Tent campers visiting the Ericson, Nebraska area have several established campgrounds within driving distance. Bowman Lake State Recreation Area, located near Loup City, provides basic tent camping facilities with drive-in access and is open year-round. Other options include Greeley City Park in Greeley and Goose Lake State Wildlife Area near Ewing, which offer more primitive tent camping experiences.
Most tent campgrounds in this region provide minimal amenities suitable for self-sufficient campers. Bowman Lake State Recreation Area offers essential facilities including drinking water and vault toilets, while other sites like Goose Lake State Wildlife Area lack these basic services. Sites typically feature natural surfaces with little development. Campers should pack all necessary supplies, including drinking water when visiting locations where it isn't provided. The Nebraska climate brings seasonal considerations, with hot summers and cold winters affecting camping comfort.
Tent camping areas around Ericson offer opportunities for fishing, hiking, and wildlife observation in a rural setting. Bowman Lake State Recreation Area provides river access and fishing opportunities in a quiet environment suitable for families. The natural surroundings create a peaceful atmosphere away from urban development. Campers seeking solitude will find these less-developed sites particularly appealing, especially during weekdays when visitation is typically lower. According to one visitor, Bowman Lake offers "nice river access, playground, fishing but it is primitive." Sites remain relatively uncrowded throughout the season, allowing tent campers to enjoy Nebraska's natural landscape without significant disruption.
"nice river access, playground, fishing but it is primitive."
LegendGrove 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.
LegendThe Ewing City Park campground features about 10 gravel sites that are mostly level. Each site offers full hookups including power, water, and sewer for$13 a night. What a bargain!
The sites are fairly close together, spaced about 10 feet apart. There was nobody else here during my stay, so there was plenty of room and privacy. Houses and farm buildings surround the campground on two sides, which gives it a cozy feel. The campsites do not have any shade. I could see semi trucks and hear some highway noise from my position in campground. There are no fire rings, and only one site had a picnic table.
There are no restrooms located directly at the campground. However, there are restrooms at the city park/baseball field, which is about a 5 minute walk. They were older but functional. That city park also has a small playground, tennis courts, and a basketball court. There is a cell phone tower across the street, but evidently it is neither Verizon nor T-mobile. But I had a good Verizon 4G signal with 100 Mbps down and 5 Mbps up. My T-Mobile signal here was poor, at about 1 Mbps up and down.
The downtown area is within walking distance and had a few businesses. There is a scenic, historical mural in town.
Legend3 miles East of Loup City is Trade Winds campground. It is privately owned so you don’t need a state pass. It has 12 cabins and 20 Rv/tent sites with electricity and shared water. The sites are very close together but have shade trees. Each site is back in with picnic bench and fire rings. There is a nice marina for food,bait, supplies. And it has a grill open on weekends. There is a coin operated shower house and laundry mat area. The Marina also has kayak, boat slip, and storage for rent. Everyone there seems to be nice. They even had a huge firework display.
LegendGeneral: One of three campgrounds as part of the Calamas Reservoir State Recreation Area. Homestead Knolls has 83 sites, all with electricity; two of them are handicap accessible and about half are reservable.
Site Quality: All had paved driveways and appeared level. We were granted a handicap site as it was after 5 pm and this one was close to the restrooms (heavy rain was forecasted for the night). There had already been some rain and some of the sites had some flooding. It was pretty quiet on a Sunday night in early June (with crappy weather) but we were told that on weekends (especially holiday weekends), the campground fills up. Each site has a picnic table and fire pit/grill.
Restrooms: One bathhouse with flush toilets, and showers. Showers take quarters. When we were there, the quarter machine was broken but the host had quarters. We were told the reason they charge for showers is to discourage teenage girls from taking long showers after being at the beach! The bathrooms were clean but dated. We didn’t use the shower so cannot comment on it. There were also vault toilets located throughout the campground and day-use area; the one I used was very clean.
Activities: Primary activities are boating, fishing, and water skiing. We don’t do any of these and were just passing through with only one more night before returning home from a three-month road trip. There was also a sign for a nature trail, but the raindrops were beginning to fall so we were not able to explore it. There is a playground, but it was dated. If you have kids who would like to use the playground, I recommend Sites 26, 28, 30 and 40, 42, and 44 (conversely, stay away from these sites if you do not want to be close to kids on the playground)!
Overall, this is a decent campground but at $42 per night (including a $12 out-of-state pass), we would try and find other places to camp, especially since we do not have a boat or fish.
LegendOrchard City Park is a cute, shaded city park that makes for a decent, budget-friendly stopover, though it has some limitations for larger rigs.
