Best Campgrounds near Ericson, NE

Campgrounds surrounding Ericson, Nebraska provide a mix of established facilities and primitive sites across the region's reservoirs and public lands. Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area offers several campgrounds including Homestead Knolls, which features 83 electrical sites with paved driveways and amenities like picnic tables and fire pits. Smaller options include Pibel Lake State Recreation Area with tent and RV camping, while city parks in nearby communities like Burwell, Spalding, and Greeley offer convenient alternatives. Most established campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping, with varying levels of hookups and services depending on location.

Nebraska state park permits are required at recreation areas, with additional fees for out-of-state visitors. Campground access varies seasonally, with many sites open year-round but experiencing peak usage during summer months. "We were told that on weekends, especially holiday weekends, the campground fills up," noted one visitor about Homestead Knolls. Reservations are recommended for popular areas, particularly during fishing and boating season. Weather conditions can change rapidly across the region, with summer temperatures typically warm and pleasant but occasional storms possible. Cell service may be limited at more remote locations, and some primitive areas lack running water or modern facilities.

Waterfront camping represents a significant draw for visitors to the area, with Calamus Reservoir offering white sand beaches and gradual-depth swimming areas ideal for families. Fishing opportunities abound throughout the region's lakes and rivers, with several campgrounds providing direct water access. A camper described Calamus Reservoir as "amazing — clean and with a sand base." While waterfront sites tend to be more developed and popular, they also typically fill quickly during peak season. Quieter experiences can be found at smaller recreation areas and wildlife management lands. Amenities vary widely between locations, with some offering full hookups, showers and flush toilets, while others provide only basic facilities like vault toilets and fire rings. Most campgrounds feature picnic tables and designated camping pads, though site quality and privacy differ considerably between locations.

Best Camping Sites Near Ericson, Nebraska (36)

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Recent Reviews near Ericson, NE

50 Reviews of 36 Ericson Campgrounds


  • lThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 11, 2025

    Carney Park

    Very nice overnite spot

    Water and electric with pad and picnic tables and trees for $20! Also some tent sites. Nice place for an evening or morning walk to stretch legs around rodeo arena, between baseball fields and then around and small pond. Self serve payment envelopes. A handful of other campers around the CG that has about 16 (?) sites

  • Rob C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2025

    Riverside Park

    Great Campground

    Easy hook up, many sites with shade $20 per night. There is a shower and flush toilets but not very clean! That’s why only four stars!

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 6, 2025

    Riverside Park Camping Burwell

    Delightful Burwell City Park Camping

    City Park, 30A service, 4 long pads, room for a few others. Park amenities, 2 single bathrooms, 1 coin shower. Clean and maintained. $10 per night.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 1, 2025

    Homestead Knolls Campground — Calamus SRA

    Beautiful

    It's a beautiful Campground. As long as your rig is under 50 ft all the sites are back in. It has showers and bathrooms and water. It's missing a septic dump. The only complaint I have is for everyday you camp you pay $30 a night plus if you're not Nebraska local you also pay $14 a night per vehicle. If you're Nebraska local it's $30 a night plus $7 a night for vehicle.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2025

    Fred Penn Park

    Small and primitive

    quiet in this remote area with fishing. Located next to the Elkhorn River and Fred Penn Lake, this park offers primitive camping for $5/Day - first come, first serve. It is a great location to enjoy a nice quite picnic with your family.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2025

    Willow Springs RV Park

    Large RV park in the country

    60 Sites. Tents sites: 25. 50 pull thrus. 60 full hookups. electric hookups.

    Services: water, laundry, toilets, showers, dump.

    Was quiet and conveniently located for the road trip we were on! Arrive after dark and forgot to take photos until we were leaving. Was very busy being in the middle of nowhere.

  • Bibs O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 12, 2025

    Grove Lake State Wildlife Area

    Beautiful location, unbearable noise.

