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Bridgeport State Recreation Area campground accommodates pets throughout its waterfront camping areas, offering both tent and RV sites with picnic tables where dogs can rest beside their owners. Dogs must be leashed at all times on the premises, including near the water's edge. Campsites feature fire rings where pet owners often gather in the evenings, with access to drinking water and toilets available for all visitors. Chimney Rock Pioneer Crossing, located near Bayard, provides full hookup RV sites and one pet-friendly cabin option where dogs can stay indoors with their owners. The campground's gravel sites include water and electric connections with plenty of space for dogs to move around while remaining on leash. Frequent trains pass by both locations, which may disturb noise-sensitive pets according to visitor reports.
Dogs enjoy access to the shoreline at Lake Minatare, though pet owners should be prepared for mosquitoes which are particularly numerous near water areas. Many campsites across these recreation areas offer shade trees providing essential protection during summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F. Bayard City Park provides a spacious grassy area across from its three RV sites where pets can exercise while remaining leashed. Visitors note the importance of bringing sufficient water for pets when hiking near Chimney Rock, as the terrain is arid with little natural shade. Most camping areas near Bridgeport require pets to be under physical control at all times, with no designated off-leash areas available. The nearest emergency veterinary services are located in Scottsbluff, approximately 25 miles from most area campgrounds.
"I've never been a fan of the lake itself as it's a bunch of smaller pockets of water with the main lake being donut shaped and they allow boats to be in it that can go around in circles."
"Clean water lake. We out in our canoe for late afternoon fishing. Our 25 ft trailer right on the little lake fed by the North Platte. No bugs to speak of!"
"Pioneer Crossing is located between Bridgeport and Scottsbluff. It’s a small 15 pull through campground($38/night) with 1 cabin which is $60/night."
"Quick drive to see Chimney Rock closer and a few trails to hike if you like. Visitors Center is 2 min away. We got groceries in Bridgeport. Nice town with a big gas station with diesel and def. "
"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."
"This spot is basically three gravel RV spots next to a park. The park was nice and the gravel was pretty flat. It has a dumpster, port-a-potty, shaded tables, and a water spigot."
"Very large sites, spaced well away from neighbors. Grounds are meticulously kept. Would have stayed here longer, but it was 100 degrees in the shade!"
"It was located next to the Five Rocks Amphitheater and had a shared green space with a nice playground for children."
"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."
"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."
"At Lake Minatare there are primative and normal campsites. The primative spots are where ever you feel is fit."
"Walking around the beach by the lake was so nice and we found a fun tire swing. There were only a few other people there and we had a great campfire."
"There is a playground, trails, a dog park, and a beautiful view, most of all. There are options for just electric/water or sewer, too. The reason for four stars: 1."
"This campground is in the city park right next to the zoo so you can hear the peacocks screaming. Says you must reserve ahead of time online but it must be done before 12 hours prior."
"Although this is the Butte View area, all the sites back up to the lake. We did not have reservations but there were plenty of walk up sites available."
"We are here on a Monday and Tuesday and one of 4 campers on this whole side of the lake. The sight is level, all sites are in the tall cottonwood trees, which is great for shade."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"All facilities are free but they have a Dropbox at the entrance humbly requesting a $5-$10 donation to help the park maintain the facilities, which is very reasonable."
"Was able to find a spot in the dark and get set up away from people and close to the lake. Camping was peaceful but the best part was the pictures I got of the lake and the night sky."
"If you love to hike and want to truly feel like you are away from it all check out Wildcat Hills."
from $15 / night
Check Availability
ScoutThe manager Sue is amazing and is doing what she can to update and make sure everyone is happy. Small all gravel park, spaced rather close to each other but it works. Mostly surrounded by trees to help with wind. Small dog park and I believe there was a swing set as well.
RangerThis is a campground with many options. There is a playground, trails, a dog park, and a beautiful view, most of all. There are options for just electric/water or sewer, too. The reason for four stars: 1. There are a couple of VERY unsightly RVs that appear to be permanent. (Even shattered windows!) 2. Internet was for the most part unavailable, although our technology recognized its presence.
LegendCaptain 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.
LegendOpen 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!
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.
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.
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.
TravelerWe stayed on a Sunday night in April and we were able to get a campsite with no neighbors as far as the eye can see. There are long-drop bathrooms dispersed throughout the park that are pretty clean and have TP. The roads are gravel but in good shape and we had no trouble pulling our small travel trailer through the park. All facilities are free but they have a Dropbox at the entrance humbly requesting a $5-$10 donation to help the park maintain the facilities, which is very reasonable.
The only reason it received 4 stars is that there are multiple train tracks across the road and we were woken up 3 times between 11:00 and 6:00 by train horns blaring a bunch. Not just a regular “toot toot” but a “blaaaarn! Look out! Blaaaaaaaaaaaaarn” as if there were a deaf cat on the tracks 4 miles away. It didn’t overall ruin the night or anything but it sure does throw you off when you’re in happy dreamland then all of a sudden a hyper-aggressive freight train is chasing you through the dream.
I’ll reiterate that it was a great campsite and our dogs loved the freedom to run around our site off leash and we would stop here again for sure.
