Best Tent Camping near Louisville, NE

We had two problems with our stay here. 1. The tent sites seem to have been an afterthought of the planning they have little to no shade/shade, no privacy and a very busy roadway quite close to them with nothing to separate them. There also is pretty much no flat ground.

2. My second problem was their security staff. They ride around on their golf carts and were rude and a little aggressive for no reason. They told us off for driving around the campground looking for the showers. The showers and bathrooms were fairly clean and were pretty nice and the shop had lots of food and goods. For RV camping it might have been fine, but do not go if you are tent camping.

There really is so much to do, from putt putt to iceskating, climbing, the water park, this place has it all. It can be pricey depending on what you're looking for. Cabins are cute and spacious but book up very quickly. Tent camp sites are open more often than not. It is always super busy is the only real downfall.

I camp here maybe once or twice a year, small area for tent camping that is quite open to other sites - not for campers hoping to get privacy or who can’t handle some late night parties. The area is set back quite a ways from the lake but the lake is still easy to access.

Note that if you are at the swimming beach area and wanting to grill out, be prepared to haul your items from your parked car nearby, not from back at the tent sites. It is less convenient than other campground set ups.

Make sure you come prepared with your pass and camping pass - unlike a majority of other campgrounds, I have noticed the park rangers won’t wait the first hour to let you get set up and squared away.

I stay here to enjoy kayaking, but have also ridden my bike out or just come out to gril and swim with friends. Top lake within a 60 minute drive and for those wanting to stay close to Lincoln.

Louisville Lakes has a decent beach area. Not too many amenities but the bathrooms are clean. The tent sites are close together but usually are not full, RV sites ARE full often. Some tent sites are on the river side and I'd consider very pretty. I like Louisville Lakes atmosphere but it can get pretty busy depending on the summer weekend.

This is the best lake in Nebraska for camping! They are tent sites right by the lake. The bathrooms are pretty clean. There’s a huge no-wake area of the lake for kayaking and paddle boarding. They also offer boat rentals.

We stopped for a night in our camper van. In order to avoid paying the RV fee, we used a tent site. Level parking for the tent sites (which are in a grassy field—no tent pads) was limited, but as we were the only vehicle using those, it was fine. It’s a lovely spot, with lots of water fowl, fireflies, and a frog chorus.

I have only ever used Tent sites by the river. For the tent sites I wish there were more amenities but the one we stayed at was in a nice location. The river is decently safe and a good place to tube. There were not any other campers but I could see it getting pretty busy on the weekends. Definitely for relaxing on the river but not much else.

Grew up camping and hiking here. Not many amenities but the bathrooms are clean and the trails are fantastic. The view is great from the side bluff train. Close to Nebraska city. Tent sites are not too close together. Can get pretty busy on weekends in the summer.

Nice smaller park with good tent sites on Missouri River and next to DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge.

A nice campground . The tent sites are nicely spaced. The rv sites are pretty close together. Nice clean showers and toilets.

Enjoy the 4 tent sites. They are spread apart enough that your not on top of each other. Lots of wood to find on the ground

The lake was awesome, not much shade on most tent sites. make sure you ask when they dredged the lakes that you want to stay on.

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. My plan was to spend a few days taking advantage of the many amenities and activity options this area appeared to have, and I since this is a popular destination option many are considering, I sought to provide a review of the grounds from the perspective of someone who is considering staying in the west, central, or east area of the grounds. This review is for the central area.

General Info on this overall campground

This is a state-funded park, so non-Nebraska plated cars have an additional fee. A HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas. There is a 3 decent-size lakes spread evenly across the grounds. Near the central lake ("Lake 2") there is a small shop which has a market where basic kick knacks and firewood are available. This is also where you can rent boats like canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddleboards for hrs, half and daily rates. There is a trail in the woods running parallel to the North Platte River. The path is in a heavily wooded area, so no lakeside views, just a nice, quiet hike with the very occasional hummm of a mosquito. There is a swim area along the beach of Lake 2. There is canoe access at the far west side of the park. In summer, it was common to see people wading across the river as it was neither a fast moving current nor deep. This is a Rec area, so day use is also an option. There are numerous locations for picnics, including Grills, and for fishing in the lakes from some roof-covered docks. Coin-operated showers (takes quarters, change machines take $1 and $5 bills) and full-service, ADA-friendly bathrooms scatter the park as well. There is a play area in the center which has a basic jungle gym. Each site has at least a picnic table and a fire pit. All tent sites are park and walk. If you want to have your car next to your picnic table, you need a padded spot. Each area of the park has these options, as well as electrical, then RV. Most sites are reservable and there are some allocated for first come, first serve. Gates will close at 10pm so make sure your road trip stops before they do. Also, packing earplugs is a must, but it won't completely help you. There is a train that goes very near the grounds - the track basically borders the south side of the campgrounds - and it needs to use its horn while passing through, which happens A LOT.

Central location-specific Info

I would avoid this area if you are tent camping and look to the east/west grounds. The park managers called tent sites 260-267 "bug alley". If there's any rain this area this area is highly susceptible to pooling, which brings out the bugs! There was a storm the night before I arrived and people were being relocated. This area has closest access to the most amenities in the park. The jungle gym is here, as well as the market, and the biggest lake with the beach and swim area.

Ranger Review

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I am given product to test from time to time. For the better part of 2 weeks I've been snacking on products from Wild Zora. I bought the meat and veggie bar sample pack and some Paleo-Friendly To-Go Meals.

• You can watch the video review below.

This company specializes in making healthy, allergen-friendly food for the outdoors. I found their meat bars delicious and so far have loved the Caldera Chicken Curry dinner and Butte Cacao Banana breakfast. Really good food!

The freeze dried meals weren't chalky and the ingredients are so healthy. By being paleo-friendly, they are gluten, grain, milk, soy free and shelf stable, and protein-rich. Most are also nut free. These ingredients will raise the cost up to a price above conventional free-dried meals, but the taste is well worth the upgrade.

I found the veggie bars to be delicious as well. I had some while hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park and some more while just sitting in my car along a road trip. Either way, it was curbing my hunger, gave me an energy boost, and I wasn't left with any digestive issues. I am lactose intolerant and have a tree nut allergy, and these bars are allergen friendly. They contain no added sugar, hormones, antibiotics or chemical additives. Easily compare to price to the tough, nitrate-rich jerky so I HIGHLY recommend this as a healthier alternative.

Overall Pros:

• Lots of flavor options
• Everything tasted really good
• Great ingredients make this brand a healthy, allergy-friendly food option

Overall Cons:

• None really. Their packaging and menu are being updated with the freeze dried to-go meals so some of the flavors may get discontinued

There were a lot of day use areas and tent sites. It was very beautiful and open. We went in the off season so we had a lot of space to ourselves.

A short drive from Omaha, two rivers offers generally clean TV and tent camping sites across multiple campgrounds. I camped right by the river. Also a short walk to the outhouse and playground. Fun and quick trip if you’re in the Omaha area. My boys (4&7) loved it.

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.