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Branched Oak Lake State Recreation Area features designated equestrian camping opportunities in camping area 2. This area provides pull-through sites with full hookups specifically designed for horse owners traveling with their animals. The equestrian camping section includes dedicated corrals for horses while campers enjoy RV sites with electrical, water, and sewer connections. The lakeside location offers convenient access to boat docks and ramps for those looking to combine water recreation with horseback riding activities. Tent camping areas are also available near the horse facilities. Many equestrian campers note that this area often gets overlooked despite its excellent amenities. The campground maintains clean sites with cement pads for RVs, though reservations are strongly recommended as the popular spots fill quickly during peak season.
The equestrian trail system at Branched Oak connects directly to the campground and winds through scenic sections of the 1,800-acre park. Horse owners can access several miles of maintained trails suitable for riders of all experience levels. The trails pass through wooded areas and open prairie, offering varied terrain and views of the lake. Primitive horse camping options exist at Timber Point Wetland, located near Brainard with access to the Oak Creek Trail which extends from Valparaiso to Brainard. This free camping area provides basic amenities with gravel slabs positioned near vault toilets and water hydrants. The site sits close to a boat ramp and offers direct access to trail systems frequently used for cross-country races. Water access for horses is available at designated points throughout both camping areas, though campers should bring their own feed and storage containers.
"My first time camping in Nebraska. Ive been to several throughout the US. Loved the spot, I was right next to the lake, great swimming access. Downside drinking water access was difficult."
"Camping area 2 has a lot to offer, even if you don't own a horse. The area is well known for being the equestrian camping area at one of the finest lakes in Nebraska."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"No people really, just a bunch of cows you pass as you drive down the gravelly/sandy roads to get to it. No mosquitoes, but bullfrogs aplenty throughout the night."
"My favorite campgrounds are the ones that are a little out of the way on unpaved roads in the middle of nowhere :-) there was a pretty lake, a bathroom, a dumpster, and a map of the hikes."
"As full-time campers we stay at Mahoney quite often as it is close to the Omaha-metro and there are so many things to do within the park: swimming, golf, zip lines, arts & crafts, trails, nature, horses"
"Walking trails. Camping spots galore. Arts and crafts. Horse riding. Water park. Lodge. Viewing tower. And they just added a ropes course. cabins for rent as well."
from $25 - $485 / night
Check Availability"It’s a bit off the beaten path but we got to enjoy the beautiful horses. Bonus!"
"Good hiking, horse rides, great hills for trail running."
from $35 - $340 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $15 - $35 / night
Check Availability"The fishing is easy in all the lakes and they have a pay fishing trout lake that nearly guarantees success. Our kid and her friends love the swimming beach."
"Whether I was riding a bike around the paved roads. Fishing in one of the sandpit lakes they have to offer, or the river. Walk around the nature trails, or lakes."
from $100 / night
Check Availability"It is right next to lake 4 with some beach access. There are both reservable and walk up sites here. The walk up process is a little strange."
"Very nice camp sites and playgrounds for children nice clean fishing lakes and river access."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"This is a small campground a little ways before you get to lakeside campground. These spots are electric with fire pits and picnic tables. It is near the road and the dump station is in view."
"Take your pick, river or lakeside. Some areas are more modern than others but all are nice. A few have water hookups"
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Check out Blustem if you like to get away from RV heavy camps like I do. You’ll find clean raised toilets, trails, and archery range, boating, fishing and hunting here."
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability
ScoutMy first time camping in Nebraska. Ive been to several throughout the US. Loved the spot, I was right next to the lake, great swimming access. Downside drinking water access was difficult.
LegendCamping area 2 has a lot to offer, even if you don't own a horse.
The area is well known for being the equestrian camping area at one of the finest lakes in Nebraska. Pull through sites with full hookups, equestrian trails, and corals. Yet few people realize that there is a nice RV and tent camping area, lovely inlet with lakesides slabs, Boat docks, and Boat ramps. Showers are not available at area #2 but are available at a closeby area #1.
The lake has some nice trails including the equestrian trail that comes from the park. The park has several beaches 2 of them very close. There are archery and shotgun ranges at the lake and a decent disc golf course.
At a popular lake, this is a nice yet secluded camping area that often gets overlooked.
LegendThis free camping area is low on amenities, but os well kept and close to the Oak Creek Trail which extends from Valparaiso to Brainard Nebraska.
The Lake is lovely with such good trails it is often used as a cross-country race site. This NRD lake has 3 gravel slabs close to a vault toilet and water hydrant. It is just up the hill from the boat ramp.
LegendCampground Review
I stayed in this Louisville Rec area a few nights, moving around to three different areas of this HUGE campground are nestled in Nebraska. My plan was to spend a few days taking advantage of the many amenities and activity options this area appeared to have, and I since this is a popular destination option many are considering, I sought to provide a review of the grounds from the perspective of someone who is considering staying in the west, central, or east area of the grounds. This review is for the west area.
