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Best Campgrounds in Nebraska

1,982 Reviews

Nebraska's camping scene spans from established state parks to scenic lakeside areas. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground offers year-round accommodations including tent sites, RV hookups, and cabin rentals, while Platte River State Park provides additional options with yurts and glamping facilities. Branched Oak Lake State Recreation Area features tent and RV sites with primitive to full-hookup options across multiple campgrounds. The region includes several KOA locations with family-friendly amenities and a range of state recreation areas with waterfront access.

Most Nebraska campgrounds provide electric hookups, drinking water, and fire rings, though availability varies seasonally. "Most sites have laundry and showers, but some parks lock bathrooms in the off-season," noted one camper. Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area and other locations maintain shower facilities and dump stations for RVs. Winter camping remains available at select locations including Camp A Way and West Omaha KOA Holiday, which operate year-round. During summer, temperatures can reach into the 90s°F, making water access particularly valuable. Many state recreation areas require park permits, and developed campgrounds typically charge $20-65 per night depending on hookup level and season.

State park campgrounds receive consistently high ratings for cleanliness and maintenance. Campers particularly appreciate Louisville State Recreation Area and Fort Kearny State Recreation Area for their accessibility and well-maintained grounds. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, visitors value the peaceful settings at lakeside campgrounds like Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area, which offers boat-in camping options. Urban-adjacent options such as Camp A Way Campground in Lincoln provide convenient access to city amenities while maintaining a camping atmosphere. One visitor mentioned that "Maskenthine Lake Recreation Area is one of our favorites with clean restrooms and showers, plus great trails for hiking or mountain biking." Train noise affects some campgrounds near rail lines, particularly those in smaller towns that offer municipal camping areas.

Best Camping Sites in Nebraska (517)

    1. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground

    46 Reviews
    Ashland, NE
    Website
    +1 (402) 944-2523

    $25 - $485 / night

    "Nestled between two major cities in Nebraska, you're never far away from anything you may want to do or see. RV and tent camping is obviously available with limited privacy."

    "We used to stop here as a midway point when driving to Colorado. We always stayed at the lodge for a night and had a pleasant time exploring the area."

    2. Camp A Way Campground

    31 Reviews
    Lincoln, NE
    Website
    +1 (402) 476-2282

    $35 - $67 / night

    "A fun pass is require and costa about $10 but kids get ice cream, Slushies, water balloons for water wars included with that plus access to trampoline basketball, a nice jump pad, pool, indoor hot tub,"

    "Next to highway. You can hear highway but that doesn’t bother me"

    3. Platte River State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    South Bend, NE
    Website
    +1 (402) 234-2217

    $35 - $340 / night

    "We were passing through Nebraska and opted to stay the night here. The campground is new and will be even nicer when the trees are big enough to provide shade."

    "Short walk in but a wagon is provided to help unload equipment. Picnic and fire pit near the teepee."

    4. Streeter Park Campground

    29 Reviews
    Marquette, NE
    Website
    +1 (402) 694-6992

    "Nice city park trail through the trees for a good morning walk. "

    "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."

    5. Fort Kearny State Recreation Area

    31 Reviews
    Kearney, NE
    Website
    +1 (308) 865-5305

    $15 - $30 / night

    "Nice camp ground with helpful gate attendants, this Nebraska park represents the conundrum of many public campgrounds."

    "Very nice stop, close but not too close to I-80. Quiet. Nice lakeside setting."

    6. Grand Island KOA

    30 Reviews
    Doniphan, NE
    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!"

    7. West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday

    29 Reviews
    Gretna, NE
    Website
    +1 (402) 332-3010

    "Very close to the Nebraska crossing outlet mall! 😊"

    "The campground itself was fine and very convenient in location to vIsIt famIly."

    8. Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area Campground

    30 Reviews
    Ogallala, NE
    Website
    +1 (308) 284-8800

    $15 - $45 / night

    "I stopped at this campsite on a cross country road trip from NY to NV, as I didn’t know anyone who resided in the great state of Nebraska. Talk about a total hidden gem!!"

    "Easy access to campsites, clean shower houses, fun walking trails with great views of the lake! Fun boating and atv activities or beach day with the family!"

