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Best Campgrounds near Norfolk, NE

85 Reviews

Camping near Norfolk, Nebraska encompasses a mix of city parks, state recreation areas, and county facilities within a 30-mile radius. Ta-Ha-Zouka Park in Norfolk serves as a convenient base for travelers, offering concrete RV pads with 50-amp electrical hookups and a sanitary dump station on exit. Willow Creek State Recreation Area, located about 15 miles northwest near Pierce, provides year-round access to lakeside camping with more extensive amenities including full hookups. The region features several municipal parks that permit camping, including Battle Creek Municipal Park and Tilden East City Park, creating a network of options for both overnight stays and longer visits. The Cowboy Trail, which stretches from Norfolk to Valentine, begins near Ta-Ha-Zouka Park and offers recreational opportunities for campers.

Most campgrounds in the Norfolk area operate seasonally, with peak availability from April through October. Ta-Ha-Zouka Park specifically operates from April 15 to October 15, while Willow Creek remains open year-round. Summer temperatures typically range from 65°F to 90°F, with occasional thunderstorms. Winter camping is limited, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. Road access to all sites is straightforward with paved approaches, requiring no special vehicles. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, though signal strength varies by carrier. Many municipal parks operate on a first-come, first-served basis, while state recreation areas like Willow Creek accept reservations.

The camping experience varies significantly between city parks and state recreation areas. According to reviews, city parks like Osmond City Park offer surprising value with amenities such as "water and electrical hookups, nearby bathrooms and showers" often available for minimal fees or donations. These municipal sites typically provide basic services and convenient access to town amenities. Willow Creek State Recreation Area offers more recreational opportunities with "awesome bike trails that take you all around the lake and across a bridge and dam for great views." Road noise can be an issue at some locations, particularly those situated near highways. Most sites accommodate both tent and RV camping, though amenities are generally more focused on RV needs with electrical hookups being the most common feature.

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Best Camping Sites Near Norfolk, Nebraska (53)

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Recent Camping Photos near Norfolk, NE

15 Photos of 53 Norfolk Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Norfolk, NE

85 Reviews of 53 Norfolk Campgrounds

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Ta-Ha-Zouka Park

    Perfect city park overnighter

    Nice roomy clean sites. Park is nice, pretty little pond with fountain and immediate access to the Cowboy Trail. Right on the edge of the town of Norfolk, access to everything you may need. Across the highway from a cubby’s and love’s truck stops but the stay was still peaceful and quiet. Very nice large city park.

  • E
    Jul. 20, 2025

    Headworks Park

    It does the trick

    I find that being able to camp here is relaxing and the people are just great. There are no dirt bike or 4 wheelers riding around (not allowed)

  • Rob C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 14, 2025

    Riverside Park

    Great Campground

    Easy hook up, many sites with shade $20 per night. There is a shower and flush toilets but not very clean! That’s why only four stars!

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2025

    Laurel City Park

    Bathroom was disgusting

    The women's restroom was filthy. Was going to stay here but decided not to give one toilet was clogged and filled with #2. Didn't bother to look at the second one given the state of the first and the floor. The park itself looked pretty nice and the price is super cheap....guess they don't use the funds to have the restrooms cleaned. Keep driving, there are more city parks further west to stay at or Sioux City to the east is another option depending on your direction of travel.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2025

    Osmond City Park

    Very tiny

    Located in a small city park with only 3 obvious sites. There is a pool nearby, tennis courts, playground, picnic shelter, and park. There are businesses right across the street so quite a bit of activity during the day. Stayed here previously a few years ago and happened to be passing through again.

  • Tori K.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 30, 2025

    Fred Penn Park

    Small and primitive

    quiet in this remote area with fishing. Located next to the Elkhorn River and Fred Penn Lake, this park offers primitive camping for $5/Day - first come, first serve. It is a great location to enjoy a nice quite picnic with your family.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 25, 2025

    Lake Babcock at Loup Park

    Perfect spot to stop for a night.

    Quiet, bathrooms and water available, close to a main road and gas near by.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 17, 2025

    Laurel City Park

    Quiet park away from traffic, good Verizon signal

    I didn't camp here but stopped by to check it out as I was passing through. It's very quiet, if there is not a ball game happening. It's on the edge of town, not really walkable to anywhere. There are four spots, each with a concrete pad. There is an electric hookup at each site. There is a building onsite which is probably a restroom but I did not go inside.

    My Verizon signal was very good here, over 100Mbit down. Strong 5G signal.

    The website says the cost is $10 and can be paid at the Laurel City Office.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 17, 2025

    Bruce Park Campground

    Fine for an overnight

    I didn't camp here, but I stopped as I was passing through. There are two camping areas, one area has 3 spots, this area is a little more private if you are the only one in this area. There is a little bit of road noise, you can see the highway through the trees.

    The other area is a wider open space. It is farther from the highway and will have less noise.

    The sites have water and electric. I only saw a 30A plug on the one I checked but other sites may have 50A. 

    There is a downtown area a short distance away, probably a 5-10 minute walk.

    Verizon and T-mobile were pretty slow here, but usable. On Verizon I got about 6Mbit down and 3 up. On T-mobile I got 5 down and 1 up. Both were 4G signals.

