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."

Best Camping Sites Near St. Paul, Nebraska (48)

    1. North Loup State Rec Area

    3 Reviews
    St. Paul, NE
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (308) 385-6211

    "The loup river is a short distance away and it is BEAUTIFUL."

    2. Grand Island KOA

    30 Reviews
    Doniphan, NE
    29 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 886-2249

    "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!"

    3. Cottonwood Park

    2 Reviews
    St. Paul, NE
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (308) 246-5278

    "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."

    4. Mormon Island State Recreation Area Campground

    19 Reviews
    Doniphan, NE
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (308) 385-6211

    $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."

    5. George H Clayton Campground (Hall County Park)

    10 Reviews
    Grand Island, NE
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (308) 385-5087

    $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."

    6. Streeter Park Campground

    28 Reviews
    Marquette, NE
    33 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 694-6992

    "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. "

    7. Bader Memorial Park

    5 Reviews
    Marquette, NE
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (308) 986-2522

    "Campground Review: Bader Park is located in Merrick County a few miles from Marquette Nebraska."

    "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."

    8. Sherman Reservoir State Rec Area Campground

    2 Reviews
    Loup City, NE
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (308) 745-0230

    $30 / 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. "

    10. Ravenna Lake State Recreation Area

    5 Reviews
    Ashton, NE
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 471-7755

    "There are showers and bathrooms but they are up near the entrance to the campground although they did have porta potties near the campsites."

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Recent Reviews near St. Paul, NE

245 Reviews of 48 St. Paul Campgrounds


  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Bader Memorial Park

    Great overnighter!

    Small campground great for an overnight stop. 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.

  • Kyla B.
    Sep. 1, 2025

    War Axe State Rec Area

    Convenient, clean and family friendly

    Stopped for the night. Primitive camping at $10 per night. Must have State Park sticker as it is managed by NE Game and Parks. Has handicap restroom available and covered picnic tables. Little pond for fishing with a dock. Pets allowed, no fire pits onsite, no water or dumpsite. Can see interstate so expect traffic noise.

  • Jennifer O.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Kearney RV Park & Campground

    Perfect overnight stop

    We rolled in and didn’t even need to unhook. Level site, quiet (except for the interstate), easy breezy check in, clean, and easy out. Would totally stay again

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Fort Kearny State Recreation Area

    14.00 per day Nebraska fee?

    Great bike trail, takes you right into downtown Kearney about 10 miles. It goes in the other direction about 45 miles. The State Park fee of 14.00 would be just fine if the showers weren't pay by the minute. Still, quiet park. If you ever wanted to write your doctoral thesis on biting insects, you'll want to stay here an entire summer.

  • kThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 16, 2025

    Firefly Meadows

    Off from the busy freeway

    Off of I80, however not nosy, cornfield on the other sides. My campsite has a tree on each side. Even though not very big sites, it is shaded,level,concrete, water , electric. Restrooms are updated, nice big showers, water is clean, grounds Are well kept.. i think they are quiet.. will be back, great place for over night, or a day or to to take a break from driving.. they have rooms to stay in..

  • cThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 13, 2025

    Pioneer Trails Recreation Area

    Idyllic Spot amidst the cornfields

    Just happened upon this small camping area off of Rte 14. So peaceful. Perfect for us as we needed sun for our solar panels but not much shade otherwise. Surrounded by cornfields. Pulled in on a Tuesday and only 3 other RV’s here. Such a lovely surprise. Tent camping available further down from the RV area.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2025

    Grand Island KOA

    Good stop over location near interstate 80

    This campground is situated near interstate 80 and surrounded by cornfields, surprise surprise for Nebraska. Nice people, clean bathrooms and well kept property. There is a mixture of shaded and non-shaded sites. We had full hookups which were all in good order. There is a new manager at the campground who is working on upgrading some of the facilities and amenities. This KOA sounds like it will be improving on already nice conditions. Although near the highway there was not a lot of road noise.

  • Steven V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 6, 2025

    Grand Island KOA

    Unkept restrooms

    It is very close to Interstate, but I could not hear it. Prices for full hookup are more than other places. Arrived after hours without issue. I tried 2 different restrooms and showers. Hair stuck to wall in shower, toilets that need to be cleaned and replaced. Floors were dirty. They should check them every hour or two after 5pm until 11pm for the price.

  • P
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Bassway Strip State Wildlife Area

    Decent spots, but quite buggy, and next to the interstate

    It was a great spot in a pinch with very few people there, but the mosquitos were bad, at least in late July. The interstate is right next to the area so it can be pretty loud with the semi’s. Overall it was secluded and shaded with flat spots to camp so cant complain too much.


Guide to St. Paul

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."

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 48 campgrounds and RV parks near St. Paul, NE and 4 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 4 free dispersed camping spots near St. Paul, NE.