Best Campgrounds near Raymond, NE

Branched Oak Lake State Recreation Area serves as the primary camping destination near Raymond, Nebraska, offering a mix of developed campgrounds and primitive sites. Located about 10 miles northwest of Lincoln, this recreation area features multiple camping zones with varying levels of amenities. The campground accommodates tent camping, RV sites with electric hookups, and some areas designated for equestrian use. Camp A Way Campground in nearby Lincoln provides additional options with full hookup RV sites and cabin rentals. Several smaller recreation areas like Pawnee State Recreation Area and Conestoga State Recreation Area expand the camping possibilities within a 20-mile radius of Raymond.

Camping in the Raymond area remains available year-round, though amenities and accessibility vary by season. Most developed campgrounds offer electric hookups, drinking water, and toilet facilities, while primitive areas typically provide only basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables. "The camp sites are forked out like cul-de-sac properties, each facing the road and having a large portion of the lake or greens to themselves on the back," noted one visitor to Branched Oak Lake. Reservations are recommended for electric sites during summer weekends and holidays, while primitive camping areas often operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Nebraska state park permits are required for entry, with additional fees for non-Nebraska residents.

Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the Raymond area, with several campgrounds offering lakeside sites. Branched Oak Lake features multiple camping areas with boat ramps, fishing docks, and swimming beaches. Campers frequently mention the quality of fishing and boating opportunities as highlights of their stay. Train noise affects some campgrounds in the region, particularly those closest to railroad tracks. A camper observed that "if you want to avoid camper cities and crowded camp sites within 30 minutes of Lincoln Nebraska," the more primitive recreation areas provide better options. The mixed-use nature of these recreation areas means campers share space with day users, particularly during summer weekends when beaches and boat ramps see increased activity.

Best Camping Sites Near Raymond, Nebraska (99)

    1. Camp A Way Campground

    31 Reviews
    Lincoln, NE
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 476-2282

    $35 - $67 / night

    "A fun pass is require and costa about $10 but kids get ice cream, Slushies, water balloons for water wars included with that plus access to trampoline basketball, a nice jump pad, pool, indoor hot tub,"

    "Next to highway. You can hear highway but that doesn’t bother me"

    2. Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area

    28 Reviews
    Malcolm, NE
    6 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."

    "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."

    3. Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area

    25 Reviews
    Malcolm, NE
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 796-2362

    $30 / night

    "Pawnee SRA is a well maintained family friendly SRA North West of Lincoln Nebraska. You’ll find powered and primative sites accommodating RV’s to tents."

    "The change machine was either broken or out of change but that seems to be the norm this year at Nebraska parks."

    4. Area One Campground

    6 Reviews
    Malcolm, NE
    5 miles

    "While Nebraska can't do much about the 90+ temps, they sure do make their campgrounds fun to be around when there's water involved."

    "Branched Oak-Area One Campground is 2 1/2 miles north of Malcom Nebraska. There are many different areas offering over 330 pads and tons of primitive camping."

    5. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground

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

    $25 - $333 / night

    "Nestled between two major cities in Nebraska, you're never far away from anything you may want to do or see. RV and tent camping is obviously available with limited privacy."

    "We used to stop here as a midway point when driving to Colorado. We always stayed at the lodge for a night and had a pleasant time exploring the area."

    7. Lancaster Event Center

    5 Reviews
    Lincoln, NE
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 441-6545

    8. Area 3 Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area

    3 Reviews
    Malcolm, NE
    9 miles
    +1 (402) 796-2362

    $30 / night

    "Good for an overnight stay when passing through, would be nice for multiple days if you want to visit the lake."

    "Lots of hiking trails, very nice weekend!"

    9. Conestoga State Recreation Area

    6 Reviews
    Denton, NE
    13 miles
    Website

    "Conestoga is entirely walk up with no reservations."

    "Sites with electric hook ups available, dump station on location. Will definitely stay here again when in the area."