LegendPioneer Crossing is located between Bridgeport and Scottsbluff. It’s a small 15 pull through campground($38/night) with 1 cabin which is $60/night. The sites are gravel and full hook ups and no trees. We pulled up after dark and Jo the owner told us they were full but he offered his field behind the cabin for a discount. He was very kind to find a place for us. The shop had a small stinkin cute ice cream parlor, pop, snacks and souvenirs. There is a small pond and area for tents($30/night), a dump station and shower/restroom. They also offer monthly stays at $550/month. It was fine for needing to pull off the road to sleep and to hike/view Chimney rock(a historical landmark).
Nebraska's western panhandle offers diverse camping opportunities within driving distance of Bridgeport. Located at approximately 3,700 feet elevation, this region features dramatic geological formations and wide-open plains. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F during July and August, while spring and fall nights can drop below freezing.
Fishing at Oliver Reservoir: This free camping area offers abundant fishing opportunities with waterfront sites. "Birds were a beautiful background sound effect," notes Rob G., who stayed at Oliver Reservoir State Recreation Area.
Visit historical landmarks: The region contains important pioneer trail markers. "We walked to the rock location and took the trail at the cemetery. It is a bit of a distance (we had 5 miles) but we are hikers and didn't mind," shares Darla at Chimney Rock Pioneer Crossing.
Swimming and water recreation: Lake Minatare provides swimming access during summer months. "There is a small pond you can fish at and so my husband did. It's catch and release only. While he fished I walked around the pond and saw the biggest bullfrogs ever," explains Shannon G.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. "The park has lush green grass, trees, small playground and pool," writes Tina B. about Bayard City Park, making it suitable for pet-friendly camping near Bridgeport.
Historical views: Many campers appreciate the prominent geological landmarks. "We had a wonderful stay here. My husband had never seen Chimney Rock, and I had never seen Chimney Rock lit up at night. All I have to say is Wow!" shares Christie W. at Chimney Rock Pioneer Crossing.
Uncrowded lakefront sites: Waterfront camping without crowds appeals to many visitors. "Although this is the Butte View area, all the sites back up to the lake. We did not have reservations but there were plenty of walk up sites available. So peaceful at night, except some coyotes howling in the distance," reports Sue G.
City park convenience: Urban camping options provide unexpected value. "Graveled spot level enough that I didn't bother to make adjustments. Each power post offers 50, 30, & 20 amp connections. Park across the street makes this spot worth staying at. Manicured LARGE lawn was begging me to run barefoot!" describes Charles H.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained campgrounds receive positive feedback. "Cement pads. Full hookup. Large grassy area. Great view of Scotts Bluff. Staff went out of their way to get us a site that was fairly shaded as it was 99 degrees when we arrived," notes Jan S. at Robidoux RV Park.
Train noise: Railways run through much of the region, affecting sleep quality. "Railroad goes right by it so be ready for constant train traffic as well," warns Ryan S. about Bridgeport State Recreation Area, while Nicole B. mentions "Frequent train, if that bothers you" at Chimney Rock.
Wildlife considerations: Local fauna includes potentially dangerous species. "Also beware of rattlesnakes they are thick in this area," cautions Shannon G., important information for those seeking pet-friendly camping around Bridgeport, Nebraska.
Reservation systems vary: Each campground operates differently. "You drive in and find a site, then go to a cashier in the store to register," explains Mike H. at Cabela's RV Park & Campground, which charges "Approximately $40 for a 50amp FHU site with grass, a table, and a grill."
Free options available: Budget-conscious campers have options. "Free but ask for a donation to help with upkeep. Lots of trees an of course a reservoir, not to many level spots but worked for our 30 ft trailer," shares Jeff R. about Oliver Reservoir.
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "Our toddler loved exploring Cabelas and playing at the playground," mentions Kiersten S., relevant for families seeking pet-friendly camping options near Bridgeport.
Beach availability: Water access provides entertainment for children. "We pulled up after dark and Jo the owner told us they were full but he offered his field behind the cabin for a discount. He was very kind to find a place for us," reports Shannon G.
Limited tent options: Families without RVs face restricted choices. "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," notes reviewer N I. about Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites offer learning experiences. "It was interesting to learn about Chimney Rock and definitely about how it was taller but got hit by lightning," shares Shannon G., making it a valuable stop for families.
Site selection matters: Level spots can be scarce at certain campgrounds. "It has a few connected lakes with campsites, boating, swimming, fishing, and other water activities. Cost is $15 per night for camping and non-resident $14 per day," explains Mindy H. about Bridgeport State Rec Area.
Full hookups available: Several locations offer complete services. "We enjoyed a quick weekend trip to the Scotts Bluff National Monument and Wildcat Hills this weekend. Almost all the lots are paved and pull-throughs," reports Melissa V. about Robidoux RV Park.
Overnight value spots: Budget-conscious RVers have options. "Three spots with electric and water next to a nice park. Convenient well stocked grocery store in town," notes Francois T. about Bayard City Park.
Sprinkler awareness: Automatic irrigation can cause issues. "Sprinklers turn on at 9:30 so don't leave anything out," warns Nicole about Cabela's campground, while Ryan S. adds, "Don't put a tent or anything you dont want getting wet on the grass next to your pad, the underground sprinklers come on like clock work."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Bridgeport, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Bridgeport, NE is Bridgeport State Rec Area with a 4.2-star rating from 5 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 20 dog-friendly camping locations near Bridgeport, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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