108 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near South Bend, Nebraska range from developed state parks to basic recreation areas, with several sites offering river access along the Platte River. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park and Platte River State Park provide full-service camping options with cabins, RV hookups, and tent sites within 15 miles of South Bend. Louisville State Recreation Area features approximately 250 total campsites across three distinct camping areas with options for tent camping, RV parking with hookups, and primitive sites. Most locations maintain mixed-use campgrounds that accommodate various camping styles, though amenities vary significantly between locations.
Road conditions generally remain accessible year-round, with most campgrounds open through all seasons. Many campsites require advance reservations, particularly for weekend stays during summer months. Nebraska state parks and recreation areas require entrance permits, with non-Nebraska vehicles paying additional fees at state-managed camping areas. A visitor commented, "This SRA about 25 minutes Southeast of Lincoln Nebraska is a favorite go to for me and my boys. Wagon Train is far enough from major roads that all you'll hear is nature and the crackle of your fire." Water access points at lakes and along the Platte River can be crowded during summer weekends, while spring weather occasionally impacts trail conditions.
Camping experiences in the region frequently include both natural features and transportation impacts. Several developed campgrounds offer fishing access at small lakes within recreation areas, while others provide river views. According to one review, "I had a river-side view to a nice sunset and sat at my picnic table and watched fireworks go off on the other side of the river." Railroad noise affects many camping areas, with trains passing frequently along tracks that border several recreation areas. Memphis Lake State Recreation Area receives particular mention for those seeking more secluded experiences, with one camper noting it has "no electricity or running water" but provides a true getaway experience. Campgrounds closer to Lincoln tend to offer more amenities but experience higher traffic and noise levels than those situated in more remote locations.
"Nestled between two major cities in Nebraska, you're never far away from anything you may want to do or see. RV and tent camping is obviously available with limited privacy."
"We used to stop here as a midway point when driving to Colorado. We always stayed at the lodge for a night and had a pleasant time exploring the area."
from $25 - $485 / night
Check Availability"We were passing through Nebraska and opted to stay the night here. The campground is new and will be even nicer when the trees are big enough to provide shade."
"Short walk in but a wagon is provided to help unload equipment. Picnic and fire pit near the teepee."
from $35 - $340 / night
Check Availability"Very close to the Nebraska crossing outlet mall! 😊"
"The campground itself was fine and very convenient in location to vIsIt famIly."
"A HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas. There is a 3 decent-size lakes spread evenly across the grounds."
"I am sorry 😔 but I have nut yet been to any of Nebraska's Camping grounds your's well be the first."
from $15 - $35 / night
Check Availability"This is a nice campground located on the edge of Papillion, Nebraska. There are several trails nearby, some paved and others grass. The main trailhead is easily accessible from the park road."
"This is a very cool park in Papillion, Nebraska! It also has a sewer dump site for $5 (if you're not camping). See the camp host to pay."
from $20 / night
Check Availability"If you want to get away in Nebraska, this is the place. There’s no electricity or running water. The outhouses are kinda gross. There’s an awesome bar right outside the park, too."
"Great little stocked fishing lake with sites all fairly close to the long northern shore of the lake. Redwing blackbirds, geese, and lightning bugs tucked in between the corn fields."
from $10 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Close (but not too close) to I-80, we stayed here as a way point cruising across Wyoming/Nebraska/Iowa. Clean facilities, quiet vibe, it was just what we needed after a long day of driving."
"Convenient location right off the highway, but with that you do get the noise. Has a playground and pool as will as a convenience store. Bathrooms and showers were clean."
from $27 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Brand new clean quiet campground walking distance from downtown. Site wasn’t level front to back and the host offered to move us."
"It is close to main street Ashland, which offers gourmet coffee (Fariner Bakery was my favorite), and a couple of restaurants (Cheri-O's seemed to be the hot spot). "
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"A fun pass is require and costa about $10 but kids get ice cream, Slushies, water balloons for water wars included with that plus access to trampoline basketball, a nice jump pad, pool, indoor hot tub,"
"Next to highway. You can hear highway but that doesn’t bother me"
from $35 - $67 / night
Check Availability"Large lake , walking trail . Seems that some site are “ reserved “ by placing the picnic table on the concrete pad. We were able to find 1 open space."
from $7 - $15 / night
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TravelerNice park, like alot nowadays lots of long term people. Bath and showers are fair. Laundry facilities are clean wit two washers and dryers. Wifi is poor can't get connected.
