Best Campgrounds near Omaha, NE
Campgrounds within a 30-mile radius of Omaha include both wooded state parks and urban recreation areas offering mixed-use camping experiences. Lake Cunningham Campground, located in a residential neighborhood of Omaha, provides tent and RV sites with mature trees and landscape, while Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area in nearby Papillion serves as a popular local getaway. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground, situated between Omaha and Lincoln, features camping spots alongside cabins and lodge accommodations. The proximity of these sites to urban areas makes them convenient options for weekend trips without extensive travel.
Camping availability around Omaha follows seasonal patterns, with many campgrounds operating from April through October or November. Notable exceptions include Walnut Creek Recreation Area, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, and Louisville State Recreation Area, which remain open year-round for campers. First-come, first-served sites like those at Walnut Creek fill quickly, especially during summer weekends. Reservations are recommended at popular locations such as Mahoney State Park and the West Omaha/NE Lincoln KOA Holiday, particularly during holidays and peak summer months. A camper noted that at Walnut Creek: "Get there EARLY, even during the week, if you want a spot! We arrived on a Monday and were lucky to secure one of the last spots."
Several tent and RV campgrounds in the region provide water access, making them particularly attractive to local visitors. Riverside Campground at Two Rivers SRA offers sites directly adjacent to the river, while Lake Manawa State Park Campground features a swimming beach within walking distance of camping areas. Highway and railroad noise affects some locations, with Interstate 80 traffic audible at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park and train horns disrupting sleep at Louisville State Recreation Area. As one review mentioned of Louisville: "The harsh part of being located here is if you are looking for any kind of spot that accommodates a flat plot, you are butted up against the train tracks and that train is LOUD!" Most campgrounds in the area offer basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby restrooms, with several providing electric hookups for RVs.
