Searching for a place to camp with your dog near Merriman? Find the best information on pet-friendly campgrounds near Merriman, including sites, reviews, and tips. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the woods or a happening campground near the attractions, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect place to go camping with your dog.
Tucked in the shade of ponderosa pines planted in the early 1900's, this 23-unit campground is located in the southeast corner of the Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest. A hand water pump, picnic tables, fire rings, and modern vault toilets make this an attractive base from which to explore the Sandhills. The Blue Jay Trail, a one-mile nature loop, starts and ends at the campgound. For horseback riders, a corral with 8 stalls is available, with a manure bunk nearby. We ask that horses not be in individual campsites unless being saddled.
$15 / night
$1 - $100 / night
Located south of Nenzel in Cherry County, this 116,000-acre national forest is a fantastic representation of the unique Nebraska Sandhills prairie ecosystem. Popular uses of the forest include hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping and bird watching. There is one small campground located on the southwestern edge of the forest. Steer Creek Campground has 23 campsites, 8 horse corrals, potable water, and the 1-mile Blue Jay hiking trail. The Niobrara River Canoe Launch day use site on the Niobrara River for launching small water craft. Fishing is available in the nearby Merritt Reservoir. The Lord Lakes wetland complex has been recognized for its outstanding fishing.
Wildlife Management Area (Nebraska MWA) at Cottonwood/Steverson Wildlife Management Area. Free rv and tent camping for everyone, no fees charged, that is the reason it's 3 stars. Stay/camping limited to 3 days at a time as a general rule but, could be allowed longer. Check signage to verify or call # below. Nice area. Roads are gravel/dirt.
Note* As a rule: If you have questions or want to confirm the posed signage, call (402) 471-5531 for a Nebraska Gane and Park conservation officer/ranger. All Nebraska WMA's are free to camp for everyone. Check signs as you enter for each WMA's specific's regulations, if there are any. If you want electrical and water hookups for rv's, you will need to go to a $pay fee "Nebraska State Park" or a city park, which are really nice but not free, like the free Nebraska WMA's.
$5 - $45 / night
Guide
Has a boat ramp for lake access . Quiet area . No cell service.
Traveler
Great views and not too far off the main road. There aren’t any sectioned campsites. More of just pull offs. But it is free so it’s nice. You get a beautiful view and nice sand.
Scout
We went WELL off the beaten path. Not far into the national forest, Google maps showed a road leading to a river. The "road" is a grass trail. Not very hard, but definitely want a vehicle that isn't low to the ground to avoid bottoming out. Went about 3-5 mph for maybe 10 minuts, didn't make it to the river but found a beautiful succeeded spit by a pond. Not something I would swim in but my dog had a blast, and the views were beautiful. No fire, no water, no amenities at all. Just good Ole country camping!
Guide
Camp site was very spacious. Great views of the lake. Unfortunately, there is poison ivy everywhere you step. No way to get down the 20 foot cliff to the waters edge. Had to drive clear around the lake to find a single spot to fish. Even then not a single bite. Nice modern bathrooms, but only bathroom’s are located in the electric camp sites. Had to drive a bit to find a bathroom if needed. Coin operated showers (who Carrie’s quarters anymore?). Be prepared as the hot water doesn’t work, and you get a nice “refreshing” ice shower. Would probably be a really nice spot, if you had a camper and a boat, and didn’t mind being eyeball to eyeball with everyone else….
Legend
This isn’t a very busy campground. It’s far south of Badlands NP and most people stay North in Wall or out near Rapid City.
We’re not sure about boondocking in the regular parking lot since the casino has their own campground here. There’s not much shade but it’s right on the water which delivers nice views.
All sites are electric only but there is a dump station where you can dump and fill.
Legend
This lake is awesome for water sports since it is so large. It’s about 26 miles from Valentine. There are numerous campgrounds scattered offering different views of the beautiful valley
Legend
We look forward to this camping trip with friends every year. They made it so there is good cell service now so that’s a bonus. About half of the sites are reservable and half are first come first serve. When you get there you must have a nebraska park permit and also pay a parking fee at the self registration box. Be sure to make the trip to snake river falls and smith waterfalls.
ScoutThis has been my home since my dad moved us here in 1970. I love it here. We have great grassland and there are beautiful canyons, and some of the features of the badlands show up in this area. It's a great blend of scenic beauty. 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!
As I said above, I'm biased, because this is my home. But I've been happy to host guests of all kinds for the past 20+ years from hunters to cultural tourists seeking to learn more about Lakota traditions and lifestyle.
GuideWhile it's technically National Forest land, most is Sandhills prairie which is awesome for off-trail hiking and exploring. You can do free dispersed camping according to USFS guidelines, or camp at the Steer Creek campground on the west side of the National Forest which is under pine tree canopy. Do exercise caution by wearing bright orange when hiking there, as it's a popular destination for hunters.