General Info on this overall campground
This is a state-funded park, so non-Nebraska plated cars have an additional fee. 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. Near the central lake ("Lake 2") there is a small shop which has a market where basic kick knacks and firewood are available. This is also where you can rent boats like canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddleboards for hrs, half and daily rates. There is a trail in the woods running parallel to the North Platte River. The path is in a heavily wooded area, so no lakeside views, just a nice, quiet hike with the very occasional hummm of a mosquito. There is a swim area along the beach of Lake 2. There is canoe access at the far west side of the park. In summer, it was common to see people wading across the river as it was neither a fast moving current nor deep. This is a Rec area, so day use is also an option. There are numerous locations for picnics, including Grills, and for fishing in the lakes from some roof-covered docks. Coin-operated showers (takes quarters, change machines take $1 and $5 bills) and full-service, ADA-friendly bathrooms scatter the park as well. There is a play area in the center which has a basic jungle gym. Each site has at least a picnic table and a fire pit. All tent sites are park and walk. If you want to have your car next to your picnic table, you need a padded spot. Each area of the park has these options, as well as electrical, then RV. Most sites are reservable and there are some allocated for first come, first serve. Gates will close at 10pm so make sure your road trip stops before they do. Also, packing earplugs is a must, but it won't completely help you. There is a train that goes very near the grounds - the track basically borders the south side of the campgrounds - and it needs to use its horn while passing through, which happens A LOT.
Central location-specific Info
The harsh part of being located here is if you are looking for any kind of spot that accommodates a flat plot, like sites 206 - 236, you are butted up against the train tracks and that train is LOUD! You will have no chance of a solid night's sleep since the train uses its horn very often. I was in campsite 11 another night, literally as far away from the tracks as possible and wore ear plugs and there was no avoiding it - I was waking up at 5am no matter what. This is the place you want to camp if you are tent camping. The reserve sites or tucked away from a lot of the more family-friendly activities, so you'll get some reprieve from that energy, plus can have some spots that are very close to the N Platte river's edge.
Ranger Review
I was given a pair of the Midland X-TALKER TV1P3 Walkie Talkies to test out from Midland. Since they come with a hands-free option with a compatible accessory, I also got a pair of the AVPH3 Surveillance headsets.
These came in handy (pardon the pun) when I was biking with a friend and skiing. By hooking in the headset to the side of the radio it allowed me to leave the radio in the bag, run a wire and clip a little mic with a talk on/off button to my jacket, then put a little earpiece in around my ear that was out of the way of my helmet. This also protected the radio from debris, as water is easy to collect on electronics when skiing and dust when biking.
These radios aren't big, but they're packed with a lot of features. I personally love the weather scan capability. It locks into the NOAA weather broadcasts to deliver you a forecast. This is very useful while you are on a backpacking trip or in my case doing some kayaking because it helps me plan my routes and assess risk for my activities. They also charge through micro USB if you don't want to pack the included charging cradle (AC powered), so recharging them on the go is pretty simple since you already pack those cables and a portable USB power bank for other electronics.
The 28 mile range is a bit of a stretch (pardon the pun) but this is up to 28 miles. It worked fine for me over some densely forested lakes 2 miles away and even further over open water. I had these up at my cottage in Northern Ontario with me and I was able to get reception on these when I kayaked from one family friend's cottage from ours 8 miles away. It was getting crackly at that point but there is A LOT of interference over that distance so I was shocked they worked at all.
They have 22 channels and 38 privacy codes, so it's easy to create your own network and stay uninterrupted. I also got these working with another pair of radios I had, so they work with other brands. There are some other features, and the product support on their site is great. hey have a reference guide and a user manual to learn how to operate things like the quiet mode - if so inclined.
Overall Pros
Overall Cons
RangerAs full-time campers we stay at Mahoney quite often as it is close to the Omaha-metro and there are so many things to do within the park: swimming, golf, zip lines, arts & crafts, trails, nature, horses, etc. Huge amount of walk up sites all year long. Little Creek campground is the best place to stay for amenities: laundry, hot showers but avoid any campsite located at the bottom of the hill so you are not washed away by rain water or have a site full of mud.
LegendThis is really two large primitive campgrounds each capable of holding crowds of campers. Though this does not have flush toilets or showers they are very near in the adjacent campground.
This campground is on the peninsula of Branched Oak Lake and is close to area 6 which has all the fun stuff. See the review of area 6!
Nearby Malcolm has one of the best BBQ joints in the state, and people throughout the area go to a little town called Bee, close by, for an awesome fish fry every Friday night.
LegendCheck out Blustem if you like to get away from RV heavy camps like I do. You’ll find clean raised toilets, trails, and archery range, boating, fishing and hunting here. I camped here in early spring with my boys and another family and we had the place to ourselves. This is yet another really nice state recreation area within 20 miles of Lincoln Nebraska. Check it out.
GuideThis is a great state park and possibly the busiest since it’s between Omaha and Lincoln. Walking trails. Camping spots galore. Arts and crafts. Horse riding. Water park. Lodge. Viewing tower. And they just added a ropes course. cabins for rent as well.
