State recreation areas and natural resource district (NRD) lands dominate the camping landscape around Valley, Nebraska, situated along the Elkhorn River. Elkhorn Crossing Recreational Area offers secluded riverside camping with RV pads for $10 per night and allows stays up to seven days. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access Two Rivers State Recreation Area in Waterloo with multiple campgrounds including Riverside, Cottonwood, Goldenrod, and Fawn Meadows, all offering various accommodation types from tent sites to cabins and unique options like Union Pacific Cabooses. Further options include West Omaha/NE Lincoln KOA Holiday in Gretna and Eugene T. Mahoney State Park in Ashland, both providing year-round camping with full amenities for families and RV travelers.
Nebraska state parks require entrance permits, with additional fees for non-Nebraska vehicles. As one reviewer noted about Elkhorn Crossing, "This is a secluded campsite near the town Valley, NE. It is clean and offers access to the Elkhorn for airboats and other flotation vehicles." Many campgrounds in the region experience seasonal crowding, particularly during summer weekends when water recreation is popular. Summer brings hot, humid conditions with occasional severe thunderstorms requiring weather awareness. Reservations are recommended for developed sites, especially at popular destinations like Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, while some areas like Elkhorn Crossing operate on a first-come basis.
Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the Valley region. Lakes and rivers provide opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and swimming, though many lakes enforce 5 mph speed limits for boats. Louisville State Recreation Area, about 30 minutes south, features three lakes with swimming beaches and boat rentals. A reviewer described it as "a HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas." Shade availability varies significantly between campgrounds, with newer recreation areas like Lake Wanahoo having fewer mature trees. Train noise affects some campgrounds, particularly Louisville SRA, where reviewers recommend earplugs. Family-friendly amenities are common at larger state parks, with Eugene T. Mahoney offering "an aquatic center, indoor gardens, zip lines, horseback riding, cabins and even a hotel on site."
"Very close to the Nebraska crossing outlet mall! 😊"
"The campground itself was fine and very convenient in location to vIsIt famIly."
$25 - $485 / 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."
$100 / 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."
$20 / night
"This is a nice campground located on the edge of Papillion, Nebraska. There are several trails nearby, some paved and others grass. The main trailhead is easily accessible from the park road."
"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."
$8 - $40 / night
"Lake Wanahoo is a fairly new lake in Saunders county Nebraska. The lake is part of the local NRD and was originally managed by the state parks department."
"It’s been a few years since we stayed at Lake Wanahoo, but we decided to stay there over our anniversary weekend. The place is still great, and this time of year it was very quiet and peaceful."
$15 / night
"We've even walked through the water to go play on the "islands". There is a convenience store ran by a very nice family and they make a great breakfast for a low cost."
"A short drive from Omaha, two rivers offers generally clean TV and tent camping sites across multiple campgrounds. I camped right by the river. Also a short walk to the outhouse and playground."
$30 / night
"Two rivers is my favorite Nebraska hidden gem! The state Rec Park is by both the Elkhorn and Platte rivers, thus it’s name, Two Rivers."
"River and small lake fishing as well. No wifi, good T-Mobile cell service"
$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."
$10 - $35 / night
"If you want to get away in Nebraska, this is the place. There’s no electricity or running water. The outhouses are kinda gross. There’s an awesome bar right outside the park, too."
"Great little stocked fishing lake with sites all fairly close to the long northern shore of the lake. Redwing blackbirds, geese, and lightning bugs tucked in between the corn fields."
$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"
GuideDid some backcountry camping at the Badger Ridge location, overall the stay was great! The park has multiple hike-in backcountry locations, tent camping spots near the road, RV pads with water and electric, as well as a few small cabins. The scenery is amazing! The shower house was also clean and well maintained.
TravelerThis is actually the Windsor Cove Campground within Haworth Park in Belleview, Nebraska. It is an older campground but near the river, walking trails, and close to all the amenities of Nearby Omaha (aprox. 25 minutes to downtown). I visited in Mid May and the park was about 25 percent full. The camp host is great and I would definitely visit again.
