Dispersed camping near Elwood, Nebraska provides primitive overnight options in an area marked by the flat terrain of the Platte River Valley, with elevations averaging 2,300 feet. The region experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and cold winters, making spring and fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Wildlife management areas throughout this region operate under Nebraska Game and Parks Commission regulations, with most enforcing specific quiet hours from 10 PM to 6 AM.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Blue Hole Wildlife Management Area features a small pond suitable for shoreline fishing. "This is a small area with a pond just off the interstate. Some light local use of the road and of the pond for fishing," notes Ben B. who stayed at Blue Hole WMA.
Hiking options: Bassway Strip State Wildlife Area offers a paved walking trail with lighting. "This is a general parking area for folks that want to fish, or use the beautiful, paved and lit hiking trail," writes Danny H. in his review of the area.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings provide the best viewing times for local wildlife. "A fat possum waddled up to me when I was setting up my tent in the dark since I pulled up to this spot late at night. He didn't bother me when I was sleeping but gave me a good scare," reports Bohdan T. from his experience at Bassway Strip.
What campers like
Convenience for overnight stops: Many campers appreciate these areas as quick stopover points. "Free. No facilities. Flat, established, wide dirt road. Multiple pull offs for camping, mostly flat. Great overnight spot! Such a nice surprise to come across this camping spot," shares Frana B. about her experience at Bassway Strip State Wildlife Area.
Seasonal natural displays: Summer visitors often mention the firefly shows. "The fireflies were awesome, even in the rain!" reports Kelly B., who camped at Bassway Strip during a rainy night.
Quick access to interstate: The proximity to I-80 makes these spots practical for through-travelers. "Good for pulling off into while on a road trip. There's a road sign that marks it. No one here on a busy travel Saturday when the rest stops were busy," notes Scout G. who stayed at Blue Hole Wildlife Management Area.
What you should know
Varied vehicle access: Some locations have bridge weight restrictions. "Cross a bridge to get there - dual axel limit 10 Tons. Trailer limit 23 Tons," advises Frana B. about Bassway Strip State Wildlife Area.
Limited site options: Most areas have just a few designated pull-offs. "There are 3 pull outs that you can put in an RV or camper but not much else to this place," notes Gabriel H. in his review of Coot Shallows WMA.
Insect considerations: Bug activity varies by season and can be intense. "The mosquitos were bad, at least in late July. Overall it was secluded and shaded with flat spots to camp so cant complain too much," shares Porter S. about his summer experience at Bassway Strip.
Variable site quality: The condition of specific sites can change. "This is a small area with a pond just off the interstate. A little sketchy but not quite as sketchy as some of the other wildlife management areas on this stretch of I-80," explains Ben B. about Blue Hole WMA.
Tips for camping with families
Noise management: Highway proximity affects sleep quality for light sleepers. "We camped on the side of the road on the side of the river opposite the highway. Between the rain and the fan, we never heard the highway," advises Kelly B. who stayed at Bassway Strip with her family.
Safety awareness: Some locations experience unusual nighttime activity. "My husband and I had a freaky experience here and I wouldn't want it to happen to anyone else. Around 4:30 AM a car pulled in quietly and parked right next to our van. A guy was outside smoking and putting some things in a bag. We started up the RV and dipped as fast as we could," warns Melia S. about her experience at Blue Hole Wildlife Management Area.
Site selection timing: Arriving during daylight allows better evaluation of conditions. "When I woke up in the morning it was pouring rain, so I did not explore, but I did not see any toilets, picnic tables, or fire rings in the parking area," explains Lindsey J. who arrived at Blue Hole WMA after dark.
Tips from RVers
Site levelness: Check pull-outs carefully before setting up. "Got here at night, turned into Chloe's circle, it was a short gravel road. There were two spots to park and a cul-de-sac at the end of the road. One of the spots was slanted and the other spot was flat, neither were good for large campers," shares Lindsey J. about Blue Hole Wildlife Management Area.
Location verification: Some areas have signage that differs from map markers. "There's a road sign that marks it (not in the exact spot shown on map here). No facilities but less than 10 miles from the next rest stop," notes Scout G. about Bassway Strip.
Stay duration planning: Areas enforce specific time limits. "It is what it is you need it and just pull offs but they're right next to the highway so hopefully traffic doesn't bother you," mentions Dennis N., who stayed at Bassway Strip and noted the common 3-day maximum stay regulation.