TravelerVery pretty camping area. Fun hiking trail around the whole place. It's probably good fishing if you have a boat but a very weed heavy lake.
GuideCamp spots are close together and not private. But it's a beautiful spot with lots of hiking trails. Bathrooms are spotless and the host is super nice.
LegendI was here on a very hot June day. Grateful for the electricity so I could run my A/C. Would have been much nicer if there were some actual trees for shade. No privacy between sites.
You need a code to get inside the park. I saw camp hosts drive by in golf carts, but did not interact with them.
All the pads look like they're very new. Cement and level.
While this park is right on the lake, there is no easy access to the lake from the campground. A few of the sites back up to the lake, but even those you'd have to bushwack to get to the water. I did find a spot that I had to practically trespass on another camper's site to get to. It was a small opening between weeds and down some treacherous rocks to launch my paddleboard.
There's a beach a few hundred yards down the path that you have to pay $5 to enter.
The lake does not look very clean. I wouldn't swim in it.
The shower was one of those push button ones and it was fine. Lots of kids running around and being loud past 11pm. Looks like people come here to spend the night and spend the day someplace else.
Scout•Turned of my water off in the winter time while it was in the negatives outside which froze my water and busted my water heater.
•quiet time is after 9 but we’re trying to make guests leave before 6
•their water line busted and they refused to reimburse multiple people for the 5 days we all went without water
•You can’t sit your trash out AT ALL, not even in the bed of your truck cause the dozens of stray cats will rip it apart and scatter it everywhere. They will also tear up your camper underneath looking for warmth
•owner saw me taking the trash out one day and offered to take it then turned around and told me I was to lazy to take it
•had 2 friends and their 3 kids come join us for a cookout and the owners pulled up in their golf cart, freaking out about how loud our “party” was and that the our new neighbors complained. Went to go apologize the next day and the neighbors said they didn’t even hear us.
•kept trying to up charge me on rent and electricity, one month my electric was $53 and the next month it was over $300 (the same month I wasn’t even there for 2 weeks)
•multiple blue collar workers left because the owners were treating them the same way
•they have a nice pool. If you want to invite anybody make sure you got extra money cause they’ll charge you whatever they feel like charging you that day. Went from $3 a person to $5 a person in just 2 days
•claim they’re Christians but refuse to you help in any way and will try to get as much money from you as they can
•••••••CHECK YOUR METER••••••••• when I left they tried saying my electric bill was higher than my deposit of $300 but when I told them I took a picture of the meter and how their price didn’t match the amount of kilowatts I had used (15 cents per kw) they sent me my deposit back
All this coming from someone who stayed here for 6 months and finally had enough
GuideThis was a beautiful little spot in town. All the spots were decently spaced out so you had your privacy, and it was surprisingly quiet. It is on the edge a housing area, so you can see people's porches across the street, but it wasnt bad. The price is very reasonable especially if you're just spending the night while driving through. Its very green, well maintained and pretty, we even saw some fireflies! It has electric hook ups and a dump station as well.
ScoutThis park offers something for everyone! Although the campsites are average this big beautiful park makes up for it in other ways. From the aquatic park, to the stables, hiking and biking trails, a small marina with fishing and paddle boats, and a nature center, you won’t have to leave to be entertained. Recommend staying at the lakeside campground for better views.
ScoutI called because there was no link to book and the RV park has closed. There is RV parking if you want to stay in the hotel, but the park with hookups is closed.
TravelerBeautiful city owned campground. 50 and/or 30 amp electric at all sites. No water hookups, but spigots are located throughout the park. No shower house, only pit toilets. However, at $20 a night a steal!
Campgrounds surrounding South Bend, Nebraska sit within the eastern Nebraska plains along the Platte River watershed, with elevations ranging between 1,050-1,200 feet. Most camping areas experience typical continental climate patterns with summer highs regularly reaching 85-95°F between June and August. Winter camping remains available at several locations but requires preparation for temperatures that can drop below 20°F during December through February.
Hiking trails: The trail system at Platte River State Park offers varied terrain for hiking enthusiasts. "I love Platte River State Park; there are accommodations for every type of camper - cabins, RV, privative - hell they even have teepees! On top of the excellent camping offered, they have a wealth of amazing hiking/biking trails that traverse through some amazing scenery. Just like the camping, you can pick between the less intensive paved walkways or you can walk along the hilly bluffs that contour the Platte River."
