95 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Scribner, Nebraska provides several campground options within a 30-mile radius, with both tent and RV accommodations available at most locations. Dead Timber State Recreation Area, located just outside Scribner, offers year-round camping with drive-in and walk-in access for both tent and RV campers. The Dodge County Fairgrounds in Scribner provides basic RV sites, while nearby Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area features multiple campgrounds including Victory Lake and Pathfinder with more extensive amenities. Most campgrounds in this region maintain electric hookups, with varying levels of additional facilities from primitive to full-service.
Camping facilities throughout the Scribner area typically operate year-round, though amenities and accessibility may change seasonally. Many campgrounds offer electric hookups (30/50 amp), drinking water, and toilet facilities, with shower access more limited to developed sites. "This is primitive camping on the peninsula, so you get close access to disc golf, nice beach, and showers just up the road," noted one camper about a nearby lake recreation area. Water access represents a significant feature at several locations, with Dead Timber and Fremont Lakes offering lakeside camping opportunities. Reservations are recommended for electric sites and during summer weekends when water-adjacent campsites fill quickly. Most campgrounds require a Nebraska state park permit for entry, available at entrance stations or online.
Campers consistently rate water access as a primary attraction at recreation areas near Scribner. Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area receives positive reviews for its multiple campgrounds offering both tent and RV sites with varying levels of amenities. Several visitors mentioned the quality fishing opportunities at nearby lakes as a highlight of their camping experience. A recent review noted, "The lake is lovely with such good trails it is often used as a cross-country race site." Oakland City Park and Neligh Park Campground provide additional options with full hookups for RVs, while Summit Lake State Recreation Area offers more secluded camping with both drive-in and walk-in sites. Most campgrounds in the region feature picnic tables and fire rings, though firewood availability varies by location. Proximity to small towns allows for supply runs while maintaining a rural camping experience.
"It is an hour or so, depending on how you drive, from Omaha, near Scribner, Nebraska. The roads from the highway are paved up to the entrance, but the rec area is all dirt/gravel."
"Dead Timber SRA is located between an oxbow lake and the Elkhorn River. It has a small number of both 30 amp electric RV pads along with basic tent camping spots."
"The sites do not offer much shade as the trees planted around them are still small. The campground is in a quiet part of town. The city park is adjacent to the campground."
"We had sites 210 and 211 right on Victory Lake. The fishing was great and we had a lot of kayaking to do. There are a ton of available sites here right on the water."
"There are playgrounds, day use areas, picnic shelters,concessions, restaurant/shop, fishing pier along with many small fishing lakes."
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Adjacent to a golf course. Dump station in park. Great little town with grocery store (lots of Swedish specialties) and Dollar General."
"There are six paved spots first come first serve with electric and water and a dump station close by. There's also a nice hot shower and clean restroom. "
"Lots of walking and bike riding. Very woodsy feeling through the whole park and a nice bicycle trail that leaves the park and winds out to Hormel Park on the Platte River."
"The lake was awesome, not much shade on most tent sites. make sure you ask when they dredged the lakes that you want to stay on."
from $10 - $15 / night
Check Availability"Pros Water/Electricity/Dump station
-Public restroom
-Near a gas station and convenience mart
-Free will donation for firewood
-Flat camping spots
-Park nearby
-Fire Rings
Cons
-"
"Plenty of swimming beaches, one near the campground store, which has almost everything you need or forgot."
from $25 - $30 / night
Check Availability"Pros: Quiet, walking trails, lake, bar nearby, clean showers and bathroom, building a new playground as of 10/2022 Cons: Dump station is on a noticeable uphill slope, so you won't be able to completely"
"Summit is a great lake just west of Tekamah, and less than a hour from Omaha."
from $30 / night
Check Availability
Travelersaw a dad and son fishing in the first pullout. I went down to where the pavilion was and parked there for the night. didn't see anyone else. I like how you can get here by mostly paved roads and just a short gravel drive (half a mile max) to parking spot.
ScoutA nice private camp, no other campers on a Fri night in July. We camped just as you pull in, right next to drive that goes into the cemetery. The upper field to the right was quite overgrown.
ScoutEasy check in ,and plenty of room, water and electric. Plenty of things to do in the area
GuideGreat overnight spot to camp for free with electric. Located on lake just North of Columbus, NE
ScoutI love how quite it is and how little to no one that is here it’s the best experience
ScoutWe stayed here March - June this year. The staff was always friendly and helpful, and there have been many upgrades done to the park. Would be happy to stay there again if we’re back in the area.
ScoutOverall we enjoyed our stay, the amenities that came with the glamping tent are great. We enjoyed that it came with a mini fridge and paper products that were needed. Would have enjoyed a list of all the items and amenities that the glamping tent came with. We brought a lot of extra stuff that wasn’t needed because we were unsure of what the glamping tent supplied. It’s probably time for new linens on the bed as the sheets and pillowcases have many stains on them. The wood that is provided isn’t enough for the whole weekend, so do recommend bringing a bundle of your own. The glamping tent requires you to use porta potties which is fine, but their bathrooms weren’t clean. They would probably benefit from daily cleaning. As far as sweeping out cobwebs, dead bugs, and trash. Definitely need an upgrade the shower house, I personally would never be able to shower in a facility that isn’t clean. Overall the bathroom facilities need some attention, but the tent was enjoyable.
TravelerThe tree was blocking the road to the pin so I set up next to the state forest sign. Very peaceful and serene. People who live here are very friendly and helpful. Love this spot though. Still perfect for a quiet night.
TravelerStayed for 2 weeks it was comfortable and quiet every morning was a beautiful sunrise and every night was beautiful.