    This is a dispersed campground that allows stays up to 14 days. This is a beautiful place. Trees are beautiful. The lake is beautiful. If you're a fly fisherman, this place is paridise if you can't get to usual fly fishing locations.

    There is only one piece of playground equipment for children. It is a merry - go - round that swings as it goes around.

    Pit toilets are filthy dirty and smell horrible.

    Pads are uneven and made up of dirt or gravel in a couple of locations. Lots of tree shelter in the campground. Fire pits and elevated grills in each camp spot.

    Lots of walking trails.

    Sadly, I will never go back. The other campers were rude, arrogant, loud, drunk, filthy mouthed, and looking for fights. Generators ran all night and day. Night time bonfires were huge and out of control.

    We got there, and there was one other camper, and it was delightful. The situation changed quickly, and in my humble, modest opinion, this is not a place for normal decent people. We did not feel safe at all.

    P.S.

    There is absolutely NO cell service in this campground.

  • Charles C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 1, 2025

    Grove Lake State Wildlife Area

    Free Camping, Lovely views

    Grove lake is a lovely free camping area with flat dirt areas that would accommodate a camper or tent. No hookups but hydrants, Vault toilets, fire pits, and picnic tables exist.

    Nice camping trails exist, mostly for access to the trout stream that feeds the lake.

    This is a lovely place to hike, fish, kayak, paint, or just get in touch with your maker.

  • Lisa M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 12, 2024

    Newman Grove City Park

    Good spot for an overnight

    This city park has eight or nine spots available some have full hook ups and some have just water and some have just sewer and some have just electric. We stayed on spot nine, which had all three. Only downside to this little place was since it is the city park and there is a playground here, quite a bit of local traffic bringing the kids in. Nice walking trail around part of the golf course. When we were there, there was no place to pay, but I called the city clerk and she said just to put the money in a dropbox at City Hall, which is $20 now.pretty close to the road that goes through town so a little bit of traffic noise.


Guide to Ericson

Camping sites near Ericson, Nebraska offer opportunities to enjoy the area's natural resources, primarily centered around the Calamus River and Reservoir. This rural region of Nebraska features rolling sandhills topography with predominantly prairie vegetation, creating open vistas throughout the camping areas. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-90°F with occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall camping seasons experience wider temperature variations.

What to do

Golfing near campgrounds: The Calamus Lodge campground sits adjacent to a golf course, providing convenient access for campers who enjoy golfing during their outdoor stays. "Nice campground close to the lake and right next to the golf course!" notes one Calamus Lodge visitor.

River fishing access: Several campgrounds offer direct access to the Calamus River for fishing opportunities. At Riverside City Park, campers appreciate the combination of fishing access and clean facilities. "There was great fishing and really clean picnic areas to eat lunch when the fishing slowed down," reports one visitor who enjoyed the fishing experience.

Swimming at white sand beaches: The Calamus Reservoir features distinctive white sand beaches with gradual depth increases, making it ideal for family swimming. "Homestead Knolls is a small campground near a small, beautiful white sand beach with gradual increase in depth, perfect for swimming with family," notes a visitor to Homestead Knolls Campground.

What campers like

Accessible riverside camping: Riverside City Park offers campsites directly on the Loup River, providing a peaceful setting away from highway noise. "We stayed in one of the back-in sites that was right on the Loup River. Very quiet with no hi-way noise," explains a camper who appreciated the riverside location.

Regular security patrols: Some campgrounds feature regular law enforcement patrols that enhance safety without disrupting the camping experience. "We were there two nights and a Burwell sheriff drove through one night, and a Nebraska state patrol cruiser drove through the other night we were there," reports a camper regarding their stay at Riverside Park.

Boat launching facilities: Fort Knox Campground provides access to both the Calamus River and proximity to Calamus Reservoir and Marina. "It is located on the Calamus River and near (two miles away) from the Calamus Reservoir and Marina," notes a visitor, highlighting the dual water access points available to campers.

