Lake Cunningham Campground offers several pet-friendly camping options near Fort Calhoun, including concrete pad sites with full hookups for RVs and designated tent areas. Dogs are welcome throughout the campground with standard leash requirements, and the 10-mile paved trail surrounding the lake provides excellent pet exercise opportunities. The campground maintains clean facilities with pet waste stations positioned at convenient intervals. Visitors note the campground is well-maintained with nicely spaced sites providing ample room for campers and their pets. Both RV and tent campers can access the shoreline areas where many dogs enjoy swimming, though technically swimming is not permitted for humans.
Hitchcock County Nature Center provides secluded pet-friendly camping with spacious tent sites separated by mature trees offering privacy and shade for pets. The nature trails connecting directly to campsites allow convenient dog walking options with varied terrain through unique land formations that are one of only two such formations in the world. Pet owners appreciate the immaculately maintained facilities, including exceptionally clean bathrooms that are serviced several times daily. The campground's natural setting attracts abundant wildlife, so pets must remain leashed at all times for safety. Mosquitoes can be problematic in this wooded environment, so pet-safe insect repellent is strongly recommended for both humans and dogs. Bob Hardy RV Park in Blair offers a more urban alternative with eight electric hookup sites welcoming pets at $17.50 per night with a convenient free dump station.
$10 - $50 / night
"if you want to get some hiking in that’s not just all flat walking this is a great place in this area. The views show you the vast farmland here and are great for sunrise and sunset!"
"We camp all the time at different locations, and I 100% recommend this campground! The hosts are so polite and helpful and they keep the place immaculate."
$15 - $40 / night
"Lake Cunningham is a fun destination for getting outside if you only have an afternoon to escape! The lake itself is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing!"
"The lake is right there, with a nice bike path that comes all the way around."
$16 - $24 / night
"It is true that the campground is a big open space with little tree cover, but it is part of the DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge, and there is a ton of trees, trails, and wildlife around the refuge."
"Nice smaller park with good tent sites on Missouri River and next to DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge."
"It is right next to a busy railroad, but we cranked up our fans and barely noticed the trains and their horns."
"Besides the traffic noise because it's close to the hwy, the train passed at night like 4 or 5 times, so have that in mind if you light sleep."
$20 / night
"This is a nice campground located on the edge of Papillion, Nebraska. There are several trails nearby, some paved and others grass. The main trailhead is easily accessible from the park road."
"This is a very cool park in Papillion, Nebraska! It also has a sewer dump site for $5 (if you're not camping). See the camp host to pay."
"There were plenty of pit toilets around and they were very clean. The grounds offer plenty of mowed trails to walk about which we enjoyed a lot with our dogs over the weekend."
"Not a bad place to stop for the night, we were able to take the dogs hiking and didn’t have a problem."
"So we’re driving through Blair (kinda right outside Omaha, right on the Missourri River) and I did not expect the food at The Lodge to be this good..."
"It’s peaceful, friendly, close to Omaha, but still quiet enough to feel like you’re on vacation."
$20 - $40 / night
"Lakeside locations are quite well spaced with a panoramic Lake view. small restroom and shower pair with unisex entry. Quite spartan, but relatively clean."
"Our confirmation email included precise directions from I-29, with an interstate sign confirming the turn for Lake Manawa State Park, and provided the gate code for access."
$40 - $50 / night
"Very convenient location close to lots of shopping and the convention center."
ScoutWe were passing through Nebraska and opted to stay the night here. The campground is new and will be even nicer when the trees are big enough to provide shade. We only stayed one night but enjoyed the walk to the small waterfall in the park. There is a large dog park, clean restrooms and nice trails for walking.
LegendPlatte River State Park is a beautiful, full service park with plenty of amenities. There are playgrounds and a splash pad for the kids, canoe rentals, and plenty of trails to hike or bike. Sites are concrete pads with full hookups and include a fire ring and picnic table. The campground also has a bathroom and dog park. 5 bars of AT&T @ 120Mbps!
LegendThis small campground is right off the interstate, easy to get to. It’s right by a small truck stop, but the noise was not bothersome at all. There is a small dog park for the pups. Bathrooms and showers are clean. One of our party is in a wheelchair and had no problem accessing the showers or bathroom. Hosts are very friendly. Sites are close, but for a one night stay that was just fine.
GuideI didn’t stay here but did scout it out. Small park by the NishnaBotna river. I did see a camper there with his dog but website specifically says no pets.
ScoutI stayed at site 239 (tent) which seems to be the least busy area. There are nice docks for fishing and boating. A nice closed off area for swimming, but not area allows pets to swim. Very polite employees. Showers are kinda expensive and expect to hear the tracks right behind the camping area. I think a pet/person swim area would be nice but other than that it was a good stay.
TravelerThis is easily the coolest state park I’ve ever visited. On a walk from my campsite, I went by the marina, disc golf course, conservatory, activity center, stables and ropes course. It’s a bit pricey for camping and, my biggest pet peeve of a campsite, I can hear the interstate from my tent. But, overall, it’s a nice site, and I’d probably return.
Oh, bring bug spray!!!!!
GuideWe primary stop by this site for fishing as the lake is regularly stocked. It's great for kayaking or small boats. There is very little shade available at this campground as it is a man-made area so bring the sunscreen. Fires are allowed and pets must be on leash. RV sites and tent camping site are available.
GuideThis campground is not really designed as an actual campground. It is for fair workers to hook up to during the county fair but is available for use by the general public at all other times. It gets 4 stars not because of any amenities, but because it is a safe uncrowded overnight location that is perfect to stay at with fuel and food nearby and a large area to walk pets.
