Best Campgrounds near St. Paul, NE

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.

What to do

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.

What campers like

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."

What you should know

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.

Tips for camping with families

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."