Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Merriman, NE
Cottonwood Lake State Recreation Area features primitive camping with pet-friendly sites and toilet vaults near Merriman, Nebraska. Campers can bring leashed dogs to any of the campsites, which include fire rings and picnic tables. Steer Creek Campground, tucked away in the pines about 35 miles southeast of Merriman, welcomes pets throughout its wooded sites. The small, quiet campground sees minimal traffic even during holiday weekends, making it ideal for campers with dogs that need space from other pets. The campground maintains vault toilets, water pumps, and trash receptacles. McKelvie National Forest allows dispersed camping with pets throughout its grasslands. Sites never filled to capacity during summer months, creating a peaceful environment for camping with dogs.
Merritt Reservoir's Cedar Bay Campground provides electric sites with beach access where dogs can cool off in the water. Dogs must remain leashed throughout the recreation area's system of trails and campsites. The surrounding Sandhills terrain offers pet-friendly hiking with miles of quiet sandy beaches for walking dogs, even during peak seasons. Campers often secure their food from wildlife, as coyotes are frequently heard at night in the area. The primitive sites at Powder Horn Area Campground require four-wheel drive to access but reward visitors with beautiful lake views and sandy terrain perfect for pet exploration. Ticks become prevalent in early summer, particularly along the hiking trails, so pet owners should check dogs regularly and bring appropriate tick prevention.
