We all love roasting marshmallows over a campfire—and you can often still do that while cabin camping in Sparks. Finding a place to cabin camp in Nebraska is easier than ever. Each cabin rental offers quick access to one or more of Sparks's most popular destinations.
Berry Bridge Campground is a privately owned campground located along the Niobrara river, east of Valentine, Nebraska. Our well-kempt campground offers RV sites, flush toilets, showers, and air conditioned bunkhouses! Berry Bridge is also the main launch site for canoeing and tubing along the Niobrara River. Our office and convenience store are also located at Berry Bridge.
Situated in a narrow, picturesque valley of the Snake River, Merritt Reservoir is 26 miles southwest of Valentine in Nebraska's unique Sandhills. Fishing & Boating: Merritt offers some of Nebraska's premier fishing. It is a deep lake with excellent inflow from the Snake River and Boardman Creek. Consequently, the reservoir is well insulated against excessive drawdown during the irrigation season.
Walleye, crappie and white bass have long been the favorites with anglers here, although lunker catfish have recently been discovered in the Snake River arm. Fishermen also like the addition of modern fish cleaning stations at Merritt.
Ready access to the lake is available at five public boat ramps at the Powder Horn, Main Cedar Bay, Beed's Landing and Snake River area.
$15 - $30 / night
Legend
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
Traveler
Nice clean and well maintained. Staff was friendly Camp sites are well maintained. Showers and restrooms are clean Great scenery
TravelerAfter finding my 1st choice of Smith Falls damn near inaccessible due to washboard road (and then finding no shaded spots in 98° heat) I continued on only to find the next two places full-up. I took a chance to continue on even as it was getting late and was rewarded by this beautiful State Park. There's a main campground by the lake that was pretty crowded with red-Solo-cup type camper's but a more secluded section with 1/2 dozen sites where the folks were there to chill.
Legend
Willow Cave area is the RV/tent campground closest to the Marina and cabins. Some sites overlook lake and there is some shade. This area is across from the dump, has electric, a fish cleaning station, picnic benches, and fire rings. These spots are nice and spacious.
GuideWe enjoyed our primitive camping spot here, the bath house was hard to use with kids. No sinks available anywhere. Only two shower rooms available in our area of the camp ground (by the tube/kayak entrance) and one we weren’t able to use due to needed maintenance. We were under the impression we could rent tubes from Berry bridge but when we got there realized this isn’t the case. We ended up using Little Outlaw outfitters. Some things to note : ticks are heavy this summer! As soon as we stepped out of our vehicle I had one on me. Also Verizon cell service didn’t work at all (to call the outfitters)
Overall we really liked it here! The main thing to do is go down the river so for us, one day (2 nights) was plenty.
LegendBerry Bridge Campground is a privately owned campground right next to the Niobrara outside of Valentine Nebraska. It offers tent sites, picnic tables,fire rings, shower house, vault toilets and bunk houses with air. It has a convenient store offering firewood,ice, and snacks. It also has tubes and kayaks to use. This campground is very lively as buses were bring people to launch their tubes or kayaks from under the bridge
LegendAt Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area near Valentine, NE you have some choices to make. There are Merritt Main, Willow Cove , Lone Tree, Cottonwood , Pines, Cedar Bay , Beeds and Board Campgrounds to choose from. Each has sites near the Reservoir or further back in the scrub that have fire rings and picnic tables. Some have electric options, showers and boatramps. All have at least a pit toilet and dumpster. (And sand)
The state employees were a little scarce when I visited and the weather was not real inviting. I decided to not float on the Reservoir due to the low temperatures, but it would seem that the Nebraskans are a little hardier and used to the cold temperatures then me because there were a few out on the water fishing.
This area would be ideal for a large group get together and out in the middle of nowhere so any noise shouldn’t be an issue. I heard coyotes and it was pitch black at night, had the sky been clear the stars would have been amazing.
Valentine, NE is nearby for resupply and entertainment and there are some other recreation areas that offer hiking and of course floating on the Niobrara River.
ScoutLove camping at Merritt. Many different campsites to choose from. Walk up and extended stay. Great fishing and boating. The Scenic Sandhills surround the lake and on the biggest hill is always Ole Glory our up every year by a local business owner that frequents the lake. Hunting around Merritt is great too from deer to grouse. Merritt is a year round sportsman’s lake.
GuideWuiet campground with restrooms with plumbing and showers. Sites with and without power for tents and RVs. Miles of quiet beaches, even on holiday weekends.
LegendWe come here every year with a small group of friends and have a wonderful time. Whether we are out on the lake boating, or fishing, or this year trying to kayak, or by the camp fire telling stories, we always have fun. The sites are mostly shaded at Cedar Bay where we camp and are Electric only, but they are nice large sites and you have plenty of room. Everyone is very friendly. It is usually packed on weekends. Cell service can get be hard to get so prepare those teens.
ScoutAlways peaceful and family friendly. Several different camp areas with primitive or hook up options. Several boat docks, good fishing, shower facilities, and more!
ScoutThere are so many great sites here. Cedar Bay is always the busiest. Bordeman def has the best grassy sites and is great for groups. Powderhorn is the least used lake access and you can never go wrong with the quiet area of willow. The night sky is the best reason to go here. It’s one of the darkest places in the US.
TravelerWe visited in May of 2017, and we stayed at Cedar Bay campground site AA. The area offers great views and close to unity to regional sites auch as Snake Falls, Niobrara, Valentine and more. The site sits right on the edge of the southern edge of the reservoir and is close to two boat ramps. There are. Number of beaches which offer good wading and places to cool off. Kayak access is everywhere and there is a lot of shade at each site. Our site was pretty close to showers and had electricity. Some things to look out for are cliffs which are about 10-20 ft high that lead to a drop towards the reservoir. If you are a paddler, the boats coming and going to both ramps give off some wakes which are not a big deal if the wind is not blowing. This is a great site in the Nebraska Sandhills which offers clear water and good fishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Sparks, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Sparks, NE is Berry Bridge Campground with a 3.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Sparks, NE?
TheDyrt.com has all 3 cabin camping locations near Sparks, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
