Camping areas around Fremont, Nebraska center on several state recreation areas with a mix of developed campgrounds and primitive sites. Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area features multiple camping zones including Victory Lake Campground and Pathfinder Campground, both offering electric hookups, water access, and amenities for tent and RV camping. Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area, located about 20 miles south near Wahoo, provides additional camping options with boat-in, walk-in, and drive-in access for tents, RVs, and even cabin rentals. Christiansen Field in Fremont itself offers year-round camping with electric hookups and basic amenities for those seeking convenience to town services.
Campground access throughout the region remains consistent year-round, though summer brings higher demand for waterfront sites. Most established campgrounds require entrance permits, with Nebraska residents paying lower fees than out-of-state visitors. Reservations are recommended for weekend camping during peak summer months, particularly at popular spots like Fremont Lakes. Facilities typically include picnic tables, fire pits, and access to drinking water, with many sites offering electric hookups for RVs. Weather considerations include hot, humid summers and occasional thunderstorms. A camper noted, "With tent and RV camping, this is a great place for a quick getaway if you live in Southeast Nebraska. There are picnic facilities and a snack bar, but you're also not too far from Fremont where you can buy supplies."
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive reviews, with fishing opportunities being a significant draw. The lakes at Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area are stocked for fishing, though limited shade can be an issue during hot summer days. Several visitors mentioned train noise as a consideration when camping at certain locations in the region. Primitive camping options like those at Hooper Memorial Park provide free alternatives with basic amenities. For those seeking more developed facilities, campgrounds like Pathfinder received high ratings for their amenities and maintenance. As one reviewer shared about the region, "There is a limit on what you can catch and does say on the website what that is." Campers frequently mention the convenience of being close to town services while still enjoying outdoor recreation.
$15 - $30 / night
"We had sites 210 and 211 right on Victory Lake. The fishing was great and we had a lot of kayaking to do. There are a ton of available sites here right on the water."
"There are playgrounds, day use areas, picnic shelters,concessions, restaurant/shop, fishing pier along with many small fishing lakes."
$8 - $40 / night
"Lake Wanahoo is a fairly new lake in Saunders county Nebraska. The lake is part of the local NRD and was originally managed by the state parks department."
"It’s been a few years since we stayed at Lake Wanahoo, but we decided to stay there over our anniversary weekend. The place is still great, and this time of year it was very quiet and peaceful."
$10 - $15 / night
"Lots of walking and bike riding. Very woodsy feeling through the whole park and a nice bicycle trail that leaves the park and winds out to Hormel Park on the Platte River."
"The lake was awesome, not much shade on most tent sites. make sure you ask when they dredged the lakes that you want to stay on."
$25 - $30 / night
"Plenty of swimming beaches, one near the campground store, which has almost everything you need or forgot."
$25 - $485 / night
"Nestled between two major cities in Nebraska, you're never far away from anything you may want to do or see. RV and tent camping is obviously available with limited privacy."
"We used to stop here as a midway point when driving to Colorado. We always stayed at the lodge for a night and had a pleasant time exploring the area."
"Very close to the Nebraska crossing outlet mall! 😊"
"The campground itself was fine and very convenient in location to vIsIt famIly."
$100 / night
"The fishing is easy in all the lakes and they have a pay fishing trout lake that nearly guarantees success. Our kid and her friends love the swimming beach."
"Whether I was riding a bike around the paved roads. Fishing in one of the sandpit lakes they have to offer, or the river. Walk around the nature trails, or lakes."
$20 - $25 / night
"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."
GuideDid some backcountry camping at the Badger Ridge location, overall the stay was great! The park has multiple hike-in backcountry locations, tent camping spots near the road, RV pads with water and electric, as well as a few small cabins. The scenery is amazing! The shower house was also clean and well maintained.
TravelerThis is actually the Windsor Cove Campground within Haworth Park in Belleview, Nebraska. It is an older campground but near the river, walking trails, and close to all the amenities of Nearby Omaha (aprox. 25 minutes to downtown). I visited in Mid May and the park was about 25 percent full. The camp host is great and I would definitely visit again.
LegendNeligh Park campground features level concrete pads with gravel in front of each site. Every site includes a picnic table along with electric and water hookups. There is an on-site dump station that costs$2.00 if you are not staying at the park. Camping is $15 per night. Some sites are reservable online, while others can be paid for when you arrive. The sites do not offer much shade as the trees planted around them are still small. The campground is in a quiet part of town.
The city park is adjacent to the campground. The city park has a newer, large playground, sand volleyball courts, and a walking trail that loops around the lake. There is also a community Aquatic Center on the premises that features a pool and a large water slide.