What you should know

Reservation requirements vary: While some campgrounds accept walk-ins, others require advance planning. Fort Knox Campground operates from April through October but requires reservations. "This campground is open from April 1–October 31 but you must make a reservation," cautions a visitor who attempted to camp without a reservation.

Fee structures differ by residency: Nebraska state recreation areas charge different rates for in-state versus out-of-state visitors. "For everyday you camp you pay $30 a night plus if you're not Nebraska local you also pay $14 a night per vehicle. If you're Nebraska local it's $30 a night plus $7 a night for vehicle," explains a camper about their experience at Homestead Knolls.

Campground popularity affects availability: Many campgrounds in the area fill quickly, especially during weekends and holidays. "Book in advance as this site is very popular and always full!" advises one camper about Homestead Knolls Campground.

Tips for camping with families

Playground-adjacent sites: At Homestead Knolls, specific sites offer convenient access to playground facilities for families with children. "If you have kids who would like to use the playground, I recommend Sites 26, 28, 30 and 40, 42, and 44," suggests a camper who noted the playground proximity.

Supervised beach swimming: The beach areas at Calamus Reservoir provide safe swimming environments with gradual depth changes. "Homestead Knolls is a small campground near a small, beautiful white sand beach with gradual increase in depth, perfect for swimming with family," notes a visitor.

Weather considerations: Weather patterns in the region can change rapidly, affecting camping comfort and water activities. "There had already been some rain and some of the sites had some flooding," reports a camper at Homestead Knolls, indicating the importance of monitoring weather forecasts.

Tips from RVers

Full hookup options: Willow Springs RV Park provides comprehensive services for RV campers in a rural setting. "60 Sites. Tents sites: 25. 50 pull thrus. 60 full hookups. electric hookups. Services: water, laundry, toilets, showers, dump," notes a visitor describing the extensive facilities available.

Site flooding awareness: Some camping areas experience temporary flooding during rainy periods, potentially affecting RV site usability. "There had already been some rain and some of the sites had some flooding," cautions a camper about conditions at Homestead Knolls.

Self-contained requirements: Not all campgrounds provide bathroom facilities, requiring RVers to be self-sufficient. "When we were there last year, there was no restroom on site (the website still says it is coming soon so either there are still no restrooms or the website is not up-to-date)," reports a visitor to Fort Knox Campground.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the camping spots located at Lake Ericson?

Lake Ericson camping areas are distributed around the region with several options. Calamus SRA offers multiple campgrounds including Homestead Knolls with 83 electrical sites situated near the Calamus Reservoir. Pibel Lake State Recreation Area is another option located near Ericson with drive-in access. Many campsites in the area provide lakeside camping with both back-in and pull-through options, though finding spots with direct lake access may require some exploration, particularly at busier reservoirs.

What amenities are available at Lake Ericson camping areas?

Camping areas around Lake Ericson offer varying amenities. Nunda Shoals Campground provides RV sites with direct access to sandy beaches. Riverside City Park features electrical hookups (both back-in and pull-through), pit toilets, and access to flush toilets near the pool house. Most campgrounds in the area provide basic facilities like water and toilets, while some offer electrical hookups. Shower availability varies by location, with some providing clean shower facilities while others are more primitive. Dump stations are limited, so plan accordingly for longer stays.

When is the best season to camp at Lake Ericson?

Late spring through early fall (May to September) is ideal for camping around Lake Ericson, with summer offering the warmest conditions for water activities. Sherman Reservoir State Rec Area is particularly beautiful during summer months when lake access is most enjoyable. Grove Lake State Wildlife Area offers excellent fly fishing opportunities during spring and fall. Campgrounds in the region generally experience their busiest periods during summer weekends and holidays, so consider weekday visits if seeking more solitude. Fall brings cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, making it perfect for those prioritizing peaceful camping experiences.