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Best Campgrounds near Burwell, NE

48 Reviews

Camping options around Burwell, Nebraska center on the Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area, which features multiple developed campgrounds including Homestead Knolls, Nunda Shoals, and Valley View Flat. The area accommodates various camping styles from tent camping to RV sites with hookups, and some locations offer cabin rentals. Riverside City Park in Burwell provides a smaller alternative with electric hookups in a more urban setting, while Willow Springs RV Park offers full-service sites for larger rigs. Most campgrounds in the region provide basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to water.

Nebraska state park permits are required at Calamus SRA, with different fee structures for residents and non-residents. "For everyday you camp you pay $30 a night plus if you're not Nebraska local you also pay $14 a night per vehicle. If you're Nebraska local it's $30 a night plus $7 a night for vehicle," notes one visitor about Homestead Knolls. Many campgrounds offer both reservable and first-come, first-served sites, though weekend availability can be limited during summer months. The region experiences typical Nebraska seasonal patterns with hot summers and cold winters, though camping is available year-round at several locations. Cell service is generally available throughout the area, with varying strength depending on carrier.

The Calamus Reservoir provides a distinctive camping experience with its sandy beaches and water recreation opportunities. Several campers highlight the water quality and swimming conditions as standout features. "This lake is amazing — clean and with a sand base," mentions one reviewer. Riverside City Park offers a quieter alternative with sites positioned along the Loup River, providing fishing opportunities and scenic views. Visitors note the area's wildlife viewing potential and peaceful atmosphere, particularly at less developed sites. While most developed campgrounds provide showers and restrooms, facilities vary in quality and maintenance. Campers seeking more privacy might prefer the less populated areas around the reservoir, though these tend to have fewer amenities than the main campground loops.

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Best Camping Sites Near Burwell, Nebraska (30)

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Recent Camping Photos near Burwell, NE

49 Photos of 30 Burwell Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Burwell, NE

48 Reviews of 30 Burwell Campgrounds

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 30, 2025

    Cuzn Eddyz Campground

    Friendly, easy in/out, must like train sounds!

    Very friendly staff, checked to make sure we had everything. Easy in and out and right off the road. We were able to book the same day at 8pm online without having to call, so that was a plus. The train tracks are close by so you might hear them.

  • Mark L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 6, 2025

    Cuzn Eddyz Campground

    Great place to stay the night

    Stayed just one night. Parked in a full hookup pull through site. Was nice and well kept. Bathhouse was clean and well maintained. Owner was very nice. Would stop again

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 4, 2025

    Victoria Springs State Rec Area

    Awesome campground!

    Most sites are shaded, quiet the night I was there. 50/30 Amp, water available, and rv dump. You will need to pay for daily State Park pass plus overnight camping cost. Clean showers and bathrooms. Next to lake, cabins available, check website or call.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 6, 2025

    Riverside Park Camping Burwell

    Delightful Burwell City Park Camping

    City Park, 30A service, 4 long pads, room for a few others. Park amenities, 2 single bathrooms, 1 coin shower. Clean and maintained. $10 per night.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2025

    Homestead Knolls Campground — Calamus SRA

    Beautiful

    It's a beautiful Campground. As long as your rig is under 50 ft all the sites are back in. It has showers and bathrooms and water. It's missing a septic dump. The only complaint I have is for everyday you camp you pay $30 a night plus if you're not Nebraska local you also pay $14 a night per vehicle. If you're Nebraska local it's $30 a night plus $7 a night for vehicle.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2025

    Willow Springs RV Park

    Large RV park in the country

    60 Sites. Tents sites: 25. 50 pull thrus. 60 full hookups. electric hookups.

    Services: water, laundry, toilets, showers, dump.

    Was quiet and conveniently located for the road trip we were on! Arrive after dark and forgot to take photos until we were leaving. Was very busy being in the middle of nowhere.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2025

    Victoria Springs State Rec Area

    Small and quiet

    This campground is small, the sites are open but not right next to each other. It was nice and quiet overnight. The tent sites have grass pads which are preferred because staking the tent is way easier in grass than rocky dirt or gravel. 2 bathrooms, 1 with showers. Nice little small town nearby.

    The 60-acre area draws its name from the mineral springs located there and in the heyday of the spas, Victoria’s waters were much acclaimed, and its spring water was bottled and sold throughout the United States. It was once part of the homestead of an early pioneer and Custer County 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.

  • Judy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 20, 2025

    Victoria Springs State Rec Area

    Quiet small campground

    Located in the center of Nebraska, Victoria Springs is a 27 site campground and a couple of rental cabins. You can rent paddle boats for the small lake. Merlin counted 10 different bird sounds here in April. The park has a basketball hoop, horseshoes, and a playground across the creek by the lake. Most sites are electric and 6 that are non-electric, and water hydrants are sprinkled throughout the campground. There is a shower house with flush toilets (not open in April) and a vault toilet at the end of the loop. While I like Bessey a few miles away, this is much quieter without trains every 10 minutes. Cell service available with both T-mobile/Mint (strongest) and Verizon/Visible.

  • W
    Oct. 9, 2024

    John D. Sims Memorial Park

    Perfect place with necessary amenities

    We love that lots of small towns in this area offer camping at ball fields, etc. There are bathrooms and showers! The hot water in ladies does work, just adjust NOT to hottest setting. Only ones camping. Trains were close and often, but you somehow get used to it.

Guide to Burwell

Calamus Reservoir serves as the primary camping destination near Burwell, Nebraska, spanning 4,500 acres with shorelines dominated by white sand beaches. The reservoir sits in the Sandhills region with several camping areas positioned at different points around the water. Summer temperatures typically reach 80-90°F with winter dropping below freezing, making April through October the most comfortable camping season.

