Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Norfolk, NE

Ta-Ha-Zouka Park campground provides spacious sites for pet owners near Norfolk, with a large fenced dog park that makes it an ideal stop for travelers with dogs. The campground offers 18 electric sites for $26 per night and non-electric tent sites for $18, with a maximum stay of 7 days. Pets are welcome throughout the grounds with standard leash requirements. Clean bathrooms and shower facilities are available for campers, and the concrete pads at RV sites make for easy setup. Access to the Cowboy Trail begins at this park, offering excellent walking opportunities for dogs and their owners. The campground has become much safer and more appealing since adding a camp host, according to regular visitors.

Willow Creek State Recreation Area welcomes pets at all campsites around its large lake, located just north of Norfolk. The campground features clean restrooms with showers, electric hookups, and water available at various spigots throughout the grounds. Dogs must remain leashed while enjoying the miles of paved trails that circle the lake and cross the dam, providing multiple scenic viewpoints. Overnight visitors should note that summer algae blooms sometimes restrict water access, though the shoreline paths remain open for pet walking. The area offers abundant wildlife viewing opportunities, making it essential to keep dogs secured. Most RV campsites are within a minute or two walk to the lake, providing convenient water access for dogs who enjoy swimming when conditions permit.

Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Norfolk, Nebraska (38)

    1. Ta-Ha-Zouka Park

    7 Reviews
    Norfolk, NE
    2 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 844-2000

    "A large fenced dog park. Great stop for a night or two. Host very helpful."

    "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."

    2. Willow Creek State Recreation Area Campground

    10 Reviews
    Pierce, NE
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 329-4053

    $25 - $35 / night

    "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) Most RV campsites are within a minute or two walk to lake."

    "Kids and families biking and walking and it has very nice paved areas. The May birding around this end of lake was fantastic. Bath facilities were a walk away but very clean."

    3. Maskenthine Lake Recreation Area

    3 Reviews
    Stanton, NE
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 371-7313

    "Nice lake for fishing or kayaking. Great trails for hiking or mountain biking. Super quiet place and some pretty great sunsets!"

    "Also has a mountain bike trail."

    4. Tilden East City Park

    1 Review
    Pierce, NE
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 368-2232

    5. Osmond City Park

    3 Reviews
    Pierce, NE
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 748-3800

    "We love to camp and birdwatch throughout Nebraska, though occasionally a final campsite at days-end can be hard to locate."

    "Great overnight stop on our way through Nebraska. This city park has 5 RV/trailer pads with water and electric hookup. Suggested donation of $10/night."

    6. Centennial Park Campground

    1 Review
    Stanton, NE
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 487-3303

    "Small towns tend to be quiet areas anyway and this is surrounded by small towns. Therefore it has that ALL is welcome feel, quiet and beautiful grounds. I believe it’s fairly new."

    7. Veterans Memorial RV Park

    2 Reviews
    Pierce, NE
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 337-0567

    8. Newman Grove City Park

    2 Reviews
    Norfolk, NE
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 447-6444

    "Nice walking trail around part of the golf course."

    "Wonderful location right by a creek, huge park with playground equipment, big swimming pool and golf course. Full hookups (electric, water, sewer) for only $10 per night!"

    9. Chilvers Park

    4 Reviews
    Royal, NE
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 582-4928

    "Again, if boondocking is your thing, Nebraska is on target. Apparently most of the city parks allow up to 3 days camping at their city parks."

    10. Riverside Park

    5 Reviews
    Royal, NE
    32 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 887-4066

    "Bathrooms were clean and close by. The river runs by so we had a fun night out on a sand bar. It's in town which has several restaurant choices."

    "Fairly quiet, some highway noise but not bad. Clean restroom and shower. Would stay here again."

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Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Norfolk, NE

3 Photos of 38 Norfolk Campgrounds


Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Norfolk, NE

85 Reviews of 38 Norfolk Campgrounds


  • Michael D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 10, 2023

    Ta-Ha-Zouka Park

    Very nice city campground/park

    The sites are large with space, electric only,ok bath and shower. A large fenced dog park. Great stop for a night or two. Host very helpful.

