Best Tent Camping near Louisville, NE

Tent camping options near Louisville, Nebraska include several established campgrounds within a short drive. Riverside Campground at Two Rivers State Recreation Area offers tent sites along the river with basic amenities including fire rings and picnic tables. Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area provides tent-specific campsites with drinking water and toilet facilities approximately 30 miles northwest of Louisville. Wirth Brothers Lake offers more primitive tent camping with basic facilities including drinking water, picnic tables, and toilets.

Most tent camping areas near Louisville feature drive-in access, though Wirth Brothers Lake also offers walk-in tent sites for those seeking more seclusion. Campgrounds typically provide fire rings and picnic tables, but amenities vary significantly between locations. Riverside Campground has tent sites directly adjacent to the river, while other locations may place tent campers in designated areas. Vault toilets are common at most locations, though shower facilities are limited to larger recreation areas like Fremont Lakes and Two Rivers. A camper noted that Wirth Brothers Lake is "off the beaten path and has camping spots that offer some seclusion from other people."

Tent campers at Two Rivers SRA can enjoy riverside sites with opportunities for water activities when river levels permit. A recent review mentioned, "We camped right by the river. Also a short walk to the outhouse and playground." Fremont Lakes offers multiple small lakes for fishing and swimming, though reviews indicate limited shade at most tent sites. Area Three Campground provides more primitive tent camping on a peninsula with access to disc golf and beach areas. Brownville Riverside Park offers basic tent camping with river access, though recent flooding has affected site conditions. Most tent camping areas experience moderate to high usage during summer weekends, with greater solitude available during weekdays or shoulder seasons.

Best Tent Sites Near Louisville, Nebraska (11)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Louisville, NE

572 Reviews of 11 Louisville Campgrounds


  • Joe R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2018

    Wagon Train Primitive sites

    Wagon Train easy going camping

    This SRA about 25 minutes Southeast of Lincoln Nebraska is a favorite go to for me and my boys. Wagon Train is far enough from major roads that all you’ll hear is nature and the crackle of your fire. There are 28 pad/powered sites and 80 non powered, non pad sites for basic tent camping. If you want a sad spot reserve early. This SRA experienced a tornado a few years ago and many trees were lost. Those trees are in a pile near the non pad sites though, so claiming free fire wood is easy if you have a saw. Potable water is available and vaulted toilets are a short walk from the non powered sites. If you RV you’ll also have access to a dump station. There is a short hiking trail but nothing to write home about. Your camp sites will all have fire rings and picnic tables. I think the best part of this lake is the sand beach swimming area which is near a large covered picnic area. As with many Southeast Nebraska lakes, you can boat but there is a 5mph speed limit. If you don’t make reservations online you can show up and self register at the camp entrance. For me Wagon Train isn’t the prettiest lake in the area be a long shot but I love how quite it is and you’ll love the dark starry skies at night.

  • J
    Aug. 28, 2020

    Arrowhead Park Campground

    Peaceful Serenity

    I arrived just in time to see the beautiful sunset over the small lake near the primitive campground closest to the Park Office. It only cost $10 for tent camping and $3 for a vehicle pass. Campground and vault toilets were pretty clean. There is a fire ring and picnic table at each tent campsite and there are plenty to choose from near the water. You can bring your own kayak or canoe and even fish here. We had a nice encounter from the campground employee who explained how to put the stake out to claim our campsite. Right away, I saw abundant wildlife, including turkey, deer, black squirrels, woodpeckers, geese, ducks and bats. Come prepared for the mosquitoes but overall I would highly recommend this place!

  • Tarrah C.
    Apr. 5, 2023

    Waubonsie State Park Campground

    Nice Trails

    This is a great weekend spot not much to do around the park. The campsites are nice but close with not much space in between. There are 2 campgrounds, the one north of the highway is a horse campground but required. There are nice trails in this area. The campground on the south is more of a tent site. There are vault toliets, no showers. A lot of great trails o this side. All campsites include a picnic table and fire ring.

  • D
    Sep. 16, 2020

    Memphis Lake State Rec Area

    Camping Right on the Lake

    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.

  • C
    May. 5, 2024

    Czechland Lake Recreation Area

    Great first come first serve campground

    This is a nice small campground that is well taken care of. We stayed at site number 8 which may be one of the more unlevel spots. The passenger side of our 5th wheel was about 7" lower than driver side and rear of fifth wheel was about 3" lower than front before we levelled out. 

