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Best Tent Camping near St. Paul, NE

235 Reviews

Tent campsites near St. Paul, Nebraska offer several primitive options in the surrounding region. Tooley Park Campground in Marquette and Bowman Lake State Recreation Area in Loup City provide basic tent camping experiences. Both locations allow drive-in access with Tooley Park additionally offering boat-in, hike-in, and walk-in options for campers seeking varied access points to their sites.

Primitive tent camping dominates the St. Paul area landscape with minimal amenities at most locations. Tooley Park permits fires and provides picnic tables and a sanitary dump station, but lacks drinking water and toilets. Campers should note that alcohol is prohibited at all area campgrounds, including Tooley Park, where local reviewers mention the site has faced closures due to past partying issues. Bowman Lake State Recreation Area offers toilets and drinking water but prohibits fires and pets, making it suitable for campers prioritizing basic facilities over campfire experiences.

The tent camping experience varies significantly between locations. Cheyenne State Recreation Area, located near Wood River, permits both fires and pets while providing toilets, trash service, and drinking water. Sites situated along the river provide recreational opportunities for kayakers and anglers. Bowman Lake receives positive feedback for its quiet setting and river access. According to one visitor, Bowman Lake offers "nice river access, playground, fishing but it is primitive." Tooley Park serves primarily as a river access point, with one camper noting it has become "my main get in spot for kayaking" despite periodic closures and management changes.

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Best Tent Sites Near St. Paul, Nebraska (6)

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Tent Camping Reviews near St. Paul, NE

235 Reviews of 6 St. Paul Campgrounds

  • R
    Oct. 2, 2021

    Fort Kearny State Recreation Area

    Great base camp for viewing Sandhill cranes

    Nice camp ground with helpful gate attendants, this Nebraska park represents the conundrum of many public campgrounds. Here, there are plentiful showers (yes, 75 cents for three minutes, woopdeedoo) but no water spigots and few usable pit toilets. There are primitive sites, 30 amp (yellow) and 50 amp (red) sites so no generator noise and all sites are near stocked ponds. A mix of overnight and long term visitors. Sandhills cranes can be viewed in the adjacent corn stubble in April. Limited cell service and no WiFi

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2024

    Streeter Park Campground

    Really good overnight stop

    Streeter Park is a nice park with ball fields, walking paths, waterpark and a small campground. The campground has about a dozen or so sites set up in a gravel parking lot next to the waterpark. It's a place where you can pull in your camper & spend the night. It's free, although a donation is requested. The sites are small parking spaces, close together. Each site has a picnic table, electricity & water. Waste disposal is also available in the campground as well as trash dumpsters. You can use the restrooms at the waterpark & ball field; they were open all night. No shower facilty. The one negative is the road noise; it was loud at times. This campground is not a destination; it's a really good place for an overnight stop.

  • oregonlums
    Apr. 12, 2021

    Mormon Island State Recreation Area Campground

    Easy access from I-80

    Spacious and well maintained campground. In March, the campground was still in WINTER season so only one bathroom location open and no showers open in winter, and limited water access points, but we had a electric hookup. Our campsite loop bordered vegetation, was spacious between campsites, and fairly protected from Interstate noise. Had a fire ring and picnic table. Several lakes and pretty trees. Camp hosts were friendly and helpful with questions! Don’t forget to visit sandhill cranes in March/April.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2018

    Pioneer Trails Recreation Area

    Secluded

    Pioneer Trails Recreatin Area is a new campground so there is no shade available, but the sites have lots of room between them and have nice level, long concrete pads with a picnic table and fire ring. There are 10 Rv sites with electric only and a separate area with 8 tent sites. The tent sites are walk up sites. There is a nice lake for fishing or boating, and the area is well kept and will be beautiful once the trees come into full maturity.

