2 campgrounds with availability this weekend
Branched Oak Lake State Recreation Area features an equestrian camping area with full hookup pull-through sites and dedicated horse corrals. Area 2 is well-known among horse owners for its equestrian trails and facilities while still offering RV and tent camping options. The lakeside camping area provides boat docks, ramps, and access to the equestrian trail that connects to the park. Riders looking for horse campgrounds near Bennington will find the secluded nature of this area is often overlooked by general campers. The campground accommodates riders with direct trail access while maintaining proximity to the lake's recreational opportunities. Nearby facilities include clean restrooms, though showers are available only at the adjacent Area 1.
The equestrian trail system at Branched Oak connects riders to multiple recreation areas around the lake. Riders can access several miles of designated horse trails directly from the campground without trailering to a separate location. The trail network provides varied terrain through wooded areas and along portions of the lakeshore. Horse owners find the combination of lakeside camping and trail access particularly valuable. Timber Point Wetland offers an alternative free camping option close to the Oak Creek Trail, which extends from Valparaiso to Brainard and accommodates equestrian use. This trail system is well-maintained and frequently hosts cross-country events. Water access for horses is available at designated points, though riders should verify seasonal availability before planning extended trips. For those seeking horse camping near Bennington with on-site amenities, the corrals and pull-through sites at Area 2 make it one of the most practical options in the region.
"The lake is right there, with a nice bike path that comes all the way around."
"Lake Cunningham is a fun destination for getting outside if you only have an afternoon to escape! The lake itself is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing!"
from $15 - $40 / night
"As full-time campers we stay at Mahoney quite often as it is close to the Omaha-metro and there are so many things to do within the park: swimming, golf, zip lines, arts & crafts, trails, nature, horses"
"Walking trails. Camping spots galore. Arts and crafts. Horse riding. Water park. Lodge. Viewing tower. And they just added a ropes course. cabins for rent as well."
Available this weekend
from $20 - $340 / night
"The fishing is easy in all the lakes and they have a pay fishing trout lake that nearly guarantees success. Our kid and her friends love the swimming beach."
"Whether I was riding a bike around the paved roads. Fishing in one of the sandpit lakes they have to offer, or the river. Walk around the nature trails, or lakes."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $100 / night
"A HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas. There is a 3 decent-size lakes spread evenly across the grounds."
"I am sorry 😔 but I have nut yet been to any of Nebraska's Camping grounds your's well be the first."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $10 - $30 / night
"It’s a bit off the beaten path but we got to enjoy the beautiful horses. Bonus!"
"Good hiking, horse rides, great hills for trail running."
Available this weekend
from $340 / night
"We've even walked through the water to go play on the "islands". There is a convenience store ran by a very nice family and they make a great breakfast for a low cost."
"A short drive from Omaha, two rivers offers generally clean TV and tent camping sites across multiple campgrounds. I camped right by the river. Also a short walk to the outhouse and playground."
from $10 / night
"It is right next to lake 4 with some beach access. There are both reservable and walk up sites here. The walk up process is a little strange."
"Very nice camp sites and playgrounds for children nice clean fishing lakes and river access."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 / night
"This is a small campground a little ways before you get to lakeside campground. These spots are electric with fire pits and picnic tables. It is near the road and the dump station is in view."
"Take your pick, river or lakeside. Some areas are more modern than others but all are nice. A few have water hookups"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"It’s not close to water like some of the others but it has a nice amount of room between spots and lots of trees for shade. There is an old playground by a vault toilet."
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 / night
"A few vault toilets are scattered around the park, but there are no shower facilities. Nearby is a small lake along with a nature center. Park is within a valley with lots of shade trees."
GuideA nice little area to park our RV for the night as we were passing through. Just put your $10 in the donation box. Yes, there is a train that blows its whistle, but it doesn’t come through too often.
TravelerI tried to drive out to the Timber Point campground on Road 29 on September 21, 2026, and got dangerously stuck in the mud! There were two signs at the end of the maintained section of this dirt road, which said "NO GRAVEL" and "MINIMUM MAINTENANCE ROAD". There should be a "ROAD CLOSED WHEN MUDDY" sign!
