Platte River State Park offers luxury glamping experiences within 30 minutes of Nebraska City, including modern canvas tent accommodations, climate-controlled yurts, and premium glamping cabins with comfortable beds. Located near Louisville, Nebraska, this glamping destination provides full hookups, shower facilities, and market access for guests seeking an elevated outdoor experience. The park's glamping units feature electricity, comfortable furnishings, and picnic areas for dining al fresco. Visitors enjoy access to well-maintained trails and outdoor recreation areas while staying in accommodations that blend rustic charm with modern comforts. One visitor noted, "The campground was very nice with decent room in the showers and bathrooms, perfect for a family glamping experience."
Safari-style canvas tents and rustic-luxury accommodations can be found at multiple locations surrounding Nebraska City, including Waubonsie State Park just across the Iowa border. These glamping sites feature picnic tables, fire rings, and proximity to scenic hiking trails with panoramic overlooks of the Loess Hills. Duck Creek Recreation Area offers glamping opportunities with excellent fishing access directly from waterfront sites. According to a recent visitor, "Many people come here daily during the pandemic to get exercise, to fish and enjoy the outdoors." Brownville Riverside Park provides primitive glamping options near the Missouri River with boat access and proximity to the historic village of Brownville, though visitors should check conditions as the area has experienced flooding in recent years.
$110 / night
"Not many amenities but the bathrooms are clean and the trails are fantastic. The view is great from the side bluff train. Close to Nebraska city. Tent sites are not too close together."
"The hiking trails are not for bikes, and they have several different levels or skills levels. The look out was pretty cool as well. We will return, and do some more hiking."
$27 / night
"This is a new park dedicated this year by the Nemaha NRD: sort of a multi-county natural resource agency found exclusively in Nebraska."
"There is room to keep up social distancing."
$340 / night
"Tents, cabins and RV camping. Toilets, showers, fire rings. There is a small lake with paddle boats and kayaks for rent. They have a pool and dining hall for rent."
"New appliances, new furniture, fixtures, new bunk beds, etc. The cabin was very clean and organized upon arrival. They supply most everything thing you need i.e. dishes, cookware, etc."
$7 - $15 / night
"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."
"Very friendly and helpful staff. The bathrooms & laundry room are clean,a little outdated. The pull through sites seem to be all gravel/stone."
"Not only was it paved, but also had a huge patio with a table and Adirondack chairs, and a fire pit with additional seating."
$35 - $67 / night
"Helpful friendly staff. Huge, clean dog run shaded with locust trees. Best dog run we have seen this trip. Located 3 miles fromHistoric Haymarket in Lincolon. Clean laundry facilities."
"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,"
"A few vault toilets are scattered around the park, but there are no shower facilities. Nearby is a small lake along with a nature center. Park is within a valley with lots of shade trees."
"Well,, it was alright, loud because of the toll bridge next to park, sites were close together, level, fire pits, picnic tables, electric, water and a dump station, stayed 3 days to visit family,, $20"
"Currently flooded, but should be ready for 2019"
LegendTents, cabins and RV camping. Toilets, showers, fire rings. There is a small lake with paddle boats and kayaks for rent. They have a pool and dining hall for rent. Tons od trails and many of them a taylored to mountain biking. There are 2 types of cabins, basic that has a bed amd refrigerator. Then there are luxury glamping cabins.
LegendThis park is a beautiful lake. We saw white pelicans and blue herons on this visit but it is not uncommon to see hawks, owls, and eagles in the area. This is a new park dedicated this year by the Nemaha NRD: sort of a multi-county natural resource agency found exclusively in Nebraska.
The picnic tables, vault toilets, paved walking trails, playground equipment are all new and well laid out. Gravel slabs with electrical hookup are only $12 a night but that is deceiving because you need to purchase a $5 day pass or $15 annual pass to come to the park. Yet even the some of the primitive sites have slabs for a pop-up and did not appear to cost anything beyond your vehicle pass.
The lake is too small for any boat with more than a trolling motor (there is a boat ramp) and should be outstanding for a kayak or canoe. Fishing should be great here. Paved trail and wide gravel slabs with raised fire pits should make this a great rustic getaway for handicapped campers. There is even a paved path to the end of a jetty of fishing in the lake.
This park is close to the Steamboat Trace Hiking/Biking Trail which is a 26-mile trail following the bluffs and coming within spitting distance of the Missouri River. Peru Nebraska is close, home of one of the oldest colleges this side of the Mississippi. Peru is also close for limited supplies such as Ice and band-aids. Auburn and Nebraska City are both about 10 miles away, Neb City has a Walmart.
I think this park is best for a quiet weekend getaway. I recommend you contact the NRD for an annual pass and take advantage of the other parks they operate. You could hike or Bike the Trace and tent camp for free!
GuideGrew up camping and hiking here. Not many amenities but the bathrooms are clean and the trails are fantastic. The view is great from the side bluff train. Close to Nebraska city. Tent sites are not too close together. Can get pretty busy on weekends in the summer.
GuideSmall park.sites are right next to each other. Picnic tables and fire pits are on site gravel. All roads are narrow one way with the dumpstation at the back end of park with trash dumpsters there. So on a sunday you will get stuck in the dumpstation line to drop off your trash even if you don't need to dump. Bathrooms are clean and well maintained. Sites are pretty level. Great playground area for the kids.