  • Tarrah C.
    Apr. 5, 2023

    Fort Kearny State Recreation Area

    Lots of camping option

    This is a nice site with electric and tent sites. Each site has fire ring and there are vault toilets around the site. There are tent site that are free. You can camp there off season. Some of the site are on the river. There are also several hiking trails.

  • Susan L.
    Sep. 6, 2020

    Fort Kearny State Recreation Area

    Quick stopover

    This was a quick stopover due to bad weather coming in. A daily vehicle park permit is required and when this is added in to the cost, it’s a bit pricey for what it is, but the Recreation Area has a lot going for it. Check the photo of their brochure for camping pricing. They go by Electric Plus, electric and basic. 

    There are 7 sandpit lakes in the area that offer fishing. Lakes 5, 6 and 7 offer handicap accessible piers. Lake 7 has the swimming beach. I was camped backed up to Lake 4 at site 57. This site wouldn’t accommodate anything longer than 26’. It was also right next to site 58, so it would be great for 2 families looking to camp together, but otherwise, not so good. The site wasn’t level due to erosion, which was pretty significant. 

    The area has beautiful, mature cottonwood trees. One of these was right at site 57 so there was lots of shade. Also a picnic table and fire ring. Electric h/u, but no water. Need to fill up prior to camping. I didn’t use the dump station or the bathrooms so can’t comment. 

    There’s a bike trail that goes to the Fort at the historical park. I didn’t have time to check this out, but would like to next time I pass through.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2018

    Mormon Island State Recreation Area Campground

    Nice fishing area and camping along I-80

    Mormon Island is a nice, clean State campground along Interstate 80 at the Grand Island exit. There is a store right before the entrance in case you forgot anything or need to purchase firewood. There are 3 different areas for campers, a tent area, a Rv area, and an area for generator use. The Rv area has Electric and the sites are evenly spaced on black top and are level. Each site has a fire ring and picnic table. There is also plenty of day use areas. The restrooms are clean and have water fountains. There is a separate shower house and laundry that is also well kept. The grounds are maintained and are attractive.

    There is a playground for children, a fishing pier, biking, and nice trails to explore. This is a nice area with lots to explore including the Platte River. Just beware of deer ticks. Spray,Spray,Spray..my husband left with 32 visitors that needed to be pulled out.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 31, 2021

    Trade Winds

    Fun, lively campground but too close together

    3 miles East of Loup City is Trade Winds campground. It is privately owned so you don’t need a state pass. It has 12 cabins and 20 Rv/tent sites with electricity and shared water. The sites are very close together but have shade trees. Each site is back in with picnic bench and fire rings. There is a nice marina for food,bait, supplies. And it has a grill open on weekends. There is a coin operated shower house and laundry mat area. The Marina also has kayak, boat slip, and storage for rent. Everyone there seems to be nice. They even had a huge firework display.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2021

    Ravenna Lake State Recreation Area

    Only getter better

    Lots of work and upgrades in progress to facilities like bath house and hook ups etc. Porta-Potties available and free remnant firewood boxes for fire rings. Picnic tables metal wire on cement slabs. RV pull thru on gravel. Easy to call for details and upgrade status; nice staff. Peaceful Camping. Spent two nights for Nebraska Junk Jaunt.

Guide to St. Paul

Tent camping near St. Paul, Nebraska, offers a variety of scenic spots and outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there are several well-reviewed campgrounds to explore.

Tips for tent camping near St. Paul

Tent campers like these nearby activities

Essential campground features for a great stay

  • Cheyenne State Rec Area provides drinking water and allows pets, making it a convenient choice for families.
  • At Greeley City Park, you can find basic amenities like toilets and drinking water, although it lacks showers and trash services.
  • DLD State Wayside Rec Area is big rig friendly and offers showers, making it suitable for those who prefer a bit more comfort while camping.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near St. Paul, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near St. Paul, NE is Tooley Park Campground with a 2.5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near St. Paul, NE?

TheDyrt.com has all 6 tent camping locations near St. Paul, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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