Best Campgrounds near Sparks, NE

Full hook ups at this campground and the spaces were fairly easy to get into. Reason I only gave it four stars was because it’s pretty close to the road with a lot of traffic noise. Husband said the showers were very nice. Sites were nice and level. Close to Valentine, if you needed to pop in to get anything. we were there the first part of October and there was still about six or seven other campers there.

Arrived late in our camper van and woke up to a charming quiet campground. Steady moving creek with clear-ish water and cool bridges going over the creek. Mature trees kept us cool from the sun and allowed us to sleep in a little longer in the morning. If you park by the creek then get ready to pick a lot of stickers of our your dog’s paws because they’re everywhere. There was a 5th wheel and some tent campers nearby but we never heard them. Great area for dog to run and throw the frisbee. Lots of area to take a walk. Trash cans appear to be emptied regularly. We didn’t use the restrooms but they’re there. Valentine is honestly one of the cutest towns we’ve driven through. It’s like what America is supposed to look like in the movies.

Love this campground. Super low key. There are some spots you have to reserve ahead of time, those are listed on website. Otherwise first come first serve. Iron ranger outside the park office if closed. Pit toilets and water pumps with potable water.

I was heading to Merritt Reservoir and saw a sign for camping (Big Alkali WMA) and thought I could review a new site for the Dyrt. It was so nice, I changed my plans and stayed!

The campground is nestled in the Valentine Wildlife Management Area in Cherry County Nebraska. Cherry County is about the size of Connecticut.  It is so sparsely populated it is known for its endless sandhils and clear night sky's. The Nebraska Star gazing festival is held in Cherry County annually.

The camp site is south of the 16B about 10 miles west of highway 83 and about 25 miles south of Valentine NE.

The 8 camping sites are well marked. At least one is handicapped accessible, though there is no paved way to the campsite's vault toilet. each has 15 and 30 Amp hookups, BUT NO WATER!

There are about 20 other primitive sites with firepits or grills and picnic tables. I assume unlimited camping if you just wish to throw up a tent. There is no charge for the sites, no entrance fee, no cost for electric, FREE.

The lake is so glassy, peaceful, and of course it is sandy bottom for great swimming. It would be awesome for peaceful Kayaking or Canoeing. Of course, the Niobrara National Scenic River is just half an hour up the road, so this might be a great base camp for all things Kayak. 

I assume that fishing is the main attraction. There is a nice boatramp. I see a large pontoon boat pushed up on the shore and I actually saw folks out on water skis when I arrived. 

I may try to bike some of the trails in the Valentine WMA. These Sandhills are steep and beautiful. 

Did I mention FREE, even with 30amp hookup???

I found the gravel access r road off of 16B to be well maintained if slightly narrow. Two pickups meeting is an inconvenience, but two large rigs might pose a problem.

We went WELL off the beaten path. Not far into the national forest, Google maps showed a road leading to a river. The "road" is a grass trail. Not very hard, but definitely want a vehicle that isn't low to the ground to avoid bottoming out. Went about 3-5 mph for maybe 10 minuts, didn't make it to the river but found a beautiful succeeded spit by a pond. Not something I would swim in but my dog had a blast, and the views were beautiful. No fire, no water, no amenities at all. Just good Ole country camping!

Camp site was very spacious. Great views of the lake. Unfortunately, there is poison ivy everywhere you step. No way to get down the 20 foot cliff to the waters edge. Had to drive clear around the lake to find a single spot to fish. Even then not a single bite. Nice modern bathrooms, but only bathroom’s are located in the electric camp sites. Had to drive a bit to find a bathroom if needed. Coin operated showers (who Carrie’s quarters anymore?). Be prepared as the hot water doesn’t work, and you get a nice “refreshing” ice shower. Would probably be a really nice spot, if you had a camper and a boat, and didn’t mind being eyeball to eyeball with everyone else….

This lake is awesome for water sports since it is so large. It’s about 26 miles from Valentine. There are numerous campgrounds scattered offering different views of the beautiful valley

We look forward to this camping trip with friends every year. They made it so there is good cell service now so that’s a bonus. About half of the sites are reservable and half are first come first serve. When you get there you must have a nebraska park permit and also pay a parking fee at the self registration box. Be sure to make the trip to snake river falls and smith waterfalls.

I usually dispersed camp. But, 90 plus degrees, with himidity, calls for electric! Fair share of reviews on this park. Most pretty accurate, id say. One lacking review is cellular. Didn't even realize no cellular until after setting up. I have AT&T. I did get an intermittent bar from band 13, (Verizon). This campground is in a decent valley. Thus, no signal. Up out of the valley - great signal! I'm setup with new cell router with 4 cellular antennas, including a directional antenna. Also have booster/repeater (Keep it off normally). Couldn't get AT&T signal. Had to use booster plus directional antenna to get signal. Band 5 only one that would connect. But, got 5mb down and 2kb up. Enough to stream with! I was in site 11. Had to point directional antenna south towards Long Pine. Hope this helps!

Nice clean and well maintained. Staff was friendly Camp sites are well maintained. Showers and restrooms are clean Great scenery

It was a great campsite! Bathrooms were clean, the view was amazing. There’s a little hiking trail and a boardwalk to the waterfalls. The campsites are a little close to each other, if it was full it may be loud.

One of our favorite places to camp. Relaxing, lots of wildlife-make sure you raccoon proof your campsite at night-

While it's technically National Forest land, most is Sandhills prairie which is awesome for off-trail hiking and exploring. You can do free dispersed camping according to USFS guidelines, or camp at the Steer Creek campground on the west side of the National Forest which is under pine tree canopy. Do exercise caution by wearing bright orange when hiking there, as it's a popular destination for hunters.