GuideVery friendly and helpful staff. The bathrooms & laundry room are clean,a little outdated. The pull through sites seem to be all gravel/stone. Our back in site had a patio, fire pit and nice patio furniture. Looked like a lot to do for the kids. The camp store is well stocked with RV supplies and parts. After driving all day, then doing laundry it was nice to get a pizza and relax.
GuideMy husband and I tent camped one night at this park. We arrived around 8 pm and even though the office was getting ready to close, the woman behind the counter was very kind and helpful. She helped us with finding our spot and with getting firewood. Our basic tent site was lakeside and had a fire pit and picnic table. The site was so well maintained it was hard to find small sticks for kindling.
The grounds have private bathrooms with toilets and showers. There are two nice playgrounds and a swimming pool. Most campers were enjoying fishing in the small lake. Kayaks were available to rent for a small fee. Kids enjoyed riding bikes around the flat roads.
This is a great spot off I-29 to set up camp and have a rest. It's also a good spot to take young kids fishing.
LegendFirst off let me make it clear, I like this park. But for me this is not the greatest camping area. The sites just are to close for me as a tent camper. The could almost use some of the day use picnic area as primitive sites. The rest of this park is great. For one it is clean, and maintained. The hiking trails are not for bikes, and they have several different levels or skills levels. The look out was pretty cool as well. We will return, and do some more hiking. I am not sure the campsites were fall, but it could be because the applejacks festival going on across the river in Nebraska City.
GuideWe stayed here overnight on our way out west, so we didn't have big expectations. We are fairly new to pulling a 5th wheel, so we wanted an easy pull-through site plus we wanted it to be paved. Well there are 2 premium sites - we stayed in site# 89. It was HEAVEN! Not only was it paved, but also had a huge patio with a table and Adirondack chairs, and a fire pit with additional seating. The site was situated such that our "good side" was facing the trees, away from the rest of the campground. We have a 43' 5th Wheel plus our truck, and there was plenty of space. That is the best setup we've had so far. We didn't have time to use any of the amenities, and are not traveling with kids, so I can't speak for how good it was in that regard.
RangerWe stayed in the recently renovated Owen #4. The renovations really updated it and they need to update the pictures they have on the web, with what it looks like now. New appliances, new furniture, fixtures, new bunk beds, etc. The cabin was very clean and organized upon arrival. They supply most everything thing you need i.e. dishes, cookware, etc. The one thing it does need is a corkscrew! We forgot ours and went without the wine we brought for dinner. With that bombshell though, it was beyond worth the getaway. The winter hiking was fantastic and it was quiet except for the wildlife, but that is why we went out there!
Camping options near Nebraska City include primitive tent sites, RV spots with full hookups, and waterfront locations for fishing access. Most campgrounds in the area sit within the Loess Hills region, a unique geological formation of wind-deposited silt that creates steep, rugged terrain. Seasonal considerations include frequent spring flooding along the Missouri River and hot, humid summers that typically reach 85-90°F between June and August.
Hiking trails with scenic overlooks: Waubonsie State Park offers excellent hiking opportunities across various skill levels. "The hiking trails are not for bikes, and they have several different levels or skills levels. The look out was pretty cool as well," notes Tony B. Another visitor adds, "We took one of the more scenic trails and took us over the top of some of those beautiful Loess Hills."
Fishing from waterfront sites: Duck Creek Recreation Area provides dedicated fishing access directly from camping areas. "Fishing is great right off the bank," explains A H. The park includes a boat ramp though motorized boats are restricted to trolling motors due to the lake size. Caitlin R. adds, "It has everything you would need in a campground! Excellent playgrounds for kids, swimming and beach area, bathrooms, and depending where you park, a beautiful view of the lake."
Trail running and outdoor sports: Platte River State Park features "great hills for trail running" according to Sara B. The park has a splash park, shooting and archery ranges, and horseback riding opportunities. A visitor describes it as having "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."
Quiet camping away from crowds: While glamping in Nebraska City offers many amenities, some visitors prefer more secluded options. Waubonsie State Park campers appreciate the peaceful setting. "Quiet small campground, beautiful hiking trails," writes Jennifer M. Emily M. adds, "Not many amenities but the bathrooms are clean and the trails are fantastic. The view is great from the side bluff train. Tent sites are not too close together."
Clean facilities and shower access: Campgrounds maintain good standards for bathrooms and showers. Amy H. notes about Waubonsie, "The showers and bathrooms were nice and had decent room. If you are wanting a site here it would be best to reserve one." At Duck Creek, visitors appreciate the new facilities, with Charles C. mentioning, "The picnic tables, vault toilets, paved walking trails, playground equipment are all new and well laid out."
Kid-friendly amenities: Camp A Way Campground receives high marks for family activities. "This destination was so fun! Sites are shaded and spacious. Awesome playground, pool, water slide and more! Super cute place to stay with family," says Samantha S. Another visitor notes, "Great management, easy reservations, lots of activities, clean bathrooms, well stocked store."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Nebraska City, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Nebraska City, NE is Waubonsie State Park Campground with a 4-star rating from 12 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 14 glamping camping locations near Nebraska City, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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