    9. Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area

    28 Reviews
    Malcolm, NE
    Website
    +1 (402) 783-3400

    $25 - $35 / night

    "My first time camping in Nebraska. Ive been to several throughout the US. Loved the spot, I was right next to the lake, great swimming access. Downside drinking water access was difficult."

    "The area is well known for being the equestrian camping area at one of the finest lakes in Nebraska. Pull through sites with full hookups, equestrian trails, and corals."

    10. Hackberry Hollow Campground — Indian Cave State Park

    25 Reviews
    Shubert, NE
    Website
    +1 (402) 883-2575

    $25 - $30 / night

    "This is unlike any other campground in Nebraska. There are plenty of camping sites around the park no matter your style, even spots for horses! I prefer the hike in spots myself."

    "Campsites are very green and there are a lot of hiking trails! It's just that, well, it is in Nebraska."

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Recent Reviews in Nebraska

1982 Reviews of 517 Nebraska Campgrounds

  • N
    May. 29, 2026

    Chimney Rock Pioneer Crossing

    Simple with Good Views

    We stayed at this site for one night on our way to Yellowstone. We arrived after the shop on the grounds closed so I cannot speak to it, but it looked like it would be pretty neat. Overall it is a pretty simple campground set up in a pasture, there is a small pond that can be walked to and almost no shade. The bathrooms close when the shop closes, there are also no fire pits, but the views alone make it worth it. We were able to watch a lightning storm roll right over chimney rock from our campsite. They also had no issue with us bringing our pop up, where most RV resorts these days seem to ban them. Would 100% reccomend for the views alone.

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 28, 2026

    Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area

    Great Little Campground!

    Beautiful city owned campground. 50 and/or 30 amp electric at all sites. No water hookups, but spigots are located throughout the park. No shower house, only pit toilets. However, at $20 a night a steal!

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 18, 2026

    Cody City Park Campground

    Quiet overnight spot

    Very cute park with unsupported level cement pads with a dump and potable water. The fee is now $15, but a deal since the Walmart here is FULL of large rigs running.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 17, 2026

    Orchard City Park

    Inexpensive roadside camping with electric & showers

    Orchard City Park is a cute, shaded city park that makes for a decent, budget-friendly stopover, though it has some limitations for larger rigs.

    At $10 a day (as of May 2026), it includes electric hookups at the sites and an available dump station. The water situation is a bit tricky - there is only one shared water spigot for the entire park, located in the middle near the playground. It is pretty far from the actual campsites, so you would probably need at least a 100-foot hose if you wanted to fill when parked at the campsites.

    Two of the sites are on paved pads and are quite level. There appears to be two more sites on grass. The park itself is on the smaller side and would be difficult for big rigs to navigate. There is a picnic shelter in the park, and individual picnic tables near the campsites. There is one charcoal grill available for use. They also have restrooms with a shower on-site; they are definitely very old, but they seemed usable.

    The biggest downside is the noise level. Because the park sits right on the highway, there is a lot of traffic noise during the day; there are a lot of trucks on this route. It probably gets a little quieter at night, but it is very noticeable during the day.

    I didn't see much of anything in this town as far as restaurants or other commercial establishments.

    I had an ok Verizon 4G signal here that got 30Mbps down but only 1.5Mbps up.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 17, 2026

    Gilman Park

    Four sites in a city park

    If you are passing through northeast Nebraska, Gilman Park Campground in Pierce Nebraska is a convenient, budget-friendly stopover. It is a small, basic setup located right inside a lovely city park. There is not a dump station directly inside the park, but there is a public dump station located in the town about two minutes away. In May 2026 the nightly rate was $20, with a 5 night maximum stay.

    The camping layout is very straightforward, with four campsites lined up together. There are two shared power pedestals, with each pedestal serving two campsites. These are 30-amp electric only. All four sites share a single water spigot as far as I could tell, so you may need a long hose to fill your tank. There is one shared charcoal grill, a trash can, and an area with a picnic table.

    The surrounding park is beautiful and I enjoyed my time here. There is a lake with a fishing dock. There are two separate playgrounds and multiple picnic shelters equipped with their own grills. There is a brick bathroom building in the park, but I did not go inside.

    Right next to the campsites sits a local Pioneer Museum. It wasn't open during our visit, but it looks like a neat historical feature when accessible.

