Best Campgrounds near Spencer, NE

I didn't camp here, but I stopped as I was passing through. There are two camping areas, one area has 3 spots, this area is a little more private if you are the only one in this area. There is a little bit of road noise, you can see the highway through the trees.

The other area is a wider open space. It is farther from the highway and will have less noise.

The sites have water and electric. I only saw a 30A plug on the one I checked but other sites may have 50A. 

There is a downtown area a short distance away, probably a 5-10 minute walk.

Verizon and T-mobile were pretty slow here, but usable. On Verizon I got about 6Mbit down and 3 up. On T-mobile I got 5 down and 1 up. Both were 4G signals.

This is a dispersed campground that allows stays up to 14 days. This is a beautiful place. Trees are beautiful. The lake is beautiful. If you're a fly fisherman, this place is paridise if you can't get to usual fly fishing locations.

There is only one piece of playground equipment for children. It is a merry - go - round that swings as it goes around.

Pit toilets are filthy dirty and smell horrible.

Pads are uneven and made up of dirt or gravel in a couple of locations. Lots of tree shelter in the campground. Fire pits and elevated grills in each camp spot.

Lots of walking trails.

Sadly, I will never go back. The other campers were rude, arrogant, loud, drunk, filthy mouthed, and looking for fights. Generators ran all night and day. Night time bonfires were huge and out of control.

We got there, and there was one other camper, and it was delightful. The situation changed quickly, and in my humble, modest opinion, this is not a place for normal decent people. We did not feel safe at all.

P.S.

There is absolutely NO cell service in this campground.

It is expensive in that you have to pay the same price OFF SEASON as you do regular season. You don't get water, flush toilets, showers, or clean pit toilets, but you pay for it as if you do.

Pit toilet cleaner came by during our stay and left 2 rolls of toilet paper. He didn't bother sweeping or cleaning the floor. I'm glad I have to pay full price for that! (SARCASM)

The pad was asphalt, and basically, level.

50, 30, and 20amp service was available. Garbage drop-off was also available, I say that because in SD, it isn't always there.

We did see some incredible wildlife. Eagles (mature and immature) by the dozens. Hundreds of cranes. Dozens of pelicans. Hawks. Deer. Geese, ducks, and turkeys. At dusk, coyotes howled around the fringes of the campgrounds. It was wonderful.

Lots of locals walking their dogs (unleashed), so heads up on that.

Pickstown is a very small village about ½ mile from the campground, so some things can be purchased there at an elevated price.

It was quiet. The night skies provided intense views of the stars.

Rigs big and small will have no difficulty getting around in the park.

A dump station is available. We didn't use it, so was the water on???

Firewood is available at a sin for a price. Little split sticks for an astronomical price. Shameful.

Nice place, but the greed makes this place not so enticing.

This is a very well maintained campground. We were here from December 08 through 12, 2024. Bathrooms and showers, along with water faucets, are all shut down for the season. We stayed on site 9 and enjoyed the shelter all the trees provided. Wind was 24 mph gusts hit 45 mph and didn't affect us at all. Sites are gravel and, for the most part, level. We didn't require any leveling blocks at all. 50 - 30 - 20 amp service with no errors at the electric box. The pit toilet was reasonably clean and stocked. Small playground for children. Small picnic area down the road between sites 8 and 9. Sites 4 and 8 were covered with large seed pods from the trees. I imagine it would sound like branches hitting your camper when they fall in the fall. We are not far from the Missouri River, and we were delighted with the company of 4 Bald Eagles. Hundreds of migrating Canadian Geese. Walking paths are available along with a boat ramp down the hill. Cost is the same in nearly all South Dakota State Parks, $26.00 a night. Seems costly for no water, flush toilets, showers, or garbage dumpsters. This is a nice place.