Best Campgrounds near Martell, NE
Campgrounds near Martell, Nebraska include several state recreation areas with a mix of primitive and developed sites. Bluestem State Recreation Area, Stagecoach State Recreation Area, and Wagon Train State Recreation Area provide camping options within 20 miles of Lincoln. Most areas accommodate tent and RV camping, with Camp A Way Campground offering cabin rentals. Yankee Hill Wildlife Management Area provides free dispersed camping with a three-day maximum stay. These camping areas range from lakeside locations with fishing access to more secluded spots in wooded settings.
Primitive tent sites dominate the landscape at many of these recreation areas, with varying levels of amenities. "If you want to avoid camper cities and crowded camp sites within 30 minutes of Lincoln Nebraska, Olive Creek is a good choice," notes one camper about the primitive camping options. Several campgrounds require Nebraska state park permits, available through self-registration at entrance kiosks. Most areas remain open year-round, though winter camping offers quieter experiences with fewer visitors. Water access becomes limited in dry seasons, with reviews mentioning "extremely dry" conditions at Bluestem Lake during summer months. Vault toilets are standard at most primitive sites, while developed campgrounds offer electric hookups and shower facilities.
The state recreation areas near Martell feature lakeside camping popular with anglers and paddlers. Campers report Branched Oak Lake State Recreation Area and Camp A Way as the highest-rated developed campgrounds, offering amenities like showers, electric hookups, and sewer connections. Primitive camping areas receive mixed reviews, with Wagon Train described as having "a small area for tent camping that is quite open to other sites - not for campers hoping to get privacy." Wildlife viewing opportunities exist at several locations, particularly Yankee Hill Wildlife Management Area, though a review mentioned "a large marshy, stagnant pond, so bring mosquito repellent." Many camping areas provide fire rings and picnic tables at designated sites, with swimming beaches available at certain lakes during summer months.
