Long Pine State Recreation Area sits in Nebraska's Sandhills region at approximately 2,400 feet elevation. The area features spring-fed streams with water temperatures around 55°F year-round, creating prime trout habitat and pleasant swimming spots during hot summer months. Camping options near Long Pine range from established recreation areas to municipal parks, with most sites available on a first-come, first-served basis.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Long Pine State Recreation Area offers excellent trout fishing in the clear, cold spring-fed streams. One camper notes, "There are some fantastic trails to hike here, some great scenery, and good trout fishing from the stream" at Long Pine State Rec Area.
Waterfall visits: Smith Falls, Nebraska's tallest waterfall at 63 feet, is accessible via boardwalk trails about 40 miles northwest of Long Pine. "The path is Wheel chair accessible too which is great and makes it easy for little kids too!" reports a visitor to East Campground — Smith Falls State Park.
Tubing and floating: The Niobrara River offers popular floating routes of various lengths. "We have went tubing here multiple times over the years, Smith Falls is a great place to grab lunch halfway and cool off!" shares a camper about their experience near Valentine.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings and evenings provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. "I saw robins, wrens, a bluejay, cardinal, and a small duck, that scared the bjesus out of me," reports a May visitor to Long Pine State Recreation Area.
What campers like
River proximity: Campers appreciate sites where they can stay near running water. "You're able to camp as close to the stream as you're comfortable with, and there is nothing quite like waking up and enjoying a cup of fresh coffee while admiring the visual and auditory beauty of the rushing water," shares a reviewer at Long Pine State Recreation Area.
Off-season solitude: For those seeking quiet, visiting during shoulder seasons provides more privacy. A camper at Keller Park State Rec Area advises, "Secluded with lots of shade, a fun place to get away! Far from town, so bring everything you need!"
Star viewing: The minimal light pollution in this rural area creates exceptional stargazing conditions. "You can see stars it was heaven," mentions a camper, while another notes the area is "incredible for stargazing because it is incredibly dark at night."
Shaded sites: The tall trees throughout many campgrounds provide relief during hot summer days. "Lots of tall trees surround the camping sites," confirms a Long Pine visitor, while another mentions camping "under tall shade trees."
What you should know
Cell coverage limitations: Mobile service can be spotty or nonexistent in some camping areas. A camper at Sharps Outfitters Campground points out, "in the end there's no service, no running water and all stars," highlighting both the connectivity challenge and benefit.
Weather preparedness: The region experiences significant temperature variations, even within a single day. Summer temperatures can exceed 90°F with high humidity, while nighttime can drop considerably.
Insect protection: Bug spray is essential, particularly for mosquitoes near water. "Bring a lot of bug spray, the mosquitoes could carry away small pets," warns a camper about their experience at Smith Falls.
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds may be challenging during or after rain. A visitor to Smith Falls notes, "A very long, graded, extremely bumpy road to the State Park. Also a couple of 7-8% grades along the route."
Tips for camping with families
Accessibility options: Some areas offer wheelchair and stroller-friendly paths. At West Campground — Smith Falls State Park, "Perfect hiking areas. Primitive camping. Wonderful and well built trail up to the tallest waterfall in Nebraska," making it suitable for families with varied mobility needs.
Swimming safety: The spring-fed streams have cold water and sometimes swift currents. A camper advises, "The creek was fun to play in during the day. The creek moves very quickly and it is steep getting down to it."
Wildlife education: The diverse ecosystems provide learning opportunities about local plants and animals. Children can participate in wildlife spotting or learn about the seven different ecosystems found in the Nebraska Sandhills region.
Supply planning: The rural location requires bringing most supplies. "Far from town, so bring everything you need!" advises a regular visitor to Keller Park State Recreation Area, about 12 miles north of Long Pine.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: RVers should carefully choose sites due to terrain challenges. "They are hard to get an RV into because of the slope and angle of the drives. Worth it once you do get parked!" notes a visitor to Ainsworth East City Park, which offers "Very nice campground. All 7 sites are on grass. No water or sewer hookups, but there is a dump station. Can't beat the price of $10."
Leveling considerations: Many sites in the region require leveling blocks due to uneven terrain. "I was in site 11. Had to point directional antenna south towards Long Pine," shares an RVer discussing the sloped sites at Keller Park.
Size limitations: Larger rigs may struggle at certain campgrounds. "Not good for RV's unless you have 4 wheel drive and a high clearance type camper," warns a visitor about West Campground, while others note Long Pine's challenges for bigger units.
Hookup variations: Electric service varies between campgrounds, with some offering 30-amp connections and others providing both 30 and 50-amp options. A camper at Keller Park mentions "I'm setup with new cell router with 4 cellular antennas, including a directional antenna," suggesting limited but workable connectivity options for those with boosting equipment.
