Tent camping opportunities near Louisville, Nebraska include primitive and established sites with varying amenities within a 30-mile radius. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 85°F from June through August, while spring and fall provide milder conditions for camping. Most campgrounds in the region experience periodic closures due to Missouri River and Platte River flooding, requiring campers to check current conditions before planning trips.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area features multiple small lakes stocked with catfish, bass, and bluegill. According to one camper, the recreation area offers "impressive" options with "campsites on and off of the water" and "a nice bicycle trail that leaves the park and winds out to Hormel Park on the Platte River."
Disc golf access: Area Three Campground provides primitive camping with direct access to disc golf courses. As one visitor notes, "This is primitive camping on the peninsula of Branched Oak, so you get close access to Disc Golf, nice beach, and Showers just up the road."
River activities: When water levels permit, camping near rivers allows for tubing and swimming. A Two Rivers camper mentioned, "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."
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Two Rivers State Recreation Area offers opportunities to spot deer, wild turkey, and various bird species. A camper observed that "the park has deer and turkey and many birds. There is also fishing. It's far enough outside of Omaha to feel like a getaway and get back to nature."
Secluded spots: Wirth Brothers Lake provides more isolated camping options away from crowds. One visitor appreciated that "it is off the beaten path and has camping spots that offer some seclusion from other people. The campground was designed by boys scouts."
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept restrooms and common areas. A visitor to Two Rivers noted, "Friendly staff and a very nice and clean campground," while another at Fremont Lakes mentioned, "Facilities were very clean. Cleanest I have ever seen in a campground."
What you should know
Train noise: Fremont Lakes campers should prepare for significant railroad noise. One camper warned, "There is a very busy set of train tracks that run about every 20 minutes all day and all night. Didn't get any sleep, even with earplugs. Plus, it's right next to a busy highway."
Flooding impacts: Brownville Riverside Park continues to recover from flood damage. A recent visitor reported, "The 2019 floods took a toll on this park... the park needs a lot of maintenance and repairs," while another noted in July 2024 that "the river has flooded it out as of June 28, 2024 and it will likely be unusable for at least the remainder of this season."
Limited shade: Many tent sites lack adequate tree coverage. At Fremont Lakes, a camper noted "not much shade on most tent sites," recommending that you "make sure you ask when they dredged the lakes that you want to stay on."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Two Rivers offers family-friendly amenities near camping areas. A father shared, "A short drive from Omaha, two rivers offers generally clean TV and tent camping sites across multiple campgrounds. My boys (4&7) loved it."
Educational opportunities: Riverside Campground provides nature learning experiences for children. A camper described, "You can even take a short hike into a little outdoor nature classroom. The park has many, many opportunities to earn badges," making it ideal for scout groups.
Morning activities: Family routines can include walks to nearby facilities. One regular visitor explained, "There is a convenience store ran by a very nice family and they make a great breakfast for a low cost. We like to get up early and walk across the park to breakfast and then walk back to our campsite."
Tips from RVers
Fairground options: Budget-conscious RVers can utilize county fairgrounds for basic accommodations. A visitor to Saunders County Fairgrounds reported, "Located near downtown Wahoo. $20 per night for full hookup. Appear to be approximately 40 sites."
Off-season camping: Late fall camping offers solitude but requires cold-weather preparation. A tent camper at Area Three Campground shared, "Late October tent camping- low around 19f... we seemed to be the only souls in the place. Our site was a few hundred yards from the lake, and we had a great morning walk."
Cost considerations: Compare value across different sites before booking. A camper noted about Area Three, "For $15 you can do better in Nebraska" given the limited amenities, explaining that "other than the regular old picnic table, burn pit and rather dirty vault toilet, there is nothing else here."
