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Best Campgrounds near Boys Town, NE

588 Reviews

Camping options near Boys Town, Nebraska concentrate along the Platte River and in surrounding state recreation areas, primarily offering developed campgrounds rather than dispersed camping. Lake Cunningham Campground and Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area provide established tent and RV sites within 15 miles of Boys Town, while Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground and Platte River State Park offer additional camping facilities slightly farther south. Most campgrounds in this region feature concrete pads with electrical hookups, and several provide full-service amenities including water and sewer connections.

Many campgrounds in the Omaha metro area operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. Lake Cunningham Campground runs from April 12 to October 14, while several state recreation areas like Louisville State Recreation Area maintain year-round operations. The region experiences typical Midwestern seasonal changes with hot summers and cold winters, making spring and fall particularly pleasant for camping. Water and electric hookups are common at most sites, though water access may be limited to communal spigots at some campgrounds. A visitor commented about Walnut Creek: "Wednesday at 3pm there were 8 sites open. Nice city park. Electric hookups. Water spigot about the park. Dump station by the entrance."

Campers consistently rate waterfront locations higher in satisfaction, with Lake Cunningham receiving numerous positive reviews for its lakeside setting. The concrete pads at newer campgrounds like Lake Cunningham provide level, stable surfaces for RV camping, a feature frequently mentioned in reviews. Several state recreation areas offer cabin options for those seeking more amenities, with Eugene T. Mahoney State Park and Platte River State Park providing well-maintained cabin rentals. Many campgrounds in the area allow alcohol and pets, though specific restrictions may apply. A recent review highlighted: "This is one of the most beautiful campgrounds we have ever encountered! On a beautiful lake with many recreational possibilities - kayaking, sailing non power boating - some for rent. 10 miles of paved bike trails and ALL paved campsites level and clean!"

Map showing campgrounds near Boys Town, NebraskaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Boys Town, Nebraska (106)

    1. West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday

    29 Reviews
    Gretna, NE
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 332-3010

    "Very close to the Nebraska crossing outlet mall! 😊"

    "The campground itself was fine and very convenient in location to vIsIt famIly."

    2. Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area

    19 Reviews
    Papillion, NE
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 592-8877

    $20 / night

    "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."

    "This lake in Papillion, Nebraska is a great little lake. Probably one of the best in metro area of Omaha. The fishing is always as well as the kayaking is as well, (especially novice like myself)."

    3. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Ashland, NE
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 944-2523

    $25 - $333 / 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."

    4. Hitchcock County Nature Center

    30 Reviews
    Honey Creek, IA
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 328-5833

    $10 - $50 / night

    "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."

    "The sites for tent camping are okay pretty close together and down a hill, no parking next to your site. There are also pack in sites available and depending on location very nice."

    5. Lake Cunningham Campground

    10 Reviews
    Omaha, NE
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (531) 201-5754

    $15 - $40 / night

    "The lake is right there, with a nice bike path that comes all the way around."

    "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!"

    6. Louisville State Recreation Area Campground

    29 Reviews
    Louisville, NE
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 234-6855

    $15 - $35 / night

    "A HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas. There is a 3 decent-size lakes spread evenly across the grounds."

    "A HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas. There is a 3 decent-size lakes spread evenly across the grounds."

    7. Platte River State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    South Bend, NE
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 234-2217

    $25 - $330 / night

    "We 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."

    "Short walk in but a wagon is provided to help unload equipment. Picnic and fire pit near the teepee."

    8. Cunningham Lake Dam Site 11 Campground

    5 Reviews
    Omaha, NE
    8 miles
    Website

    "Great location, not too close to the lake so not a lot of bugs to bother."

    "Each site is equipped with a fire ring and many of the locations have a picnic table. There are a couple of the spots right along side the lake."

    9. Union Pacific Cabooses — Two Rivers SRA

    8 Reviews
    Waterloo, NE
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 359-5165

    $80 / 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."

    10. Lake Manawa State Park Campground

    12 Reviews
    Council Bluffs, IA
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 366-0220

    $20 - $38 / 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."

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Recent Camping Photos near Boys Town, NE

103 Photos of 106 Boys Town Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Boys Town, NE

588 Reviews of 106 Boys Town Campgrounds

  • Donna H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Wilson Island State Recreation Area Campground

    Mosquitos and undrinkable water.

    Mosquitos are a given in a wetland refuge, but since this was just an overnight stay, I wasn't especially concerned. What DID concern me was:

    1. The camp host was present, but not at all helpful. A bad storm was moving in, and so I asked about tornado shelters in the area...he said there were none. Funny as the ranger station was within walking distance, but nobody was attending.

    2. It's a state park, and so the water stations are sprinkled throughout the camping areas. I was going to fill my kettle and was stopped by one of the campers who said that the water was bad and that if I needed water, she had extra. The camp host didn't mention the contamination issue, nor were the spigots marked. I did see a weathered "boil notice" on the door to the showers that evening. 

    It has the potential to be a nice park, but is unkept and all but neglected by the camp host.

  • V
    Sep. 30, 2025

    loess hills state forest

    Loess Hills State Forest

    Really impressed with this location. Incredible hiking just outside your door.