The only minus besides it’s always busy is the road noise from Interstate 80.
ScoutIf you don’t mind lugging your stuff to your tent spot, it’s primitive, no frills camping at its finest! We chose the closest spot to the vault toilets. There are only 4. It’s a bit off the beaten path but we got to enjoy the beautiful horses. Bonus!
Branched Oak Lake State Recreation Area, located 40 miles from Brainard, Nebraska, spans 1,800 acres with multiple camping areas designed for different users. The park features seven separate camping zones with varying amenities and proximity to the main lake. Winter camping remains available with reduced services and no running water from October through April, while summer weekends typically reach full capacity by Friday noon.
Lake activities: At Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area, water recreation extends beyond the main beach areas. The lake includes "a huge no-wake area for kayaking and paddle boarding. They also offer boat rentals," according to Jordan H. Visitors should bring water shoes as the shoreline can be rocky in spots.
Hiking and biking: Multiple trail systems connect the campgrounds with woodland paths suitable for day hikes. Many trails pass through oak woodlands and restored prairie habitats. Some visitors use the trails for trail running as well. Pat V. notes, "We stayed here for a mountain bike race weekend. Nighttime is great for stargazing and they have pretty stellar sunrises. We enjoyed the archery range and took plenty of walks."
Fishing access: Fish from multiple shore locations or dedicated fishing piers. The lake contains catfish, walleye, and bass with better catches reported in spring and fall. Timber Point Wetland near Brainard offers more secluded fishing: "The Lake is lovely with such good trails it is often used as a cross-country race site," notes Charles C.
Lakeside sites: Many campsites at Louisville State Recreation Area provide direct water access. Daniel B. writes, "I had a river-side view to a nice sunset and sat at my picnic table and watched fireworks go off on the other side of the river." Bring water shoes as the shoreline can be rocky in places.
Privacy options: For those seeking equine camping near Brainard, Nebraska with more seclusion, the tent areas offer more distance between sites than the RV sections. Abigail H. describes Timber Point Wetland: "No people really, just a bunch of cows you pass as you drive down the gravelly/sandy roads to get to it. No mosquitoes, but bullfrogs aplenty throughout the night."
Amenities balance: Most horse campgrounds near the Brainard area maintain basic facilities without overcrowding. The facilities at Branched Oak Lake include shower buildings in the main campgrounds. According to Patheeka, "The camp sites are forked out like the cul-de-sac properties, each facing the road and having a large portion of the lake or greens to themselves on the back. It has plenty of greenery and is very well-maintained."
Reservation requirements: Most electric sites at equestrian campgrounds require advance booking, especially during summer months. Tent sites occasionally remain available for walk-ins. Jen K. warns about Branched Oak Lake: "VERY BUSY campground as it is super close to a highly populated city. Plan ahead and reserve a spot or go early in the week otherwise you won't get a pad!!!"
Noise considerations: Several campgrounds have nearby train tracks or highways. Louisville SRA experiences frequent train noise. Justin R. reports: "At night the trains go by about every 17 minutes. The tracks run right get along the park." Pack earplugs if you're a light sleeper.
Crowds vary by season: Summer weekends bring heavy usage, particularly at swimming beaches. Lauren T. cautions: "Expect to get cozy with your camping neighbors - sites are crammed in and not spread out in the least. Sometimes trash is a big issue at this campground too - the huge bins are overflowing after a big weekend."
Swimming areas: The Goldenrod Campground at Two Rivers SRA provides dedicated swimming spots for children. Shannon G. notes: "Goldenrod is right next to lake 4 with some beach access." Most swimming areas have gradually sloping entry points suitable for younger children.
Playground access: Multiple play areas exist within the parks, though equipment may be dated. The Middle Oak Creek campground includes playgrounds near water. Jen K. reports: "Nice playgrounds at both camp areas. Free showers are a great amenity as well."
Fishing for beginners: Several stocked lakes provide easier fishing experiences for children. Rick J. says about Fawn Meadows Campground: "This is a great campground for camping and fishing with kids. The fishing is easy in all the lakes and they have a pay fishing trout lake that nearly guarantees success."
Site selection: For larger RVs, the equestrian camping section at Branched Oak provides pull-through sites. Pat V. cautions: "The shower facilities need a lot of updating and the RV spots are pretty dated with narrow roads. We were glad it wasn't a weekend with a full campground."
Hookup availability: Water and electrical hookups are limited to certain campground sections. Jennifer T. noted a downside at Branched Oak: "Drinking water access was difficult." Bring extra water containers for extended stays.
Dump station access: Plan dump station usage for off-peak times as lines form during busy checkout periods. At Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground, modern facilities include sanitary dump stations, but they can become congested. Reserve early as Charlie B. notes: "This place has it all....but books up months in advance."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Brainard, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Brainard, NE is Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Brainard, NE?
TheDyrt.com has all 14 equestrian camping locations near Brainard, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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