Johnson Lake State Recreation Area lies between the towns of Elwood and Lexington at 2,618 feet elevation in south-central Nebraska. The reservoir stretches across 2,500 acres and maintains consistent water levels year-round, unlike many seasonal lakes in the region. Camping options around Elwood range from state-managed recreation areas to city parks and wildlife management areas, with most sites available from April through October.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Multiple ponds and lakes around Elwood offer excellent fishing access. At Sandy Channel State Recreation Area, campers appreciate the convenient water access from all sites. "Great smaller campground with lots of good fishing walking distance from all campsites and lots of hiking trails to multiple ponds," notes Randy W.
Disc golf course: Lafayette Park in Gothenburg provides recreation beyond camping. "This really large, open space park next to the grounds also had a disc golf course," reports Daniel B. The park features mature cottonwood trees, creating shade for summer activities.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds near Elwood offer swimming during summer months. Sandy Channel State Recreation Area provides a designated swimming area, though it's relatively small. One visitor notes, "There is a small 'beach' area designated for swimming in one of the ponds. Because we were there during COVID restrictions, we waited until almost everyone left before we felt we would have enough space."
What campers like
Quiet locations: Many campers appreciate the peaceful settings around Elwood. At Camp Arrowhead in nearby Lexington, visitors enjoy the tranquil atmosphere. Von B. describes it as a "Nice spot and water access. Great showers and fire pits. Small and private."
Lake views: Waterfront camping spots are highly sought after in the Elwood area. At Main Area Campground, Kelvin T. shares: "One of my favorite campgrounds by far. There were plenty of sites during my stay in October, and the site I stayed at was right next to the lake. In the morning, the trees were beautifully lined along the campsites."
Affordable options: Several campgrounds offer economical stays. At Muny Park in Cozad, amber P. notes the "Good bang for your buck" with rates at "$10 for electric, $5 for primitive." This makes the Elwood area accessible for budget-conscious campers.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Weather varies dramatically throughout the camping season. Richard notes that at Main Area Campground, "We arrived here on March 1st and it was very silent, just one other camper. Spots are clean, squirrels running around, tables and firepits. Of course this time of year the restrooms were closed."
Shower facilities: Prepare quarters for showers at several campgrounds. Chuck M. advises: "The only annoying thing was needing quarters to shower. $1.25 for 7.5 minutes."
Reservation systems: Some campgrounds require advance booking while others operate first-come-first-served. At Lafayette Park Campground, one visitor notes they "had to use online reservations. Base price was 30 but closer to 35 with the fees."
Tips for camping with families
Dog friendly campgrounds near Elwood: Most sites welcome pets with standard leash rules. Elwood Resort and Campground provides pet-friendly accommodations with nearby walking paths. Mike K. shares: "We see other campers with pets, so we assume they are allowed. They sell bait for local fishing that is a 2 minute walk on a well mowed trail away. Our kids enjoyed the quiet and loved being turned loose to enjoy the surroundings."
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Blue Heron Campground, Shannon G. mentions the facilities include "laundry, playground, restrooms (which are very clean) and there's cute lamps scattered throughout."
Free firewood sources: Some locations provide complimentary firewood. Natalee M. appreciated that Main Area Campground "had some free firewood available which was really nice to help our fire last longer!"
Tips from RVers
Dump station timing: Plan your departure carefully to avoid waiting at popular locations. Vanessa M. notes at Johnson Lake State Recreation Area, "There's only one RV dump site which made for a huge line in the morning."
Site leveling considerations: Some campgrounds require minimal setup work. At Elwood Resort and Campground, Mike K. reports: "We payed for a full access site, and had no leveling issues at all."
Electric hookup options: Several campgrounds offer varying electrical service. Lafayette Park Campground provides water and electric hookups, while at Blue Heron Campground, Shannon G. details: "There are 40 RV/Trailer sites that vary from pull thru to back in. Of those sites 17 are Full Hookups and the rest are water/electric. Full runs $45/night, W/E run $39-42."