    Pros:

    -Well maintained walking trails that are perfect for dogs

    -Most sites have 30 and 50 amp hookups

    -Fire rings and picnic tables at most sites

    -$18 a night for electric hookups

    -Quiet

    Cons:

    -Some sites are very unlevel  

    -No water or dump station

  • Jennifer T.
    May. 28, 2024

    Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area

    Beautiful spot

    We spent Memorial weekend here in 2022. We had to park in a designated parking spot and walk in to set our tent. The site was shady and came with a picnic table, fire ring and We were right on the shores of the lake. It was a beautiful and very relaxing to hear the waves, although the wind coming across the lake was mighty fierce and destroyed the canopy that we had over the picnic table. And the beating of the tent all night long was a little hard to get some decent sleep. But the area was nice and close to the restrooms and spacious campsites

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Lake Manawa State Park Campground

    Nice metro campground

    Large concrete pads with patio and permanently mounted mesh steel picnic table with a fire pit grill on the corner.. Lakeside locations are quite well spaced with a panoramic Lake view. small restroom and shower pair with unisex entry. Quite spartan, but relatively clean. Trees surround the campground, but none provide any campground shade. Entry gate code required, which provides some security. all amenities are available within a limited distance. Some lake activity noises during the day, and depending upon wind, some aircraft traffic, otherwise very quiet.

  • Sarah H.
    Aug. 7, 2016

    Arrowhead Park Campground

    Easy Family Camping Near Omaha

    Our family and another family shared a primitive tent site near the back of the park. We were first and foremost impressed with the freedom we had in choosing our site. Tent camping here is non-reservable, but once you enter the park, you may choose from any spots containing a fire pit outside of RV loops. Tent sites range from lake-front, to playground side, to more private sites on the outer rim of the park. We chose a large, private site at the back of the park. This site was well maintained and had enough space to easily accommodate two families of four. We even had a picnic shelter all to ourselves. Our site was lined by woods and farmland and had a good view of a small pond. The night was full of exciting animal noises from both the nearby farm and pond. Vault toilets were a short walk away with clean shower facilities just a few loops away. The kids enjoyed riding bikes up and down gravel roads, looking for frogs, and playing on the playground. Canoe and paddle boat rental is extremely reasonable. Hiking trails near the park entrance are rugged. The staff was incredibly kind and easy-going, yet attentive. Just a short drive from neighboring towns, this is a good starter campground for families with younger kids. We hope to return in winter to check out the camping cabins.

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2018

    Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area

    Roomy but not

    Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area was within 30 minutes of Lincoln, NE . Try to make sure all essentials are packed to enjoy your stay without frequent trips to town. This is one of those spots where you can easily park the car and use other means of transportation for your whole visit.(ie, feet, bike, boat, horse, etc.)

    There are options to where you camp. RV sites and tent in three different areas. This is not my favorite sort of tent camping, you have to park and walk everything to your site. Some tent sites are located right on the lake which is nice, you can easily park your watercraft nearby. However if it’s busy your neighbors are going to be very nearby. Not much privacy in that case. We however were completely alone when we visited, the crappy weather played a part I’m sure. Shade, which we didn’t need and picnic tables. If you have a hammock you may have an issue with getting it hung, bring alternate means of suspension.

    The trails are multi-use so pay attention. We were hiking in the rain so did not see anyone but the trail apples were fresh. Were we hiked it was grassy and mostly level, there was an area where hikers had trails to themselves and a few benches to sit on.

    The lake looked nice but I didn’t see anyone on it. I didn’t see any algae signs but the weather may have been a factor too. We overnighted so I didn’t get to completely explore the entire area. It was pretty quiet, some motor noises but they were more of a background noise. Worth an extended stay as long as the lake is open.


Guide to Louisville

Tent camping near Louisville, Nebraska offers a variety of options for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy nature and the great outdoors. From well-maintained sites to unique amenities, there’s something for everyone.

Tent campers should check out Saunders County Fairgrounds Campground

  • The Saunders County Fairgrounds Campground is conveniently located near downtown Wahoo, providing easy access to local attractions.
  • With approximately 40 sites available, this campground offers full hookups for just $20 per night, making it a budget-friendly choice.
  • Campers can enjoy a peaceful environment while being close to the amenities of the city.

Local activities to enjoy while camping

  • At Wirth Brothers Lake, visitors can partake in fishing, swimming, and archery, ensuring a fun-filled day outdoors.
  • The area around Area Three Campground offers scenic walks along the lake, perfect for those who enjoy nature hikes.
  • For a more primitive experience, Brownville Riverside Park allows for outdoor activities like fishing and exploring the nearby river.

Some prices for tent camping range from $5 to $20

  • Camping at Wirth Brothers Lake costs just $5 per day or $15 for an annual permit, making it an affordable option for frequent visitors.
  • The Saunders County Fairgrounds Campground charges $20 per night for full hookups, providing great value for those seeking comfort.
  • For those looking for a more rustic experience, Area Three Campground offers primitive camping for $15 a night, ideal for adventurers wanting to disconnect.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Louisville, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Louisville, NE is Riverside Campground — Two Rivers SRA with a 3.8-star rating from 5 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Louisville, NE?

TheDyrt.com has all 11 tent camping locations near Louisville, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.