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Recent Reviews near Raymond, NE

528 Reviews of 99 Raymond Campgrounds


  • Denny K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Buckley Park Campground

    Nice.\nFree campground

    This is a nice little stop free camp ground free electric and water.\nThere are a new area and the old area

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 3, 2025

    Riverside Park

    Quiet night

    Better than I expected. Camp host was friendly and helpful. Bathroom was clean although stalls have no doors. I did not use the showers but I looked in and they were clean. There is a nice paved walk/bike path along the river. It was quiet once it got dark. Slept with my windows open and heard no traffic or trains.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Double Nickel Campground

    Amazing

    Very friendly & helpful lady, guided Us to Our site and spotted Us on it. That was after She gave Us a free upgrade, discount, and took several of Our calls. After having a really terrible day She gave a breath of encouragement back into Us. It looked like all the sites were pull through's, had fire pit (saw her delivering wood), never saw this before (each site has a porch swing). It is clean and taken care of nicely. It is most definitely a place to stay at.

  • Fire S.
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Red Cedar Lake

    Peaceful Getaway with Beautiful Views

    Red Cedar Lake is a hidden gem if you’re looking for quiet, simple camping. The scenery is beautiful, with open skies and plenty of wildlife around. It’s free camping, so amenities are limited—bring your own supplies and expect rustic conditions. The fishing was great, and the sunsets over the water were stunning. Perfect spot if you want to unplug, relax, and enjoy nature close to the road.https://kukasoittia.fi/

  • Kyla B.
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Czechland Lake Recreation Area

    Peaceful

    Has fishing, kayaking, hiking, 3 covered picnic areas with electricity, wildlife watching, no-wake boating, 11 (50 amp) RV/tent pads/sites at $20 per night, 3 free non-electrical RV/tent pads/sites, & free tent camping area by the dock. No park permit required. Can pay for pads/sites with cash or with mobile phone. Sites have trash cans, picnic tables and fire rings. Primitive bathrooms available. Water spigots available and working. No dumpsite. Dogs welcome but must be leashed.

    May be difficult parking for larger rigs (35ft+) due to the one way entrance and curvature of the campground. Also note that you will need to bring leveling blocks for nearly every site since the campground is build on a hill.

    https://lpnnrd.org/outdoor-recreation/czechland-lake-recreation-area/

  • Krystal T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 15, 2025

    York Kampground

    Quick overnight stay

    This campground was perfect for what we needed. Which was a place to rest on a longer journey. The host was super helpful and friendly when we needed to switch spots and answer some questions. The bathhouse was clean and the neighbors were kind and respectful. Very close to fast food and gas stations! Would definitely stay again.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area Tent Campsites

    Great state rec area

    Impressive recreation area. Campsites on and off of the water, all very nice. Lots of walking and bike riding. Very woodsy feeling through the whole park and a nice bicycle trail that leaves the park and winds out to Hormel Park on the Platte River.

  • Trav S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area

    Sewer Dump Available

    This is a very cool park in Papillion, Nebraska!

    It also has a sewer dump site for $5 (if you're not camping). See the camp host to pay.

  • Travis A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Yankee hill wildlife management area

    Good over night spot

    Situated in the middle of corn fields. The WMA has a large marshy, stagnant pond, so bring mosquito repellent. The parking area is clean. There is a dumpster and vault toilet. I didnt inspect it, I'll leave that up to you. No potable water, but Lincoln Nebraska is only 17 miles away.


Guide to Raymond

Camping near Raymond, Nebraska offers a mix of primitive and electric sites across several recreation areas. The land around Raymond features gently rolling prairie hills with elevations ranging from 1,100 to 1,300 feet. Weather conditions vary dramatically by season with winter temperatures often dropping below freezing while summer highs frequently exceed 90°F with high humidity.

What to do

Water activities: lakes for all ages: The Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area provides ample opportunity for water recreation. One visitor noted, "We've spent so much time here. The location is great, lake is great, and the people have always been awesome! We love boating, swimming, camping. Family favorite!"

