Best Campgrounds near Scribner, NE

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Scribner, Nebraska (91)

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Recent Reviews near Scribner, NE

395 Reviews of 91 Scribner Campgrounds


  • Donna H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Wilson Island State Recreation Area Campground

    Mosquitos and undrinkable water.

    Mosquitos are a given in a wetland refuge, but since this was just an overnight stay, I wasn't especially concerned. What DID concern me was:

    1. The camp host was present, but not at all helpful. A bad storm was moving in, and so I asked about tornado shelters in the area...he said there were none. Funny as the ranger station was within walking distance, but nobody was attending.

    2. It's a state park, and so the water stations are sprinkled throughout the camping areas. I was going to fill my kettle and was stopped by one of the campers who said that the water was bad and that if I needed water, she had extra. The camp host didn't mention the contamination issue, nor were the spigots marked. I did see a weathered "boil notice" on the door to the showers that evening. 

    It has the potential to be a nice park, but is unkept and all but neglected by the camp host.

  • V
    Sep. 30, 2025

    loess hills state forest

    Loess Hills State Forest

    Really impressed with this location. Incredible hiking just outside your door.

  • Fire S.
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Red Cedar Lake

    Peaceful Getaway with Beautiful Views

    Red Cedar Lake is a hidden gem if you’re looking for quiet, simple camping. The scenery is beautiful, with open skies and plenty of wildlife around. It’s free camping, so amenities are limited—bring your own supplies and expect rustic conditions. The fishing was great, and the sunsets over the water were stunning. Perfect spot if you want to unplug, relax, and enjoy nature close to the road.https://kukasoittia.fi/

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 24, 2025

    Onawa-Blue Lake KOA

    Convenient and quiet

    Conveniently located approximately 2.5 miles West of I29 and on the Eastern edge of Lewis and Clark state park which makes this KOA very quiet.

  • Kyla B.
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Czechland Lake Recreation Area

    Peaceful

    Has fishing, kayaking, hiking, 3 covered picnic areas with electricity, wildlife watching, no-wake boating, 11 (50 amp) RV/tent pads/sites at $20 per night, 3 free non-electrical RV/tent pads/sites, & free tent camping area by the dock. No park permit required. Can pay for pads/sites with cash or with mobile phone. Sites have trash cans, picnic tables and fire rings. Primitive bathrooms available. Water spigots available and working. No dumpsite. Dogs welcome but must be leashed.

    May be difficult parking for larger rigs (35ft+) due to the one way entrance and curvature of the campground. Also note that you will need to bring leveling blocks for nearly every site since the campground is build on a hill.

    https://lpnnrd.org/outdoor-recreation/czechland-lake-recreation-area/

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area Tent Campsites

    Great state rec area

    Impressive recreation area. Campsites on and off of the water, all very nice. 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.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Ta-Ha-Zouka Park

    Perfect city park overnighter

    Nice roomy clean sites. Park is nice, pretty little pond with fountain and immediate access to the Cowboy Trail. Right on the edge of the town of Norfolk, access to everything you may need. Across the highway from a cubby’s and love’s truck stops but the stay was still peaceful and quiet. Very nice large city park.

  • Trav S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area

    Sewer Dump Available

    This is a very cool park in Papillion, Nebraska!

    It also has a sewer dump site for $5 (if you're not camping). See the camp host to pay.

  • J
    Aug. 24, 2025

    On-Ur-Wa RV Park

    Overnight stay

    This campsite was everything we were needing for the night plus more. The people were very friendly.


Guide to Scribner

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.

What to do

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."

What campers like

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."

What you should know

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.

Tips for camping with families

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."

Tips from RVers

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 91 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 2 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.