LegendNeligh Park campground features level concrete pads with gravel in front of each site. Every site includes a picnic table along with electric and water hookups. There is an on-site dump station that costs$2.00 if you are not staying at the park. Camping is $15 per night. Some sites are reservable online, while others can be paid for when you arrive. The sites do not offer much shade as the trees planted around them are still small. The campground is in a quiet part of town.
The city park is adjacent to the campground. The city park has a newer, large playground, sand volleyball courts, and a walking trail that loops around the lake. There is also a community Aquatic Center on the premises that features a pool and a large water slide.
There appears to be a modern restroom building near the newer part of the park. There are a few fast food restaurants located a short drive away from the campground.
LegendDodge County Fairgrounds has four or five spaces on grass. The ground is fairly level, but it is bumpy and rutted. When I visited in May, the grass was not mowed and was very tall. It was so bad that I was itchy after leaving.
There are bathrooms on site, but they were locked when I tried them. It wasn't clear how to pay for your site, I did not see a sign with instructions or a drop box. The nightly rate, according to the website is $30 which seems high to me for this location.
There are two playgrounds available, including a modern one and a really old one. There is a pool located nearby, but it was not open in May and I am not sure when it opens for the season. The fairgrounds is located next to highway 275 so there is some road noise, but I didn't find it so much to be bothersome. I had a very good Verizon signal here with 200 Mbps download on 5G.
There's really nothing within walking distance, maybe a gas station about 10 minutes away. I would stay here if I need a place to park overnight while traveling, but other than that I would skip it.
LegendI stopped by this campground and found it was nearly empty, with only one other camper in the lot. The entire area is one giant gravel parking lot with no shade. The spots are located very close together, but it's rarely full (except during events at the Main Arena next door) so you'll have room to spread out. Each site has electric and water hookups. I read somewhere that there is a dump station here but I didn't see it.
There are no showers or flush toilets. The only bathrooms available are port-a-potties located in the middle of the lot. There is some kind of agriculture equipment nearby that creates a constant humming sound which some might find annoying. The campground is very close to the airport, but I did not notice any airport noise.
While there is nothing within walking distance, there are several commercial restaurants and stores that are an easy drive from this location.
I would only stay here if I needed an overnight spot while traveling.
TravelerDead Timber is a quiet and fairly out of the way, yet still accessible state recreation area. It is an hour or so, depending on how you drive, from Omaha, near Scribner, Nebraska. The roads from the highway are paved up to the entrance, but the rec area is all dirt/gravel. The area has not been "upgraded" like so many of the state recreation areas have in the past few years and it feels like a good thing.
There is a small oxbow lake that all of the campsites, both electric (17) and primitive (4), are on one side of it. Unlike so many Nebraska recreation areas you will not typically hear trains or road noise, another good thing. A cell signal was present for me on Verizon, but insufficient for streaming without a booster. Tree coverage varies within the small camping area, but most sites will have enough of an open view of the sky for Starlink.
Dead Timber is my normal go to spot when I need a quick camping trip that is relaxing and not challenging. Or if I have a piece of equipment that I want to test the functionality of. I have camped here in summer (hot muggy a bit buggy), fall (generally my favorite especially in October), and winter (about what you would expect) and aside from Halloween it has usually been very open. Halloween there was a decorating contest and the place was completely full. The pictures I am including are from my mid October 2025, trip. In February there were no leaves and the lake was frozen but those were the only real differences since there is no running water in the camping area.
TravelerStopped here for the night. Property has concrete pads, but shower rooms are inadequate. Won't stay here again.
RangerAnother for-profit patch of dirt that doesn’t have much to offer. It has all the inconveniences of camping in an urban areas with none of the advantages. You have the noise from the road and trail, the numerous people coming through the site…yet no grocery stores or other services in the town. The port-o-potty was disgusting and full of wasps, the trash was full, there is no water, and there weren’t even any envelopes for paying the fee. Not sure what campers are paying for.
RangerThe areas for tent camping are poorly situated and not worth paying for imho. They have a pit toilet and a water spigot nearby, but that doesn’t make it worth the noise and amount of random local traffic circling my through the campground.
