Best Equestrian Camping near Omaha, NE

Nestled near Omaha, NE, are some of the best camping opportunities for visitors to get out and enjoy the wide, open spaces of Nebraska. Omaha campgrounds offer a range of activities for campers, including paddle boats, rock climbing, ziplines, horseback riding and even pottery classes. Find several options for RV owners where drivers can pull up next to reserved campsites. If you want something a little more remote, away from civilization, explore backcountry campsites. And if you love the water, camping near Omaha, NE, has some great options for you.

Best Equestrian Sites Near Omaha, Nebraska (15)

    1. Lake Cunningham Campground

    10 Reviews
    Omaha, NE
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (531) 201-5754

    $15 - $40 / night

    "The lake is right there, with a nice bike path that comes all the way around."

    "Lake Cunningham is a fun destination for getting outside if you only have an afternoon to escape! The lake itself is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing!"

    2. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Ashland, NE
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 944-2523

    $25 - $475 / night

    "As full-time campers we stay at Mahoney quite often as it is close to the Omaha-metro and there are so many things to do within the park: swimming, golf, zip lines, arts & crafts, trails, nature, horses"

    "This is a great state park and possibly the busiest since it’s between Omaha and Lincoln. Walking trails. Camping spots galore. Arts and crafts. Horse riding. Water park. Lodge. Viewing tower."

    3. Louisville State Recreation Area Campground

    29 Reviews
    Louisville, NE
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 234-6855

    $15 - $35 / night

    "A HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas. There is a 3 decent-size lakes spread evenly across the grounds."

    "The park gets really busy and humming in Spring and summer given its numerous campground areas and proximity to Omaha. The facilities (restroom, shelter and trash pick) are very well maintained."

    4. Platte River State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    South Bend, NE
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 234-2217

    $25 - $330 / night

    "It’s a bit off the beaten path but we got to enjoy the beautiful horses. Bonus!"

    "We were passing through Nebraska and opted to stay the night here. The campground is new and will be even nicer when the trees are big enough to provide shade."

    5. Union Pacific Cabooses — Two Rivers SRA

    8 Reviews
    Waterloo, NE
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 359-5165

    $80 / night

    "The fishing is easy in all the lakes and they have a pay fishing trout lake that nearly guarantees success. Our kid and her friends love the swimming beach."

    "Whether I was riding a bike around the paved roads. Fishing in one of the sandpit lakes they have to offer, or the river. Walk around the nature trails, or lakes."

    6. Goldenrod Campground — Two Rivers SRA

    4 Reviews
    Waterloo, NE
    15 miles
    +1 (402) 359-5165

    $30 / night

    "It is right next to lake 4 with some beach access. There are both reservable and walk up sites here. The walk up process is a little strange."

    "Very nice camp sites and playgrounds for children nice clean fishing lakes and river access."

    7. Fawn Meadows — Two Rivers SRA

    4 Reviews
    Waterloo, NE
    15 miles
    +1 (402) 359-5165

    $35 / night

    "This is a small campground a little ways before you get to lakeside campground. These spots are electric with fire pits and picnic tables. It is near the road and the dump station is in view."

    "Take your pick, river or lakeside. Some areas are more modern than others but all are nice. A few have water hookups"

    8. Oak Grove Campground — Two Rivers SRA

    2 Reviews
    Waterloo, NE
    15 miles
    +1 (402) 359-5165

    $30 / night

    "It’s not close to water like some of the others but it has a nice amount of room between spots and lots of trees for shade. There is an old playground by a vault toilet."

    9. Pony Creek Co Park

    4 Reviews
    Glenwood, IA
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (712) 527-9685

    10. Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area

    28 Reviews
    Malcolm, NE
    48 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 783-3400

    $25 - $35 / night

    "My first time camping in Nebraska. Ive been to several throughout the US. Loved the spot, I was right next to the lake, great swimming access. Downside drinking water access was difficult."

    "Camping area 2 has a lot to offer, even if you don't own a horse.

    The area is well known for being the equestrian camping area at one of the finest lakes in Nebraska."

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Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near Omaha, NE

1 Photos of 15 Omaha Campgrounds


Equestrian Camping Reviews near Omaha, NE

187 Reviews of 15 Omaha Campgrounds


  • Tony B.
    Sep. 27, 2020

    Waubonsie State Park Campground

    Second time back, and a stone throw away from Nebraska City

    This is my second review, because second time is a charm. Even though the campsites are closer together than I am use to. We actually took 2 sites, one for us and one for my oldest sons site. This worked out and gave a little more space needed. This also gave us time to really explore those trails I was drooling over. We took one of the more scenic trails and took us over the top of some of those beautiful Loess Hills. I still believe it us a great hiking park, and is only a hour away from Omaha for us.