    Verizon is strong here, with a 5G signal providing 200Mbps down and 6Mbps up.

  • Mary Ann H.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 17, 2026

    Toadstool (Ne) Nebraska Nf — Nebraska National Forests And Grasslands

    Empty land, weird rocks

    Stayed two nights so we could do the loop from campground on the plains in the morning when it was cool. Got in on Friday 3 other campers Quiet, train in the distance no shade as others said Saturday lots of day trippers but empty that night rain came and this matters The dirt road out was VERY slick Had a bit of an adventure when we slid of the road in muddy clay. If road is wet drive accordingly

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 17, 2026

    Spencer Park Fairgrounds

    Basic campground near the South Dakota border

    Spencer Park Fairgrounds in Spencer, Nebraska is a basically a square grass lot with campsites along one side. It's quiet and peaceful here. Each site has electric and water hookups. There is a dump station about a block away. The rate is $20/night and there is a drop box by the bathrooms.

    You'll enter through the fairgrounds parking lot which is gravel and fairly bumpy. They don't have individual picnic tables or fire rings at the campsites, but I did notice a stack of fire rings sitting nearby, so it looks like they might put them out by the sites occasionally. For amenities, there's a public pool right there on the fairgrounds and a brand-new playground.

    The bathrooms have concrete walls and concrete floors, and everything seemed very clean. It’s a single-occupancy setup with one shower, so only one person can use the bathroom or shower at a time.

    I had a great Verizon 5G signal here with 350Mpbs down and 50Mbps up.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    May. 16, 2026

    Mill Race Park & Campground

    Small park outside of town with electric, level sites. Dusty.

    Mill Race Campground is located right on the edge of town. The sites are either gravel or grass and are fairly level. This campground does not take reservations. You fill out a paper slip when you arrive and drop it in a box along with your payment. There are a lot of trees that provide some shade. The park has two storm shelters for inclement weather. The sites have electric, but no water and there is no dump station. There are a few water spigots at the campground but they are not easily accessible.  I would not count on being able to get water here. They are doing construction at the park (looks like a new picnic shelter), so perhaps this will change.

    The road into the campground is gravel. Access to the nearby golf course is had through the park, so there is quite a bit of traffic. The road is a very fine, sandy gravel that gets dusty when cars drive through. The area is posted 15 mph but I see a lot of people going faster than that. It seems like every time I go for a walk I am getting chased by clouds of dust. I probably won't stay here again just for that reason.

    There is a bathroom building, but it is pretty basic but clean. It has one shower and one bathroom stall. There is a nice, paved walking trail that divides the golf course and the campground. It is about a half mile long and is very scenic. There are benches along the path, and it goes through grasses and trees with a lot of birds and squirrels. The path smells like pine and blooming flowers.

    This trail does not go all the way into town, so you have to walk or bike on the highway if you are not driving. It is about a 20 to 30 minute walk to get to downtown. Although the campground is located right on the highway, there is not much traffic on it and I didn't really notice any road noise.

    I had great cellular signals here. I had a Verizon 5G signal with 350 Mbps down and 30 Mbps up. I also had a strong 5G signal on T-Mobile with 200 Mbps down and 30 Mbps up.

Guide to Nebraska

Camping in Nebraska offers a unique experience with its beautiful landscapes and diverse campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, there's something for everyone.

What to do

  • Explore the trails: Many campgrounds, like Bessey Recreation Complex Campground, have walking, Jeep, and ATV trails. One camper mentioned, “Have walking, Jeep, ATV trails all over.”
  • Fishing: Campgrounds such as Long Pine State Rec Area offer great fishing spots. A review noted, “Good trout fishing from the stream.”
  • Enjoy water activities: At Calamus Reservoir, you can rent boats and jet skis. One visitor shared, “Can rent boats and jet skies. Nice swimming and fishing spots.”

What campers like

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained restrooms and showers. One reviewer at Victoria Springs State Rec Area said, “The restrooms and showers are very clean and accessible.”
  • Spacious sites: Many campgrounds, like Valley View Flat Campground, offer roomy sites. A happy camper remarked, “Nice big sites, you’re not packed in.”
  • Natural beauty: Campers love the scenic views and natural surroundings. A visitor at [Long Pine State Rec Area] noted, “There are some fantastic trails to hike here, some great scenery.”

