104 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Lincoln, Nebraska range from developed facilities to more primitive options within a short drive of the city. Camp A Way Campground, located just off I-80, provides tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin accommodations with amenities like showers, drinking water, and electric hookups. Several state recreation areas surround the city, including Pawnee State Recreation Area about 15 miles northwest of downtown, Branched Oak Lake State Recreation Area approximately 20 miles north, and Conestoga State Recreation Area 10 miles southwest. These areas typically offer both electric and non-electric campsites with varying levels of amenities.
Reservations are recommended for most developed campgrounds, especially during summer weekends and Husker football game days in the fall. Many campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, though winter camping requires preparation for cold Nebraska conditions. State recreation areas require entrance permits, with additional fees for non-Nebraska residents. Most developed campgrounds provide basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, while some offer shower facilities and full hookups for RVs. A camper noted that "Pawnee SRA is a well maintained family friendly SRA North West of Lincoln Nebraska. You'll find powered and primitive sites accommodating RV's to tents."
The region includes several lakes that provide water recreation opportunities alongside camping. Branched Oak Lake, the largest in the area, attracts boaters and anglers, while smaller lakes like Pawnee and Conestoga offer quieter experiences. Wildlife management areas like Yankee Hill provide more primitive camping options with fewer amenities but greater solitude. According to one visitor, "If you want to avoid camper cities and crowded camp sites within 30 minutes of Lincoln Nebraska, Olive Creek is a good choice. Primitive, tent only, and far enough from major roads to reduce man made noises." Train noise affects several campgrounds, particularly Louisville State Recreation Area, where multiple reviewers mentioned being awakened by passing trains. Campgrounds closer to the interstate also experience road noise, which may be a consideration for light sleepers seeking a peaceful experience.
"A fun pass is require and costa about $10 but kids get ice cream, Slushies, water balloons for water wars included with that plus access to trampoline basketball, a nice jump pad, pool, indoor hot tub,"
"Great location for seeing Lincoln. Don’t miss the ice cream at the UNL dairy store."
from $35 - $67 / night
Check Availability"Pawnee SRA is a well maintained family friendly SRA North West of Lincoln Nebraska. You’ll find powered and primative sites accommodating RV’s to tents."
"Located just a bit west of Lincoln, NE on nice sized Pawnee Lake."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"My first time camping in Nebraska. Ive been to several throughout the US. Loved the spot, I was right next to the lake, great swimming access. Downside drinking water access was difficult."
"The area is well known for being the equestrian camping area at one of the finest lakes in Nebraska. Pull through sites with full hookups, equestrian trails, and corals."
from $25 - $35 / night
Check Availability"This is a great state park and possibly the busiest since it’s between Omaha and Lincoln. Walking trails. Camping spots galore. Arts and crafts. Horse riding. Water park. Lodge. Viewing tower."
"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."
from $25 - $485 / night
Check Availability"Conestoga is entirely walk up with no reservations."
"I like this site because I can get there within 20 minutes from my house in Lincoln. Paved roads and parking lot. Easy to use boat ramp. If you enjoy dock fishing this is the lake for you."
"Near Lincoln Nebraska, quiet area, reported good fishing. Big gravel parking lot, good for overnights, max 3 days, no fees. some local traffic on weekends. No open fires."
"Check out Blustem if you like to get away from RV heavy camps like I do. You’ll find clean raised toilets, trails, and archery range, boating, fishing and hunting here."
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Branched Oak-Area One Campground is 2 1/2 miles north of Malcom Nebraska. There are many different areas offering over 330 pads and tons of primitive camping."
"Branched Oak is not the luxury park that Mahoney is but it is one of the premiere campgrounds at Branched Oak which is one of the premiere parks of Nebraska."
"Good for an overnight stay when passing through, would be nice for multiple days if you want to visit the lake."
"Lots of hiking trails, very nice weekend!"
from $30 / night
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TravelerNice park, like alot nowadays lots of long term people. Bath and showers are fair. Laundry facilities are clean wit two washers and dryers. Wifi is poor can't get connected.