  • M
    Aug. 4, 2020

    Ta-Ha-Zouka Park

    Not the best place

    This park is a nice place to visit during the day, but not a place I would stay over night. Has access to the Cowboy trail which is great for walks, runs, and biking. It is near the highway coming into Norfolk and attracts some strange people typically. This area is also known for a drug deal hotspot.

  • 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.

  • Charles C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 31, 2018

    Lake North

    Free Lakeside Camping with hookup

    This camping area has open sites close to the edge of the lake. Electric hookups, toilets, and convenience store close by.

    The lake is artificial and has steep metal walls like a reservoir, which was probably what it was. Next to the reservoir is a large wetland teaming with wildlife. There is a long paved trail that skirts the lake.

    Columbus Nebraska has a lot going on including a rather mammoth waterpark.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 22, 2024

    Ta-Ha-Zouka Park

    Easy access and large sites

    Great stopover campground or for staying awhile. Norfolk is nearby and has a lot of restaurants and shopping. The Cowboy Trail starts here and continues to Valentine, NE. Clean bathrooms and showers as well.

  • P
    Mar. 29, 2016

    Ta-Ha-Zouka Park

    Ta-Ha-Zouka, Norfolk NE

    This is a CITY campground. We stayed here May 9, 2015, in our small class B rv. It is an OK choice when no other more scenic and quiet options are available. We pulled in late and left early on our way to better places! There is some road noise as it is just off the road into Norfolk. Bathrooms were clean, we were very tired and noises did not wake us during the night.

  • Charlie M.
    Jun. 13, 2022

    Willow Creek State Recreation Area Campground

    Pretty good campground

    The campground was nice. There were showers and restrooms available for use. Access to the water without walking through rocks is pretty slim but we did find a couple spots that our dogs could get in. There is no dump station available at the park, you have to drive to town to dump your tanks at the courthouse.

  • J
    Jul. 26, 2023

    Ta-Ha-Zouka Park

    Much better!

    We stayed there late July 2023. 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. The locals told us it used to be a mess and it's so much better now. The campsite was much better than I expected for Norfolk, NE. We will be staying here again! Can't beat the price.

    Before we pulled up, 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). However, we had full 50 amp power. The concrete pads made it nice to park the RV on for easy set up.

  • Mac M.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 3, 2022

    Osmond City Park

    A Perfect Surprise

    We love to camp and birdwatch throughout Nebraska, though occasionally a final campsite at days-end can be hard to locate. One of the fascinating features of the state's hospitality is the number of towns that provide top-notch RV facilities for free to travelers. It really takes the stress out of travel.

    The Osborn City Park is one such park in a town of only 600-700 residents. One block off Hwy 20 in northeast Nebraska, this is loaded with amenities.: a public swimming pool, 2 well built RV pads with water and electrical hookups, a nearby bathroom and shower, grill, gazebo, and a railway caboose. The park is covered with trees and is fairly large, so we had complete privacy. There is a nearby sewer dump station. Who could ask for more? And it's all free, but you can leave a donation.


Guide to Norfolk

Norfolk, Nebraska offers camping options along the Elkhorn River and nearby lakes, with elevations ranging from 1,500 to 1,650 feet in the gently rolling plains. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F with occasional thunderstorms, while spring and fall provide more moderate camping conditions. The region features a mix of prairie landscapes and riverside forest areas that support diverse wildlife.

What to do

Hiking the Cowboy Trail: The historic Cowboy Trail begins at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park and extends toward Valentine, offering miles of converted rail-trail perfect for walking. "The Cowboy Trail starts here and continues to Valentine, NE," notes reviewer Tim S., making it ideal for day hikes from camp.

Mountain biking: Maskenthine Lake Recreation Area offers dedicated mountain bike trails surrounding the lake. A recent visitor shared, "Great trails for hiking or mountain biking. Super quiet place and some pretty great sunsets!" These trails vary in difficulty and are well-maintained.

Fishing opportunities: Local lakes provide good fishing opportunities year-round. At Newman Grove City Park, you'll find "a wonderful location right by a creek" with nearby golf course access as well. The smaller water bodies typically contain bass, catfish, and panfish species suitable for anglers of all skill levels.