Disc golf: free 9-hole course: Several recreation areas feature disc golf courses for campers looking for land-based activities. "There's some mowed/natural trails to hike and Area 1 has a fun 9-hole disc golf course. There's a swimming beach at Area 1 as well but it's too cold this time of year," shared a camper at Pawnee.

Archery range: practice your skills: Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area includes an archery range for visitors interested in target practice. "I love the whole park - especially the archery range!!" exclaimed one regular camper, adding a different activity option beyond the typical water sports.

What campers like

Spacious lakeside camping: room to spread out: Many campers praise the generous site sizes at Area One Campground. One review mentioned, "We love camping on the south shore. Can kayak right by your campsite. Lots of room between sites to play catch or yard games."

Fishing opportunities: multiple access points: The numerous fishing docks and access points make this region attractive to anglers. A visitor to Conestoga State Recreation Area shared, "If you enjoy dock fishing this is the lake for you. They have several individual docks to fish off of. The catfish will come right up to them at night."

Stargazing: minimal light pollution: The relative distance from urban areas creates good conditions for night sky viewing. One camper noted, "Nighttime is great for stargazing and they have pretty stellar sunrises. We enjoyed the archery range and took plenty of walks."

What you should know

Reservation challenges: plan ahead: Most electric sites require reservations well in advance, especially during summer. "Middle Oak Creek campground has a row of 10-12 electrical spots that are perfect for shore fishing, kayak launch, lakeside views! This One of our favorite places to 'get away' to for fishing, camping, etc. Be warned: VERY BUSY campground as it is super close to a highly populated city. Plan ahead and reserve a spot or go early in the week otherwise you won't get a pad!!!"

Water access: limited in some areas: Drinking water availability varies significantly between campgrounds. One camper at Area 3 Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area pointed out, "This park is beautiful, the only water supply is by hand pump on the way to your site so that is a negative. Good for an overnight stay when passing through, would be nice for multiple days if you want to visit the lake."

Weekend crowds: expectation management: During summer weekends, expect high visitor numbers at all recreation areas. "I've been coming to Branched Oak since I was a kid. I love the vibe of the park. It's usually packed and the beach's are always full but it's always a really good time," noted one regular visitor.

Tips for camping with families

Kid-friendly amenities: playground access: Camp A Way Campground in nearby Lincoln offers extensive facilities for children. As one parent described, "This place has tons for kids to do. There is a hand-built playground, basketball court, slip n slide, dog park, bounce stuff for kids."

Safety precautions: storm planning: Nebraska weather can change rapidly, making storm preparation important. "There was a camp host who made sure we knew where the storm shelter was on the night of our stay. We nearly needed to use it as we experienced a severe thunder storm," recounted a camper at Conestoga.

Swimming options: designated beach areas: Several recreation areas feature swimming beaches with varying amenities. A visitor mentioned, "This lake is a great place for boats! If you're looking to take ou a tube or just power around this area is good as it is larger than most lakes around Lincoln/Omaha. There is also a swimming beach which is nice."

Tips from RVers

Hookup limitations: prepare accordingly: Many campsites offer electric hookups only, requiring RVers to fill fresh water tanks before arrival. A camper at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground shared, "This campground is crowded with significant interstate noise. However there are many activities for kids including paddleboating, a wave pool, horse riding, ziplining, and playgrounds. Modern restrooms with showers and power are available."

Site terrain: varied options: RV campers will find different terrain options depending on the recreation area. "Gravel road and sites in the rv section with electric only so fill up with fresh water before setting up. All sites are first come first serve with self check-in. Most are 30A like ours, site 46, but there are a couple with 50A," noted a visitor to Conestoga State Recreation Area.

Dump station locations: plan for services: Not all campgrounds have on-site dump stations. "The nice dump station is located a couple of miles down the road near the Park Office. There are a couple of day use areas located on the lake also with boat ramps," advised an RVer at Pawnee.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Raymond, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, Raymond, NE offers a wide range of camping options, with 99 campgrounds and RV parks near Raymond, NE and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Raymond, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Raymond, NE is Camp A Way Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 31 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Raymond, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Raymond, NE.