Fremont, Nebraska sits at 1,203 feet above sea level where the rolling plains meet the Platte River valley. The area experiences four distinct seasons with hot summers reaching 90°F and winter temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds in this region feature relatively flat terrain with sandy soil conditions typical of the Platte River basin.
What to do
Bike trail access: The paved bicycle trail at Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area connects to Hormel Park along the Platte River. "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," notes camper Anji L.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes at Fremont Lakes provide fishing options with varying levels of angler pressure. At Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area, "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.
River access: Elkhorn Crossing Recreational Area offers water access for various watercraft. "It offers access to the Elkhorn for airboats, and other flotation devices. The river access is excellent and there is a day area that you can picnic at," according to Tony B.
What campers like
Budget-friendly options: Elkhorn Crossing Recreational Area provides affordable camping near Fremont. "This is a secluded campsite near the town Valley, Ne. It is clean and I believe is ran by the Nrd... It is only 10 dollars to camp, and can stay there up to 7 days," reports Tony B.
Clean facilities: Victory Lake Campground receives praise for maintenance standards. "Staff was friendly, multiple camping sites to choose from but makes could be a little cleaner," mentions Amber P., while Jordan H. notes, "The bathrooms are gross, but they flush and there are showers."
Waterfront sites: Premium camping spots directly on the water are highly sought after. At Victory Lake, one camper states, "We camped right along the water. 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."
What you should know
Train noise: Be prepared for train disruptions at certain campgrounds. At Fremont Lakes, one camper warns, "There is a very busy set of train tracks that run about every 20 minutes all day and all night. Didn't get any sleep, even with earplugs."
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly, especially on weekends. Shannon G. from Pathfinder Campground advises, "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."
Permit information: Different recreation areas require specific permits. For Lake Wanahoo, "A special permit is required to camp there. That is a bit of a bummer because you used to not need that," explains one camper.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple dog-friendly campgrounds near Fremont offer play areas for children. At Elkhorn Crossing, Tony B. mentions, "Nice new bathroom as well as playground and disc golf."
Swimming options: Two Rivers State Recreation Area features a dedicated swimming area popular with families. "Our kid and her friends love the swimming beach. We usually tent camp but have also stayed in the cabooses a couple times, the kids really enjoy that," shares Rick J.
Unique accommodations: Two Rivers offers distinctive lodging options. "If you enjoy some extra comforts, rent one of the train cabooses which feature a small kitchen, bathroom, AC and beds with mattresses. Our kids loved the lofted full sized bed," recommends Carla D.
Tips from RVers
Alternative overnight stops: For RVers seeking quick overnight parking, Washington County Fairgrounds provides basic amenities. "Perfect for an overnight stop right off the highway if you don't want to stay in a Walmart parking lot. Pretty flat spots," notes Chris A.
Hookup specifications: Electrical connections vary by campground. At Washington County Fairgrounds, "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."
Site selection strategy: For RVers at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, be aware of site constraints. Stacy M. cautions, "Do not stay here in sites 34-70 if you have a rig over 30' and dont want to touch your neighbors camper."
