Best Tent Camping near North Platte, NE

Tent Camping Reviews near North Platte, NE

201 Reviews of 5 North Platte Campgrounds

• 

  Lori C.

  Ranger

  Jul. 30, 2021

  Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area Campground

  Nice no hookup campground

  This review is for the West Campground, which is a Basic site with no hookups. There is water in a couple places but not at each site. The sites do have a picnic table, fire ring or grill. There are trash dumpsters, a playground, porta potties and a more modern restroom at the end of the campground. Most sites are fairly level and have trees for shade. Sites 1-17 are right on the lake, although the sites near the power generating have a strong surphur smell from the water.

  This is a great place to stay if you don’t mind no hookups.

• 

  Shannon G.

  Legend

  Jul. 22, 2019

  I-80 Lakeside Campground

  Lakeside campground off I-80

  Nestled off I-80 in Nebraska off the 179 exit to North Platte you will find a decent campground. This campground has 89 Rv sites along with multiple tent sites which have little yellow fish signs to mark them. The Rv sites are gravel, level, have picnic benches and a fire ring. There is a small fishing/swimming lake that is catch and release only. Some fish you might catch are Crappie, Bass, Catfish, Walleye and others. They have a neat incentive where if you catch a tagged fish you win a boat rental. The boat rentals available are kayaks,paddle oats, and rowboats for rent at reasonable prices at the office. There is also a small 2 unenclosed dog walk, a playground, and a walking trail. Also available are horse shoes and volleyball. The restrooms are fairly clean. The showers in the women’s are being redone and are looking nice. There is a laundry facility on site. The office/store has camping essentials and firewood for purchase. The owners took possession and reopened in May of 2016. This campground is in short walking distance from the platte River-across the street. All and all it is a convenient and decent place to stop along I-80 as you are traveling.

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• 

  Shannon G.

  Legend

  Sep. 25, 2018

  Jeffrey Canyon State Wildlife Area

  Remote with a few camping spots

  This campground was hard to find, even with GPS. Finally a local came by to show us where it was. When we drove in there was a boat ramp, 1 tent site with a picnic table and fire ring, and 1 spot for an RV to park with no hookups. I was told there were other spots for tents on the other side of the lake that you could get to by hiking. The area needed to be mowed but wow the views from the tent site were gourgous. There were other trails, hunting, and fishing. Up the road were beautiful views of the dam and area. If we would have had our generator, we would have stayed the night.

• 

  Judy B.

  Ranger

  Apr. 26, 2025

  Cody City Park Campground

  Okay for an overnighter

  This campground is located just east of Highway 83 in North Platte, NE. It is right on the Platte River and would be great to stay there during the Crane migration in the Spring, However, the campground doesn't open until April and the Cranes are long gone by then. There isn't much noise from the highway. The sites all butt up to one another in a small loop. Some sites had tables some not and no fire rings. There are trash cans, and water available by the bathroom. No showers and the bathrooms are not the best. The stall doors would not lock and the sink was very stained. The camp info says there is electricity for an extra $10 but I think it is only in a couple of sites near the bathroom. Sites are First Come I believe and open on 4/1 - 11/1. There is a nice park attached to the campground and they have lots of things going on in the summer. People have donated trees to the park in memory of the passing of loved ones. The river is for the birds, geese, eagles and herons and sometimes cranes.

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• C

  Cheryl F.

  Scout

  Jul. 16, 2019

  Cody City Park Campground

  Lovely park on the river but no hookups

  Really pretty park on the North Platte River, right out side of town.  Spacious sites, large enough for our 40' motorhome with some trees for shade.  No hook-ups but there is a rest room which we didn't use.  May get busy on the weekends but we were there on a Monday and just a few sites were being used.  Quite the deal for $5/night.

• 

  Daniel B.

  Legend

  Jul. 14, 2018

  Oregon Trail Golf Course & Campground

  Ranger Review: Matador Base Layer Camera Bag at Oregon Trail GC&C

  Campground Review

  Also known as Sutherland Reservoir North Shore Recreation Area, I found this place in Nebraska not long after a terrible thunderstorm came rolling in along I-80. The golf gods we're with me on this one, because I didn't even know until I got there that there was even a golf course. The storm was bad, but not bad enough from keeping me playing 9 holes the next day!

