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."
"The loup river is a short distance away and it is BEAUTIFUL."
"This campground is situated near interstate 80 and surrounded by cornfields, surprise surprise for Nebraska. Nice people, clean bathrooms and well kept property."
"The location is great and feels tucked away every though it isn't far from the highway. The staff were very helpful. I would definitely recommend!"
"Though located on the North side of the Missouri River, this campground is considered to be in Nebraska. Run by the US Corp of Engineers, there are no state permits required."
$15 - $30 / night
"Cool campground with lots of playground equipment, easy access to walking and bike paths and right next to Stuhr Museum which is well worth a trip!"
"Beautiful park on the outskirts of town. I counted 20 concrete rv pads and numerous tent sites. Access to water and dump station with electricity at the site. $30 per night."
$25 - $30 / night
"We wanted a camp ground that was close to a city and only a 2 hour drive from our home if we needed to get something or an accessory that we forgot to pick up before leaving. "
"This park is right off I-80 off one of the Grand Island exits. This park was actually a surprise to me. It was pretty clean, especially for as packed as it was."
"There's a playground nearby and several walking paths as well as a restroom. these cell service was great and the camp even has free wi-fi provided by the city."
"Nice city park trail through the trees for a good morning walk. "
"You have the option to fish from 3 or 4 ponds plus the river is walking distance. Beach area for kids seems to have people there often. Good weekend get away."
"Some nice hiking trails near the Platte River, bird watching hut to hike out to and small ponds for fishing. Nice clean sites. Small playground."
$25 / night
"Finding a camping spot with access to the lake is difficult. After driving around the lake, we found one, and it was an amazing spot! Clean outhouses. "
"There are showers and bathrooms but they are up near the entrance to the campground although they did have porta potties near the campsites."
GuidePark is near the interstate so is a convenient over night location if you don’t mind hearing the traffic. Nice lake and lots of big old trees. Sites are spaced out decently. Bathhouse is old but ok. I would stay here again
ScoutThis is a clean, quite and safe campground. The clubhouse has nice clean showers and bathrooms. The living rooms and laundry room is really nice as well.
RangerIf you are wanting to see the crane migration, this is the place to stay. It is approximately .9 of a mile from the bridge across the Platte River. The campground is split between an East and West section. The eastern campground is small, but closer to the bridge. The western campground is spaced around some small ponds. There are electrical hookups, firepits, and some picnic tables. The sites are close together and not that special. If you go for the Spring migration you likely won't have any water available. Also, there are only a couple of vault toilets and they were not well stocked with toilet paper, so bring your own. It seemed to cater to larger self-contained RV's that only need electricity. So what is good about this place: first is the birds, Sandhill Cranes, Whooping Cranes, and Belted Kingfishers, plus more. Hearing the Cranes fly over morning and evening is delightful. Second, there were tremendous sunsets. These might have been influenced by the fires burning to the West, but they were impressive.
Be prepared for crazy weather. The first night was 21 with a 11 degree windchill. Two days later it was 78.
ScoutBad
TravelerI've camped there many many times for many years now. Its nice. My only issue ever is, the privacy. There really isn't any privacy lol. Kinda sad. Everyone is sooo squished together especially when it's busy in the summer. Other than that it's nice. Lots of bathrooms. Swimming, fishing, grilling..
RangerThe park has a few camping spots but is clearly not focused on the camping aspect. It is more of a park than a campground. It has common areas with grills and pits. No bathrooms, water, or electricity. It did have a couple port-a-potties. There is a ranch/farm across the lake full of cows that not only smell, but make noise incessantly throughout the night - Won't bother a trailer or van, but was an annoyance in a tent.
ScoutThis recreation area is smaller but is very clean. If you're looking for a nice area to camp, trail walk, and relax on a low budget, this is a great spot.
RangerThis park has so much potential. The land was beautiful, but unkept. Mosquitos and knats were thick and unavoidable. The trash cans overflowed, and there was garbage on the ground all around my site. The grass was long...just sad.
On the upside, there's a nice museum at the ranger's station and the remnants of a blacksmith's barn. That part of the park was clean...but it was about 4 miles from the campground. Don't think I would stay here again.
GuideThis is a nice little stop free camp ground free electric and water.\nThere are a new area and the old area
Camping areas near St. Paul, Nebraska sit at elevations ranging from 1,800 to 2,200 feet in the Loup River Valley region. The area experiences four distinct seasons with hot summers averaging 85°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Most campgrounds in this region operate seasonally with limited winter services, and many require state park permits costing $6 daily or $31 annually for vehicles.
Disc golf opportunities: Ravenna Lake State Recreation Area has a complete disc golf course that attracts players despite maintenance challenges. "The Disc Golf course looked inviting, but the mosquitoes were horrendous," notes one visitor to Ravenna Lake State Recreation Area.
Wildlife observation: The wetlands and prairie areas support diverse bird populations and small mammals. At Bader Memorial Park, visitors can experience "acres of prairie wetlands and miles of trails" where you can hear "the leaves rustling as they blew in the wind, the crickets and frogs singing and the coyotes chattering in the distance."
Local swimming: Several parks offer swimming options during summer months. "Bader Park has a swimming beach with a sandvolleyball net, and multiple fishing ponds," according to a camper who visited this destination in warmer months.
Train watching: Railroad tracks run near several campgrounds, providing opportunities to observe passing trains. A camper at North Loup State Rec Area mentioned: "Small park with no extras...no running water, no playground equipment, no electricity. The grounds were kept up nicely and there is an outhouse for use. The mosquitos were terrible."
Nature sounds: The relative isolation of some campgrounds allows for peaceful evenings with natural ambiance. One review noted: "You only heard nature around you...the leaves rustling as they blew in the wind, the crickets and frogs singing and the coyotes chattering in the distance. So very relaxing."
River access: The Loup River provides recreational opportunities beyond just fishing. A North Loup visitor shared: "The loup river is a short distance away and it is BEAUTIFUL."
Gate closing times: Some campgrounds have strict entrance policies. "A sign indicates gates close at 8:30. So if you are arriving late, or wanting a night out in town this may not be the campground for you," warns a visitor to George H Clayton Campground.
Site privacy varies significantly: Campsite spacing differs widely between locations. At Grand Island KOA, "The sites are tight, like right on top of each other," while at George H Clayton Campground, sites are "shady, tons of space between sites."
Seasonal maintenance issues: The level of maintenance fluctuates throughout the season. "The lake was nice and probably had good fishing... but the mosquitoes were horrendous and the Toilet disgusting," reported one Ravenna Lake visitor during peak summer season.
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play facilities for children. At Grand Island KOA, a visitor noted, "There is lots to keep kids busy... our 3 year old spent most of the evening catching toads."
Beach recreation: Sand beaches provide swimming opportunities during summer months. According to a review, Ravenna Lake has facilities that include "volleyball net setup disc golf available a pet exercise area the fountain was beautiful and shady in most areas."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near St. Paul, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, St. Paul, NE offers a wide range of camping options, with 49 campgrounds and RV parks near St. Paul, NE and 5 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near St. Paul, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near St. Paul, NE is North Loup State Rec Area with a 3.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near St. Paul, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near St. Paul, NE.
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