Just beyond these signs, the road descends, somewhat steeply, about fifty vertical feet, over about two hundred foot horizontal distance. If you start down that hill in any vehicle when it is muddy, you are likely to start sliding, as I did in our 22' RV, completely lose control of steering, and get stuck in the mud at the bottom of the hill. See the accompanying pictures as proof...
We later found a rickety 'ROAD CLOSED' sign in the grass by the side of the road near the two above signs, which we put back up...after we got towed out. I highly recommend LTR Towing in Lincoln, NB for their towing expertise! (see ltrtowing.com)
ScoutTen dollars a night for a electrical hookup, green grass and peace of mind. Perfect, just pull in, find a vacant pedestal and make yourself at home. 510 Midland Street
LegendLittle Creek section site 42, August 31, 2026, 85 degrees at 7pm. Pad was asphalt and level, good angle for backing in. 20/30amp, T-Mobile 5G was great. Green grass everywhere, we saw deer , squirrels and turkeys. CG was empty, showers and toilets are in the same building, older but nice.
All of the sites were paved and level, the grass may not be level and the tables and pits were fine.
Some noise at night from the highway, but the frogs, crickets and peepers were louder than the road noise. Loud trains at night.
Trash and water spigot were close to site. All of the ADA compatible campsites were brand new concrete very nice
TravelerCampsites are grassy and mostly level, though there were a few that had standing water from a thunderstorm earlier that morning. There is not any privacy between campsites and sites are right next to each other. We were lucky to come on a weekend that wasn’t very busy, and I could easily see this campsite get very crowded around holidays. The pit toilets needed a good clean, but other facilities seem maintained.
TravelerThis park is only 1.8 miles west of the highway and is right on the river. Unfortunately, all the large cottonwood trees have been cut down so there is no shade. There is no map posted at the campground, but the lowest numbered spaces are nearest to the bath house which was clean and had hot water that stopped to let you lather up, then press the knob to make it start again. I appreciated the electric service given the hot temps!
GuideThere were more people than I expected there on a Monday evening, but we were able to find a spot with 30A to set up. We didn’t even need blocks, as it was perfectly level. Just pulled into the grass next to the electric and had no issues. Great for a quick overnight, especially for just $10.
TravelerFound this spot last minute before the 4th of July, it was pretty much the only availability. It was perfect and I wish I would have found this place a lot sooner. Although it was busy it still was comfortable. And it's a straight shot to my work in Omaha. Is like staying longer.
GuideSouth of Omaha, on the Platte River. 200+ rv and tent sites. $30/night with electrical. Water and dump in the park. 5 lakes for fishing, kayak, hiking trails, rc track, access to the river, convince store, swimming beach, blowup obstacles course, and shower bathroom locations.
Branched Oak Lake State Recreation Area offers specialized equestrian camping options within 30 miles of Bennington, Nebraska. The area features over 300 campsites across multiple areas, with specific amenities for horse owners. The equestrian campground includes dedicated corrals, trail access points, and appropriate spacing between sites to accommodate horse trailers and equipment. Water access for horses is available at designated locations throughout the trail system.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Cunningham Campground provides multiple fishing spots with good catch potential. "The lake itself is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing! People do swim near the beach area but it is technically not allowed. I like the beach for letting my dog swim!" notes Kwin K. about Lake Cunningham Campground.
Hiking trails: Several interconnected trail systems link the various recreation areas. "We hiked here one morning and there weren't very defined trails, but the park is small enough where you wont get last. Nice views of the river. It was fun to wander around the trails for a few hours," shares Zak L. about his experience at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground.
Water recreation: Beyond equestrian activities, the lakes offer various boating options. "The fishing has always been good here. It's a beautiful setting, right in the middle Loess Hills in sw Iowa," reports Tony B. about Pony Creek Co Park. Most lakes in the area maintain no-wake zones specifically for paddlers and anglers.
Archery ranges: For target practice between trail rides, several parks maintain archery facilities. "We enjoyed the archery range and took plenty of walks. The shower facilities need a lot of updating and the RV spots are pretty dated with narrow roads," mentions Pat V. regarding Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area.
