading. Gas and convenience , shopping, and food located close by. Cabela's Sydney store is across the parking lot with plenty of things to browse for. Easy on and off I-80 access for RVs, vans, and tent campers with a nice playground for the kids and running room for your pets. Easy access horse Corral 🐎 for the equestrian motivated individuals. Overall when the trees mature to provide shade this will be a 10 for passing through and short stay campers. There aren't any sewage hookups but it does have a black and Grey water dump. Electrical rv hookups are in each spot and there's plenty of green grace to go around.
LegendRanger review of Wildcat Hills SRA. If you love to hike and want to truly feel like you are away from it all check out Wildcat Hills. This beautiful recreation area just South of Gering Nebraska is just minutes away from geological wonders such as Chimney Rock, Jailhouse Rock and Scott’s Bluff National Memorial Park. Wildcat offers Archery, gun range, biking, hiking, picnicking, a playground, nature center and hunting. I’d add that if you are a bird watcher you need to get to Wildcat hills. There are also big horn sheep, wildcats, rattle snakes, elk, and deer in the area although we didn’t see any in our two days and nights at the park. There is a huge nature center that will provide a great place to cool off, stay dry or just for learning for the sake of learning. 4 main trail heads interconnect through rough, minimally maintained hiking trails that climb up to 5,000 feet. Backpack a lunch to the bottom of the canyon and try to find the Game of Thrones shelter (my pet name for it). I’ve given this park 4 stars because we were fortunate enough to camp at the group site that an area boy-scout troop updated. There are two other camp sites along the dirt road leading to the group site. Those 12 total sites are very close together and I wouldn’t recommend anything more than a pop up camper in those spots which are right on the road. If you have to camp in one of those 12 sites I’d rate the camping at 2 or 3 stars. this park hits it out of the ball park with the hiking and nature center.
Ranger review INNO INH 330 Aero Light Bike Rack
I had the opportunity to review the INNO INH 330 Aerolight QM bike rack. I have put hundreds of miles on this 2 bike rack from state parks to urban use. INNO has created a rack that is worthy of consideration among high end bike racks. The INNO arrived in a large clean and well packaged box and was nearly fully assembled. There are a number of pros and cons to be considered with this rack as with any product. I’ve listed those below.
Pros: Well made light metal and plastic construction that I believe will hold up for a very long time. Innovative locking cable for piece of mind. Fits both 1.5” and 2” receiver. Quiet ride. Exceptionally study bike securement if you don’t have attachment and you have a triangular bike frame. Protects your bike from banging into other bike like on hanging style racks.
Cons: awkward fit on height bar strap if you have a water bottle or bike tire pump attachment. If you are mounting different bikes often there a few adjustment steps that will take some time before you can secure your bike. The pins that secure the arms in the lower and upper positions can stick and require some force to pull out and place. I think some WD40 would probably resolve that issue. Bikes without the traditional triangle frame do not strap well to the veritable bar.
In the end, I’d give this rack 3.5 stars I would give it 4 if it fit my son’s non-triangle frame bike. I recommend that you consider the INNO and determine if it will fit your bikes and your needs. This rack has become my go to if I only need to take my bike or one other. Find your local retailer and try it out with your bikes.
Sorry about the oddly formatted photos. They flipped during upload.
TravelerThese spaces are close together but across a narrow street from a beautiful city park. There is a large covered area with several picnic tables and a well maintained grass area for the kids/pets. Both 30 and 50 amp electrical hookups at each site along with water. No sewer. No toilets. No showers. Beautiful area. Within 4 miles of Chimney Rock. We stayed 3 nights.
GuideCity park 3 free sites
GuideSome local traffic in front of the 3 parking pads, but for free you can't beat it. Obscured view of chimney rock. Dump station is 6 blocks away. Large park with tables across the street.
Scout
Clear water, some sandy beaches. All water craft circle a small island. Most sites are water front.
Tent camping near Bayard, Nebraska, offers a chance to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the simplicity of outdoor living. With a few options available, you can find a spot that suits your camping style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Bayard, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Bayard, NE is Packer Lake Campground with a 1-star rating from 1 review.
Keep Exploring
