Best Tent Camping near Bayard, NE

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!

We 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.

Pulled 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.

I 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!

Tired 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.

Stayed 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.

This 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.

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.

We 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.

Had 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!!!

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.

Very 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.

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

At 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.

City park 3 free sites

Some 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.

Clear water, some sandy beaches. All water craft circle a small island. Most sites are water front.