Proximity to water: Many equestrian campsites offer direct water access. "Middle Oak Creek campground has a row of 10-12 electrical spots that are perfect for shore fishing, kayak launch, lakeside views! South Shore campground sits lakeside but at a higher elevation so water access is trickier," states Jen K. about Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area.
Multiple recreation options: The variety of activities available beyond horseback riding appeals to many campers. "This place has it all....but books up months I'm advance and the crowds can get a bit annoying! Hiking trails, frisbee golf, horseback riding, driving range, fishing, tennis courts, river views, cabins!" explains Charlie B. about Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground.
Quiet camping areas: Some sections provide more seclusion than others. "Oak grove is one of 6 campgrounds at Twin Rivers State Park. It is one of the smaller campgrounds and is peaceful and offers electric and electric plus, fire pit, and picnic table. Most of these campsites are reservable," notes Shannon G. about Oak Grove Campground.
Non-electric primitive sites: For those seeking a more rustic experience while still having horse facilities. "I enjoy the 4 tent sites. They are spread apart enough that your not on top of each other. Lots of wood to find on the ground," shares Erik M. about Platte River State Park Campground.
Train noise concerns: Several campgrounds experience significant train noise. "This has the capability to be a great little state park, but and a huge one at that is at night the trains go by about every 17 minutes. The tracks run right get along the park," warns Justin R. about Louisville State Recreation Area Campground.
Seasonal closures: Some facilities have restricted availability. "Due to mussel infestation the lake and campgrounds are close. When it's open there is a small semi primitive campground. Lake is pretty and does have boat docks," mentions Christy H. regarding Lake Cunningham Campground.
Reservation requirements: Most equestrian sites require advance booking. "The walk up process is a little strange. You get put on a waiting list and have to return to main office at 3. Then the start at beginning of list and people start choosing so get on waiting list early," explains Shannon G. about Goldenrod Campground.
Limited water access: Some campgrounds have restricted water availability. "The sites have concrete pads with power, but no water or sewer. There is a fill station on the way in. You can pay $1 for a hot shower in the comfort station, which is very clean," notes Alana R. about Lake Cunningham Campground.
Water features for kids: Several parks offer swimming areas with additional features. "This campground is crowded with significant interstate noise. However there are many activities for kids including paddleboating, a wave pool, horse riding, ziplining, and playgrounds. Modern restrooms with showers and power are available," shares Jennifer M. about Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground.
Playground availability: Check which campgrounds have updated play equipment. "Nice playgrounds at both camp areas. Free showers are a great amenity as well. This One of our favorite places to 'get away' to for fishing, camping, etc," recommends Jen K. about Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area.
Kid-friendly fishing spots: Certain lakes offer better catch rates for young anglers. "This is a great campground for camping and fishing with kids. The fishing is easy in all the lakes and they have a pay fishing trout lake that nearly guarantees success. Our kid and her friends love the swimming beach," explains Rick J. about Two Rivers SRA.
Specialty accommodations: Unique lodging options appeal to families. "If you enjoy some extra comforts, rent one of the train cabooses which feature a small kitchen, bathroom, AC and beds with mattresses. Our kids loved the lofted full sized bed (but we kicked them to the bunk beds)," suggests Carla D. about Two Rivers SRA.
Site selection strategies: RVers should research specific sections within larger campgrounds. "Love the new East lots. Full access with concrete pad. Tons of room between spots. Mini store on the property to buy ice, firewood, and food from," reports Connor S. about Lake Cunningham Campground.
Dump station locations: The placement of facilities affects convenience. "This is a small campground a little ways before you get to lakeside campground. These spots are electric with fire pits and picnic tables. It is near the road and the dump station is in view," explains Shannon G. about Fawn Meadows Campground.
Pad materials: Surface type affects leveling and setup. "The camp sites are forked out like the cul-de-sac properties, each facing the road and having a large portion of the lake or greens to themselves on the back. It has plenty of greenery and is very well-maintained," describes Patheeka about Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area.
Crowding factors: Know when parks reach capacity. "Be warned: VERY BUSY campground as it is super close to a highly populated city. Plan ahead and reserve a spot or go early in the week otherwise you won't get a pad!!!" advises Jen K. about Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Bennington, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Bennington, NE is Lake Cunningham Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Bennington, NE?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 equestrian camping locations near Bennington, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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