Best Tent Camping near Elwood, NE

This is a nice site with electric and tent sites. Each site has fire ring and there are vault toilets around the site. There are tent site that are free. You can camp there off season. Some of the site are on the river. There are also several hiking trails.

This campground was hard to find, even with GPS. Finally a local came by to show us where it was. When we drove in there was a boat ramp, 1 tent site with a picnic table and fire ring, and 1 spot for an RV to park with no hookups. I was told there were other spots for tents on the other side of the lake that you could get to by hiking. The area needed to be mowed but wow the views from the tent site were gourgous. There were other trails, hunting, and fishing. Up the road were beautiful views of the dam and area. If we would have had our generator, we would have stayed the night.

Cute little park off the highway. 2 sites are available. I wouldn't haul a trailer into the park, but it's perfect for a small rv or tent camping. Allot of highway noise, but it's good white noise to fall asleep after you get used to it.

There are many RV and tent sites at this campground with water access to the Harlan reservoir. Several loops of sites are available around the lake within this campground. Electric RV sites and some tent sites can be reserved online while there are also a set number of first come first served sites. Dogs and campfires are allowed. There is a fish cleaning station for those who are interested in fishing. There is also a playground in the main loop for kids. Due to the overwhelming amount of rain in the area, some of the sites are unavailable right now, but there are still more than enough for everyone. We were there on a busy holiday weekend and still had plenty of space, shade, and privacy. Dogs are allowed on lease at all times. There are also two group campsites and a covered picnic facility that would be great for reunions.

I stayed at the Main camp ground with a great lake view on site 76. Sites 77-86 are pull through and the rest are back in for RV. There are also tent sites near the water. There are bathrooms, showers and electric (50/30amp), there are no water hook-ups. The dump station is currently closed (April 2024) due to construction. The camp grounds are close together but they have planted bushes between them to create privacy. I cant speak on the bathroom or showers as the are closed since it is off season.

After much deliberation, and with great regret, I am declaring myself a Nebraska State Parks campground anti. There are three interlocking reasons for this decision:

1. Both the campgrounds I have been to (this one and Rock Creek Station SRA) seem to treat tent sites as an afterthought: each park has a very small number of tenting spaces that are kind of on the margins of the campground. At Fort Kearny, the sites that were available were also either totally slanted or full of trash. It does seem like other parks might not share this problem, but it at least indicates a pattern to be aware of.

2. In addition to the campsite fee, there is a $12 DAILY out-of-state vehicle entrance fee. This means that a $15 campsite is actually a $27 campsite. I will say, in fairness, that the $12 also allowed my car to enter the Fort Kearny historical site next to the campground.

3. The showers are coin-operated. This isn’t a cost problem so much as it is a logistical one: who has quarters anymore? Also, because the showers are timed, you can’t turn the water off and back on again, which ruins my entire haircare routine.

Obviously, these reasons won’t apply to everyone. If you have a camper or RV, your calculus will be totally different. If you’re in-state, and you only have to pay $6 for your vehicle instead of $12, I could see these sites being worth it. And if you don’t have hair that you need to condition, the shower thing might not bother you. But if you are like me, a long-haired out-of-state yokel trying to cross the country with a Honda Accord and a backpacking tent, you might take these considerations into account.

I will say that this campground is beautiful to drive through, with all the little lakes and the cottonwood trees. Also, the camp hosts offer free bikes for guests to use around the campground and presumably on the nearby hike/ bike trail, which is very kind of them and which I wish I had time to take advantage of.

•  150 campsites, both with and without electric hookups. 
• There are also several tent-only sites. 
• Showers
• Toilets
• Laundry (1.50 per load)
• Two playgrounds
•  Volleyball court 
•  Boat ramp 
•  Fish cleaning station with grinder and running water is located near the entrance. Walleye, wipers, white bass, northern pike and channel catfish are the most sought-after fish species. 
• Game animals include pheasant, quail, prairie chicken, white-tailed and mule deer, turkey, waterfowl, rabbit and squirrel. 
• The lake offers a variety of hiking trails of varying length and style, as well as one equestrian trail a short drive away. 
• An off-road vehicle trail is located in nearby Republican City. 
•  Latitude 40° 4' 59.0002" N Longitude 99° 13' 39.7200" W 
• Directions"   Highway 80, take Highway 183 south to Alma, Nebraska. Turn left onto Highway 136. then turn right on Berrigan Road and travel 1.25 miles to the intersection of Road B. Turn right and travel one mile; the park entrance is on south side of the road.
• Off-road vehicles not permitted in the campground 
• Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. 
• Phone number for campground inquiries, please call: 308-799-2105

This is our second visit to this location and I have an update on our stay.  Major thing for us is that we have not encountered the dreaded blood thirty skeeters.  We did have a major storm last night but campground held up rather well.  Hunter Cove is a large, well kept park and all facilities are clean with no flies or at least very few.  The park is blessed with a lot of mature tress giving most sites a nice shade.  There are several water sites and even the sites that are not on the water you will still have a view of the water.  Pad are gravel or grass but hard packed.  Hunter Cove is set in a very rural area.  Roads are what I would consider secondary.  Rather narrow, especially if you meet a vehicle pulling a boat and you are in an RV so be prepared.  

 When you turn off the main highway there is a liquor store and just down from that is a bait shop where I would guess you could pick up some supplies.  There is a market in Alma, Nebraska.  Make sure you purchase your supplies before arriving.