Camping sites near Valley, Nebraska sit in the Platte River watershed, characterized by riparian forests and prairie landscapes. The region averages 31 inches of precipitation annually, with primary camping season running from April through October. Most campgrounds in the area sit below 1,200 feet elevation, creating distinct microclimates in river valleys compared to surrounding plains.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area offers a stocked lake with multiple fishing jetties accessible from campsites. "Great fishing and kayaking lake! Bike path goes all the way around the lake. Sites are large and spaced out. I prefer the ones along the water but you have to book early to get one," notes one camper at Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area.
Kayaking and canoeing: Memphis Lake State Recreation Area provides no-wake zones perfect for paddling. "This lake has great fishing and has peace, and quiet. The lake is a no wake zone, so kayaks, and canoes are great," explains a visitor at Memphis Lake State Rec Area.
Hiking and biking: A 3-mile gravel trail circles Lake Wanahoo, connecting to additional paths. "There is a gravel trail that goes all the way around the lake, which provides about a three mile loop. The trail also leads down into the town of Wahoo," shares a reviewer.
Secluded riverside sites: Riverside Campground at Two Rivers SRA features tent sites directly adjacent to the Platte River. "For the tent sites I wish there were more amenities but the one we stayed at was in a nice location. The river is decently safe and a good place to tube," reports one camper at Riverside Campground — Two Rivers SRA.
Natural amenities: Memphis Lake provides mature shade trees and lakeside camping options. "There were lots of mature trees to camp under, and we were also close to the water. Our campsite came with a picnic table and fire ring," shares a visitor.
Clean facilities: Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area maintains well-kept camping areas and bathroom facilities. "Wednesday at 3pm there were 8 sites open. Nice city park. Electric hookups. Water spigot about the park. Dump station by the entrance. All grounds are clean. Very friendly camp host," notes a reviewer at Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area.
Campsite reservation systems: Two Rivers SRA uses a waiting list system for walk-up sites. "The walk up process is a little strange. You get put on a waiting list and have to return to main office at 3. Then the start at beginning of list and people start choosing so get on waiting list early," explains a camper at Goldenrod Campground — Two Rivers SRA.
Shade availability: Lake Wanahoo lacks mature trees. "Lake Wanahoo is a fairly new lake in Saunders county Nebraska... Unfortunately when the lake and campground were built they planted saplings, so during the hot months there is no shade to be found."
Weather preparedness: Severe storms can develop quickly in the region. "There was a major storm that rolled though and upon arriving I asked about the weather, which I was watching closely at the radar. They didn't seem concert about it however news reports were saying other wise of his very storm system producing 90-100mph winds."
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "This site is great for any size family. The range of different camping options and amenities is incredible. The facilities are well maintained, the staff is friendly and helpful. Everything is nicely spread out on the grounds," reports a visitor at West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday.
Family fishing spots: Two Rivers SRA offers dedicated trout fishing areas. "This is a great campground for camping and fishing with kids. 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."
Budget considerations: Many areas require both camping fees and park entry permits. "The pool is awesome. It was, however, expensive. $10 for adults (even as a non swimmer) and $8 for kids plus $3 to rent a tube for the wave pool."
Site selection strategy: Cottonwood at Two Rivers SRA offers river views for RVs. "Two rivers is my favorite Nebraska hidden gem! The state Rec Park is by both the Elkhorn and Platte rivers, thus it's name, Two Rivers. There are several camping areas, divided into 'sub sections', my favorite place is the cottonwood division," shares a visitor at Cottonwood — Two Rivers SRA.
Water and dump stations: Lake Wanahoo has inconvenient water fill locations. "When pulling your RV out here the water fill is in an awkward spot in a parking lot of the campground. To get to the dump station you have to leave the campground, get on the highway and drive to the opposite side of the lake to the day use area."
Site spacing: Consider requesting larger sites when available. "We were given an inappropriate size space for the rig we stated, super narrow and we stuck over the road by 2 feet. They had larger sites all around us but were told we could not change."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Valley, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, Valley, NE offers a wide range of camping options, with 109 campgrounds and RV parks near Valley, NE and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Valley, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Valley, NE is West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday with a 4.1-star rating from 29 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Valley, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Valley, NE.
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