TravelerAfter finding my 1st choice of Smith Falls damn near inaccessible due to washboard road (and then finding no shaded spots in 98° heat) I continued on only to find the next two places full-up. I took a chance to continue on even as it was getting late and was rewarded by this beautiful State Park. There's a main campground by the lake that was pretty crowded with red-Solo-cup type camper's but a more secluded section with 1/2 dozen sites where the folks were there to chill.
LegendWe have stayed at CedarBay every years for years. When you enter the campground there are a few sites at the entrance. As you travel down the road there is a boat ramp and a turn to the campground. It’s a big loop and we love the sites overlooking the water and that have a small beach area. It makes it easy to tie up Kayaks and jet skis. The sites are spacious. Thy are mostly electric with a few primitive. The bathrooms are vault toilets.
Legend
Willow Cave area is the RV/tent campground closest to the Marina and cabins. Some sites overlook lake and there is some shade. This area is across from the dump, has electric, a fish cleaning station, picnic benches, and fire rings. These spots are nice and spacious.
Legend
Cottonwood area has 13 basic/primitive sites most right next to lake with beautiful views. There is a fire ring and bench and a ADA bathroom. There is a little shade. These are beautiful spacious sites.
LegendPine Area is a small primitive campground with only 3 sites. All with Great Lake view. Each site has a bench and fire ring. These sites are very spacious and could have multiple tents.
Guide
We enjoyed one night here, while traveling through. Ended up having the whole campground to ourselves 😀.
Very beautifully nestled in the fragrant ponderosa trees.
Only downside: MILLIONS of ticks! We actually turned around after attempting to do the loop trail and literally being attacked by masses of ticks... So come prepared!
Legend
Beeds landing is next to Cedar Bay. It has tent and RV sites, boat dock,bath house and fish cleaning station. Area has electric and sites are spacious and mostly shaded. Nice area
GuideThere isn't much to this campground, but the pines and the drive itself (for me) is what makes it worthwhile.
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.
ScoutA little confusing finding camp grounds because it seems some are dispersed. However, the close sites were nice and had a ton of animals nearby. Aside from the animals, it was quiet and pretty. Had a picnic table and fire pit at each site.
GuideI visited this campsite over Labor Day weekend. It never filled up, though other people were always there (maybe 1/2-2/3 capacity). No extra/second vehicle fee. There are lots of shady sites, almost all the trees are pines and there's lots of downed, dry wood for campfires. There are two vault toilets, a centrally located water pump (fresh, cold Sandhills groundwater!), and a dumpster. I didn't see any pests like raccoons while there. We heard coyotes both nights. 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). Overall a fantastic spot for a weekend in the quiet heart of Nebraska.
Traveler
Clean campground with lots of beach access
ScoutIf you love more primitive sites this may be for you. No hookups. Tents and smaller rigs work best. Tucked away back in the pines with a 1 mile walking/hiking trail. Vault toilets, water, fire rings picnic tables and trash bins. The place did not appear to be taken care of as much as it should but that didn’t bother us. Sites were not full when we were here but it was not a holiday weekend. Definitely recommend.
Scout
Basic camping with long drop and right on reservoir. Most of the spots are sandy but found a few on grass. Only one other camper in the campground. Had a family of coyotes close...enjoyed hearing them talking at night and they stayed away from camp.
Guide
Just off of Highway 20. Great overnight stop on our way to Wyoming! Didn’t notice any traffic noise. Sites are grassy and is next to City Park. There are bathrooms but we never found the showers.
TravelerSmall primitive site with nice camping choices peaceful and clean . Great bird life here w views of Sandhills .
Guide
Beautiful campground! Excellent boat ramp and fish cleaning station!
ScoutWe have camped here for years...it’s a small camp ground but it has low traffic so makes for a nice place to go to and relax and do some fishing.
LegendSnake River Area Campground near Valentine, NE is on the Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area.
Can you say sand! And fishing. The nice thing about this entire area is one: you don’t see much of the park employees, it’s pretty much all honor system based. Which means if you occupy an entire campground you can stay up as late or early as you want. You can also be as loud or quiet as you like too. Two: This is definitely a water based vacation. The reservoir offers plenty to do and the campground is shaded and did I mention sandy. Dark at night, like pitch black. Critters are around so secure your food. Picnic tables, pit toilets, fire pits and a trash receptacle.
There is the Niobrara River nearby which is the major attraction of the area for float trips. Valentine, NE has food and fuel plus events throughout the year.
Discover the joy of camping with your furry friends near Merriman, Nebraska, where several campgrounds welcome pets and offer a range of amenities for a comfortable stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Merriman, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Merriman, NE is Cottonwood Lake State Rec Area with a 4.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Merriman, NE?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 dog-friendly camping locations near Merriman, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
