Best Campgrounds near Fairbury, NE

Campgrounds near Fairbury, Nebraska provide a mix of established sites for both tent and RV camping in a rural plains setting. Crystal Springs Lake offers three spring-fed lakes with electric and water hookups, while Rock Creek Station State Recreation Area includes both RV camping with full hookups and primitive tent sites. The region features primarily small, developed campgrounds with basic amenities rather than extensive backcountry options, with most sites situated within 30 miles of Fairbury proper.

Campground availability typically runs from April through October, with some locations like Rock Creek Station remaining accessible year-round. "Sites are $20 a night. That includes 30 and 50 amp hookups and water at each site," noted one visitor to Crystal Springs Lake. Most campgrounds provide electrical connections (30 and 50 amp), potable water, and basic bathroom facilities, though amenities vary by location. During peak summer weekends, especially around holidays, reservations are recommended at facilities like Rock Creek Station. Winter camping options become limited as water systems are typically shut down after November 1st at most locations, though some sites remain accessible with reduced services.

Several of the region's campgrounds feature water access, with fishing and paddling opportunities at locations like Crystal Springs Lake and Lone Star Recreation Area. According to one camper, "No motorized boats but perfect for kayaks" at Crystal Springs, making it ideal for quiet water recreation. Riverside Park in Hebron and Beatrice offer camping with river access and proximity to town amenities. While heavily forested areas are limited, many campgrounds provide some shade trees for relief from summer heat. Sites tend to be level and accommodate various camping setups from tents to larger RVs. For those seeking quieter experiences, weekday camping offers significantly more solitude, as one visitor noted, "Weekdays not so much" regarding crowds at Alexandria Lakes State Recreation Area.

Best Camping Sites Near Fairbury, Nebraska (69)

    1. Crystal Springs Lake

    7 Reviews
    Fairbury, NE
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 729-2148

    "Friendly camp host small lake to kayak. Level sites with fire ring & picnic table."

    "There are 3 small spring fed lakes that are open for fishing. No motorized boats but perfect for kayaks. There is no dump station."

    2. Rock Creek Campground — Rock Creek Station State Rec Area

    4 Reviews
    Fairbury, NE
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 729-5777

    "Interpretive center related to the Pony Express and Oregon Trail in the adjacent Historical Park. Paved road access to the park from both the north and the south from US HWY 136 or NE HWY 8."

    3. Alexandria Lakes State Rec Area

    3 Reviews
    Fairbury, NE
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 729-5777

    $10 - $35 / night

    "Standard Nebraska fees...daily entrance + 8$ for non electric. 15 for electricity. There is a dump station with drinking water near it. The sites are in the grass!"

    4. Buckley Creek

    2 Reviews
    Fairbury, NE
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 364-2145

    "If you’re ever near Stromsberg NE, this is THE town to stop in. Campground is in and near Buckley park."

    5. Village of Diller Park - Diller Campground

    1 Review
    Fairbury, NE
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 793-5330

    "Diller is a very small Village with a small Main Street, which we enjoyed walking to. The have a great locker to pick up items to grill. The park was very nice."

    6. Riverside Park

    7 Reviews
    Republic, KS
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 768-6322

    $5 - $25 / night

    7. Lone Star Rec Area

    5 Reviews
    Fairbury, NE
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 364-2145

    "We stayed in the bottom section, close to water, the view was very nice. They have a playground and beach area, primitive restrooms, boat ramp, and at least two covered areas for gatherings."

    "The town of Milligan nearby is really cute. Avoid mid July if you don't want a crowd . That's when they have Milligan Days."

    8. Riverside Park

    5 Reviews
    Beatrice, NE
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 228-5248

    "There is a nice paved walk/bike path along the river. It was quiet once it got dark. Slept with my windows open and heard no traffic or trains."

    "All in all it was a good path for families to hang out in and also a nice place to camp."

    9. Horse Camp — Rock Creek Station SRA

    Be the first to review!
    Fairbury, NE
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 729-5777

    $25 / night

    10. Chester Municipal Park

    4 Reviews
    Republic, KS
    25 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 324-5755

    "This roadside veteran style park is perfect for setting up camp and resting your eyes. We only stayed here for about 8 total hours but it was worth every penny."

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Recent Reviews near Fairbury, NE

182 Reviews of 69 Fairbury Campgrounds


  • Cathy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Airport Park Campground

    Airport park campground

    No reservations, First come first serve. Pull through and back in for smaller RV/campers/Vans. Power and water at each store! Free wifi, women's and men's bathrooms, level concrete spots with picnic tables, established shad trees, and grass area at each campsite.
    Dog Park and 18 hole disk golf!! Basically free for donations! Not sure if shower, it's night when we arrived.

