Cottonwood Lake State Recreation Area provides primitive camping with basic amenities near Merriman, Nebraska. The campground features vault toilets and drinking water hydrants on site, ideal for both tent and RV camping. Road conditions in this remote region of the Nebraska Sandhills can become challenging during wet weather, requiring preparation for possible mud or uneven terrain. The natural landscape consists of rolling sandy hills with sparse tree cover outside designated campgrounds.
What to do
Fishing at Cottonwood Lake: Cottonwood Lake offers fishing opportunities with minimal crowds. A reviewer noted, "Small primitive site with nice camping choices peaceful and clean. Great bird life here w views of Sandhills." The lake supports multiple fish species and remains relatively uncrowded throughout the year.
Hiking in Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest: The surrounding forest provides multiple walking paths through ponderosa pines. At nearby Steer Creek Campground, visitors mention, "There are plenty of pull offs in the surrounding National Grassland if you want to explore (highly recommend, but wear long pants! Lots of prickly plants there)." Trail conditions vary seasonally.
Wildlife photography: The Nebraska Sandhills region supports diverse bird populations and mammals. According to one camper at Cottonwood Lake State Rec Area, "Lake was nice little size... it was quiet with birds, frogs, turtles, and deer." Morning and evening hours provide optimal wildlife viewing conditions.
What campers like
Solitude and quiet atmosphere: Most campsites near Merriman remain uncrowded compared to other destinations. At Woodland Ranch, one local notes, "We are near the North American Pole of Inaccessibility, making this one of the most remote regions of the continent... but you'll still get cell service!" This remoteness creates peaceful camping conditions.
Convenient town facilities: The town of Merriman offers services to complement primitive camping options. One bicycle tourist at Merriman City Park shared, "A local shop owner told us to stay here when we were bicycling through on the TABR. Better than the vaulted toilets at the state park and no cost. They want people to use it. Shower, toilet, playground, picnic pavilion."
Natural surroundings: The landscape around campsites provides distinctive scenery. A camper at Steer Creek Campground stated, "I live in Lincoln, NE and make an annual (sometimes bi-annual) trek out here to decompress and soak-up the awe-inspiring rolling hills and scenery." The pine forests contrast with the surrounding grasslands.
What you should know
Insect preparation essential: Ticks and biting flies affect camping comfort during warmer months. A visitor to Little White River Reservoir mentioned, "This place is probably thick with mosquitos in the warmer months." Another camper at Steer Creek Campground reported, "We actually turned around after attempting to do the loop trail and literally being attacked by masses of ticks... So come prepared!"
Limited amenities: Most campgrounds maintain basic facilities only. A Cottonwood Lake visitor commented, "We felt the CG was way over priced for amenities offered. Out of state cost $14 each day just to be at park. Then $15 to camp. Sections A & C were to have vault toilet and water nearby. Area C did not have water."
Water access considerations: Water availability varies between sites and seasons. Steer Creek Campground provides "a centrally located water pump (fresh, cold Sandhills groundwater!)" according to one camper, while other locations may require bringing all water supplies. Water quality from pumps remains generally good but may contain mineral content.
Tips for camping with families
Site selection for shade: Limited tree cover makes shade important during summer months. At Tomahawk Park Campground, visitors have noted, "We found this spot along our antelope hunt this year we love it. We will be back to stay in spring." Sites with afternoon shade reduce heat exposure for children.
Playground access: Families benefit from town park facilities when camping at primitive sites. Merriman City Park provides playground equipment alongside camping areas, offering activity options for children after a day outdoors.
Wildlife education opportunities: The diverse ecosystem provides learning opportunities for children. Animal tracks, bird identification, and star observation become enhanced activities due to minimal light pollution. Binoculars and field guides prove useful for family engagement with the natural environment.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations: Smaller RVs navigate the region more successfully than larger units. At Brooks Memorial Park, one visitor cautioned, "This is a very small Parky area that I would not suggest pulling a large trailer down to." Access roads to many campsites contain tight turns and uneven surfaces.
Level site scarcity: Finding level parking requires advance planning. A camper at Little White River Reservoir observed, "Only one site in the campground had a bit of level ground." RVers should bring leveling blocks and plan arrival during daylight hours to assess site conditions properly.
Water tank preparation: Limited water hookups necessitate arriving with full tanks. While Cottonwood Lake and some other locations provide water access points, most lack direct hookups. The remote location makes finding water refill stations challenging during multi-day stays.
