The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Equestrian Camping near Loup City, NE

65 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Equestrian camping options near Loup City, Nebraska are limited, with none of the reviewed campgrounds offering dedicated horse corrals or specialized equine facilities. Coot Shallows Wildlife Management Area provides primitive, free camping accessible for tent and RV campers approximately 16 miles south of Loup City. The dispersed camping area allows pets but lacks amenities such as drinking water, electric hookups, toilets, or designated picnic areas. The area maintains a 4-star rating despite minimal facilities, and campers appreciate the ability to access the grounds via drive-in or walk-in methods.

Fort Kearny State Recreation Area and Victoria Springs State Recreation Area accommodate tent, RV, and in some cases cabin camping, but neither specifically cater to equestrian needs. Both recreation areas require permits and camping fees, with Fort Kearny receiving positive reviews for its spacious sites near fishing lakes. The recreation areas provide basic amenities including fire rings, picnic tables, and in some locations showers and restrooms. Campers should note that while pets are permitted, specialized horse facilities such as corrals, dedicated trailer parking, or equestrian trails are not highlighted in any of the regional campgrounds. Local regulations may apply to horses, and campers planning to bring equines should contact park offices directly to verify policies before arrival.

Map showing campgrounds near Loup City, NebraskaExplore the Map

Best Equestrian Sites Near Loup City, Nebraska (5)

    1. Fort Kearny State Recreation Area

    29 Reviews
    Kearney, NE
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (308) 865-5305

    $10 - $25 / night

    "Nice camp ground with helpful gate attendants, this Nebraska park represents the conundrum of many public campgrounds."

    "Very nice stop, close but not too close to I-80. Quiet. Nice lakeside setting."

    2. Mormon Island State Recreation Area Campground

    19 Reviews
    Doniphan, NE
    44 miles
    Website
    +1 (308) 385-6211

    $20 - $25 / night

    "We wanted a camp ground that was close to a city and only a 2 hour drive from our home if we needed to get something or an accessory that we forgot to pick up before leaving. "

    "This park is right off I-80 off one of the Grand Island exits. This park was actually a surprise to me. It was pretty clean, especially for as packed as it was."

    3. Victoria Springs State Rec Area

    13 Reviews
    Broken Bow, NE
    47 miles
    Website
    +1 (308) 749-2235

    $25 / night

    "Access to clear line of site to south for Dish or Directv is difficult due to heavy tree population. Non-Nebraska resident requires $14 pass in addition to the $30 fee with electric. "

    "It is a hidden gem in the Nebraska Sandhills.  It fills up on the weekends but during the week you can have the entire campground to yourself.  Beautiful trees, nice shade, and electrical hook-ups."

    CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

    4. Calamus Reservoir

    3 Reviews
    Burwell, NE
    45 miles
    Website
    +1 (308) 346-5666

    "It was nice to have clean showers close to the camp site."

    5. Coot Shallows WMA

    1 Review
    Kearney, NE
    44 miles
    Website
Show More
Showing results 1-5 of 5 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Loup City Contest

Enter to Win

Equestrian Camping Reviews near Loup City, NE

65 Reviews of 5 Loup City Campgrounds

  • R
    Oct. 2, 2021

    Fort Kearny State Recreation Area

    Great base camp for viewing Sandhill cranes

    Nice camp ground with helpful gate attendants, this Nebraska park represents the conundrum of many public campgrounds. Here, there are plentiful showers (yes, 75 cents for three minutes, woopdeedoo) but no water spigots and few usable pit toilets. There are primitive sites, 30 amp (yellow) and 50 amp (red) sites so no generator noise and all sites are near stocked ponds. A mix of overnight and long term visitors. Sandhills cranes can be viewed in the adjacent corn stubble in April. Limited cell service and no WiFi

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 25, 2024

    Victoria Springs State Rec Area

    Quiet rural stop in middle of nowhere - Nebraska

    The sites are mostly level and well groomed grass with 2 new concrete handicap spots. The 30 amp and 50 amp power was proper voltage and dependable. Access to clear line of site to south for Dish or Directv is difficult due to heavy tree population. Non-Nebraska resident requires $14 pass in addition to the $30 fee with electric.  Potable water is available and dump station is easily accessible with a rinse water source. Ingress and egress is good with gravel road surfaces in park. The restrooms and showers are very clean and accessible.

  • A
    Sep. 7, 2022

    Fort Kearny State Recreation Area

    Not worth it for tent camping

    After much deliberation, and with great regret, I am declaring myself a Nebraska State Parks campground anti. There are three interlocking reasons for this decision:

    1. Both the campgrounds I have been to (this one and Rock Creek Station SRA) seem to treat tent sites as an afterthought: each park has a very small number of tenting spaces that are kind of on the margins of the campground. At Fort Kearny, the sites that were available were also either totally slanted or full of trash. It does seem like other parks might not share this problem, but it at least indicates a pattern to be aware of.

    2. In addition to the campsite fee, there is a $12 DAILY out-of-state vehicle entrance fee. This means that a $15 campsite is actually a $27 campsite. I will say, in fairness, that the $12 also allowed my car to enter the Fort Kearny historical site next to the campground.

