Victoria Springs State Recreation Area offers cabin rentals with diverse amenities in central Nebraska. Cabin sites include fire rings, picnic tables, and nearby electrical hookups. Two distinct camping areas serve different needs: one for tent campers near a small lake with paddle boat rentals, and another for RVs with electric or electric/water hookups. Both areas provide clean facilities and recreational options.
What to do
Paddle the lake: At Victoria Springs State Recreation Area, visitors can rent paddle boats for the small lake. "You can rent paddle boats for the small lake. Merlin counted 10 different bird sounds here in April," notes Judy B., highlighting the area's birdwatching opportunities.
Visit historic structures: Explore the historic log cabins built by Judge Charles R. Mathews. "Still on the site are the log cabins that Judge Mathews built— one as his home and the other as the first post office in Custer County," explains Tori K., providing historical context for this 60-acre recreation area.
Play outdoor games: Several campgrounds offer recreational activities. Victoria Springs features "a basketball hoop, horseshoes, and a playground across the creek by the lake," according to Judy B., while Camp Arrowhead provides "water access. Great showers and fire pits. Small and private," as noted by Von B.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers consistently praise the maintenance of facilities. At Victoria Springs, Matt H. notes, "The vault bathrooms were a whole lot cleaner than some of our past experiences at other State Parks." Lumpie C. adds that "the restrooms and showers are very clean and accessible."
Peace and quiet: Blue Heron Campground offers tranquility despite its proximity to the interstate. "This is a good place to stop and can hardly hear the interstate traffic," Shannon G. reports. Grant D. concurs: "The campground is outside of town so it's very peaceful, especially at night."
Spacious campsites: At Main Area Campground, "Sites were very large with nice mature trees," according to Preston G. Victoria Springs similarly offers "nice shade, and electrical hook-ups" with sites that are "open but not right next to each other," as described by different campers.
What you should know
Reservation considerations: Most cabins near Broken Bow require reservations, especially during peak season. At Victoria Springs, weekends fill quickly while weekdays offer more solitude. Barry M. explains, "It fills up on the weekends but during the week you can have the entire campground to yourself."
Payment requirements: Non-Nebraska residents need permits at state-run facilities. Lumpie C. notes at Victoria Springs, "Non-Nebraska resident requires $14 pass in addition to the $30 fee with electric." Always bring correct payment methods as some campgrounds have self-check-in procedures.
Amenities vary by season: Facilities may have limited availability during off-peak months. At Main Area Campground, Richard notes, "We arrived here on March 1st and it was very silent, just one other camper... Of course this time of year the restrooms were closed."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Families appreciate recreational facilities for children. Victoria Springs State Recreation Area has "a picnic shelter and playground that is dated," according to Shannon G., while Blue Heron Campground features a playground among its amenities.
Bug preparation: Bring insect repellent, especially during summer months. "Bugs were pretty bad," reports Carrie B. about her experience at Victoria Springs, despite loving the "great spot with lots of trees and good sized sites."
Consider cabin options: Trade Winds provides 12 cabins with electricity and shared water access, offering an alternative to tent camping. Shannon G. mentions that "each site is back in with picnic bench and fire rings" and the marina has food and supplies available.
Tips from RVers
Electrical options: Most cabin areas near Broken Bow also accommodate RVs with electrical hookups. Victoria Springs provides both 30-amp and 50-amp options. Elizabeth M. confirms, "50/30 Amp, water available, and rv dump. You will need to pay for daily State Park pass plus overnight camping cost."
Site surfaces: RV sites at Victoria Springs are grass-covered, which some campers prefer. Shannon G. observes that "each site has a fire ring and picnic shelter and is on grass," making for comfortable setup.
Dump station access: Morning departures may require planning for dump station use. At Main Area Campground, Vanessa M. cautions, "There's only one RV dump site which made for a huge line in the morning."