Pros: Easy to move rigs in and out of, 30&50amp hookups, perfect for an overnight stop right off the highway if you don't want to stay in a Walmart parking lot. Pretty flat spots
Cons: Not built for actual camping (no fire rings/picnic tables/paved sites/bathrooms), sewer dump on location but unavailable for general population use, if you plug into the 30 amp receptacle it is $20 a night, if you plug into the 50amp receptacle it is $25 a night, each pedestal has both plugs. Some may say that is steep for a place like this, but it helps keep it maintained.
LegendThis is a nice campground located on the edge of Papillion, Nebraska. There are several trails nearby, some paved and others grass. The main trailhead is easily accessible from the park road.
The campground is fairly quiet and well maintained, with plenty of space between sites. Most sites are level, making setup easy. There is a bathhouse available, but no showers. A boat ramp is located within the park, and you’ll often see fishing boats out on the water if you head over to the lake.
While the park itself can be fairly busy, the campground is set away from the main traffic areas, so it still feels quiet and relaxed.
There is a camp host on site. Cell service good here.
Camping areas around Fort Calhoun can be found on both sides of the Missouri River through eastern Nebraska and western Iowa. The region sits near the Loess Hills, a rare geological formation found only here and in China. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing, making most campgrounds seasonal from April through October, though a few remain open year-round with limited services.
Hiking trails with elevation: Hitchcock County Nature Center offers extensive trails with varying difficulty levels. "The trails are well marked and easy to follow. I was very impressed on the hike in campsites," notes Aaron A. The park features unique Loess Hills formations with trails that provide "absolutely gorgeous views of the Missouri River valley below," according to Pat V.
Seasonal wildlife viewing: At Hitchcock County Nature Center, autumn brings bird migration watching opportunities. "They have a hawkwatch tower. Lots of information about Hawks and nature conservation," explains Karen W. The nature center's educational programs focus on local wildlife and conservation efforts.
Water recreation: Lake Cunningham Campground offers non-motorized water activities on its 390-acre lake. "The lake itself is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing!" shares Kwin K. Rental equipment is available on-site: "If you want to adventure but don't have your own gear there is a cute little paddle board shop that rents boards and kayaks by the hour."
Self-service simplicity: Hitchcock Nature Center provides a streamlined check-in process for late arrivals. "Stopped late after a long 12 hour drive. I loved the simple self service process. We picked an open spot, paid, and parked," explains Abby W.
Educational programming: Arrowhead Park Campground offers family-oriented nature programs throughout the camping season. Sarah H. appreciates the staff, noting they were "incredibly kind and easy-going, yet attentive." Multiple reviewers mentioned the reasonable price point, with Jenn P. sharing: "There are really none camping and only 10 dollars a night with electricity for a tent site."
Backcountry options: For those seeking seclusion, Hitchcock Nature Center provides hike-in sites with prepared tent pads. "The backcountry campsite have pads with pea gravel for tents and fire rings. Nice and quiet," reports Allison J. These sites offer more privacy than the developed camping areas.
Seasonal closures: Several campgrounds in the area have experienced extended closures due to flooding. Wilson Island State Recreation Area was affected by Missouri River flooding, with Bryan S. noting it was "closed part of 2018 and all of 2019 Season due to flooding of the Missouri River."
Limited winter options: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Fort Calhoun close during winter months. Some, like Bluffs Run RV Park at Horseshoe Casino, offer alternative arrangements during closure periods. Lisa C. reports: "I arrived February 28... Turns out the RV parking is closed for the winter. Oops. But the gentleman on the phone was very nice and said I could park overnight in the North Lot."
Noise considerations: Campgrounds near transportation corridors may experience noise disruption. Missouri Valley City Park campers reported: "The train passed at night like 4 or 5 times, so have that in mind if you light sleep," according to marisol G. Highway noise can also be a factor at some locations.
Playground facilities: Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area provides play areas for children adjacent to camping areas. "Nice playground and fishing was super fun. My kids loved it and we would camp here again," shares Kati H., though she notes the lack of shower facilities for family campers.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer fishing access suitable for families with children. At Lake Manawa State Park, you'll find "a beautiful view of the lake and short walk to the swimming beach," according to Colleen L., making it convenient for families to combine swimming and fishing.
Budget-friendly options: Several pet-friendly camping options near Fort Calhoun offer affordable rates for families. Arrowhead Park provides exceptional value, with Rachel H. commenting: "Beautiful little spot by a small lake. Excellent pricing- $15 for the night with electric. Several camp sights for RV and tent. Lots of amenities including canoe and paddle boat rentals."
Concrete pad sites: Lake Manawa State Park Campground offers newly developed sites with modern amenities. "It's all brand new amenities with concrete pads, 40 amp hookups, sewer hookup, water, gated entry, and good signage," explains Landon C. However, multiple reviewers note the lack of shade trees.
Spacing between sites: While many RV parks place units close together, Lake Cunningham Campground offers more generous spacing. Connor S. appreciates that there are "tons of room between spots" in the East lots, which feature "full access with concrete pad."
Dump station availability: Several campgrounds offer dump stations even without full hookup sites. At Bob Hardy RV Park, Jacob T. notes: "Single free dump station as well" complementing the "$15 / night for RV spot" making it an economical option for self-contained units.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Fort Calhoun, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Fort Calhoun, NE is Hitchcock County Nature Center with a 4.6-star rating from 32 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Fort Calhoun, NE?
TheDyrt.com has all 83 dog-friendly camping locations near Fort Calhoun, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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