There appears to be a modern restroom building near the newer part of the park. There are a few fast food restaurants located a short drive away from the campground.
LegendDodge County Fairgrounds has four or five spaces on grass. The ground is fairly level, but it is bumpy and rutted. When I visited in May, the grass was not mowed and was very tall. It was so bad that I was itchy after leaving.
There are bathrooms on site, but they were locked when I tried them. It wasn't clear how to pay for your site, I did not see a sign with instructions or a drop box. The nightly rate, according to the website is $30 which seems high to me for this location.
There are two playgrounds available, including a modern one and a really old one. There is a pool located nearby, but it was not open in May and I am not sure when it opens for the season. The fairgrounds is located next to highway 275 so there is some road noise, but I didn't find it so much to be bothersome. I had a very good Verizon signal here with 200 Mbps download on 5G.
There's really nothing within walking distance, maybe a gas station about 10 minutes away. I would stay here if I need a place to park overnight while traveling, but other than that I would skip it.
LegendI stopped by this campground and found it was nearly empty, with only one other camper in the lot. The entire area is one giant gravel parking lot with no shade. The spots are located very close together, but it's rarely full (except during events at the Main Arena next door) so you'll have room to spread out. Each site has electric and water hookups. I read somewhere that there is a dump station here but I didn't see it.
There are no showers or flush toilets. The only bathrooms available are port-a-potties located in the middle of the lot. There is some kind of agriculture equipment nearby that creates a constant humming sound which some might find annoying. The campground is very close to the airport, but I did not notice any airport noise.
While there is nothing within walking distance, there are several commercial restaurants and stores that are an easy drive from this location.
I would only stay here if I needed an overnight spot while traveling.
TravelerDead Timber is a quiet and fairly out of the way, yet still accessible state recreation area. It is an hour or so, depending on how you drive, from Omaha, near Scribner, Nebraska. The roads from the highway are paved up to the entrance, but the rec area is all dirt/gravel. The area has not been "upgraded" like so many of the state recreation areas have in the past few years and it feels like a good thing.
There is a small oxbow lake that all of the campsites, both electric (17) and primitive (4), are on one side of it. Unlike so many Nebraska recreation areas you will not typically hear trains or road noise, another good thing. A cell signal was present for me on Verizon, but insufficient for streaming without a booster. Tree coverage varies within the small camping area, but most sites will have enough of an open view of the sky for Starlink.
Dead Timber is my normal go to spot when I need a quick camping trip that is relaxing and not challenging. Or if I have a piece of equipment that I want to test the functionality of. I have camped here in summer (hot muggy a bit buggy), fall (generally my favorite especially in October), and winter (about what you would expect) and aside from Halloween it has usually been very open. Halloween there was a decorating contest and the place was completely full. The pictures I am including are from my mid October 2025, trip. In February there were no leaves and the lake was frozen but those were the only real differences since there is no running water in the camping area.
TravelerStopped here for the night. Property has concrete pads, but shower rooms are inadequate. Won't stay here again.
RangerAnother for-profit patch of dirt that doesn’t have much to offer. It has all the inconveniences of camping in an urban areas with none of the advantages. You have the noise from the road and trail, the numerous people coming through the site…yet no grocery stores or other services in the town. The port-o-potty was disgusting and full of wasps, the trash was full, there is no water, and there weren’t even any envelopes for paying the fee. Not sure what campers are paying for.
RangerThe areas for tent camping are poorly situated and not worth paying for imho. They have a pit toilet and a water spigot nearby, but that doesn’t make it worth the noise and amount of random local traffic circling my through the campground.
Fremont, Nebraska camping areas sit between the Platte and Elkhorn Rivers in eastern Nebraska, with elevations around 1,200 feet. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and cold winters with occasional snow. Most campgrounds remain open year-round with peak season running May through September when water activities are most popular.
Fishing opportunities: At Two Rivers State Recreation Area, campers have multiple options for catching fish. "The fishing is easy in all the lakes and they have a pay fishing trout lake that nearly guarantees success," notes Rick J. The area features seven lakes plus the Platte River access.
Biking trails: The flat terrain around Fremont creates excellent biking conditions for families. At Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area, "There's a nice bicycle trail that leaves the park and winds out to Hormel Park on the Platte River," according to Anji L. The paved roads throughout the recreation area are also popular for casual cycling.
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer designated swimming areas. "Our kid and her friends love the swimming beach," shares a Two Rivers visitor. Lake Wanahoo provides kayaking opportunities with minimal motorboat traffic, while Elkhorn Crossing offers river access for airboats and other water craft.
