The southeastern corner of Nebraska offers several camping sites near Shubert, Nebraska where oak woodlands transition into river bottomlands. The region sits at approximately 900-1,000 feet elevation with typical continental climate patterns. Summers can reach highs in the 90s while spring and fall temperatures generally range from 50-75°F, making camping more comfortable during these shoulder seasons. Missouri River flooding occasionally affects access to riverside camping areas.
What to do
Hiking varied terrain: Indian Cave State Park maintains approximately 20 miles of trails with significant elevation changes. "There's a trail that's really steep but the view from the top of the river and the valley is worth it," notes a reviewer from Ash Grove Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple lakes support year-round fishing within a 30-minute drive. At Verdon Lake State Rec Area, visitors report seeing "fish jumping out there and cranes were on the lake. This spring fed lake offers fishing, kayaking, canoe or trolling boats, (you supply), without the crowded campgrounds."
Seasonal events: Halloween festivities at Indian Cave State Park draw visitors from across the region. "People come from all over to partake in this fun time. There is the decorating of the camp sites, pumpkin rolling, haunted hay rack rides, trick or treating for the young and old," according to a Hackberry Hollow visitor.
What campers like
Secluded tent sites: Many campgrounds offer more private spots for tent campers willing to walk a short distance. "The tent campgrounds were pretty empty and we were able to find a nice spot off the road," reports one camper at Ash Grove Campground about their August visit.
Bird watching: The Missouri River corridor supports diverse bird species. Charity Lake provides excellent wildlife viewing in a unique setting where visitors describe "this lake sits in between or in a valley of hills. You see these hills with all this plush green trees around this lake."
Accessible fishing: Stanton Lake Park in Falls City offers convenient fishing with basic amenities. One visitor notes it has a "beautiful lake with walking path" and describes hearing "the bull frogs, geese, and coyotes when the sun goes down."
What you should know
Weather considerations: Spring brings mud, summer brings ticks and insects, and fall offers the best overall conditions. A visitor to Hackberry Hollow Campground advised, "Lookout for ticks. The campground is pretty well-kept. Multiple playgrounds and shower houses throughout."
Road access challenges: Some campgrounds have difficult access roads. At Charity Lake, one camper noted "Gravel road is narrow w/ very sharp left turn to enter. Steep grade up to parking area required 4W drive."
Water availability: Water sources vary significantly between campgrounds. A visitor at Hackberry Hollow Campground mentioned, "The only downfall is finding water hydrants. Bring your own water if you don't want to search for hydrants."
Tips for camping with families
Playground options: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas. At Stanton Lake Park, families will find "a nice playground away from the sites along with a fenced in sand volleyball court. The park also has a frisbee golf course."
Educational opportunities: Big Lake State Park Campground offers both recreation and learning experiences. "Kayaks were available to rent for a small fee. Kids enjoyed riding bikes around the flat roads," notes one visitor, highlighting the family-friendly layout.
Budget-friendly activities: Look for special seasonal programming that adds value to your stay. A family camping at Indian Cave State Park during their Halloween event shared, "We even won the decorating contest last year-The prize is free camping, can't beat that."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Many RV sites throughout the region have specific challenges. At R U Lost - RV Lots in Nemaha, one visitor advised, "This was truly a very pleasant camping site for us! It is a small, intimate campground with only 7 sites available."
Hookup details: Service quality varies between campgrounds. A Big Lake State Park visitor reported, "There are basic sites up against the lake and the rest are electric. Basic sites are large and some of the electric are also. The majority are pull through sites."
Dump station logistics: Plan dump station timing carefully during busy periods. One RVer at Big Lake State Park noted, "All roads are narrow one way with the dumpstation at the back end of park with trash dumpsters there. So on a sunday you will get stuck in the dumpstation line to drop off your trash even if you don't need to dump."
