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!"
$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."
"Very close to the Nebraska crossing outlet mall! 😊"
"The campground itself was fine and very convenient in location to vIsIt famIly."
$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."
$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."
$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!"
$35 - $340 / 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."
$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."
"I am sorry 😔 but I have nut yet been to any of Nebraska's Camping grounds your's well be the first."
"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."
$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."
$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."
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.
TravelerWe stayed 1 night in our way to Utah. We got a nice spot right next to the river with a cemented area and a newer picnic area. Met the park ranger on our way in who was so thankful we picked there to stay. The Elf and Buffalo were fun to watch. Only downside was a train at 1 in the morning and no showers at the south campsite. Highly recommend this spot!!
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.
Camping spots near Boys Town, Nebraska are concentrated in the eastern Nebraska prairie region where elevation ranges from 980 to 1,300 feet. The area sits within the Missouri River Valley watershed, creating opportunities for waterfront recreation at various lakes and along the Platte River. Summer camping season brings humidity and temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with occasional thunderstorms.
Archery practice: Hitchcock Nature Center offers an on-site archery range where campers can practice their skills. "As a family we go to Hitchcock a few times a year for the hiking and the archery range they have on-site. Both are excellent and a nice escape from the city!" according to a Hitchcock County Nature Center visitor.
Paddleboarding and kayaking: Rent watercraft at Lake Cunningham for lake exploration. "The lake itself is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing! 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. They also offer classes!" notes a Lake Cunningham Campground reviewer.
Hiking the Loess Hills: Explore unique geological formations at Hitchcock Nature Center. "The hiking is fantastic and offers something for every skill level. There are absolutely gorgeous views of the Missouri River valley below. All trails are marked and there are multiple different trailheads, many which start around the visitors center/tower Overlook."
Horse riding: Several parks offer horseback riding opportunities. "There are so many activities from your typical hiking experience to spending the day at the water park to being able to take the family mini golfing," mentions a reviewer about Platte River State Park Campground.
Concrete RV pads: Lake Cunningham's renovated campground features level sites. "Tons of room between spots. Mini store on the property to buy ice, firewood, and food from. Fishing, paddle board rentals, and a park are a few things to do. Awesome place!" writes a camper about the improved facilities.
Evening views: Campsites along ridges provide scenic vistas. "At night you can see the Omaha skyline lit up and the breeze running through there is wonderful," notes a camper about Hitchcock Nature Center's ridge-top sites.
Convenience to Omaha: Two Rivers State Recreation Area offers proximity to urban amenities while feeling removed. "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. Lots of cottonwood trees for shade."
Unique accommodations: Railway enthusiasts appreciate the caboose lodging at Two Rivers. "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."
Train noise impacts sleep: Multiple campgrounds near Boys Town experience railroad disruptions. "The train tracks run right get along the park. You are right on the edge of the town of Louisville which is nice if you need something you forgot," notes a Louisville State Recreation Area camper.
Interstate noise: Some campgrounds have highway noise. "This is a really nice state park. There are plenty to do. My son and I camped for one night. The only not so good thing about camping in this park is that it is so close to the interstate. My son was unable to fall asleep," mentions a Eugene T. Mahoney visitor.
Shower costs: Pay attention to shower facilities and potential fees. "You can pay $1 for a hot shower in the comfort station, which is very clean. The lake is right there, with a nice bike path that comes all the way around," explains a Lake Cunningham camper.
Site spacing varies significantly: Some campgrounds have tightly packed sites while others offer space. "This is the Walmart of camping grounds. The campsites are stacked on top of each other and are always packed!" warns one Eugene T. Mahoney camper, contrasting with the "very spacious" sites at other locations.
Family-friendly fishing: Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area provides accessible fishing opportunities. "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)," shares a reviewer.
Kid-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with multiple activities. "It's a beautiful campground. They have plenty of clean open spots. Not a lot of shade. Nice playground and fishing was super fun. My kids loved it and we would camp here again if not in a pop up with no shower," notes a Walnut Creek camper.
Playground considerations: Choose sites away from busy play areas for quieter evenings. "About 150 yards from our site was the popular Dreamland playground, which draws families with young kids to that side of the campground. Next time, we'd choose a site farther from the playground for more quiet," advises a Lake Manawa visitor.
Educational opportunities: Hitchcock Nature Center offers nature programs. "When I think of 'nature center' I think of a stuffy little cabin with taxidermy. This site is far far more than that, with hiking trails, educational programs, a museum, event halls, and of course camping. Make sure to look at their events calendar, they have exceptional programs for all ages."
Gate access codes: Some campgrounds require reservation codes. "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," mentions a West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday reviewer.
Site selection importance: Research campground layouts before booking. "I loved the simple self service process. We picked an open spot, paid, and parked. The facilities were impressively clean and well maintained," notes a Hitchcock visitor.
Weather monitoring: Be prepared for severe Midwestern storms. "We needed an overnight stop on our way to Kansas and this KOA was perfect. We pulled in just after dark and there was a note on the door stating staff was limited due to Covid. We pulled into a very large pull through on the west side of the campground."
Weekend popularity: Many campgrounds fill quickly on weekends. "We always stop here when we're traveling on I-80. It's the perfect distance for us to overnight before moving on. Clean campground, showers/bathroom. Courteous employees. Lots of activities for the kids. We've stopped on a couple of holidays & a reservation is a must!"
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 108 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 Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area with a 4.5-star rating from 20 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.
Keep Exploring
