Best Camping near Valentine, NE

Are you in need of a campground near Valentine, NE? There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Nebraska camping has to offer. Find the best campgrounds near Valentine, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Best Camping Sites Near Valentine, NE (30)

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Showing results 1-10 of 30 campgrounds

Pet-friendly camping near Valentine

Recent Reviews in Valentine

100 Reviews of 30 Valentine Campgrounds


  • Lisa M.
    Camper-submitted photo from Fishberry Campground
    Oct. 11, 2024

    Fishberry Campground

    Tidy little campground with pull through sites

    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.

  • EThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Powder Horn Area Campground
    Sep. 13, 2024

    Powder Horn Area Campground

    Beautiful Sandy Lake

    Great views and not too far off the main road. There aren’t any sectioned campsites. More of just pull offs. But it is free so it’s nice. You get a beautiful view and nice sand.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Valentine City Park
    Aug. 17, 2024

    Valentine City Park

    Charming Quiet Park with Good Trees

    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.

  • Christopher W.
    Camper-submitted photo from Fishberry Campground
    Jun. 26, 2024

    Fishberry Campground

    Beautiful Open Sky

    Good: It was a clean, cute little campground on our way to the Bad Lands in South Dakota. The bathrooms and showers were neat and tidy. Only $15/person for tent camping on a great lawn was a plus. I got some wonderful pictures of sunsets just to add to the great camping.

    Bad: Wifi was a little weak and lost a few times during our trip.

    Future: If I were in the area, I would definitely stop by and spend the night again.

  • a
    Camper-submitted photo from Fishberry Campground
    Jun. 12, 2024

    Fishberry Campground

    Flat and convenient

    Small park with flat, pull-through sites. Clean bathrooms and showers. Pay extra ($16 each) to fill water tank or dump sewer). Some highway noise but tolerable. Friendly staff.

  • Bonnie L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Valentine City Park
    Apr. 9, 2024

    Valentine City Park

    Peaceful, pleasant park!

    We had a pull through site right next to the river. Disk golf park, and also with playground equipment. We stayed on April 8, and that is too early in the year for the city to turn on water and open the bathrooms. We are totally fine without that. There is a box to drop $5 in, but there wasn't any paperwork to fill out. I wonder if anyone was even monitoring this in the off-season. We were basically alone. This is FC-FServe and no designated spots or campsite numbers. We would love to stay here again.

  • Arden C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from East Campground — Smith Falls State Park
    Sep. 4, 2023

    East Campground — Smith Falls State Park

    Spots right by the river!

    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.

  • Charles C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Big Alkali Lake State Wildlife Area
    Sep. 3, 2023

    Big Alkali Lake State Wildlife Area

    Hidden Sandhill Glory-Free /Elec

    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.

  • Jason H.
    Camper-submitted photo from White River City Park
    Aug. 12, 2023

    White River City Park

    Nice, empty

    I'm the only one here. Tent camping. It's great. There is a water spigot. Bathrooms.

    I guess one downside is that there are frequent loud sirens in the evening. Hopefully they don't go all night.

  • Absolutley N.
    Camper-submitted photo from Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest
    Jul. 7, 2023

    Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest

    MUST HAVE 4WD For this site!

    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!

  • Dwayne and Heather W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Pine Campground - Merritt Reservoir
    May. 29, 2023

    Pine Campground - Merritt Reservoir

    Great view, but that’s where it ends

    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….

  • J
    Camper-submitted photo from Long Pine State Rec Area
    May. 6, 2023

    Long Pine State Rec Area

    Early May Camping Long Pine

    Quit and peaceful, right next to the water. I had the place to myself. I saw robins, wrens, a bluejay, cardinal, and a small duck, that scared the bjesus out of me.

  • B
    Camper-submitted photo from Valentine City Park
    Oct. 20, 2022

    Valentine City Park

    City Park Camp

    Great little spot by a creek. Not 5 stars cause the bathrooms are locked and the water is turned off! Did pay our $5 though. Wonder if they’ll find it before June!!!

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from Ainsworth East City Park
    Aug. 22, 2022

    Ainsworth East City Park

    Nice, quiet city park

    Very nice campground. All 7 sites are on grass. No water or sewer hookups, but there is a dump station. Can’t beat the price of $10.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Merritt Reservoir State Rec Area
    Jul. 18, 2022

    Merritt Reservoir State Rec Area

    Large lake, great fishing

    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

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Cedar Bay Campground - Merritt Reservoir
    Jul. 18, 2022

    Cedar Bay Campground - Merritt Reservoir

    Yearly camping with good friends

    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.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from Keller Park State Rec Area
    Jun. 18, 2022

    Keller Park State Rec Area

    Nice little state park / campground.