  • J
    Jun. 1, 2022

    Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area

    Great getaway weekend

    My first time camping in Nebraska. Ive been to several throughout the US. Loved the spot, I was right next to the lake, great swimming access. Downside drinking water access was difficult.

  • Charles C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2018

    Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area

    Equestrian, Tent, and RV Lakeside Camping Area

    Camping area 2 has a lot to offer, even if you don't own a horse.

    The area is well known for being the equestrian camping area at one of the finest lakes in Nebraska. Pull through sites with full hookups, equestrian trails, and corals. Yet few people realize that there is a nice RV and tent camping area, lovely inlet with lakesides slabs, Boat docks, and Boat ramps. Showers are not available at area #2 but are available at a closeby area #1.

    The lake has some nice trails including the equestrian trail that comes from the park. The park has several beaches 2 of them very close. There are archery and shotgun ranges at the lake and a decent disc golf course.

    At a popular lake, this is a nice yet secluded camping area that often gets overlooked.

  • Jen K.
    Nov. 21, 2021

    Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground

    Great state park with lots of camping and tons of things to do

    As full-time campers we stay at Mahoney quite often as it is close to the Omaha-metro and there are so many things to do within the park: swimming, golf, zip lines, arts & crafts, trails, nature, horses, etc. Huge amount of walk up sites all year long. Little Creek campground is the best place to stay for amenities: laundry, hot showers but avoid any campsite located at the bottom of the hill so you are not washed away by rain water or have a site full of mud.

  • Justin R.
    May. 22, 2018

    Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground

    Lots of things to do but...

    This is a great state park and possibly the busiest since it’s between Omaha and Lincoln. Walking trails. Camping spots galore. Arts and crafts. Horse riding. Water park. Lodge. Viewing tower. And they just added a ropes course. cabins for rent as well.

    The only minus besides it’s always busy is the road noise from Interstate 80.

  • Morgan W.
    Jul. 15, 2018

    Lake Cunningham Campground

    Quaint property

    This is one of my favorites as well!

    This is situated in a very incredible neighborhood of Omaha! Close to the interstate for easy access! Very mature trees and landscape.

    Hiking trails, no wake boating, paddle boards (available for rent).

    Pros: Great Lake

    cons: we felt really on top of our neighbors here, though a simple drive around showed us areas that are better than others.

  • Judy B.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 31, 2021

    Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground

    Convenient to I80

    A short drive off of I80 and close to Omaha, Eugene T Mahoney State Park is convenient if you are passing through NE.  It is a large park with more than one campground.  Since it is close to the freeway there is the constant sound of traffic.  It isn't intolerable, but definitely noticeable.  There are lots of trees and the area is very pleasant.  

    This is more than a campground.  There are many activities ie. golf, hiking, fishing, biking etc.  There is a lodge, cabins in addition to the campgrounds.

    The sites are spaced well and have plenty of shade.

  • Daniel  B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 14, 2018

    Louisville State Recreation Area Campground

    Ranger Review: Midland X-Talker T51VP3 Radios at Louisville Lakes SRA

    Campground Review

    I stayed in this Louisville Rec area a few nights, moving around to three different areas of this HUGE campground are nestled in Nebraska. My plan was to spend a few days taking advantage of the many amenities and activity options this area appeared to have, and I since this is a popular destination option many are considering, I sought to provide a review of the grounds from the perspective of someone who is considering staying in the west, central, or east area of the grounds. This review is for the west area.

    General Info on this overall campground

    This is a state-funded park, so non-Nebraska plated cars have an additional fee. A HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas. There is a 3 decent-size lakes spread evenly across the grounds. Near the central lake ("Lake 2") there is a small shop which has a market where basic kick knacks and firewood are available. This is also where you can rent boats like canoes, kayaks, and stand up paddleboards for hrs, half and daily rates. There is a trail in the woods running parallel to the North Platte River. The path is in a heavily wooded area, so no lakeside views, just a nice, quiet hike with the very occasional hummm of a mosquito. There is a swim area along the beach of Lake 2. There is canoe access at the far west side of the park. In summer, it was common to see people wading across the river as it was neither a fast moving current nor deep. This is a Rec area, so day use is also an option. There are numerous locations for picnics, including Grills, and for fishing in the lakes from some roof-covered docks. Coin-operated showers (takes quarters, change machines take $1 and $5 bills) and full-service, ADA-friendly bathrooms scatter the park as well. There is a play area in the center which has a basic jungle gym. Each site has at least a picnic table and a fire pit. All tent sites are park and walk. If you want to have your car next to your picnic table, you need a padded spot. Each area of the park has these options, as well as electrical, then RV. Most sites are reservable and there are some allocated for first come, first serve. Gates will close at 10pm so make sure your road trip stops before they do. Also, packing earplugs is a must, but it won't completely help you. There is a train that goes very near the grounds - the track basically borders the south side of the campgrounds - and it needs to use its horn while passing through, which happens A LOT.

