Camping options near Burwell, Nebraska center around the Calamus Reservoir, where North Loup River feeds into a 5,124-acre lake known for its sandy beaches and clear waters. The region sits within the Nebraska Sandhills, characterized by rolling grass-covered dunes that create natural windbreaks for campers. Winter temperatures drop below freezing, while summer camping season brings temperatures averaging 85°F with periodic afternoon thunderstorms.
What to do
Fishing access: Riverside City Park offers electric hookups right on the Loup River for anglers. "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," notes Nick P.
Paddle boat rentals: At Victoria Springs State Rec Area, visitors can enjoy the small lake with rental boats. "You can rent paddle boats for the small lake. Merlin counted 10 different bird sounds here in April," according to Judy B.
Golf nearby: Calamus Lodge offers camping with electric and water hookups adjacent to a golf course. Alex R. mentions, "Nice campground close to the lake and right next to the golf course!"
What campers like
Quiet weekday stays: Many campgrounds in the region remain uncrowded during weekdays. Barry M. says about Victoria Springs State Rec Area, "It fills up on the weekends but during the week you can have the entire campground to yourself. Beautiful trees, nice shade, and electrical hook-ups."
Clean facilities: Campgrounds maintain clean restrooms and shower facilities. "Camp hosts were amazing. Gave us firewood. Clean facilities. Well maintained. Gorgeous trees and trails," notes Jean H. about Victoria Springs.
Riverside camping: Campsites along water features provide peaceful settings. At Valley View Flat Campground, Abigail C. reports, "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."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Many campgrounds have limited seasonal availability. Victoria Springs operates from May to November, while others like Fort Knox Campground runs April through October.
Reservation requirements: Some rv sites near Burwell, Nebraska require advance booking. Lee D. noted about Fort Knox Campground, "You must make a reservation and since we were looking for a place to land at 4:30 pm on a Sunday in June with no reservations, it would not work for us."
State park permits: Nebraska state parks require entrance permits in addition to camping fees, particularly at Victoria Springs and Calamus areas.
Self-contained camping: Not all campgrounds offer complete facilities. "When we were there last year, there was no restroom on site (the website still says it is coming soon so either there are still no restrooms or the website is not up-to-date)," reports Lee D. about Fort Knox Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campsites include playground facilities. Rachel C. notes about Taylor RV Park, "There is a playground in the same area as well as a city park about 2 blocks away. The city park has bathrooms."
Swimming opportunities: Calamus Reservoir provides sandy beaches for swimming. Kathryn H. mentions, "Nice swimming and fishing spots. Love going there."
Budget-friendly options: Municipal camping near Burwell offers affordable overnight stays. Michael T. describes Riverside Park Camping as "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."
Protection from storms: Tree coverage at Victoria Springs provides natural shelter. Carrie B. shares, "Unfortunately a bad storm moved in so we weren't able to enjoy the evening. The trees kept us protected from the wind and hail."
Tips from RVers
Spacious sites: RV accommodations near Burwell offer ample room for larger rigs and additional vehicles. Valley View Flat Campground offers electric sites with 30 and 50 amp service.
Budget alternatives: For affordable full hookup RV sites near Burwell, Nebraska, consider Tomahawk Municipal RV Park in Broken Bow. Ben P. reports, "Broken Bow is a great town. Been through there several times. The city park is great, not much to it but it is nice and clean and convenient. For $20, would recommend. Full hook-ups."
Site surfaces: RV sites feature various surfaces. Shannon G. notes about Tomahawk Municipal RV Park, "All sites are full hook ups with a few on concrete but most on gravel. Most sites are pull thru. Not every site has a picnic bench, they are scattered around."
Insect preparation: Pack insect repellent, especially during summer months. Matt H. mentions about Victoria Springs, "It was a Monday night but it was very quiet other than the hum of the mosquitos!"