  • Fire S.
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Red Cedar Lake

    Peaceful Getaway with Beautiful Views

    Red Cedar Lake is a hidden gem if you’re looking for quiet, simple camping. The scenery is beautiful, with open skies and plenty of wildlife around. It’s free camping, so amenities are limited—bring your own supplies and expect rustic conditions. The fishing was great, and the sunsets over the water were stunning. Perfect spot if you want to unplug, relax, and enjoy nature close to the road.https://kukasoittia.fi/

  • Kyla B.
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Czechland Lake Recreation Area

    Peaceful

    Has fishing, kayaking, hiking, 3 covered picnic areas with electricity, wildlife watching, no-wake boating, 11 (50 amp) RV/tent pads/sites at $20 per night, 3 free non-electrical RV/tent pads/sites, & free tent camping area by the dock. No park permit required. Can pay for pads/sites with cash or with mobile phone. Sites have trash cans, picnic tables and fire rings. Primitive bathrooms available. Water spigots available and working. No dumpsite. Dogs welcome but must be leashed.

    May be difficult parking for larger rigs (35ft+) due to the one way entrance and curvature of the campground. Also note that you will need to bring leveling blocks for nearly every site since the campground is build on a hill.

    https://lpnnrd.org/outdoor-recreation/czechland-lake-recreation-area/

  • Susan W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Bluffs Run RV Park at Horseshoe Casino

    Road to Mackinac

    Just an overnight on our way to Michigan. Yeah it's a parking lot! Visited family just in the NE side of the river. Water and electric, not a bad price. Interstate was RIGHT THERE..... but the noise of our AC downed it out! 😎 Showers were low pressure and could have been better maintained.

  • wayne H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Waubonsie State Park Campground

    Over looking the Missouri River

    This is a very nice and clean spot to camp for a bit. They have great hiking and bike trails. If you go make sure you hike over to the sunset viewpoint that looks out to the West.

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Lake Manawa State Park Campground

    Nice metro campground

    Large concrete pads with patio and permanently mounted mesh steel picnic table with a fire pit grill on the corner.. Lakeside locations are quite well spaced with a panoramic Lake view. small restroom and shower pair with unisex entry. Quite spartan, but relatively clean. Trees surround the campground, but none provide any campground shade. Entry gate code required, which provides some security. all amenities are available within a limited distance. Some lake activity noises during the day, and depending upon wind, some aircraft traffic, otherwise very quiet.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area Tent Campsites

    Great state rec area

    Impressive recreation area. Campsites on and off of the water, all very nice. 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.

  • Trav S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area

    Sewer Dump Available

    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.

Guide to Boys Town

Camping near Boys Town, Nebraska, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds nearby that cater to different needs.

What to do

  • Hiking and Trails: Explore the scenic trails at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground. One visitor mentioned, "Nice walking trails and facilities. Lots to do for the entire family."
  • Water Activities: Enjoy paddle boating and swimming at Platte River State Park Campground. A camper shared, "We went paddle boating, swimming, and horseback riding."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for deer and other wildlife at Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area. One reviewer noted, "We saw a couple of white-tailed deer wandering through in the early morning hours."

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate the cleanliness of restrooms and showers. A visitor at Camp A Way Campground said, "Everyone that works here is so friendly. They have nice shower and bathrooms along with laundry facilities."
  • Family-Friendly Activities: Many campgrounds offer activities for kids. One parent at West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday mentioned, "Looked like a lot to do for the kids."
  • Spacious Sites: Campers enjoy the spaciousness of sites at Louisville State Recreation Area. A reviewer commented, "The area is well kept. There are several rings you can camp on RV/Tent."

What you should know

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds are near busy roads or train tracks. A camper at Pawnee State Recreation Area noted, "With a large amount of active train tracks... this place is the opposite of peaceful."
  • Fees: Be prepared for additional fees. One visitor at Platte River State Park Campground mentioned, "There is also a $12 park fee that you have to pay in addition to your camping costs."
  • Mosquitoes: Some areas can be buggy. A camper at Louisville State Recreation Area warned, "This is one of my top 3 for mosquitoes. Those things are relentless."

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose the Right Campground: Look for family-friendly spots like Camp A Way Campground, which has tons of fun activities for kids. A reviewer said, "The campground was incredibly clean and well landscaped. Tons of fun activities for the kids!"
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to check out the playgrounds and trails. One parent at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground mentioned, "The list of activities seemed great."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for the kids during hikes or activities. A camper at Platte River State Park Campground noted, "It’s a huge state park/campground, definitely more than what we needed."

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A visitor at West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday said, "The pull-through sites seem to be all gravel/stone."
  • Look for Full Hookups: Choose campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. One camper at Camp A Way Campground mentioned, "Very nice campground. Kiddo's friendly. Good internet."
  • Be Mindful of Noise: If you're sensitive to noise, check the campground's location. A reviewer at Pawnee State Recreation Area shared, "Music was played at all hours by people without any recourse."

Camping near Boys Town, Nebraska, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just be sure to plan ahead and choose the right spot for your needs!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Boys Town, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, Boys Town, NE offers a wide range of camping options, with 106 campgrounds and RV parks near Boys Town, NE and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Boys Town, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Boys Town, NE is West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday with a 4.1-star rating from 29 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Boys Town, NE?

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

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