    Central location-specific Info

    The harsh part of being located here is if you are looking for any kind of spot that accommodates a flat plot, like sites 206 - 236, you are butted up against the train tracks and that train is LOUD! You will have no chance of a solid night's sleep since the train uses its horn very often. I was in campsite 11 another night, literally as far away from the tracks as possible and wore ear plugs and there was no avoiding it - I was waking up at 5am no matter what. This is the place you want to camp if you are tent camping. The reserve sites or tucked away from a lot of the more family-friendly activities, so you'll get some reprieve from that energy, plus can have some spots that are very close to the N Platte river's edge.

    Ranger Review

    I was given a pair of the Midland X-TALKER TV1P3 Walkie Talkies to test out from Midland. Since they come with a hands-free option with a compatible accessory, I also got a pair of the AVPH3 Surveillance headsets.

    These came in handy (pardon the pun) when I was biking with a friend and skiing. By hooking in the headset to the side of the radio it allowed me to leave the radio in the bag, run a wire and clip a little mic with a talk on/off button to my jacket, then put a little earpiece in around my ear that was out of the way of my helmet. This also protected the radio from debris, as water is easy to collect on electronics when skiing and dust when biking.

    • Watch the video review below

    These radios aren't big, but they're packed with a lot of features. I personally love the weather scan capability. It locks into the NOAA weather broadcasts to deliver you a forecast. This is very useful while you are on a backpacking trip or in my case doing some kayaking because it helps me plan my routes and assess risk for my activities. They also charge through micro USB if you don't want to pack the included charging cradle (AC powered), so recharging them on the go is pretty simple since you already pack those cables and a portable USB power bank for other electronics.

    The 28 mile range is a bit of a stretch (pardon the pun) but this is up to 28 miles. It worked fine for me over some densely forested lakes 2 miles away and even further over open water. I had these up at my cottage in Northern Ontario with me and I was able to get reception on these when I kayaked from one family friend's cottage from ours 8 miles away. It was getting crackly at that point but there is A LOT of interference over that distance so I was shocked they worked at all.

    They have 22 channels and 38 privacy codes, so it's easy to create your own network and stay uninterrupted. I also got these working with another pair of radios I had, so they work with other brands. There are some other features, and the product support on their site is great. hey have a reference guide and a user manual to learn how to operate things like the quiet mode - if so inclined.

    Overall Pros

    • Weather Alert channel
    • 28 mile range
    • Clips included
    • Clips included, help with Hands-Free option
    • Long battery life
    • 22 channels & 28 privacy codes. Can work with other radio brands.
    • Silent operation

    Overall Cons

    • None really. It has so many features so to avoid getting lost in the technical stuff, I recommend downloading the product spec sheet to get the gist. It covers nearly everything. The real techies may want to check out the user manual.
  • P
    May. 21, 2021

    Louisville State Recreation Area Campground

    Cozy Riverside Camping

    The park gets really busy and humming in Spring and summer given its numerous campground areas and proximity to Omaha. The facilities (restroom, shelter and trash pick) are very well maintained. One side of the camp area loop rears to the Platte river and you may get good views of the sun setting on the river if not obstructed by the large trees. A set of primitive tent ground is on the river sands and sort of secluded. They have the best view. The park has numerous small lakes, so the campers on the other side of the loop have water-fronts too. Grocery and gas station are right across the road. This is a wonderful weekend camping spot.


Guide to Omaha

Nebraska offers a variety of options for horse camping enthusiasts, combining beautiful landscapes with facilities that cater to both riders and their horses.

Equestrian campgrounds include ample amenities

Equestrian campers like these nearby activities

Campers appreciate these amenities for horses

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Omaha, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Omaha, NE is Lake Cunningham Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 10 reviews.

What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Omaha, NE?

TheDyrt.com has all 15 equestrian camping locations near Omaha, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.