TravelerVery pretty camping area. Fun hiking trail around the whole place. It's probably good fishing if you have a boat but a very weed heavy lake.
Scout•Turned of my water off in the winter time while it was in the negatives outside which froze my water and busted my water heater.
•quiet time is after 9 but we’re trying to make guests leave before 6
•their water line busted and they refused to reimburse multiple people for the 5 days we all went without water
•You can’t sit your trash out AT ALL, not even in the bed of your truck cause the dozens of stray cats will rip it apart and scatter it everywhere. They will also tear up your camper underneath looking for warmth
•owner saw me taking the trash out one day and offered to take it then turned around and told me I was to lazy to take it
•had 2 friends and their 3 kids come join us for a cookout and the owners pulled up in their golf cart, freaking out about how loud our “party” was and that the our new neighbors complained. Went to go apologize the next day and the neighbors said they didn’t even hear us.
•kept trying to up charge me on rent and electricity, one month my electric was $53 and the next month it was over $300 (the same month I wasn’t even there for 2 weeks)
•multiple blue collar workers left because the owners were treating them the same way
•they have a nice pool. If you want to invite anybody make sure you got extra money cause they’ll charge you whatever they feel like charging you that day. Went from $3 a person to $5 a person in just 2 days
•claim they’re Christians but refuse to you help in any way and will try to get as much money from you as they can
•••••••CHECK YOUR METER••••••••• when I left they tried saying my electric bill was higher than my deposit of $300 but when I told them I took a picture of the meter and how their price didn’t match the amount of kilowatts I had used (15 cents per kw) they sent me my deposit back
All this coming from someone who stayed here for 6 months and finally had enough
GuideThis was a beautiful little spot in town. All the spots were decently spaced out so you had your privacy, and it was surprisingly quiet. It is on the edge a housing area, so you can see people's porches across the street, but it wasnt bad. The price is very reasonable especially if you're just spending the night while driving through. Its very green, well maintained and pretty, we even saw some fireflies! It has electric hook ups and a dump station as well.
ScoutThis park offers something for everyone! Although the campsites are average this big beautiful park makes up for it in other ways. From the aquatic park, to the stables, hiking and biking trails, a small marina with fishing and paddle boats, and a nature center, you won’t have to leave to be entertained. Recommend staying at the lakeside campground for better views.
TravelerBeautiful city owned campground. 50 and/or 30 amp electric at all sites. No water hookups, but spigots are located throughout the park. No shower house, only pit toilets. However, at $20 a night a steal!
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.
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.
TravelerSmall old fishing lake with open area to park and car camp. I’m in a van with another camper in a small travel trailer. Area looks to be left unmaintained and dirty but it does have pit toilets.
Camping spots near Lincoln, Nebraska range from primitive lakeside sites to full-service campgrounds with recreational amenities. Most state recreation areas surrounding the city require Nebraska park permits, which cost $8 daily or $31 annually for residents, with higher fees for non-residents. Water recreation dominates the camping scene with seven major lakes within a 30-minute drive offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and swimming during warmer months.
Disc golf courses: Branched Oak Lake Recreation Area offers a 9-hole disc golf course in Area 1. "I camped here in early spring with my boys and another family and we had the place to ourselves. This is yet another really nice state recreation area within 20 miles of Lincoln Nebraska," notes a visitor to Bluestem State Rec Area.
Kid-friendly activities: Camp A Way Campground provides numerous activities for children of all ages. "They had such fond memories that we made it work to swing thru Lincoln again and they had a blast even as teenagers. So many fun activities for the kids and both times we've stayed in the patio sites," writes a repeat camper at Camp A Way Campground.
Horseback riding: Eugene T. Mahoney State Park offers equestrian trails for visitors. A reviewer notes the park "has it all....but books up months in advance and the crowds can get a bit annoying! Hiking trails, frisbee golf, horseback riding, driving range, fishing, tennis courts, river views, cabins!"
