Best Tent Camping near Hastings, NE
Tent camping options near Hastings, Nebraska include several established campgrounds within a short drive of the city. Cheyenne State Recreation Area in Wood River offers primitive tent sites with basic amenities, while Tooley Park Campground in Marquette provides year-round tent camping with river access. Bruning Dam Recreation Area, located south of Hastings, features a small number of tent sites in a more secluded setting.
Most tent campgrounds in the Hastings area provide basic amenities with varying levels of development. Cheyenne State Recreation Area includes drinking water, toilets, and trash disposal, though campers should note that reservations are not accepted. Tooley Park offers fire rings and trash collection but lacks drinking water facilities. Bruning Dam Recreation Area maintains toilet facilities but has limited amenities overall. A review mentioned that Bruning Dam is "best suited for an outdoorsman that's hunting or fishing" with only two small sites available.
Tent campers visiting the Hastings area often use these locations for water recreation activities. Tooley Park Campground serves as a popular access point for kayaking and tubing on the river. According to one visitor, "This has been my get in spot for around 100 kayaking trips. I've never had any issues with anyone messing with my vehicle." The park can become crowded during peak seasons as it's frequently used by locals for river access. Cheyenne State Recreation Area features a small pond suitable for fishing and non-powered boats, providing a quieter alternative even during holiday weekends. The proximity to Interstate 80 means road noise may be noticeable at some sites, but the convenience for travelers makes these tent campgrounds practical stopping points when passing through the region.