    3. The showers are coin-operated. This isn’t a cost problem so much as it is a logistical one: who has quarters anymore? Also, because the showers are timed, you can’t turn the water off and back on again, which ruins my entire haircare routine.

    Obviously, these reasons won’t apply to everyone. If you have a camper or RV, your calculus will be totally different. If you’re in-state, and you only have to pay $6 for your vehicle instead of $12, I could see these sites being worth it. And if you don’t have hair that you need to condition, the shower thing might not bother you. But if you are like me, a long-haired out-of-state yokel trying to cross the country with a Honda Accord and a backpacking tent, you might take these considerations into account.

    I will say that this campground is beautiful to drive through, with all the little lakes and the cottonwood trees. Also, the camp hosts offer free bikes for guests to use around the campground and presumably on the nearby hike/ bike trail, which is very kind of them and which I wish I had time to take advantage of.

  • Barry M.
    Oct. 30, 2020

    Victoria Springs State Rec Area

    Secret Hideaway

    Love Victoria Springs! It is a hidden gem in the Nebraska Sandhills.  It fills up on the weekends but during the week you can have the entire campground to yourself.  Beautiful trees, nice shade, and electrical hook-ups.

  • Judy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 20, 2025

    Victoria Springs State Rec Area

    Quiet small campground

    Located in the center of Nebraska, Victoria Springs is a 27 site campground and a couple of rental cabins. You can rent paddle boats for the small lake. Merlin counted 10 different bird sounds here in April. The park has a basketball hoop, horseshoes, and a playground across the creek by the lake. Most sites are electric and 6 that are non-electric, and water hydrants are sprinkled throughout the campground. There is a shower house with flush toilets (not open in April) and a vault toilet at the end of the loop. While I like Bessey a few miles away, this is much quieter without trains every 10 minutes. Cell service available with both T-mobile/Mint (strongest) and Verizon/Visible.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2023

    Fort Kearny State Recreation Area

    Overpriced and subpar campground

    I've stayed 3 times at the Fort Kearney SRA for convenience only.  Nebraska Game & Parks has a punitive price model that charges out-of-state visitors $12/day to enter a park with a campground (no Senior discounts either) and then $15/day for a primitive campsite (no water or electric) that is a looong ways for the dirty and rundown restrooms.

  • Eric P.
    Jan. 12, 2022

    Mormon Island State Recreation Area Campground

    Clean Amenities and Good Location

    Stayed here for a weekend when we purchased our new travel trailer.  We wanted a camp ground that was close to a city and only a 2 hour drive from our home if we needed to get something or an accessory that we forgot to pick up before leaving.  Location is the big benefit of this location.  Literally right off the interstate and all the amenities of the city of Grand Island are only 5 minutes away.  Its rare that I can go eat at Texas Roadhouse or ice cream at Cold Stone and its a 5 minute drive from my campsite.    

    This is a nice and well kept campground.  Good shade on our section that is away from the lake and close to the shower houses.  Shower houses are clean and typical for NGPC camp grounds.  Electrical hookups on each campground with water spigots spaced through the campground.  Good access for backing in.

  • Tony B.
    Sep. 7, 2020

    Mormon Island State Recreation Area Campground

    Surprisingly nice

    This park is right off I-80 off one of the Grand Island exits. This park was actually a surprise to me. It was pretty clean, especially for as packed as it was. The spacing between camp site were pretty good. The lakes for swimming, fishing,, and nonpowered boats were clean. The trees, and grass areas were pretty as well, and had modern restrooms and showers. There are playgrounds, volleyball court, disc golf and nature trails available. There are camping for rvs, tent, and generator camping. And honestly if it weren't for the interstate noise (which was not bad) I would of forgot I was next to one.

  • Kelly D.
    Jun. 9, 2021

    Mormon Island State Recreation Area Campground

    Glorious Trees

    Great one night spot. Easy access to the Interstate so there was noise but it still was a great site because of the breeze, shade and variety of trees. The bathroom was clean and close by. Easy to walkup and pay using the drop box. I would stay here again if we need a one night place.

Guide to Loup City

Limited equestrian camping options exist near Loup City, Nebraska. Campgrounds in this region generally lack dedicated horse-related amenities such as corrals or stabling facilities. Fort Kearny State Recreation Area, located approximately 65 miles southeast of Loup City, does not feature horse corrals but offers spacious sites that may accommodate horse trailers. The park has mature cottonwood trees providing shade for campers and animals, multiple lakes for fishing, and both electric and primitive campsites. The campground maintains relatively level parking areas suitable for larger vehicles but requires advance planning for those traveling with horses.

The Kearney area provides access to the hike/bike trail system though none are specifically designated as bridle trails. Coot Shallows WMA offers free primitive camping with fire rings and is accessible for larger vehicles, potentially providing space for horse trailers. Visitors should note that Nebraska state parks require daily vehicle entry permits in addition to camping fees, with out-of-state visitors paying $12-14 per day. Camping with horses in this region requires self-sufficiency as amenities are limited. Most campgrounds in the area do not explicitly prohibit horses, but none advertise specialized equestrian facilities such as corrals, wash racks, or dedicated equestrian campsites.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Loup City, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Loup City, NE is Fort Kearny State Recreation Area with a 4-star rating from 29 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Loup City, NE?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Loup City, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring