Best Campgrounds near St. Paul, NE
Campgrounds around St. Paul, Nebraska provide a mix of developed facilities and scenic outdoor spaces along rivers and lakes. North Loup State Recreation Area offers basic tent and RV camping with access to fishing ponds and the Loup River, while George H. Clayton Campground features electric hookups, showers, and well-maintained concrete pads for RVs. The majority of camping areas in the region are established campgrounds rather than dispersed sites, with most offering electric hookups and basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings.
Access to camping areas varies seasonally, with most campgrounds operating from April through October. Several facilities, including Streeter Park Campground and Ravenna Lake State Recreation Area, close entirely during winter months. Tent and RV sites typically require state recreation permits at state-managed areas, while county and city parks often have their own fee structures. Water access is inconsistent across the region's campgrounds, with some offering full hookups and others providing only shared spigots. A visitor noted that "North Loup State Rec Area is just a rock parking area with electric hook up spaced out, next to lake, so no designated spots. Because it is popular for fishing you may have people walking through your campsite."
Fishing access ranks as the primary attraction at most camping areas near St. Paul, with several campgrounds situated directly adjacent to lakes, ponds, or the Loup River. Mormon Island State Recreation Area and Sherman Reservoir State Recreation Area both receive positive reviews for their water access and fishing opportunities. Camping facilities range from basic to moderately developed, with most offering at least vault toilets and picnic tables. Reviews indicate that privacy varies considerably between campgrounds, with some featuring well-spaced sites and others placing campers in close proximity. According to feedback on The Dyrt, "Bader Memorial Park has tons of little ponds and a small lake for swimming, large beach with nets for volleyball and a playground. The tent sites are a mix of being right in the middle of everything or far away."