    No individual fire pit (But who cares after all that!) What a neat place after a long drive day!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Riverside Park

    Quiet night

    Better than I expected. Camp host was friendly and helpful. Bathroom was clean although stalls have no doors. I did not use the showers but I looked in and they were clean. There is a nice paved walk/bike path along the river. It was quiet once it got dark. Slept with my windows open and heard no traffic or trains.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Double Nickel Campground

    Amazing

    Very friendly & helpful lady, guided Us to Our site and spotted Us on it. That was after She gave Us a free upgrade, discount, and took several of Our calls. After having a really terrible day She gave a breath of encouragement back into Us. It looked like all the sites were pull through's, had fire pit (saw her delivering wood), never saw this before (each site has a porch swing). It is clean and taken care of nicely. It is most definitely a place to stay at.

  • Allen B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Crystal Springs Lake

    Crystal lake

    Staying one night almost no one else here. Bathroom & shower are clean but no towels to dry hands with. Most sites are sunny. Friendly camp host small lake to kayak. Level sites with fire ring & picnic table.

  • Travis A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Yankee hill wildlife management area

    Good over night spot

    Situated in the middle of corn fields. The WMA has a large marshy, stagnant pond, so bring mosquito repellent. The parking area is clean. There is a dumpster and vault toilet. I didnt inspect it, I'll leave that up to you. No potable water, but Lincoln Nebraska is only 17 miles away.

  • wThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2025

    Smiths Creek Recreational Area

    Perfect

    It was not far off the highway but no road noise. Great place for a free overnight camp.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    Smith Creek Recreation Area

    Quick overnight stay

    We had a quick one night stay as a van camper. Parked in the stone parking area adjacent to the toilets. A single bright light lit the entire parking lot. We arrived at 9:00 and quickly set up for sleeping. It was dark, our interior car lights immediately attracted numerous bugs. Late in the evening, a vehicle can't in and did a couple of "doughnuts" in the parking lot. It was a nice place overall for a single night.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 22, 2025

    Wagon Train State Recreation Area

    Pricey!

    Nice campground with reasonable camp fees, however, they require day use fees as well, which makes it pricey. The lake does not have any water in it either. Only stayed 1 nite, but would probably not stay again.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Riverside Park

    Very good facilities

    Glad to have electric hook up to run AC in August worth the $25 restrooms have showers and are well maintained. AT&T good cell service Some sites have water hookups Very peaceful and felt real secure nice little town


Guide to Fairbury

Camping near Fairbury, Nebraska, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and family-friendly activities. Whether you're in a tent or an RV, there are plenty of options to enjoy the great outdoors.

What to do:

  • Fishing and kayaking: Crystal Springs Lake is perfect for fishing and kayaking. One reviewer mentioned, "There are 3 small spring-fed lakes that are open for fishing. No motorized boats but perfect for kayaks." This makes it a great spot for water lovers.
  • Hiking and exploring: At Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area, you can enjoy hiking trails and scenic views. A visitor noted, "We had to park in a designated parking spot and walk in to set our tent. The site was shady and came with a picnic table, fire ring, and we were right on the shores of the lake."
  • Family activities: Camp A Way Campground is known for its kid-friendly activities. One happy camper said, "The campground was incredibly clean and well landscaped. Tons of fun activities for the kids!"

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the campgrounds. A reviewer at Pawnee State Recreation Area mentioned, "The bathrooms were clean and well maintained."
  • Friendly staff: Campers often rave about the helpfulness of the staff. One visitor at Double Nickel Campground said, "You will not find better service anywhere."
  • Quiet spots: Many campers enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. A reviewer at Recharge Lake Campground shared, "Well maintained. $15/night with electric only hook up. Has restroom on site."

What you should know:

  • Noise levels: Some campgrounds are near highways, which can be noisy. A visitor at Pawnee State Recreation Area noted, "There is no peace here unless your plan is to hide in your tin can."
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A camper at Recharge Lake Campground mentioned, "Facilities are basic, but like I say, it’s $5."
  • Reservations: Some campgrounds do not allow reservations, so it's good to check ahead. A reviewer at Marysville City Park said, "You can tent with or without power. Has water and electric hook ups on a couple spots."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-friendly activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds and activities. One camper at Camp A Way Campground said, "Tons of fun activities for the kids!"
  • Safety first: Make sure to supervise kids, especially near water. A reviewer at Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area mentioned, "The wind coming across the lake was mighty fierce."
  • Pack snacks: Having snacks on hand can keep kids happy. A camper at Prairie Oasis Campground & Cabins noted, "Owners are real friendly and informative."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check for hookups: Make sure the campground has the right hookups for your RV. A visitor at Double Nickel Campground said, "The utilities were at the center of the long gravel pad."
  • Space for your rig: Look for campgrounds that can accommodate larger RVs. One reviewer at Recharge Lake Campground mentioned, "The grounds and bathrooms are well kept."
  • Plan for noise: If you're sensitive to noise, consider campgrounds further from highways. A camper at Pawnee State Recreation Area shared, "It feels like this might be a spot where Husker fans camp on home game weekends."

Camping near Fairbury, Nebraska, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to check the amenities and plan accordingly!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Fairbury, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, Fairbury, NE offers a wide range of camping options, with 69 campgrounds and RV parks near Fairbury, NE and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Fairbury, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Fairbury, NE is Crystal Springs Lake with a 4.1-star rating from 7 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Fairbury, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Fairbury, NE.