Camping spots near Scribner, Nebraska offer a mix of riverside and lakeside options with varying levels of development. The region sits within the eastern Nebraska plains where the Elkhorn River winds through agricultural landscapes at approximately 1,200 feet elevation. Summer temperatures typically reach the mid-90s during July and August, with winter camping available but limited by Nebraska's cold continental climate.
Kayaking on Summit Lake: At Summit Lake State Recreation Area, visitors find excellent kayaking opportunities on the 190-acre lake surrounded by hills. "Summit is a great lake just west of Tekamah, and less than a hour from Omaha. This thing is surrounded by hills and creates a valley or bowl. This hills seem to offer a form of wind block," notes one visitor who appreciated the calmer paddling conditions.
Fishing excursions: Multiple waterways in the region provide fishing access. At Dead Timber State Rec Area, campers report "Great Lake for kayaking or a small jon boat" with fishing as a primary activity. The lakes throughout the area support various fish species, with one Summit Lake visitor noting, "The fishing appears to be good as well."
Disc golf and swimming: Local parks combine recreation options within walking distance of campsites. "This is primitive camping on the peninsula, so you get close access to disc golf, nice beach, and showers just up the road," reported a camper about recreation opportunities. Howells Community Park features "Beautiful town with lots to do! Visit the town website to see all the different things going on."
Secluded lake environments: Camping at Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area Tent Campsites provides access to "at least a dozen small lakes part of the grounds. The new lakes are busy and full of RVs. If you want a less busy area, find the older section," advises one camper seeking quieter settings.
Clean facilities: Maintenance standards vary across camping locations, but several receive high marks. "Facilities were very clean. Cleanest I have ever seen in a campground," reports one Fremont Lakes camper. Similarly, at Oakland City Park, visitors find "a city park campground, obviously very well kept. There are hundreds of mature trees and flower beds, public pool, disc golf course, sand vb courts, playgrounds."
Proximity to amenities: While maintaining a natural setting, many campgrounds offer nearby conveniences. Oakland City Park provides camping "adjacent to a golf course. Dump station in park. Great little town with grocery store (lots of Swedish specialties) and Dollar General." At Howells Community Park, campers appreciate being "near a gas station and convenience mart" with "free will donation for firewood."
Train noise considerations: Railroad activity impacts several camping areas. At Fremont Lakes, one camper reported, "There is a very busy set of train tracks that run about every 20 minutes all day and all night. Didn't get any sleep, even with earplugs. Plus, it's right next to a busy highway."
Site selection factors: The terrain varies significantly across camping areas. At Summit Lake State Recreation Area, "The gravel pads are fairly level, but there is a 3' rise between sites in this area of the park so if camping together it would be best to get spots closer to the lake. It levels out as you get down to about site 8."
Seasonal conditions: Water levels fluctuate throughout the year. "Lake is low as of 2022 but looks to be refilling," noted one Summit Lake visitor. Additionally, some campgrounds offer limited seasonal amenities, with Oakland City Park operating from "early apr-late oct" according to listed information.
Look for multiple recreation options: Victory Lake Campground receives positive feedback from family campers noting "There are playgrounds, day use areas, picnic shelters, concessions, restaurant/shop, fishing pier along with many small fishing lakes." This variety keeps different age groups entertained.
Consider shade availability: Tree cover varies significantly between camping areas. One visitor to Fremont Lakes noted "not much shade on most tent sites," while Summit Lake offers "the abounds of trees and more shade" according to camper reports.
Check for water safety features: Swimming areas with designated beaches provide safer conditions for children. "There is a beach, and swimming area near the dock," reports a Summit Lake visitor, while Victory Lake Campground offers sites where "we camped right along the water. We had sites 210 and 211 right on Victory Lake."
Utility hookup variations: Electrical service differs between campgrounds. "This site has 20, 30, and 50A plugs in the pedestal," notes a Summit Lake camper. At Neligh Park Campground, visitors find "Concrete pads with 20/30/50amp service," though hookups may be shared at some locations like Howells where "you share your water connection with your neighbor."
Dump station challenges: Summit Lake presents unique challenges for RVers: "Dump station is on a noticeable uphill slope, so you won't be able to completely empty a tank if your setup is the wrong way." Site accessibility varies with Oakland City Park offering "six paved spots first come first serve with electric and water and a dump station close by."
Reservation considerations: While some campgrounds accept reservations, others operate first-come, first-served. Victory Lake Campground advises "I would definitely call ahead to reserve a spot if going for the weekend. It is a college town and a state park so it was busy."
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Dead Timber State Recreation Area near Scribner?
Dead Timber State Recreation Area offers basic amenities including water access, vault toilets, and sites that can accommodate larger rigs. The recreation area features picnic tables and fire rings at campsites. While amenities are limited compared to some other Nebraska recreation areas like Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area, Dead Timber provides a more secluded camping experience with good access to fishing and wildlife viewing opportunities. The park does not offer electricity, showers, or flush toilets.
How do I make camping reservations at Dead Timber State Recreation Area in Scribner?
Dead Timber State Recreation Area operates primarily on a first-come, first-served basis. Unlike Pathfinder Campground or West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday which offer advance reservations, Dead Timber doesn't typically have an online reservation system. To secure a spot, it's best to arrive early, especially during summer weekends and holidays. You'll need to purchase a Nebraska state park permit, which can be obtained online through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website or at various retailers throughout the state.
What camping is available near Scribner, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, Scribner, NE offers a wide range of camping options, with 95 campgrounds and RV parks near Scribner, NE and 1 free dispersed camping spot.
Which is the most popular campground near Scribner, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Scribner, NE is Dead Timber State Rec Area with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Scribner, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, there is 1 free dispersed camping spot near Scribner, NE.
Keep Exploring