Archery practice: Multiple recreation areas offer archery ranges for visitors. According to one visitor, "I love the whole park - especially the archery range!!" when referring to Pawnee Dam Site 14 Campground.
Lake access: Many campgrounds offer direct water access for fishing or boating. "We love camping on the south shore. Can kayak right by your campsite. Lots of room between sites to play catch or yard games," shares a visitor to Area One Campground.
Quiet weekday camping: Most lake recreation areas are significantly less crowded during weekdays. "The pros! Lakeside tent camping is always fun. Lots of activities, like boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, etc. And its close to town. The cons! Its close to town, so it can be a bit crowded on nicer weekends. Its great for overnighters in the middle of the week."
Winter camping options: Several state recreation areas remain open year-round for dedicated cold-weather campers. A visitor to Bluestem notes, "Really nice and clean place to relax for a couple days. And it's not busy if you like winter camping like I do."
Dog-friendly facilities: Some campgrounds offer dedicated spaces for pets. A camper at Camp A Way mentioned, "Very nice campground. Kid friendly with tons of activities. Nice pool & hot tub. Clean laundry facilities and they even have a dog park."
Park permit requirements: Nebraska state parks and recreation areas require entrance permits for all vehicles. A camper at Area 3 Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area reported, "We had a great weekend in Area 3 of the Pawnee Recreational Area. Big spots, good working power for 30 and 50 amp, but no water at the sites. The camp host had 200 feet of hose and we filled the clear tank from that."
Algae blooms: Lakes near Lincoln sometimes experience toxic algae blooms during hot summer months. One camper noted, "The lake was closed due to a toxic algae bloom which meant that is was a little quieter than normal."
Highway noise: Several campgrounds sit close to major roadways. A visitor observed, "Clean and large site. Next to highway. You can hear highway but that doesn't bother me."
Shower costs: Some state recreation areas have coin-operated showers. "The bath house was recently replaced. It is clean. Shower rates (bring quarters) are reasonable. $.50 for 3 minutes and every $.25 gives another 90 seconds. The change machine was either broken or out of change but that seems to be the norm this year at Nebraska parks."
Swimming beaches: Multiple recreation areas offer designated swimming areas during summer. "We've spent so much time here. The location is great, lake is great, and the people have always been awesome! We love boating, swimming, camping. Family favorite!"
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain playground equipment for younger visitors. At Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground, a visitor noted the area is "crowded with significant interstate noise. However there are many activities for kids including paddleboating, a wave pool, horse riding, ziplining, and playgrounds."
Water activities: Rental options for paddleboats and other watercraft exist at some parks. "We went paddle boating, swimming, and horse back riding. The only not so good thing about camping in this park is that it is so close to the interstate."
Lancaster Event Center: This facility provides camping during county fair season. "Love going to the county fair! The corn maze and all the cute animals are always a hit!" notes a visitor to the Lancaster Event Center.
Water access at sites: Not all campsites with electrical hookups have water connections. "This park is beautiful, the only water supply is by hand pump on the way to your site so that is a negative. Good for an overnight stay when passing through."
Dump stations: State recreation areas typically offer dump stations, though they may not be adjacent to camping areas. "The nice dump station is located a couple of miles down the road near the Park Office."
Off-peak camping: For a quieter experience, consider non-summer visits to Yankee Hill Wildlife Management Area. "Near Lincoln Nebraska, quiet area, reported good fishing. Big gravel parking lot, good for overnights, max 3 days, no fees. Some local traffic on weekends. No open fires."
Laundry facilities: Some private campgrounds offer laundry services for longer stays. "Very clean. Helpful friendly staff. Huge, clean dog run shaded with locust trees. Best dog run we have seen this trip. Clean laundry facilities. They also have large washer and dryer if you need to do bed covers."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Lincoln, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, Lincoln, NE offers a wide range of camping options, with 104 campgrounds and RV parks near Lincoln, NE and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Lincoln, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Lincoln, NE is Camp A Way Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 31 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Lincoln, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Lincoln, NE.
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