Best Tent Camping near Lincoln, NE
Tent campgrounds surrounding Lincoln, Nebraska provide a mixture of basic facilities and primitive camping experiences within an hour's drive of the city. Area Three Campground offers tent sites near a lake, while Riverside Campground at Two Rivers State Recreation Area provides riverside tent camping with access to water activities. Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area features tent-specific campsites across multiple lakes with varying levels of shade and amenities.
Primitive tent camping predominates at sites like Wirth Brothers Lake, where campers find dirt pads with minimal amenities but more seclusion from crowds. Most tent-only areas have basic picnic tables and fire rings, though facilities vary considerably between locations. Campsites at Area Three cost approximately $15 per night for out-of-state visitors, despite having limited amenities. Vault toilets are available at some locations but may not be well maintained. Water access varies significantly, with drinking water available at Fremont Lakes and Wirth Brothers Lake, but absent at many other primitive tent camping areas.
Walk-in tent locations at Wirth Brothers Lake offer more seclusion than drive-in sites, with spots that provide separation from other campers. Riverside Campground features tent sites directly adjacent to the river, creating opportunities for tubing and water play during summer months. Tent campers at Fremont Lakes can expect spacious sites, though noise from nearby trains and highway traffic may disrupt sleep even with earplugs. The tent camping experience at Two Rivers SRA includes wildlife viewing opportunities, with deer, turkeys and various bird species common throughout the area. A visitor commented that "when the river is low, you can go play on the beach. We've even walked through the water to go play on the islands."