Paddle sports: Many campsites near South Bend provide rentals for kayaks and canoes. "This lake has great fishing and has peace, and quiet. The lake is a no wake zone, so kayaks, and canoes are great," notes a visitor to Memphis Lake State Recreation Area. The park's concession stand near the entrance offers bait, ice, and canoe rentals during peak season.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes around South Bend provide accessible shore fishing. At Walnut Creek Lake, "The fishing is always as well as the kayaking is as well, (especially novice like myself). The birdwatching as well as the wildlife is abundant. Honestly if not for the city noise you could forget your in a city."
Tent camping locations: Some campgrounds offer walk-in tent sites with distinctive views. At Louisville State Recreation Area, a camper noted, "We liked everything about this area but the train tracks! Be selective on where you pitch the tent. It can get loud.... River, ponds, swimming area, playground, near by hiking." Tent sites here provide different experiences depending on location relative to water features and transportation corridors.
Secluded options: Memphis Lake State Recreation Area appeals to those seeking quieter camping experiences. "If you want to get away in Nebraska, this is the place. There's no electricity or running water. The outhouses are kinda gross. There's an awesome bar right outside the park, too," explains one reviewer seeking minimal development.
Swimming amenities: The aquatic facilities at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park consistently receive positive mentions. "I picked this campground as a stopping point on the way to Yellowstone primarily for the pool for the kids. The pool is awesome. It was, however, expensive. $10 for adults (even as a non swimmer) and $8 for kids plus $3 to rent a tube for the wave pool."
Train noise impacts: Railroad tracks run near several South Bend area campgrounds, affecting sleep quality. At Louisville State Recreation Area, multiple campers mentioned trains: "The harsh part of being located here is if you are looking for any kind of spot that accommodates a flat plot, like sites 206-236, you are butted up against the train tracks and that train is LOUD!"
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly during summer weekends. "We always stop here when we're traveling on I-80. It's the perfect distance for us to overnight before moving on. Clean campground, showers/bathroom. Courteous employees. Lots of activities for the kids. We've stopped on a couple of holidays & a reservation is a must! They are very busy!"
Highway noise: Several campsites near South Bend experience interstate noise. Camp A Way Campground receives consistent comments about its highway proximity: "This is a very nice campground right off I-80 at the Lincoln downtown exit. Pro & Con - right next to the interstate. Since we were site seeing around the area it was convenient instead the more nature excursion camping trip. But the traffic noise is not the most desirable."
Kid-focused amenities: Camp A Way Campground provides extensive recreation options for children. "This destination was so fun! Sites are shaded and spacious. Awesome playground, pool, water slide and more! Super cute place to stay with family," notes one reviewer. Another mentions, "Very nice campground. Kid friendly with tons of activities. Nice pool & hot tub. Clean laundry facilities and they even have a dog park."
Budget considerations: Plan for additional costs beyond camping fees. "The pool is awesome. It was, however, expensive. $10 for adults (even as a non swimmer) and $8 for kids plus $3 to rent a tube for the wave pool," mentions a Eugene T. Mahoney State Park visitor. Most campgrounds charge separate fees for waterpark access, equipment rentals, and day-use permits.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play equipment for children. Walnut Creek Lake Recreation Area includes "nice fishing accesses, playgrounds and picnic areas. This park I believe was done well from the city of Papillion." Sites closest to playground areas tend to fill first during family-oriented holiday weekends.
Site selection strategy: Finding level RV sites requires research at some campgrounds. At West Omaha/NE Lincoln KOA Holiday, one RVer noted, "The campground itself was fine and very convenient in location to visit family. What the 'but' is, is that we were given an inappropriate size space for the rig we stated, super narrow and we stuck over the road by 2 feet. They had larger sites all around us but were told we could not change."
Water hookup availability: Water access points vary considerably between campgrounds. At Weeping Water Campground, a visitor warns: "Has electric hookups but no water hookups so bring your own water or make sure you fill your hold tank at the one water hydrant. Nice little lake you can fish and is honestly one of the quietest spots I've camped. Fills up quick."
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds offering RV camping provide sewer hookups. "This is a very cool park in Papillion, Nebraska! It also has a sewer dump site for $5 (if you're not camping). See the camp host to pay," mentions a Walnut Creek visitor. Planning dumping stops becomes essential when traveling between multiple campgrounds in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near South Bend, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, South Bend, NE offers a wide range of camping options, with 108 campgrounds and RV parks near South Bend, NE and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near South Bend, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near South Bend, NE is Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground with a 4.1-star rating from 47 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near South Bend, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near South Bend, NE.
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