Camping near Bellevue, Nebraska includes a mix of state recreation areas, riverside parks, and private campgrounds along the Missouri River. Haworth City Park, located within Bellevue city limits, offers tent and RV camping with river views, though it has experienced periodic closures due to Missouri River flooding. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Louisville State Recreation Area, and Walnut Creek Recreation Area, all offering more developed camping options. Lake Cunningham Campground in nearby Omaha provides RV sites and yurts in a more urban setting with mature trees and landscape.
Most campgrounds in the Bellevue area operate seasonally from April through October, with a few facilities remaining open year-round. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions. Non-Nebraska residents should note that state parks charge an additional vehicle entrance fee. Many recreation areas require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and holidays. Train noise affects several campgrounds in the region, with Louisville State Recreation Area notably impacted by a nearby rail line that operates throughout the night.
The camping experience varies significantly between locations near Bellevue. State recreation areas like Louisville feature large, open campgrounds with up to 250 sites ranging from basic tent areas to full-hookup RV pads. According to reviews, these areas tend to have sites positioned close together with limited privacy but offer family-friendly amenities like swimming beaches, boat rentals, and fishing docks. Private RV parks provide more amenities but less natural surroundings. One camper noted that Bellevue-area camping is "less full of nature, more weekend out of the house," making these locations better suited for family getaways than wilderness experiences. Fishing opportunities are abundant throughout the region, with most lakes enforcing no-wake or low-speed boating regulations.
$20 / night
"This is a nice campground located on the edge of Papillion, Nebraska. There are several trails nearby, some paved and others grass. The main trailhead is easily accessible from the park road."
"This is a very cool park in Papillion, Nebraska! It also has a sewer dump site for $5 (if you're not camping). See the camp host to pay."
$15 - $35 / night
"A HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas. There is a 3 decent-size lakes spread evenly across the grounds."
"I am sorry 😔 but I have nut yet been to any of Nebraska's Camping grounds your's well be the first."
$20 - $40 / night
"Lakeside locations are quite well spaced with a panoramic Lake view. small restroom and shower pair with unisex entry. Quite spartan, but relatively clean."
"Our confirmation email included precise directions from I-29, with an interstate sign confirming the turn for Lake Manawa State Park, and provided the gate code for access."
$35 - $340 / night
"We were passing through Nebraska and opted to stay the night here. The campground is new and will be even nicer when the trees are big enough to provide shade."
"Short walk in but a wagon is provided to help unload equipment. Picnic and fire pit near the teepee."
"Very close to the Nebraska crossing outlet mall! 😊"
"The campground itself was fine and very convenient in location to vIsIt famIly."
$25 - $485 / night
"Nestled between two major cities in Nebraska, you're never far away from anything you may want to do or see. RV and tent camping is obviously available with limited privacy."
"We used to stop here as a midway point when driving to Colorado. We always stayed at the lodge for a night and had a pleasant time exploring the area."
$10 - $50 / night
"We camp all the time at different locations, and I 100% recommend this campground! The hosts are so polite and helpful and they keep the place immaculate."
"The sites for tent camping are okay pretty close together and down a hill, no parking next to your site. There are also pack in sites available and depending on location very nice."
"This is actually the Windsor Cove Campground within Haworth Park in Belleview, Nebraska."
"Nice quiet campground away from the hustle and bustle yet close to city for anything forgotten."
$40 - $50 / night
"Very convenient location close to lots of shopping and the convention center."
$15 - $40 / night
"The lake is right there, with a nice bike path that comes all the way around."
"Lake Cunningham is a fun destination for getting outside if you only have an afternoon to escape! The lake itself is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing!"
GuideDid some backcountry camping at the Badger Ridge location, overall the stay was great! The park has multiple hike-in backcountry locations, tent camping spots near the road, RV pads with water and electric, as well as a few small cabins. The scenery is amazing! The shower house was also clean and well maintained.
TravelerThis is actually the Windsor Cove Campground within Haworth Park in Belleview, Nebraska. It is an older campground but near the river, walking trails, and close to all the amenities of Nearby Omaha (aprox. 25 minutes to downtown). I visited in Mid May and the park was about 25 percent full. The camp host is great and I would definitely visit again.
TravelerWe stayed 1 night in our way to Utah. We got a nice spot right next to the river with a cemented area and a newer picnic area. Met the park ranger on our way in who was so thankful we picked there to stay. The Elf and Buffalo were fun to watch. Only downside was a train at 1 in the morning and no showers at the south campsite. Highly recommend this spot!!
LegendI stopped by this campground and found it was nearly empty, with only one other camper in the lot. The entire area is one giant gravel parking lot with no shade. The spots are located very close together, but it's rarely full (except during events at the Main Arena next door) so you'll have room to spread out. Each site has electric and water hookups. I read somewhere that there is a dump station here but I didn't see it.
There are no showers or flush toilets. The only bathrooms available are port-a-potties located in the middle of the lot. There is some kind of agriculture equipment nearby that creates a constant humming sound which some might find annoying. The campground is very close to the airport, but I did not notice any airport noise.
While there is nothing within walking distance, there are several commercial restaurants and stores that are an easy drive from this location.
I would only stay here if I needed an overnight spot while traveling.
TravelerStopped here for the night. Property has concrete pads, but shower rooms are inadequate. Won't stay here again.