What you should know

  • Noise levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby activities. One camper at Bessey Recreation Complex Campground mentioned, “A little noisy during the day with all the ATV traffic.”
  • Limited amenities: Not all campgrounds have extensive facilities. A reviewer at Keller Park State Rec Area pointed out, “This park isn’t manned by the State and it’s self-check-in.”
  • Bring your supplies: Some areas are remote, so it’s wise to pack everything you need. A camper at Victoria Springs State Rec Area advised, “Make sure to bring whatever you need with you because there isn’t much in Thedford or Halsey.”

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose family-friendly campgrounds: Look for places with activities for kids, like Bessey Recreation Complex Campground, which has a pond for fishing. A family shared, “Nice little pond to catch a few fish.”
  • Plan for bugs: Be prepared for mosquitoes, especially in wooded areas. One camper at Victoria Springs State Rec Area noted, “It was very quiet other than the hum of the mosquitos!”
  • Bring games and outdoor gear: Campgrounds often have space for activities. A visitor at Long Pine State Rec Area mentioned, “Lots of tall trees surround the camping sites.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check site accessibility: Some campgrounds have tricky access for larger RVs. A reviewer at Long Pine State Rec Area said, “They are hard to get an RV into because of the slope and angle of the drives.”
  • Look for electric hookups: Many RVers prefer sites with electric options. A camper at Keller Park State Rec Area mentioned, “This campground is in a decent valley. Thus, no signal.”
  • Be ready for self-check-in: Some campgrounds operate on a self-check-in basis, so have your plans ready. A visitor at Calamus Reservoir noted, “All sites are electrical only.”

Camping in Nebraska can be a fantastic experience if you know what to expect and plan accordingly. Enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best tent camping locations in Nebraska?

Nebraska offers excellent tent camping options across the state. Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area is highly recommended with lakeside sites providing great swimming access. COE Harlan County Lake Hunter Cove Park features dedicated tent-only sites on Nebraska's second-largest lake, making it perfect for water enthusiasts. The park offers amenities like showers, toilets, playgrounds, and a boat ramp. For those seeking a more primitive experience, South Outlet Camping provides dispersed tent sites with basic amenities like pit toilets and fire rings in a peaceful setting below the dam. Look for sites with shade trees to help with Nebraska's summer heat, and consider locations near water features for recreation opportunities.

How much does it cost to camp at private campgrounds in Nebraska?

Private campground rates in Nebraska vary based on location, amenities, and season. Grand Island KOA offers full hookup sites at competitive rates with clean facilities and a mix of shaded and non-shaded sites. Lake North provides electric hookups with lakeside sites at reasonable prices, plus access to nearby convenience stores. Generally, private campgrounds in Nebraska range from $25-45 per night for basic sites and $35-60 for full hookup sites. Many offer weekly or monthly discounts for extended stays. KOAs and other chain campgrounds tend to be at the higher end of the price spectrum but provide more amenities like WiFi, laundry facilities, and organized activities.

When is the best season for camping in Nebraska?

Late spring through early fall (May to September) offers the most pleasant camping conditions in Nebraska. Many campgrounds like South Outlet Camping operate seasonally from mid-May through mid-September. Nebraska summers can be quite hot, making electric hookups valuable for RV air conditioning, as noted by campers at Karrer Park. Spring brings beautiful wildflowers but can be rainy, while fall offers cooler temperatures and changing foliage. Summer provides the most reliable weather for water activities on Nebraska's lakes and rivers. Winter camping is limited, with many facilities closing or reducing services. For the best balance of comfortable temperatures and full facility access, aim for the shoulder seasons of late May/early June or September.

Are there any state park campgrounds in Nebraska with full amenities?

Soldier Creek Campground — Fort Robinson State Park offers comprehensive amenities in northwestern Nebraska. This activity-packed park features hookups, shower facilities, and access to numerous recreational opportunities, though note that daily entry permits ($12/day) are required in addition to camping fees. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground near Ashland is another excellent option with full hookups, modern restrooms, showers, and numerous recreational facilities. Many Nebraska state parks feature electric hookups, which are particularly valuable during hot summer months. State park campgrounds typically offer water access, well-maintained facilities, and recreation options like hiking trails, fishing, and boating access points.

Keep Exploring

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