Conestoga Lake sits at approximately 1,240 feet elevation in eastern Nebraska, surrounded by rolling farmland and prairie habitat. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F in July and August. Water levels at Conestoga and nearby lakes fluctuate seasonally, with spring typically offering the highest water levels for boating activities.
What to do
Kayaking and paddling: Branched Oak Lake offers extensive no-wake zones perfect for kayakers and paddleboarders. Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area has "a huge no-wake area of the lake for kayaking and paddle boarding. They also offer boat rentals," notes Jordan H.
Fishing from docks: Conestoga provides dedicated fishing platforms throughout the property. Conestoga State Recreation Area features "several individual docks to fish off of. The catfish will come right up to them at night," according to Seth H.
Winter camping: For off-season visitors, the region offers year-round camping options with fewer crowds. "Really nice and clean place to relax for a couple days. And it's not busy if you like winter camping like I do," reports Erik M. about Bluestem State Recreation Area.
Archery range: Several properties in the area maintain archery facilities for target practice. "I like the whole park - especially the archery range!!" says Debra B. about Pawnee Dam Site 14 Campground.
Disc golf course: Multiple recreation areas feature courses for disc golf enthusiasts. "Area 1 has a fun 9-hole disc golf course," Kyle S. mentions about Lakeview Campground at Pawnee State Recreation Area.
What campers like
Lake access for fishing: Direct water access from campsites ranks highly among visitor preferences. "We love the site, I was right next to the lake, great swimming access," shares Jennifer T. about her experience at Branched Oak Lake.
Proximity to Lincoln: Many visitors appreciate the short drive from urban amenities. Camp A Way Campground gets high marks for location, with Barry M. noting it offers a "great location to explore different areas" just minutes from Lincoln.
Clean facilities: Well-maintained bathrooms and showers matter to campers. Ashland RV Campground earns praise for "excellent wifi, and the bathhouses are very clean," according to Andrew D.
Family activities: Kid-friendly amenities score points with parents. "This destination was so fun! Sites are shaded and spacious. Awesome playground, pool, water slide and more! Super cute place to stay with family," states Samantha S. about Camp A Way.
What you should know
Permit requirements: Nebraska state park entry permits cost $14 per vehicle for non-residents ($7 for Nebraska residents) in addition to camping fees. "During the off season. $25.00 for electric. $14.00 entry fee for a vehicle. More than I was expecting," notes Tony D. about Area One Campground.
Highway noise: Interstate proximity affects sound levels at several properties. Pine Grove RV Park & Campground sits "right off the highway, but with that you do get the noise," according to Jennifer S.
Site availability: First-come, first-served policies apply at state recreation areas. Conestoga operates entirely on a walk-up basis with no reservations. Self-registration stations are located at park entrances.
Water access limitations: Despite lake proximity, swimming access varies by location. At Bluestem, one camper mentions "it offers decent fishing, decent kayaking, and a swim beach. You may run into lots of party-folk depending on when you come here."
New ownership: Management changes have occurred at some private campgrounds. Pine Grove campers report, "Ignore any reviews prior to July 2023. That's when the new owners took over and have been making updates and improvements from day 1."
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "It has a playground and pool as well as a convenience store. Bathrooms and showers were clean," Jennifer S. notes about Pine Grove RV Park.
Swimming options: Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area offers "a swimming beach at Area 1," according to Kyle S., though it's weather-dependent and seasonal.
Geocaching opportunities: Hidden caches provide entertainment for school-age children. Ashland RV Campground has "several geocaches to find within walking distance, and the town has a splash pad and pool during the summer months," says Andrew D.
Bike-friendly roads: Paved camping loops allow for safe cycling. "Kids can ride their bikes all around the paved and gravel rounds throughout the camp," one visitor notes about Conestoga State Recreation Area.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites carefully based on rig size and utility needs. "The sites for big rigs are not 3 axle friendly. The site provided was not long or wide enough," warns one RVer about site limitations at some campgrounds.
Water fill stations: Most rv campgrounds near Conestoga Lake offer communal water stations rather than site hookups. "No water hook up at the camp sites. They have water you can fill up your fresh water tank," Tony D. explains about Area One.
Electric amperage: Verify power capacity before booking. "Most are 30A like ours, site 46, but there are a couple with 50A," notes Bran P. about Conestoga State Recreation Area's electrical options.
Dump station locations: Plan for end-of-stay waste disposal. "The nice dump station is located a couple of miles down the road near the Park Office," Bran P. mentions about Pawnee Dam Site 14 Campground.
Site leveling: Prepare for uneven terrain at some properties. "Our site was the only one with a level issue but we wanted to be in the corner," says Jen S. about her stay at Ashland RV Campground.
