Brady Wildlife Management Area sits at approximately 2,700 feet elevation in central Nebraska, experiencing hot summers and cold winters with moderate precipitation. Camping options around Brady include both primitive wildlife management areas and more developed sites with amenities. The region's terrain features a mix of grasslands and river valleys with several water bodies supporting fishing activities.
What to do
Fishing at West Maxwell WMA: West Maxwell Wildlife Management Area offers fishing opportunities with wheelchair-accessible piers. "Lots of them just swimming around close to the top," notes one camper about the fish. Another visitor mentions, "Nice little spot to stay off the lake. Really good spot to fish" at West Maxwell WMA.
Swimming at nearby parks: While not available at wildlife management areas, some developed campgrounds offer swimming options. At I-80 Lakeside Campground, a visitor notes, "There's a nice little lake that you can swim and fish (catch and release only), or rent a kayak or little boat."
Disc golf courses: Multiple camping locations feature disc golf courses for recreation. A visitor to Cody Park mentions, "The area needed to be mowed but wow the views from the tent site were gourgous. There were other trails, hunting, and fishing."
What campers like
Quiet environments: Most campers appreciate the peaceful settings at campgrounds near Brady. A visitor to Blue Heron Campground describes it as a "Lovely spot under the trees next to a nature preserve. Yes you can hear the freeway; no it didn't bother us."
Overnight accessibility: Many travelers use these sites as convenient overnight stops. One camper at Muny Park shared, "Paved spots, full hookups, lots of walking and playgrounds nearby. Worked well for a quick overnight on our way west."
Affordability: Budget-friendly pricing attracts many visitors. A camper at Muny Park noted, "This place has electric, water, and a dump station for $15 a night. INSANE! It's in a clean/well kept area."
What you should know
Weather challenges: Nebraska weather can affect camping conditions. At Box Elder Canyon WMA, a camper reported, "There were a ton of mosquitoes when we visited, so much so that we couldn't sleep in our truck and had to set up a tent."
Train noise: Railroad proximity impacts several campgrounds. One Muny Park visitor mentioned, "Overnight stay on the way home. There's a nice pool, walking trail, and other activities. Electric and water. The noise from the trains is unbearable."
Variable maintenance: Facility upkeep varies widely between locations. At Lake Maloney State Recreation Area, a visitor observed, "There appears to be one central rest room with flush toilets and pay showers. Pretty rundown. Also vault toilets, which weren't the dirtiest I've ever seen."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. A visitor at Holiday RV Park noted, "Although we have no kids traveling with us, the playground area was in great shape and had lots to do."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids may enjoy animal encounters at some locations. At Cody Park Campground, a camper shared, "I did see some deer and geese in a fenced in area around a small lake of pond but didn't have time to walk around in there."
Site selection strategy: For families with children, location within campgrounds matters. One visitor to I-80 Lakeside mentioned, "We were nestled between the lake, the playground and the dog off-leash area. Our girls were able to go back and forth independently, as we could see them from our campsite."
Tips from RVers
Pull-through availability: Several campgrounds offer easy-access sites. A Lafayette Park visitor noted, "Great little RV park in a park-like setting. Gravel roads with relatively level gravel sites. Shared services. Lots of big trees. Long pull-through site to leave the truck and TT attached."
Size limitations: Some locations have restrictions on RV length. At West Maxwell WMA, a camper advised, "I wouldn't haul a trailer into the park, but it's perfect for a small rv or tent camping."
Pad surfaces: Various campgrounds offer different parking surfaces. One visitor to Muny Park explained, "The RV spots are easy to back into and are all concreted. Very clean park! Bathrooms are OK, 2 flush toilets and a sink."