Waterfront camping: Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area offers prime lakeside camping spots. "We were able to stay here for 2 nights while visiting the city... This campground not only has a fun name to repeat to family and friends but has a ton of campsites right on the lake," reports James D., who managed to catch a 32-inch northern pike during his stay.
Clean facilities: Pathfinder Campground maintains well-kept amenities. Karen W. notes it's a "Nice, clean campground. One of the state parks, so kind of crowded, but still pretty quiet." Most established campgrounds in the area offer modern bathroom facilities with many providing hot showers.
Convenience to town: When staying at Christiansen Field, campers appreciate the proximity to Fremont's services. Tom C. describes it as "a good place for an overnight or even a few nights stay" at approximately $25 per night with water and electric hookups. The location serves as a practical base for exploring the region.
Train noise: Railroad tracks run near several campgrounds in the area. At Victory Lake Campground, campers should prepare for occasional train noise. "When we got here on Saturday we were lucky enough to get the last spot. I would definitely call ahead to reserve a spot if going for the weekend," advises Shannon G., who also notes the campground gets busy due to its college town location.
Limited shade: Many newer recreation areas lack mature trees. At Lake Wanahoo, "the lake is part of the local NRD and was originally managed by the state parks department. You used to be able to use your state park permit to gain entry, but now you need to either buy a day pass or a yearly pass from the NRD," explains Pat V., who adds that "unfortunately when the lake and campground were built they planted saplings, so during the hot months there is no shade to be found."
Permit requirements: Most established campgrounds require entrance permits in addition to camping fees. Rates vary between Nebraska residents and out-of-state visitors. Reservation systems operate for many popular sites, especially during summer months.
Playground access: Two Rivers offers kid-friendly amenities throughout the park. "It's flat and easy for young kids to bike around all the different lakes (ponds). Plus the Platte river is right there too that adds a great ambient sound," shares Justin R. The campground also features unique accommodations in converted train cabooses that children particularly enjoy.
Swimming beaches: Designated swimming areas provide safer water recreation for children. "We primary visit Lake Wanahoo for fishing as the lake is regularly stocked. It's great for kayaking or small boats," notes Carly P., adding that visitors should "bring the sunscreen" due to limited shade.
Day trip options: Eugene T. Mahoney State Park offers extensive family activities within driving distance. "This campground is crowded with significant interstate noise. However there are many activities for kids including paddleboating, a wave pool, horse riding, ziplining, and playgrounds," reports Jennifer M. The park's pool received high marks despite additional fees.
Hookup availability: Most established campgrounds offer electric hookups with some providing full service connections. "We had full hookups & the site we were in was spacious with a picnic table and fire ring with grate," reports Glenda D. about her stay at the West Omaha KOA Holiday.
Site spacing: RV sites vary significantly in size throughout the region. "We were given an inappropriate size space for the rig we stated, super narrow and we stuck over the road by 2 feet," shares Stacy M. about a previous West Omaha KOA stay, suggesting campers should "insist that we are in a larger site as it was actually a nice campground."
Seasonal considerations: Summer humidity can make climate control important for RV campers. Sanitary dump stations are available at most established campgrounds, though locations sometimes require driving to a separate area within the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any free camping options in Fremont, Nebraska?
Hooper Memorial Park, located just outside Fremont, offers budget-friendly camping. The city park allows you to park your camper near the picnic shelter with access to electricity. While not completely free, it's very affordable. The park includes amenities like a pool and ball fields. Another economical option is Christiensen Field in Fremont, which provides basic accommodations for overnight stays at minimal cost. Both locations are first-come, first-served, so arrive early to secure a spot.
Where can I find RV camping in Fremont, Nebraska?
Fremont offers several RV camping options. Victory Lake Campground — Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area is ideal for RV campers, providing both tent and RV sites with picnic facilities and a snack bar. It's conveniently located near town for supplies. For full hookups, Pathfinder Campground — Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area accommodates RVs with water and toilet facilities. Both offer easy access for big rigs. A Nebraska state park permit is required for entry, and reservations are recommended during peak season.
What scenic campgrounds are available in Fremont, Nebraska?
For scenic camping near Fremont, Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area offers beautiful lakeside sites with great swimming access and outdoor recreation. The area features RV and tent camping with various hookup options. Another picturesque option is Lake North, which provides open sites along the lake edge with electric hookups. The adjacent wetland teems with wildlife, creating excellent opportunities for nature observation and photography. Both locations require a Nebraska state park permit and offer a peaceful escape with water views and outdoor activities.
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