Whether you're an RVer or tent camper, Kearney, NE is a great place to post up for the weekend—or longer. There's so much to see and do, from exhilarating hikes or bike rides to exploring the local dining and shopping. Get the dirt on all the best camping near Kearney. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
"Nice place spot for two weeks close to highway but overall not bad spot"
"This is primarily a reservoir and wildlife management area. Finding a camping spot with access to the lake is difficult. After driving around the lake, we found one, and it was an amazing spot!"
"nice river access, playground, fishing but it is primitive."
TravelerNice camp ground with helpful gate attendants, this Nebraska park represents the conundrum of many public campgrounds. Here, there are plentiful showers (yes, 75 cents for three minutes, woopdeedoo) but no water spigots and few usable pit toilets. There are primitive sites, 30 amp (yellow) and 50 amp (red) sites so no generator noise and all sites are near stocked ponds. A mix of overnight and long term visitors. Sandhills cranes can be viewed in the adjacent corn stubble in April. Limited cell service and no WiFi
TravelerSpacious and well maintained campground. In March, the campground was still in WINTER season so only one bathroom location open and no showers open in winter, and limited water access points, but we had a electric hookup. Our campsite loop bordered vegetation, was spacious between campsites, and fairly protected from Interstate noise. Had a fire ring and picnic table. Several lakes and pretty trees. Camp hosts were friendly and helpful with questions! Don’t forget to visit sandhill cranes in March/April.
ScoutA short drive from the Interstate. Lots of sites to choose from on a weekday in August. The sites are spread among the sand channel ponds. Incredibly, we were not bothered by mosquitos. Sites had picnic tables and fire rings. Fire wood piles were all around to help yourself from. There is a small “beach” area designate for swimming in one of the ponds. It is small. Because we were there during the COVID restrictions, we waiting until almost everyone left before we felt we would have enough space to swim without being within 6 feet of others. The water was nice and cooled us down nicely.
The newly build vault toilet was OK. Our son reported the men’s side was terrible. The women’s side was just fine. We needed a spot to stay close to the Interstate for a cross-country trip and this was open and available. I would not return. But I do remember the fireflies fondly. There were tons.
LegendThis is a nice site with electric and tent sites. Each site has fire ring and there are vault toilets around the site. There are tent site that are free. You can camp there off season. Some of the site are on the river. There are also several hiking trails.
LegendFCFS. May– Sep. 24 sites Archery range. Toilets, flush. Showers. Water sites.
Picnic table. Mature trees. Swim beach(rocky). Playground Water. Trash. Fire ring. Boat ramp
This campground is a bit of a third choice unless you want to practice archery. The archery range is the best thing about this campground making me wish I had my bow.
The campground is small, with small sites, no electric. It has a very sad swim beach which is covered in gravel. Another pro would be the fact that it is on the lake and would be less crowded.
When you turn off the main highway there is a liquor store and just down from that is a bait shop where I would guess you could pick up some supplies. There is a market in Alma, Nebraska. Make sure you purchase your supplies before arriving.
Notice to all that bring watercraft. All watercraft pose a threat of AIS Aquatic Invasive Species to the waterways in Nebraska and waterways in other states. Watercraft is the primary source of AIS they must be prepared with an accepted means of ensuring no AIS will enter local waterways. CLEAN DRY Non residents must obtain the AIS decal and apply to watercraft. If a boat is launched from a Nebraska boat facility a AIS decal must be obtained.
GPS 40.086231. -99.213833
Phone 308-799-2105
Directions: Drive one mile southeast of Republican City by way of Corps A Road
LNT
Better than when you found it
Stay safe Happy travels
TravelerNice quiet campground! We tent camped, it was a nice grassy spot! Our camp site had a picnic table and a fire ring! We chose one on the end with trees on one side so more privacy! There were very few other campers around! Kayak access down the road from our spot! Bathrooms were nice! You have to pay for showers! They had some free firewood available which was really nice to help our fire last longer!
ScoutIt is more of a fishing area for the locals than anything but it is open and you can camp. There are no marked sites. A local told me when they come here they just park in the grass anywhere and pay the fee. There is a vault toilet and "modern restrooms" (thr vault toilet is cleaner) but no showers as The Dyrt describes. There is a water sticker at the brick building on your left as you enter. You'll get a little interstate noise and distant train horns, but nothing that earplugs cannot fix. Nice place to pull off and sleep for the nights without utilities.
LegendThis was a quick stopover due to bad weather coming in. A daily vehicle park permit is required and when this is added in to the cost, it’s a bit pricey for what it is, but the Recreation Area has a lot going for it. Check the photo of their brochure for camping pricing. They go by Electric Plus, electric and basic.
There are 7 sandpit lakes in the area that offer fishing. Lakes 5, 6 and 7 offer handicap accessible piers. Lake 7 has the swimming beach. I was camped backed up to Lake 4 at site 57. This site wouldn’t accommodate anything longer than 26’. It was also right next to site 58, so it would be great for 2 families looking to camp together, but otherwise, not so good. The site wasn’t level due to erosion, which was pretty significant.
The area has beautiful, mature cottonwood trees. One of these was right at site 57 so there was lots of shade. Also a picnic table and fire ring. Electric h/u, but no water. Need to fill up prior to camping. I didn’t use the dump station or the bathrooms so can’t comment.
There’s a bike trail that goes to the Fort at the historical park. I didn’t have time to check this out, but would like to next time I pass through.
ScoutI've stayed 3 times at the Fort Kearney SRA for convenience only. Nebraska Game & Parks has a punitive price model that charges out-of-state visitors $12/day to enter a park with a campground (no Senior discounts either) and then $15/day for a primitive campsite (no water or electric) that is a looong ways for the dirty and rundown restrooms.
Kearney, Nebraska, offers a variety of tent camping options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the natural beauty of the region. From serene lakes to wildlife management areas, there are spots that cater to different camping preferences.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Kearney, NE is Blue Hole Wildlife Management Area with a 2.8-star rating from 5 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near Kearney, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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