Guide to Norfolk

Camping sites near Norfolk, Nebraska span a 30-mile radius across northeast Nebraska's rolling plains, where elevation ranges from 1,500 to 1,700 feet. Summer temperatures can reach the mid-90s with high humidity, while spring and fall offer milder conditions with daytime highs in the 60-70s. Most campgrounds in this region feature level terrain with minimal elevation changes, making them accessible for standard vehicles without specialized equipment.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Ta-Ha-Zouka Park provides access to the Elkhorn River for anglers, while connecting to the Cowboy Trail for recreation. "The Cowboy Trail starts here and continues to Valentine, NE," notes reviewer Tim S.

Mountain biking trails: Maskenthine Lake Recreation Area offers dedicated mountain bike trails around the lake. A recent visitor shared, "Great trails for hiking or mountain biking. Super quiet place and some pretty great sunsets!"

Swimming options: Several municipal parks feature public pools adjacent to camping areas. At Pilger City Park, "The pool looked very nice, but on a Monday before school let out, no one was there," according to one camper. Note that most public pools operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day with limited hours.

What campers like

Affordable municipal camping: Osmond City Park represents the value found at small-town parks in the region. "Suggested donation of $10/night. Right in the middle of the small town of Osmond. Bathrooms and playground with plenty of space to run," reports one camper.

Spacious sites: Many Norfolk area campgrounds feature generous spacing between sites. At Ta-Ha-Zouka Park, visitors appreciate the layout: "The sites are large with space, electric only, ok bath and shower. A large fenced dog park. Great stop for a night or two."

Easy highway access: Most camping locations sit within minutes of major highways. Pilger City Park exemplifies this with sites "backing up to Highway 15," though reviewers note "you will definitely hear (loud) road noise from cars and trucks."

What you should know

Seasonal water restrictions: Willow Creek State Recreation Area experiences recurring algae blooms affecting water activities. "The only issue I have is when the algae bloom happens every year, then there is no water activity permitted," notes one camper. Another adds that "the water has a 'no contact order' from May-end of September."

Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires traveling unpaved roads. Maskenthine Lake visitors warn about approach routes: "The west road in is 2 miles of gravel then 3 miles on dirt. Won't make it if it rained. Don't even try. The east entry is 4-5 miles of 5 mph washboard."

Limited amenities: Many municipal parks offer basic services only. Reviewers at Tilden East City Park describe it as "Clean but rustic. Has 3 sites with water and 30a hookups. Dump station. Clean bathroom with shower."

Tips for camping with families

Playground accessibility: Centennial Park Campground offers family-friendly facilities. "There's a wonderful trail to walk around a small lake. Beautiful just doesn't justify the look and feel of this place," shares one visitor.

Educational opportunities: Several campgrounds provide access to nearby attractions. Willow Creek serves as a good base for day trips: "We stayed here on our visit up to Ashfall Fossil Beds (which is a must see for anyone with kids, and is only a 30 minute drive from campsite)."

Security considerations: Some camping areas have improved their safety measures. At Ta-Ha-Zouka Park, "This year they added a camp host. When we pulled up, he greeted us and was very friendly! Having a camp host has made the campsite much more safe and appealing."

Tips from RVers

Water fill preparation: Most Norfolk area camping sites offer electric hookups only. Before arriving at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park, "we had to fill with water because there is no water at the sites themselves. And no sewer dump at the sites. (There is one on your way out)."

Limited dump stations: Some campgrounds require going elsewhere for tank dumping. At Willow Creek, "There is no dump station available at the park, you have to drive to town to dump your tanks at the courthouse."

Concrete pad availability: Ta-Ha-Zouka Park provides solid parking surfaces: "We had full 50 amp power. The concrete pads made it nice to park the RV on for easy set up."

Frequently Asked Questions

Where are the best campgrounds in Norfolk, NE?

Ta-Ha-Zouka Park is one of the top options in Norfolk, offering access to the Cowboy Trail for hiking, biking, and running. The park has improved significantly with the addition of a camp host in 2023, making it safer and more appealing. For those willing to travel a short distance from Norfolk, Danish Alps State Recreation Area offers beautiful lake views and extensive trails. The recreation area features spacious grounds with open field areas perfect for outdoor activities. Other good options in the vicinity include Wildwood Acres Park and several welcoming city parks that offer camping facilities in small towns surrounding Norfolk.

Are there RV camping options near Norfolk, Nebraska?

Osmond City Park offers RV camping with water and electric hookups at five designated pads. Located in the small town of Osmond near Norfolk, it's available for a suggested donation of $10/night and makes an excellent overnight stop. Lake North provides another RV option with open sites along the lake's edge and electric hookups available. For those seeking free RV accommodations, many small towns throughout the region offer municipal parks with RV facilities at no charge. Wildwood Acres Park also accommodates RVs but has limited space with 8-foot pads that may be too small for larger units, though some larger pads are available.

What amenities are available at Norfolk campgrounds?

Chilvers Park represents the amenities typically found in the area's city parks, with bathroom facilities, potential shower access, and up to three days of allowed camping. Many local city parks follow this model. Victor City Park offers first-come, first-served camping spots without reservations. In the Norfolk area, common campground amenities include electric hookups, toilet facilities, and access to water. Some locations feature convenience stores nearby, playgrounds for children, and shower facilities. Many campgrounds in the region also boast recreational opportunities with access to trails, lakes, or recreation areas, though amenity quality and availability can vary significantly between locations.

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