109 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Several campgrounds dot the landscape near Louisville, Nebraska, offering a mix of accommodation types for outdoor enthusiasts. The Louisville State Recreation Area features developed camping with electric hookups for RVs, basic tent sites, and access to the Platte River. Platte River State Park, located just outside Louisville, provides cabin camping options alongside tent and RV sites. Other nearby established campgrounds include Eugene T. Mahoney State Park in Ashland and Pine Grove RV Park in Greenwood, creating a network of camping opportunities within a short drive of Louisville.
Access to most campgrounds requires entrance permits, with Nebraska residents paying lower fees than out-of-state visitors. The region experiences all four seasons with hot, humid summers and cold winters, making spring and fall particularly popular for camping. "The tent sites are close together but usually are not full, RV sites ARE full often," noted one camper about Louisville State Recreation Area. Most developed campgrounds in the area remain open year-round, though amenities like water may be limited during winter months. Several campgrounds feature coin-operated showers that accept quarters, with change machines available at some locations.
Campers consistently mention the proximity to water as a major draw for Louisville area campgrounds. The Louisville State Recreation Area offers multiple lakes for fishing and swimming, with some tent sites positioned along the Platte River providing scenic views. A frequent complaint in reviews concerns train noise, as tracks run alongside some campgrounds. One visitor remarked, "This has the capability to be a great little state park, but a huge [downside] is at night the trains go by about every 17 minutes." Despite this drawback, the campgrounds provide excellent access to water recreation, hiking trails, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Many sites feature picnic tables, fire rings, and electrical hookups, with several campgrounds offering both reservable and first-come, first-served options for spontaneous weekend getaways. When searching for camping near Louisville, visitors will find diverse campsite options ranging from peaceful riverside locations to family-friendly parks with recreational facilities.
"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."
"We used to stop here as a midway point when driving to Colorado. We always stayed at the lodge for a night and had a pleasant time exploring the area."
from $25 - $485 / night
Check Availability"The park itself has beautiful trails. Bring your hiking shoes or fat bike and enjoy nature.
For younger children there is a very nice splash pad. $3/person, under 3 is free.""We were passing through Nebraska and opted to stay the night here. The campground is new and will be even nicer when the trees are big enough to provide shade."
from $35 - $340 / night
Check Availability"Campground Review I stayed in this Louisville Rec area a few nights, moving around to three different areas of this HUGE campground are nestled in Nebraska."
"Louisville State Recreation Area is a nice large camping area offering over 200 sites with Electricity. There are also primitive tenting areas as well."
from $15 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Very close to the Nebraska crossing outlet mall! 😊"
"The campground itself was fine and very convenient in location to vIsIt famIly."
"This is a nice campground located on the edge of Papillion, Nebraska. There are several trails nearby, some paved and others grass. The main trailhead is easily accessible from the park road."
"This is a very cool park in Papillion, Nebraska! It also has a sewer dump site for $5 (if you're not camping). See the camp host to pay."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"If you want to get away in Nebraska, this is the place. There’s no electricity or running water. The outhouses are kinda gross. There’s an awesome bar right outside the park, too."
"Great little stocked fishing lake with sites all fairly close to the long northern shore of the lake. Redwing blackbirds, geese, and lightning bugs tucked in between the corn fields."
from $10 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Close (but not too close) to I-80, we stayed here as a way point cruising across Wyoming/Nebraska/Iowa. Clean facilities, quiet vibe, it was just what we needed after a long day of driving."
"Convenient location right off the highway, but with that you do get the noise. Has a playground and pool as will as a convenience store. Bathrooms and showers were clean."
from $27 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Large lake , walking trail . Seems that some site are “ reserved “ by placing the picnic table on the concrete pad. We were able to find 1 open space."
from $7 - $15 / night
Check Availability"Brand new clean quiet campground walking distance from downtown. Site wasn’t level front to back and the host offered to move us."
"It is close to main street Ashland, which offers gourmet coffee (Fariner Bakery was my favorite), and a couple of restaurants (Cheri-O's seemed to be the hot spot). "
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"This is actually the Windsor Cove Campground within Haworth Park in Belleview, Nebraska."
"Nice quiet campground away from the hustle and bustle yet close to city for anything forgotten."
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.
GuideCamp spots are close together and not private. But it's a beautiful spot with lots of hiking trails. Bathrooms are spotless and the host is super nice.
LegendI was here on a very hot June day. Grateful for the electricity so I could run my A/C. Would have been much nicer if there were some actual trees for shade. No privacy between sites.
You need a code to get inside the park. I saw camp hosts drive by in golf carts, but did not interact with them.
All the pads look like they're very new. Cement and level.
While this park is right on the lake, there is no easy access to the lake from the campground. A few of the sites back up to the lake, but even those you'd have to bushwack to get to the water. I did find a spot that I had to practically trespass on another camper's site to get to. It was a small opening between weeds and down some treacherous rocks to launch my paddleboard.
There's a beach a few hundred yards down the path that you have to pay $5 to enter.
The lake does not look very clean. I wouldn't swim in it.
The shower was one of those push button ones and it was fine. Lots of kids running around and being loud past 11pm. Looks like people come here to spend the night and spend the day someplace else.
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.
ScoutI called because there was no link to book and the RV park has closed. There is RV parking if you want to stay in the hotel, but the park with hookups is closed.
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!
Located between Omaha and Lincoln, camping near Louisville, Nebraska offers visitors access to the Platte River valley and several recreational lakes. The area sits at approximately 1,080 feet elevation with terrain characterized by rolling hills, farmland, and riparian woodlands. Temperatures can reach above 90°F in summer months with winter lows frequently dropping below freezing, making spring and fall popular camping seasons.
