Tent campsites near South Bend, Nebraska offer varied terrain along the Platte River valley with elevations averaging 1,100 feet. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and cold winters that drop below freezing. Many campgrounds become muddy after rainfall, with spring bringing occasional flooding along riverfront sites.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: At Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area Tent Campsites, visitors access multiple small lakes for varied fishing conditions. "Impressive recreation area. Campsites on and off of the water, all very nice. Lots of walking and bike riding," notes camper Anji L.
Archery practice: Wirth Brothers Lake maintains archery facilities alongside primitive camping. "It has a few fire rings, and raised grills. There is drinking water, bathrooms, playground, archery, and a swimming beach," according to Shannon G.
Beach swimming: Several sites offer swimming beaches during summer months. At Wirth Brothers, campers appreciate that the "grounds were well maintained" and the area "has camping spots that offer some seclusion from other people," according to Becky D.
Disc golf: The peninsula at Area Three Campground provides "close access to Disc Golf, nice beach, and Showers just up the road," as Charles C. mentions in his review.
What campers like
Riverside camping: The tent sites at Riverside Campground offer direct water access. Michael M. describes it as a "Quick getaway to nature" and mentions "I camped right by the river. Also a short walk to the outhouse and playground. Fun and quick trip if you're in the Omaha area."
Maintenance standards: Several campers note the cleanliness at area campgrounds. At Fremont Lakes, one visitor found "Facilities were very clean. Cleanest I have ever seen in a campground. Tons of water, a few trails, lots of sites to camp."
Winter camping options: Unlike some seasonal sites, certain campgrounds remain accessible year-round. Chelsea K. reports late October tent camping at Area Three Campground with temperatures "low around 19F" and notes they "seemed to be the only souls in the place."
Off-grid feel: Many campers appreciate the rustic atmosphere at certain campgrounds. Emily M. observed at Riverside that "For the tent sites I wish there were more amenities but the one we stayed at was in a nice location. The river is decently safe and a good place to tube."
What you should know
Noise considerations: Train tracks near some campgrounds create significant noise disruptions. Alyssa E. warns about Fremont Lakes: "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."
Shade limitations: Many tent sites lack adequate tree coverage. Molly M. notes about Fremont Lakes: "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."
Primitive site value: Some campers question the cost-to-amenity ratio at certain locations. Charles C. comments that Area Three offers "$15 a night" for "primitive camping" with "nothing else here" beyond "the regular old picnic table, burn pit and rather dirty vault toilet."
Firewood availability: Supply issues sometimes affect campgrounds. Kwin K. recommends: "I would suggest bringing your own wood because when we were there, they were out."
Tips for camping with families
Weekday visits: For families seeking quieter experiences, weekday camping offers advantages. Emily M. notes at Riverside Campground: "There were not any other campers but I could see it getting pretty busy on the weekends."
Breakfast options: Some campgrounds offer convenient meal services. Jeff L. found Riverside staff "Friendly" with "a very nice and clean campground."
Cycling possibilities: Bike-friendly paths connect some recreation areas. According to Anji L., Fremont Lakes has "a nice bicycle trail that leaves the park and winds out to Hormel Park on the Platte River."
Playground access: Several campgrounds maintain play equipment for children. Michael M. mentions his "boys (4&7) loved" Riverside Campground, which offers "a short walk to the outhouse and playground."
Tips from RVers
Fairground alternatives: When state recreation areas fill up, consider fairground camping. At Saunders County Fairgrounds Campground, Lucian F. found it a "Great Find" that's "Located near downtown Wahoo. $20 per night for full hookup. Appear to be approximately 40 sites."
Dump station access: Several campgrounds provide sanitary dump facilities without requiring overnight stays. Daily permits typically cost $5-15, with some facilities requiring additional dumping fees.
Non-camping parks: Not all area parks allow overnight stays despite appearing in camping directories. Tony B. warns about Johnson Park: "This is a nice little city park with a man made lake. However it does not allow camping."
