Camping spots near Royal, Nebraska range from free primitive sites to amenity-filled state parks within a 30-mile radius. The region experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through August, while winter temperatures can drop below 10°F. Severe thunderstorms and occasional tornadoes occur primarily from May through July, requiring campers to monitor weather forecasts during these months.
What to do
Fly fishing opportunities: At Grove Lake State Wildlife Area, the trout stream feeding the lake provides excellent fishing. "This is a beautiful place. Trees are beautiful. The lake is beautiful. If you're a fly fisherman, this place is paradise if you can't get to usual fly fishing locations," reports one camper who visited the wildlife area.
Swimming options: City park campgrounds with pools offer relief during hot summer months. During warmer seasons, campers at Chilvers Park can access the adjacent swimming pool. One visitor noted, "This park is right off Highway 30 and if you are passing through and want power and water for a few days this should be your stop. I would assume that campers would have use of the shower facility at the pool."
Hiking and nature trails: Many campgrounds feature walking paths for exploring the local terrain. The Niobrara State Park offers various trail options. A visitor shared, "There are trails to hike and sites to see nearby. There are, however, a tremendous amount of ticks. If you bring pets, you may think about them not joining you on hikes."
What campers like
Affordable camping options: Many small towns provide free or low-cost camping areas. At Chilvers Park, a camper observed, "These small towns in NE have the right idea with these free community campgrounds. It's just the reason we need to stop and visit local businesses and explore a town we would normally just pass through."
Quiet, remote camping: Several locations offer peaceful settings away from crowds. While visiting Willow Creek State Recreation Area, a camper noted, "Clean restrooms and showers. Some sites have lake access. Well wooded." Another mentioned, "Nights are quiet and there are plenty of local spots nearby for the daytime like a vineyard."
Fishing access: Multiple water bodies provide angling opportunities throughout the region. One visitor to Willow Creek State Recreation Area mentioned, "The lake is huge and great for fishing. There are miles of trails that we enjoyed. If you're into archery like we are, they have a great archery area."
What you should know
Seasonal lake issues: Some lakes experience algae blooms during warmer months. At Willow Creek State Recreation Area, a visitor warned, "Beautiful lake with nice beaches, however, when we went, the water has a 'no contact order' from May-end of September. This was not disclosed when booking."
Limited cell service: Many rural campgrounds have poor connectivity. At Bruce Park Campground, a visitor reported, "Verizon and T-mobile were pretty slow here, but usable. On Verizon I got about 6Mbit down and 3 up. On T-mobile I got 5 down and 1 up. Both were 4G signals."
Bathroom maintenance varies: Facility cleanliness differs significantly between locations. A camper at Fred Penn Park noted, "Nice campground but the bathrooms were disgusting. Mud on the floor in the shower. Spider webs and dead bugs everywhere. 20 min of cleaning could have made it enjoyable."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play equipment for children. At Riverside Park, a visitor noted, "I camped in the park for a friend's wedding. I was pleasantly surprised at how nice it is. You park in the grass. Pull through is an option. Bathrooms were clean and close by."
Educational opportunities: Some locations offer learning experiences for children. Willow Creek State Recreation Area provides access to nearby attractions. A camper shared, "We stayed here on our visit up to Ashfall Fossil Beds (which is a must see for anyone with kids, and is only a 30 minute drive from campsite)."
Swimming options: When available, public pools near campgrounds provide recreation for children. A visitor to Chilvers Park mentioned, "I would assume that campers would have use of the shower facility at the pool, but if not, you could just spend a few bucks and swim all day and shower at the end."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup availability: Most city parks offer at least basic electrical connections. At Bruce Park Campground, a visitor observed, "The sites have water and electric. I only saw a 30A plug on the one I checked but other sites may have 50A."
Pad size limitations: Some campgrounds have restricted space for larger rigs. At Wildwood Acres Park, a camper warned, "I would have given this nice little campground a 3-star rating, but I felt the 8 foot pads were a little bit too small. To be fair, they have placed a handful of larger pads throughout, but it would be insanely cramped for larger units to maneuver."
Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds with RV parking provide on-site dump facilities. A camper at Willow Creek State Recreation Area noted, "There is no dump station available at the park, you have to drive to town to dump your tanks at the courthouse."