Swimming: Several campgrounds offer swimming facilities during summer months. Chilvers Park in Plainview features a public swimming pool adjacent to the camping area. As one camper mentioned, "I would assume that campers would have use of the shower facility at the pool, but if not, you could just spend a few bucks and swim all day and shower at the end."

What campers like

Clean facilities: Willow Creek State Recreation Area receives consistent praise for its maintenance. "Clean restrooms and showers. Some sites have lake access. Well wooded," reports Chris C., highlighting the importance of well-maintained facilities for campers.

Affordable rates: Many city parks in the region offer camping at extremely reasonable prices. At Osmond City Park, you'll find "5 RV/trailer pads with water and electric hookup. Suggested donation of $10/night," according to Roberta P., making it an economical option for travelers.

Spacious sites: Campsites throughout the Norfolk area typically provide good spacing between neighbors. At Riverside Park in Neligh, one reviewer noted, "Level sites. Will accommodate rigs of all sizes. 50amp electric. Water hook up. Dump station. All for $15 per night," highlighting the value and roominess available.

Wildlife viewing: The areas around Norfolk's campgrounds support diverse wildlife. The Maskenthine Lake area has "various water spigots throughout" and offers "a pretty lake" with good bird watching opportunities, according to multiple reviewers who appreciated the natural setting.

What you should know

Seasonal water restrictions: Algae blooms can affect swimming access at certain lakes. At Willow Creek State Recreation Area, one camper warned, "The only issue I have is when the algae bloom happens every year, then there is no water activity permitted." Check conditions before planning water activities.

Road conditions: Some campgrounds have challenging access routes. Maskenthine Lake visitors warn, "The west road in is 2 miles of gravel then 3 miles on dirt. Wont make it if it rained. Don't even try. The east entry is 4-5 miles of 5 mph washboard."

Limited availability: Many smaller city parks have very few camping spaces. Osmond City Park has "only 3 obvious sites," according to Tori K., so arriving early is recommended, especially during summer weekends when local families also use the parks.

Varying shower facilities: Shower availability differs significantly between campgrounds. At Willow Creek, Julie M. noted, "Make sure you have quarters to get a shower!! We only found one shower house for over 100 campsites," so prepare accordingly.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Many city parks include playground equipment near camping areas. Riverside Park in Neligh features "a neat little bridge" and is "well kept" with "plenty of room between sites," making it family-friendly according to Shannon G.

Educational opportunities: Consider day trips to nearby attractions. Willow Creek makes a good base for visiting Ashfall Fossil Beds, which Nate R. describes as "a must see for anyone with kids, and is only a 30 minute drive from campsite."

Swimming options: City parks often include swimming facilities adjacent to camping areas. At Newman Grove City Park, families appreciate the "huge park with playground equipment, big swimming pool and golf course" that provides entertainment for different age groups.

Pet-friendly activities: For pet friendly camping near Norfolk, Nebraska, Ta-Ha-Zouka Park includes "a large fenced dog park" that's perfect for families traveling with pets, allowing dogs to run safely while maintaining required leashing elsewhere in the park.

Tips from RVers

Site leveling considerations: At Riverside Park, "The sites are grass and some of them are on some slopes. It took a few moves to get leveled out," warns Jared C., suggesting RVers bring leveling blocks.

Hookup availability: City parks often provide surprisingly good hookups for minimal cost. At Newman Grove, RVers find that "some have full hook ups and some have just water and some have just sewer and some have just electric," so check specific site amenities when selecting your spot.

Dump station locations: Not all parks with hookups have on-site dump stations. At Willow Creek, one RVer noted, "There is no dump station available at the park, you have to drive to town to dump your tanks at the courthouse," requiring planning for longer stays.

Concrete pads: Some parks offer concrete parking pads that improve stability for larger RVs. At Ta-Ha-Zouka Park, "The concrete pads made it nice to park the RV on for easy set up," providing a solid foundation regardless of weather conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Norfolk, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Norfolk, NE is Ta-Ha-Zouka Park with a 4.1-star rating from 7 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Norfolk, NE?

TheDyrt.com has all 38 dog-friendly camping locations near Norfolk, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.