    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!

  • Joe A.
    Camper-submitted photo from Berry Bridge Campground
    May. 29, 2022

    Berry Bridge Campground

    Great spot Near valentine Nebraska

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

  • Jordan H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Camper-submitted photo from East Campground — Smith Falls State Park
    May. 25, 2022

    East Campground — Smith Falls State Park

    Great campsite

    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.

  • Tyler L.
    Camper-submitted photo from Long Pine State Rec Area
    May. 12, 2022

    Long Pine State Rec Area

    Pleasant spot

    Nice clear stream winding between hills. Decided to camp up a ways from the stream because I noticed a nearby graffitied bridge and likely local youth hangout spot. Would stay again.

  • Katharine H.
    Camper-submitted photo from Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest
    Oct. 5, 2021

    Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest

    Great western Nebraska camping

    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.

  • V
    Camper-submitted photo from Valentine City Park
    Sep. 29, 2021

    Valentine City Park

    Beautiful primitive camping

    We camped near a pretty creek. The area was quiet and peaceful. There were stickers which caused problems for our dogs but I think they could have been a avoided. There is a self pay box. Best $5 we ever spent!

  • P
    Camper-submitted photo from Valentine City Park
    Sep. 5, 2021

    Valentine City Park

    Great city park

    $5 for a spot with plenty of distance between others, a bathroom that was cleaned today and a shower. Close to but just out of the town.

  • L
    Camper-submitted photo from White River City Park
    Aug. 18, 2021

    White River City Park

    Very basic but nice

    5-6 pull-in spaces in a little loop right near the main road. Pretty tight but most spots have a bit of shrubbery separation and we were all alone, seems like a pretty quiet place. Seems best for campervan/small RV type setups.

    HAS BATHROOMS. The women's needed cleaning but the men's was just fine.


Drive Time


Guide to Valentine

Camping near Valentine, Nebraska, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to relax by the river or explore hiking trails, there’s something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Exploring: Enjoy the trails at Smith Falls State Park. One visitor mentioned, "You can hike to the fall or jump in the river whenever you want because it does get hot." The park features the highest waterfall in Nebraska, making it a must-see.
  • Fishing and Water Sports: At Merritt Reservoir State Rec Area, you can fish or enjoy water sports. A reviewer noted, "This lake is awesome for water sports since it is so large."
  • Wildlife Watching: Campers at East Campground — Smith Falls State Park have spotted plenty of wildlife. One camper shared, "Relaxing, lots of wildlife—make sure you raccoon-proof your campsite at night."

What campers like:

  • Clean Facilities: Many campers appreciate the cleanliness of the restrooms. A visitor at Merritt Reservoir State Rec Area said, "The bathrooms were clean, the view was amazing."
  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. One reviewer at Fishberry Campground mentioned, "I got some wonderful pictures of sunsets just to add to the great camping."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peacefulness of the campgrounds. A camper at Valentine City Park said, "We had a pull-through site right next to the river... We were basically alone."

What you should know:

  • Reservations: Some campgrounds require reservations, especially during peak seasons. A visitor at East Campground — Smith Falls State Park advised, "Would highly recommend but do CALL EARLY TO RESERVE!!"
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full hookups. A camper at Sharps Outfitters Campground noted, "There are porta-potties dispersed throughout, but there is also a toilet/shower facility near the check-in area."
  • Wildlife Precautions: Be prepared for wildlife encounters. One camper at Steer Creek Campground warned, "We actually turned around after attempting to do the loop trail and literally being attacked by masses of ticks."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Kid-Friendly Activities: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds. A visitor at Valentine City Park mentioned, "Disk golf park, and also with playground equipment."
  • Safety First: Always supervise kids near water. One camper at Merritt Reservoir State Rec Area noted, "The creek moves very quickly and it is steep getting down to it."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep the kids happy with snacks. A camper at Fishberry Campground said, "Only $15/person for tent camping on a great lawn was a plus."

Tips from RVers:

Camping near Valentine, Nebraska, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, whether you're in a tent or an RV. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

Frequently Asked Questions