What to do

Water recreation at Valley View Flat: Located on the western side of Calamus Reservoir, this campground provides direct beach access and water activities. "Spent a night here by the water and experienced a beautiful sunset. Its a perfect place to camp for a night or kayak for an afternoon," reports Abigail C. about Valley View Flat Campground.

Fishing opportunities: Multiple access points around the reservoir and nearby rivers offer various fishing environments. "My girlfriend and I love to find new spots to fish and we really enjoyed Riverside City Park. There was great fishing and really clean picnic areas to eat lunch when the fishing slowed down," mentions Nick P. about Riverside City Park.

Golfing access: The Calamus Lodge area includes a golf course adjacent to camping facilities. "Nice campground close to the lake and right next to the golf course!" notes Alex R. about Calamus Lodge, which offers cabin rentals alongside RV sites.

What campers like

Sandy beaches: The white sand beaches distinguish Calamus from typical reservoir camping. "Homestead Knolls is a small campground near a small, beautiful white sand beach with gradual increase in depth, perfect for swimming with family," shares Jennifer M. about Homestead Knolls Campground.

Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities despite high seasonal usage. "Had a great experience tenting here. Bathrooms were very clean and overall had an amazing experience. I would recommend this spot to anyone especially for tenting," reports Chelsey about Valley View Flat.

Riverside locations: Sites along the Loup River offer quieter alternatives to reservoir camping. "Very small campground inside the Burwell city park. Four electrical hookups, two back in & two pull-through. We stayed in one of the back-in sites that was right on the Loup River. Very quiet with no hi-way noise," explains Shauna G. about Riverside City Park.

What you should know

Reservation requirements: Many popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. "Book in advance as this site is very popular and always full!" warns Alex R. about Homestead Knolls.

Fee structure: Camping costs include site fees plus vehicle permits. "When we were there, the quarter machine was broken but the host had quarters. We were told the reason they charge for showers is to discourage teenage girls from taking long showers after being at the beach!" explains Lee D. about Homestead Knolls.

Shower availability: Most developed campgrounds offer coin-operated showers. "Quiet campground and a beautiful view off the lake. You have to pay for showers. 1.25 for 6 minutes got the job done," notes Shawn A. about Valley View Flat.

Limited facilities at smaller sites: Some camping spots near Burwell operate with minimal amenities. "This campground is open from April 1–October 31 but you must make a reservation... When we were there last year, there was no restroom on site," explains Lee D. about Fort Knox Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Playground proximity: Consider site selection relative to playground facilities. "If you have kids who would like to use the playground, I recommend Sites 26, 28, 30 and 40, 42, and 44 (conversely, stay away from these sites if you do not want to be close to kids on the playground)!" advises Lee D. about Homestead Knolls.

Beach selection: Some beaches offer gentler slopes for younger swimmers. "Homestead Knolls is a small campground near a small, beautiful white sand beach with gradual increase in depth, perfect for swimming with family," notes Jennifer M.

Local supplies: Basic necessities can be found nearby without leaving the recreation area. "Boat ramp is nearby. You can find all essentials at a nearby gas station," adds Jennifer M. about Homestead Knolls.

Tips from RVers

Site specifications: Most RV sites at Calamus SRA provide electrical hookups without full service. "FCFS, no reservations needed. About 10 electric sites, plenty of tent and/or primitive sites. We have a 38' 5th wheel and have no problem parking that and a boat and tow vehicle in our area," explains Danika S. about Valley View Flat.

Alternative RV options: The area includes private RV parks with different amenity levels. "After being stranded for several hours with a flat tire we found ourselves behind schedule... This rv park is simple and small. It has full electrical, water and sewage hookups," shares Rachel C. about Taylor RV Park.

Potential flooding: Low-lying sites may experience water issues after rain. "All had paved driveways and appeared level. There had already been some rain and some of the sites had some flooding," warns Lee D. about Homestead Knolls.

Frequently Asked Questions

How far is Burwell, NE from Kearney, NE for campers planning a multi-stop trip?

Burwell, NE is approximately 90 miles northeast of Kearney, NE, with a driving time of about 1 hour and 45 minutes via US-183 N and NE-70 E. This makes for a manageable drive when planning a multi-stop camping trip through central Nebraska. Campers can break up their journey by staying at Sherman Reservoir State Rec Area Campground, which is roughly halfway between the two locations and offers lakeside camping options. The route traverses the scenic Nebraska Sandhills region, providing beautiful prairie views along the way.

What amenities are available at Cuzn Eddyz campground in Burwell, NE?

Cuzn Eddyz Campground in Burwell offers basic amenities for campers. While specific details about this campground are limited in reviews, Burwell area campgrounds typically provide electrical hookups, with some offering water connections as well. For those seeking more amenities, Calamus Lodge nearby offers proximity to both the lake and golf course. Burwell's camping options are generally modest but functional, with most sites providing the essential services needed for a comfortable stay in the Nebraska Sandhills region.

How long does it take to drive from Norfolk, NE to Burwell, NE for weekend camping trips?

The drive from Norfolk, NE to Burwell, NE typically takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes, covering approximately 115 miles primarily via US-275 W and NE-11 S. This makes it an ideal distance for weekend camping trips. Once in Burwell, campers can enjoy Riverside City Park, a small campground inside the city park with electrical hookups and basic facilities. Alternatively, Victoria Springs State Rec Area is a beautiful option not far from Burwell, offering tree-shaded sites, electrical hookups, and recreational activities like paddle boating.

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