RangerAnother for-profit patch of dirt that doesn’t have much to offer. It has all the inconveniences of camping in an urban areas with none of the advantages. You have the noise from the road and trail, the numerous people coming through the site…yet no grocery stores or other services in the town. The port-o-potty was disgusting and full of wasps, the trash was full, there is no water, and there weren’t even any envelopes for paying the fee. Not sure what campers are paying for.
RangerThe areas for tent camping are poorly situated and not worth paying for imho. They have a pit toilet and a water spigot nearby, but that doesn’t make it worth the noise and amount of random local traffic circling my through the campground.
RangerThe sighs were on site give scant info, the info on the city website gives outdated info, and it is impossible to know what exactly the rules are for camping - especially whether or not tent camping is still allowed. For the prices they are charging you can just go to a hotel - at least then you know you won’t have any issues. I saw prices on the website were between $30 and $40 per night. Absurd.
ScoutLove this place. They have have the racks on their firepits for cooking!
Camping near Bellevue, Nebraska provides access to the Missouri River valley ecosystem where woodland areas meet rolling prairie. Most campsites in the region sit at approximately 1,000 feet elevation with camping season typically running April through October. Seasonal temperature swings can be extreme, with winter lows reaching below zero and summer highs frequently exceeding 90°F with high humidity levels.
Water recreation at Walnut Creek Lake: Ideal for novice kayakers with calm waters and good fishing access. "The fishing is always [good] as well as the kayaking is as well, (especially novice like myself). The birdwatching as well as the wildlife is abundant," notes one Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area visitor.
Hiking the Loess Hills formations: Explore the unique geological formations found in only two places worldwide. "This is one of our favorite places to camp. It's beautiful and there's plenty of hiking... There's all levels of hikes. They have a hawkwatch tower," explains a camper at Hitchcock County Nature Center.
Bird watching from observation towers: The region offers excellent bird viewing platforms. "When your done with your hiking, climb up to the top of the towering platform and bring your binoculars to checkout the visiting hawks and occasional eagle," recommends a Hitchcock Nature Center visitor.
Small waterfalls within hiking distance: Several parks feature accessible water features along trails. "We didn't get a chance to camp, but did a little hiking. The trails are well kept up and easy to follow. The small waterfall was a nice surprise as well!!" shares a visitor at Platte River State Park Campground.
Varied tent camping options: From lakeside to hike-in sites on ridges. "I was very impressed on the hike in campsites. They already have a nice flat spot for your tent... The views from the two south east campsites are amazing, looking over the Missouri River valley and the Omaha skyline in the distance," notes a Hitchcock Nature Center camper.
Proximity to urban amenities with nature feel: Many camping areas offer an urban escape without long drives. "This lake in Papillion, Nebraska is a great little lake. Probably one of the best in metro area of Omaha... Honestly if not for the city noise you could forget your in a city," mentions a Walnut Creek visitor.
Train noise affects multiple campgrounds: Railroad tracks run near several camping areas. "We liked everything about this area but the train tracks! Be selective on where you pitch the tent. It can get loud.... River, ponds, swimming area, playground, near by hiking," advises a camper at Louisville State Recreation Area Campground.
Seasonal flooding impacts availability: Some riverfront campsites close periodically. "This park is right off the Missouri river, and everytime there is flooding this places gets shelled. We had some major flooding here 2019, and it appears this park is still closed," notes a camper about Haworth City Park in Bellevue.
Limited shade at some locations: Several campgrounds feature open sites with minimal tree cover. "Open campsites with not much shade. Easy setup for our campsite. Just passing through," mentions a camper at Walnut Creek Lake.
Water play options beyond swimming: Many sites offer alternatives to traditional swimming. "There is a splash park, shooting, archer ranges, horseback riding. There is a r.v. park, cabins, and a newer tent area," explains a visitor to Lake Cunningham Campground.
Look for educational programming: Several of the best places to camp near Bellevue, Nebraska offer structured activities. "Make sure to look at their events calendar, they have exceptional programs for all ages (and especially kids). I learned about this park from Pheasants Forever, a nonprofit," shares a Hitchcock Nature Center visitor.
Consider cabins for beginners: Several parks offer cabin rentals as an alternative to tents. "They have a couple of different kinds of cabins. There's a bunch of trails! The park in general is beautiful," notes a Platte River State Park visitor.
Concrete pads help in rainy weather: Several campgrounds offer improved surfaces for RVs. "The sites have concrete pads with power, but no water or sewer. There is a fill station on the way in. You can pay $1 for a hot shower in the comfort station, which is very clean," explains a camper at Lake Cunningham.
Reserve full-hookup sites early: Premium RV spots book quickly, especially at West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday. "We always stop here when we're traveling on I-80. It's the perfect distance for us to overnight before moving on. Clean campground, showers/bathroom... They are very busy! Easy on, easy off means some highway noise from I-80."
Size considerations for older campgrounds: Some areas have limited space for larger rigs. "We were given an inappropriate size space for the rig we stated, super narrow and we stuck over the road by 2 feet... If we go back to visit, we will insist that we are in a larger site as it was actually a nice campground," advises an RVer at the KOA.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Bellevue, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, Bellevue, NE offers a wide range of camping options, with 105 campgrounds and RV parks near Bellevue, NE and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Bellevue, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Bellevue, NE is Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area with a 4.5-star rating from 20 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Bellevue, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Bellevue, NE.
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