  This place is surprisingly popular given how basic the amenities are. As a golfer, sure, it's a plus there's a course but this place is also on a huge reservoir lake and has a launch point nearby. Lots of people staying here had some sort of boat or jetski for fishing or recreation. As a tent camper my toilet options were two port-o poties on one end of the grounds (it's not a big campground) or a toilet with a sink attached to the golf course clubhouse. No showers. The staff at the place were very nice and even though they were full, they gave me a spot just on the grass somewhere so I could spend the night. It was cheap - only $10 all-in. You can also buy snacks and refreshments from the clubhouse.

  The camp spots were tightly packed in and not a lot of space to roam around that wouldn't be on someone's campsite. Best enjoyed it seemed by big groups.

  Ranger Review

  As a Dyrt Ranger I am given products to test from time to time. I photograph a lot on my adventures with a DLSR and noticed the Matador Base Layer, and a lightweight, protective case for my camera would be GREAT. I was a big fan of the built-in rain fly as well. Matador makes a few products friendly for wet weather and conditions, and this is no exception.

  • Video Test of the Matador base layer in a rainstorm below

  The bag is easy to take on and off your camera, and its 'base layer' fabric is very reminiscent of a base layer jacket. It's well stitched so the insulated padding doesn't clump up in one area and keeps it well placed for protection.

  Speaking of protection - yes it is a great bag for weather protection (rain,dust). No, it is not the best for high impact situations. It is a light case, and by default of that, it's protection is going to be limited. I wouldn't use this to wrap my DSLR + lens in if I was going to then put the camera in a larger bag and carrying/transport that around, but I would use it in situations where my camera would be out a lot and the impact risk is low.

  Proc/Cons

  When you need to use the camera, simply unclip the buckle and pull from the bottom. Very easy, very fast. One issue then is now you have a bag in your hand and you want to use your hands to take a photo. It's a little awkward trying to find a pocket big enough to stuff it. if you clip it back to the camera strap, it is awkward to then try and use your camera. You can clip it to a bag, sure, but what if you're not carrying a bag? I don't always and just hike with my camera and a water bottle.

  I have enjoyed using this on day hikes in Colorado in Rocky Mountain National Park on easy trails, but would be worried about this as it swung from my neck/shoulder and then slipped on some trail and as I regain my balance (hopefully), it's swinging from my neck and knocks into some side wall or rock/tree. When you hold it in your hands you can tell it is super well made immediately, but I do wish the material was a bit thicker.

  Version 2.0?

  In a future iteration, I would love to see a camera sling bag made out of the same materials and buckle + rain fly system. Just a little thicker for more padded protection for higher impacts. Also, an integrated shoulder sling strap. On that strap there could even be a hidden pocket or inlet to clip camera lens covers to or something multi-purpose, like a stash cloth to wipe off lenses. Your NanoDry fabrics are pretty cool, perhaps some integration there would lead people to want to test out other products if they liked the base layer, like the towels or teardrop bags. That all-in one bag would still be lightweight and still have water/dust protection, but could then stay slung over my shoulder, leaving me hands- free for taking shots.

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• 

  Thomas B.

  Legend

  Jul. 7, 2020

  Lake Maloney State Recreation Area

  Hot and Dusty

  This is one of many state recreation areas along I-80. I wouldn’t make a special trip here, but it’s fine for stopping over while driving cross country. There appears to be one central rest room with flush toilets and pay showers. Pretty rundown. Also vault toilets, which weren’t the dirtiest I’ve ever seen. Hot and dusty. You pay a fee for entry of $8 for out of state and then $15 per night. Fire rings in most sites. We pitched our tent right next to the lake. Looking forward to getting up into the Rockies from here.

• 

  Jesse S.

  Ranger

  Oct. 23, 2020

  Martin Bay Campground — Lake McConaughy SRA

  We had a fun time at martin bay.

  The camping was well set up fire rings and picnic tables at all sites. Great trails near by.

• 

  Tarrah C.

  Legend

  Apr. 30, 2024

  Sutherland State Rec Area

  Nice stop over spot

  I entered the south side camping which is much like other sites with close camping, there is electric and a vault toilet. If a person follows the small road at the end of the south side camping it takes you to the west side camping which is random spots along the road to camp next to the water. Some have tables and fire rings other do not. There is a vault toilet at the end of the loop.

  $30 for electric sites $7 daily vehicle fee for NE license $14 daily vehicle fee for non- NE $15 tent sites