At $10 a day (as of May 2026), it includes electric hookups at the sites and an available dump station. The water situation is a bit tricky - there is only one shared water spigot for the entire park, located in the middle near the playground. It is pretty far from the actual campsites, so you would probably need at least a 100-foot hose if you wanted to fill when parked at the campsites.
Two of the sites are on paved pads and are quite level. There appears to be two more sites on grass. The park itself is on the smaller side and would be difficult for big rigs to navigate. There is a picnic shelter in the park, and individual picnic tables near the campsites. There is one charcoal grill available for use. They also have restrooms with a shower on-site; they are definitely very old, but they seemed usable.
The biggest downside is the noise level. Because the park sits right on the highway, there is a lot of traffic noise during the day; there are a lot of trucks on this route. It probably gets a little quieter at night, but it is very noticeable during the day.
I didn't see much of anything in this town as far as restaurants or other commercial establishments.
I had an ok Verizon 4G signal here that got 30Mbps down but only 1.5Mbps up.
ScoutFCFS, no reservations needed. About 10 electric sites, plenty of tent and/or primitive sites. Boat dock, shower house, clean restrooms. Usually pretty peaceful. Quite a bit of shade also. Fire rings at each spot. We have a 38’ 5th wheel and have no problem parking that and a boat and tow vehicle in our area.
GuideWater 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
ScoutSmaller park with about 15 tent sites with fire pits and picnic tables. Outhouse facilities with no access to fresh water. There is no playground equipment. Access to 2 fishing ponds and a short hike to access river.
RangerThis playground has two parking pads with power and a bathroom behind it. Picnic table, playground and pavilion and grill. Sweet little find for boondocking.
Tent camping near Ericson, Nebraska offers primitive, secluded sites in the Sand Hills region. The area sits at approximately 2,000 feet elevation with rolling prairie hills punctuated by small lakes and streams. Summer temperatures typically range from 60-90°F, while spring and fall bring cooler temperatures ideal for outdoor recreation.
**Fishing access: Goose Lake State Wildlife Area provides fishing opportunities in a managed wildlife habitat. The lake supports several species including northern pike and panfish.
**Wildlife observation: Ben Bowman Kiwanis Roadside Park Campground serves as an access point for viewing native prairie wildlife. The surrounding grasslands host deer, various bird species, and small mammals in their natural habitat.
**Stargazing: The minimal light pollution around rural Greeley City Park makes it an excellent location for night sky viewing. The open prairie landscape provides unobstructed views of constellations and occasional meteor showers.
**Natural surroundings: Bowman Lake State Recreation Area offers an authentic Nebraska Sand Hills experience with minimal development. The location maintains its rural character with native vegetation and natural water features.
**Solitude: The isolated location of Greeley City Park appeals to campers seeking quiet experiences away from crowds. Weekday camping particularly provides opportunities for solitude with minimal visitor traffic.
**Water recreation: Ben Bowman Kiwanis Roadside Park provides access to small waterways suitable for casual paddling and shore fishing. The calm water makes it appropriate for beginners trying kayaking or canoeing.
**Limited facilities: Most campgrounds around Ericson operate with minimal amenities. Bowman Lake State Recreation Area provides vault toilets and drinking water, but no showers or electrical hookups.
**Seasonal considerations: Spring camping brings wildflowers but also mosquitoes in wetland areas. Summer brings higher temperatures with limited shade at most sites, while fall offers cooler weather and fewer insects.
**Supply planning: No fuel stations or grocery stores exist within immediate proximity of most camping areas. The nearest supplies are typically available in Loup City, approximately 30 miles from Bowman Lake State Recreation Area.
**Safety precautions: Goose Lake State Wildlife Area requires additional supervision for children due to unfenced water access. Bring life jackets for all children regardless of swimming ability.
**Activity preparation: Pack binoculars, field guides, and simple fishing equipment to engage children with the natural environment. The wildlife management areas offer educational opportunities about prairie ecosystems.
**Weather readiness: Temperature swings between day and night can exceed 30°F, particularly in spring and fall. Bring layered clothing for children to adjust to changing conditions throughout the day.
**Road conditions: Access roads to Bowman Lake State Recreation Area include unpaved sections that become difficult after rain. High-clearance vehicles are recommended during wet conditions.
**Site limitations: The best tent camping near Ericson, Nebraska generally lacks developed RV infrastructure. Most camping areas feature natural surfaces with no designated parking pads, hookups, or dump stations.
**Alternative options: While tent camping predominates near Ericson, RVers can find more suitable accommodations at private campgrounds near Ord or Broken Bow, approximately 45 minutes from Ericson.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Ericson, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Ericson, NE is Greeley City park with a 0-star rating from 0 reviews.
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