Camping options near Papillion, Nebraska range from full-hookup RV sites to primitive tent camping across several parks within a 30-minute drive. The area's elevation averages around 1,100 feet, with hot, humid summers and cold winters that limit year-round camping availability. Most campgrounds in the region provide electric hookups and basic amenities with easy access to the metro area.
What to do
Water recreation: 10-mile trail system at Lake Cunningham Campground offers paddleboarding and kayaking opportunities from April through October. "The lake and grounds are beautiful," notes camper Beth. Rental equipment is available on-site for those without their own gear.
Hiking trails: Various difficulty levels at Platte River State Park Campground provide access to natural features including a small waterfall. "You can hike the many hiking trails to the mini waterfall, or Platte river," writes Tony B., adding that the park has "a splash park, shooting, archer ranges, horseback riding."
Children's activities: Playground and seasonal water features at Camp A Way Campground provide entertainment for families with young children. "This site is great for any size family. The range of different camping options and amenities is incredible," according to Sandra O. The campground includes "a hand-built playground, basketball court, slip n slide, dog park, bounce stuff for kids."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathrooms and shower buildings at West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday receive consistent praise. "Very clean campground, showers/bathroom. Courteous employees. Lots of activities for the kids," reports Cynthia K. Another camper mentioned, "The campgrounds were very clean, sites well maintained bathroom and showers were clean as well."
Dog-friendly areas: Dedicated pet spaces provide room for dogs to exercise off-leash. Camp A Way Campground features "a large off leash dog run which was so nice," according to Shannon G. Another visitor called it the "best dog run we have seen this trip."
Diverse accommodation options: Camping near Papillion provides choices beyond standard tents and RVs. Hitchcock Nature Center offers "cabins, rv sites, tent camping and backcountry hike in camping," according to Allison J. The backcountry sites include "pads with pea gravel for tents and fire rings."
What you should know
Highway noise: Some campgrounds near major roads experience traffic sounds. At Camp A Way, one visitor noted, "Its extremely loud and constant highway sounds. If you are in a camper or RV, it probably doesn't make much difference, but in a tent, it took away a bit of the magic of camping for us."
Weather preparedness: Severe weather can impact camping experiences during summer months. A KOA visitor experienced "a major storm that rolled though" and noted staff were eventually "on top of checking with everyone and getting clean up started" though initial warnings were limited.
Flooding concerns: Some campgrounds near rivers experience seasonal closures. Haworth City Park has historically faced flooding issues, with one camper noting, "This park is right off the Missouri river, and everytime there is flooding this places gets shelled."
Seasonal availability: Many glamping options close to Papillion, Nebraska operate only during warmer months. At Lake Cunningham, glamping yurts are available "from April 12 to October 14," according to park information.
Tips for camping with families
Secure advance reservations: Popular family sites fill quickly, especially on weekends. "We have camped here for the past three summers and will continue to come back for as long as we can," mentions one Pine Grove RV Park visitor, highlighting the need to book early.
Consider noise sensitivity: Highway proximity affects some camping experiences. At Camp A Way, a visitor mentioned, "Pro & Con - right next to the interstate. Since we were site seeing around the area it was convenient instead the more nature excursion camping trip."
Look for educational opportunities: Cottonwood — Two Rivers SRA offers nature learning experiences along with camping. One visitor described it as "my favorite Nebraska hidden gem! The state Rec Park is by both the Elkhorn and Platte rivers, thus it's name, Two Rivers."
Tips from RVers
Site size considerations: Many RV sites have specific limitations. At the West Omaha KOA, one visitor cautioned, "do not stay here in sites 34 - 70 if you have a rig over 30' and dont want to touch your neighbors camper."
Utility hookup placement: Check hookup locations before selecting sites. A camper noted at one park that "the electrical box, water and sewer are placed too far to the rear of the site for a big rig to make a wide enough turn."
Dump station availability: Not all parks offer full hookups or dump stations. Weeping Water Campground provides dump services for a fee, with one visitor noting: "$20 for dumping, or camping and dumping, seven dollars for tent campers."
