Tent and RV camping options surround the small town of Denton, Nebraska, located 20 minutes southwest of Lincoln. The area features a mix of state recreation areas on reservoirs and privately-owned campgrounds with varying levels of amenities. Winter camping remains available at several locations with temperatures typically ranging from 20-40°F from November through February.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing: Lake activities are popular at Branched Oak Lake, which offers a dedicated no-wake area. "The lake was clean. Got in and swam with the dog in the morning. Everything seemed well taken care of," notes one visitor to Pawnee Dam Site 14 Campground. The lake provides opportunities for boating and swimming during warmer months.
Archery practice: Designated ranges can be found at multiple recreation areas near Denton. "I love the whole park - especially the archery range!!" reports a long-time camper at Pawnee Dam. Bluestem State Recreation Area also maintains an archery range for visitors interested in target practice.
Mountain biking: Trail systems near Ashland offer technical riding opportunities. "It is also right by a killer mountain biking trail (lookup Oxbow Trail System on Trailforks if you are into that)," explains a regular visitor to Ashland RV Campground. The trail network provides various difficulty levels suitable for different rider abilities.
What campers like
Lake views: Waterfront sites at several parks provide direct access to shorelines. At Area One Campground, "We love camping on the south shore. Can kayak right by your campsite. Lots of room between sites to play catch or yard games," reports a frequent visitor. These sites typically fill quickly during summer weekends.
Family-friendly amenities: Kid-focused facilities make several campgrounds particularly suitable for families with children. "This destination was so fun! Sites are shaded and spacious. Awesome playground, pool, water slide and more! Super cute place to stay with family," notes a visitor to Camp A Way Campground.
Proximity to towns: Easy access to nearby communities provides convenience for supplies or dining. "Brand new clean quiet campground walking distance from downtown. Very attentive and kind!" says one Ashland RV Campground visitor. This location allows campers to explore local businesses without driving.
What you should know
Highway noise: Interstate proximity affects sound levels at some campgrounds. "This place is sandwiched in between I-80 and the I-80 Speedway. Even w/ full hookups it's a bit overpriced," notes one visitor to Pine Grove RV Park. However, other reviewers mention this varies: "We never hear it when we are inside our motorhome. Some evenings it is pretty loud outside and others we can barely hear it."
Winter camping considerations: Several campgrounds remain open year-round but with limited facilities. "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 a winter camper at Bluestem State Recreation Area.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies across recreation areas. At Branched Oak Lake, showers operate on a coin system requiring quarters. "Shower rates are reasonable. $.50 for 3 minutes and every $.25 gives another 90 seconds. The change machine was either broken or out of change but that seems to be the norm this year at Nebraska parks."
Tips for camping with families
Geocaching opportunities: Scavenger hunts keep children entertained when not swimming or boating. "To entertain my kids (ages 6-12), there were several geocaches to find within walking distance, and the town has a splash pad and pool during the summer months," notes an Ashland camper.
Dog-friendly options: Pet areas provide spaces for four-legged family members. Pine Grove RV Park features "a huge off leash dog run which was so nice," according to a regular visitor. These designated areas help maintain cleanliness throughout the campgrounds.
Activity schedules: Weekend programming at some parks includes organized recreation. Camp A Way offers "tons of activities for the kids," making it particularly suitable for families seeking structured entertainment options beyond natural features.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through site selection: Level parking varies between campgrounds. At Conestoga State Recreation Area, "The sites in the row on the side of site 50 are huge. We enjoyed spreading our stuff out with multiple tents and played games in the large open space," reports a visitor. However, the reviewer notes "shade is limited over a good 1/3 of the powered sites."
Seasonal ownership changes: Management transitions affect campground experiences. Pine Grove RV Park had new owners take over in July 2023, with one visitor noting: "We have camped here for the past three summers and will continue to come back for as long as we can. Word to the wise: 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."
Cell service coverage: Data connectivity remains strong throughout most rv parks near Denton, Nebraska. "Good cell service; on Sprint I can get 4G and Sprint sucks so you should be good in that regard," notes a visitor to Bluestem State Recreation Area. This reliable coverage allows remote workers to stay connected while camping.