If you have a reservation and the camp host is not on duty you will find your spot and they have place a tag with your name and dates of arrival.  Sites are well marked and well maintained.  There are sections for tent campers and many are water sites.  Enjoy bird watching, fishing, hiking, fishing and other water activities.

Notice to all that bring watercraft.  All watercraft pose a threat of AIS Aquatic Invasive Species to the waterways in Nebraska and waterways in other states.  Watercraft is the primary source of AIS they must be prepared with an accepted means of ensuring no AIS will enter local waterways.  CLEAN  DRY  Non residents must obtain the AIS decal and apply to watercraft.  If a boat is launched from a Nebraska boat facility a AIS decal must be obtained.

Nice to have a site that has plenty of shade. Nebraska SRAs are great and this is in my top 10.

We came in late and the campground was almost full. They found a place for us to park a Jeep with a roof top tent. All places are flat and good parking and good grass for tents. Set up well. Showers could have been cleaner but ok. The wind blew hard across the lake.

Traveling in Nebraska around North Platte this is an easy access for quite night rest. Only one vehicle in the night drove by. Super quiet.

Harlan County Lake Near Alma, Nebraska Methodist Cove Park is located on the west side of Harlan County Lake by Alma, Nebraska. The 13,000-acre Harlan County Lake is the second largest lake in the state. The lake and surrounding land hold great appeal for sportsmen, birders, naturalists or anyone wanting to just get away.

• • May 1– Sept 30
• • Reservable May 1– Sept 30 (877-444-6777)
• • Non-reservable Nov 1– April 30

• 48 Electric sites

• 50 amp available

• 81 non electric sites

• Dump station

• Picnic area

• Playground

• Full hookups

• Sewer hookup

• Electric

• Water

• Fire ring/grill

• Toilets/showers

• Boat launch

Methodist Cove Park offers variety campsites of individual, group, electric and non-electric sites. There is also one reservable group picnic shelter for day use. One large heated shower house with flush toilets is centrally located within the campground and several vault toilets are located throughout the rest of the park. The main road is hard surfaced, while others are gravel. A fish cleaning station with grinder and running water is located near the entrance. There two full service marinas on the east end of the lake. Located in South Central Nebraska, lands surrounding Harlan County Lake are primarily mixed grass prairie land. The campground is mostly forested, offering ample shade during the warmth of summer. 

This is a beautiful campground.  The site is flat and open.  Trees are scattered among the many campsites.  The sites are small but well maintained.  A bonus was a washer and dryer located in both the men's and women's bath/toilet facility.  That facility was very clean.

The Republican River Valley was once occupied by one of the greatest concentrations of buffalo on the Great Plains and was a favored hunting ground for the Pawnee, Sioux, Cheyenne and Arapaho Indian tribes. Harlan County Lake is popular for fishing, hiking, hunting and boating. Walleye, wipers, white bass, northern pike and channel catfish are the most sought after fish species. Game animals include pheasant, quail, prairie chicken, white-tailed and mule deer, turkey, waterfowl, rabbit and squirrel. The lake offers a variety of hiking trails of varying length and style, as well as one equestrian trail a short drive away. An off-road vehicle trail is located in nearby Republican City. Harlan County and an additional almost 18,000 acres of land that surround the lake is managed by the COE. There are six parks which provides the area with a plethor of recreation campsites.

 When you turn off the main highway there is a liquor store and just down from that is a bait shop where I would guess you could pick up some supplies. There is a market in Alma, Nebraska. Make sure you purchase your supplies before arriving. 

Notice to all that bring watercraft. All watercraft pose a threat of AIS Aquatic Invasive Species to the waterways in Nebraska and waterways in other states. Watercraft is the primary source of AIS they must be prepared with an accepted means of ensuring no AIS will enter local waterways. CLEAN DRY Non residents must obtain the AIS decal and apply to watercraft. If a boat is launched from a Nebraska boat facility a AIS decal must be obtained.

 Latitude 40° 5' 12.9998" N Longitude 99° 18' 56.0002" W 

From U.S. Highway 80, take Highway 183 south to Alma, Nebraska. Turn left on South Street and travel 2.5 miles. The park entrance is on south side of the road.

Need to Know• Only one camping unit allowed per site• All campers must check in when arriving at park• Maximum of six people allowed per site• An attendant is on duty during the peak season of May through September• Secure coolers and boating equipment each night to prevent thefts• Off-road vehicles are not permitted

• Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.

Contact Information Mailing Address 70788 Corps Road A REPUBLICAN CITY, NE 68971-9742 Phone Number For campground inquiries, please call: 308-799-2105

LNT

Better than when you found it

Stay safe - Happy Travels

Arrived pretty late into the night, but it was easy to find and no one else was there. Camped by the pond in my tent. One could bring a small to medium length trailer in here with ease.

Stayed here for 3 days and 2 nights back in 2011. The park is a bit more built up than what I generally like but this was a fishing trip so I didn't mind. There is a volley ball court and playgrounds. There is an ORV trail which was seeing heavy use while we were there. They have laundry and even fish cleaning stations, which lucky for us we needed to use. They have back in and pull through sites for RV's, some with electric and some without. There are tent only sites too. One important thing to mention is you can't have more than one small camper or more than one tent per site. Some places you can get away with this but not here. We also saw some quail and a pair of female deer here.

I've stayed 3 times at the Fort Kearney SRA for convenience only.  Nebraska Game & Parks has a punitive price model that charges out-of-state visitors $12/day to enter a park with a campground (no Senior discounts either) and then $15/day for a primitive campsite (no water or electric) that is a looong ways for the dirty and rundown restrooms.