Hiking trails and water features: Platte River State Park features varied terrain with hiking opportunities for all skill levels. "I love Platte River State Park; there are accommodations for every type of camper - cabins, RV, privative - hell they even have teepees! On top of the excellent camping offered, they have a wealth of amazing hiking/biking trails that traverse through some amazing scenery," writes Jared J. about Platte River State Park Campground.
Water activities: Many campgrounds offer various water recreation options. "The tent sites were decently spaced. But, our site was right by a train track. There were trains going by all night long," notes Jordan H. about Louisville State Recreation Area Campground. Despite this drawback, the recreation area provides multiple water activities.
Children's activities: Eugene T. Mahoney State Park offers numerous family-oriented attractions. "This campground is crowded with significant interstate noise. However there are many activities for kids including paddleboating, a wave pool, horse riding, ziplining, and playgrounds," according to Jennifer M. at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground.
Lake access and fishing: Memphis Lake State Recreation Area provides prime lakeside camping opportunities. "It is a nice spot a bit off of the main roads. Many of the tent sites allow you to camp right next to the lake. It's generally pretty quiet and people respect the 10 pm quiet hours rule. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring," explains David L. about Memphis Lake State Rec Area.
Quieter alternatives: For those seeking less crowded options than the major state parks, smaller campgrounds provide alternatives. "Very clean tent sights by the Platte River. Nearby train-tracks were a bit noisy though," mentions Andrew W. about Louisville State Recreation Area.
Variety of camping options: Some of the best places to camp near Louisville, Nebraska offer multiple accommodation types. "Four stars instead of five because we prefer camping with our own equipment which isn't a feature at this park. Our family camped in a tepee which was set up on a platform before our arrival," shares Sarah H. about Platte River State Park.
Train noise: Many campgrounds in the area experience significant train noise. "We liked everything about this area but the train tracks! Be selective on where you pitch the tent. It can get loud.... River, ponds, swimming area, playground, nearby hiking," advises Chrisne E. about Louisville State Recreation Area.
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds remain open year-round but facilities may be limited in winter. "We hiked here one morning and there weren't very defined trails, but the park is small enough where you wont get last. Nice views of the river. It was fun to wander around the trails for a few hours, but that's about all you can get out of it," notes Zak L. from Eugene T. Mahoney State Park.
Reservation requirements: Popular campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "They have a couple of different kinds of cabins. There's a bunch of trails! The park in general is beautiful," shares Jordan H. about Platte River State Park.
Playgrounds and splash parks: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated children's areas. "This place 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!" reports Charlie B. about Eugene T. Mahoney State Park.
Swimming options: Various swimming facilities are available throughout the region. "This lake has great fishing and has peace, and quiet. The lake is a no wake zone, so kayaks, and canoes are great. The campsites have plenty of shade, and a few electrical hook ups," shares Tony B. about Weeping Water.
Cabin camping alternatives: For families not interested in tent camping, cabin options exist. "Brand new clean quiet campground walking distance from downtown. Site wasn't level front to back and the host offered to move us. We told her it was ok and after we step up she came back to check again," reports Jen S. about Ashland RV Campground.
Site spacing considerations: RV site dimensions vary significantly between campgrounds. "We always stop here when we're traveling on I-80. It's the perfect distance for us to overnight before moving on. Clean campground, showers/bathroom. Courteous employees. Lots of activities for the kids," shares Cynthia K. about West Omaha/NE Lincoln KOA Holiday.
Hookup availability: Full hookups aren't available at all campgrounds. "Don't expect peace & quiet. This place is sandwiched in between I-80 and the I-80 Speedway. Even w/ full hookups it's a bit overpriced. Overnight stay for us, will not be back," warns Annaliese M. about Pine Grove RV Park.
Dump station access: Most campgrounds in the Louisville area provide dump stations. "First come, first serve campground city park. Large lake, walking trail. Seems that some site are 'reserved' by placing the picnic table on the concrete pad. We were able to find 1 open space," notes Barbara P. about Weeping Water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping options are available at Louisville State Recreation Area?
Louisville State Recreation Area Campground offers over 200 sites with electricity for RVs, plus primitive tent camping areas. The campground features shaded, spacious sites with fire rings and picnic tables. For water recreation, the area includes two larger lakes and three smaller ones. Visitors can enjoy swimming at the designated beach area, fishing, and trails for hiking. Bathrooms are clean, though drinking water access can be limited. The campground can accommodate both RVs and tent campers, with some especially pretty tent sites located on the river side.
What do visitor reviews say about Louisville State Recreation Area?
Visitor reviews of Louisville State Recreation Area are mixed, with ratings ranging from 2-4 stars. Many appreciate the clean bathrooms, decent beach area, and pretty riverside tent sites. The spacious, shaded campsites with fire rings and picnic tables are frequently highlighted as positives. However, the most common complaint is the frequent train noise, with trains passing approximately every 17 minutes along tracks running right along the park. For a quieter alternative, campers recommend Duck Creek Recreation Area, a beautiful lake park where visitors can spot white pelicans, blue herons, and sometimes hawks, owls, and eagles.
Where is Louisville State Recreation Area located in Nebraska?
Louisville State Recreation Area is located in eastern Nebraska, right on the edge of the town of Louisville. Its convenient location provides easy access to supplies if you forget something. The recreation area sits approximately 30 miles southwest of Omaha and about 25 miles northeast of Lincoln, making it accessible from Nebraska's major cities. For comparison, Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area is farther northwest of Lincoln, while Wagon Train Primitive sites are about 25 minutes southeast of Lincoln.
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