Best Tent Camping near Merriman, NE
The Nebraska Sandhills region near Merriman offers tent campers several established campgrounds in natural settings, including Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest and Merritt Reservoir's multiple camping areas. Cottonwood Campground at Merritt Reservoir provides spacious primitive sites with lake views, while Pine Campground offers three tent sites with bench seating and fire rings. Both locations permit walk-in access for tent camping, with McKelvie National Forest also allowing dispersed camping under forest service guidelines.
Tent sites at Merritt Reservoir campgrounds feature picnic tables, fire rings, and trash collection, though amenities remain basic. Most tent areas have vault toilets, but shower facilities are limited and may require quarters for operation. Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest offers more primitive conditions with Steer Creek Campground providing sites under pine tree canopy. A review mentioned, "most sites are very spacious and could have multiple tents," making these areas suitable for group camping. Drinking water is available at several locations, but campers should verify seasonal availability before arrival.
The tent camping experience in this region offers significant solitude and wildlife viewing opportunities. Areas around Merritt Reservoir provide direct lake access from some tent sites, though recent feedback notes challenging terrain with steep drop-offs to the water at Pine Campground. McKelvie National Forest presents opportunities for off-trail hiking through Sandhills prairie landscapes. A camper wrote that while exploring McKelvie, "the close sites were nice and had a ton of animals nearby. Aside from the animals, it was quiet and pretty." Tent campers should be prepared for poison ivy in some areas, especially near Merritt Reservoir, and those venturing into more remote forest sections should consider vehicle capabilities, as some access requires high-clearance or four-wheel drive.
