Best Dog-Friendly 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.

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Best Dog-Friendly Sites Near Valentine, Nebraska (27)

    1. Fishberry Campground

    9 Reviews
    Valentine, NE
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 376-1662

    "If you are in Valentine and looking for full hookups, this is the only place. All the sites are drive thru and have full hookups. It is very clean and sparse,the host is wonderful"

    "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."

    2. Valentine City Park

    9 Reviews
    Valentine, NE
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (402) 376-2323

    "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."

    "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."

    3. East Campground — Smith Falls State Park

    10 Reviews
    Sparks, NE
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 376-1306

    $15 / night

    "We had a great time playing in the falls and wading close to shore in the river."

    "They have trails and boardwalks leading to the fall, and also a nice information and shop room. There are camp sites with no hookups, and easy access to the river for a little tubing."

    4. West Campground — Smith Falls State Park

    7 Reviews
    Sparks, NE
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 376-1306

    $15 / night

    "Nice State Park with the highest waterfall in nebraska. Offers hiking, canoe/kayaking, boating, and tubing. Also has concession stand, pay showers, picnic shelters and restrooms."

    "this campground multiple times in different configurations including tent camping in a lager group of friends, with a small group of friends in a pop-up camper, and tent camping with small children and pets"

    5. Sharps Outfitters Campground

    7 Reviews
    Sparks, NE
    15 miles
    Website

    $5 - $15 / night

    "Right along the Niobrara River you can truly emerge yourself in the wonders of Nebraska wildlife."

    "Front steps of the RV just 15’ from the bank of the Niobrara River! Watched deer, turkeys, and 3 little river Otters right from our site. 30amp service at this site."

    6. Berry Bridge Campground

    3 Reviews
    Sparks, NE
    10 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 376-3474

    7. Wacky West Travel Park

    1 Review
    Valentine, NE
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (402) 376-1771

    8. Merritt Reservoir Main Area Campground

    7 Reviews
    Valentine, NE
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 376-3320

    "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"

    "At Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area near Valentine, NE you have some choices to make."

    9. Rocky Ford Camp and Outfitters

    2 Reviews
    Sparks, NE
    18 miles
    +1 (402) 376-1124

    $8 / night

    "Rocky Ford is one of many outfitter and private campground choices in stunning Northwest Nebraska on the Niorbrara River."

    "Great for groups, best for when you want to get away from all the people. The second half of the river is the best so it’s a great spot since it is also a take out."

    10. Cedar Bay Campground — Merritt Reservoir

    6 Reviews
    Valentine, NE
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 376-3320

    $30 / night

    "The area offers great views and close to unity to regional sites auch as Snake Falls, Niobrara, Valentine and more."

    "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."

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Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Valentine, NE

96 Reviews of 27 Valentine Campgrounds


  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2021

    West Campground — Smith Falls State Park

    Primitive camping with beautiful waterfall

    Nice State Park with the highest waterfall in nebraska. Offers hiking, canoe/kayaking, boating, and tubing. Also has concession stand, pay showers, picnic shelters and restrooms. Campground is located 18 miles from Valentine and has reservable sight. There’s about 50 sites and was packed. If you like crowds you will do fine here. If peace and quiet is your thing I suggest a different area

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 18, 2022

    Merritt Reservoir Main Area Campground

    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

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 18, 2018

    Wacky West Travel Park

    Base camp

    Wacky West Travel Park had very nice and helpful owners. Make sure you have the phone number because their office hours are limited so that they can keep up the park. It’s small and a little crowded but serves the purpose of a base camp or overnight location.

    I attended a “Sisters on the Fly” event in Valentine, NE and this is were we all met and camped. The owners squeezed us all in and gave us a discount for our stay. One nice thing is you are in the middle of town right off the main drag so you can walk anywhere in town pretty easily.

    The restroom and shower are keyed which you receive when you check in. Down side to that I forgot to drop my key in the mail slot when I left and had to go back to do so.

    There is electric/water hook up at each site, not much in the way of shade , limitedfire rings and picnic tables. You could tell several of the sites were more towards permanent dwellings and some of the sites sat right on the entry road so you step out your camper door into the road. These sites were stacked so two of our group didn’t even try to unhook their campers.

    If you’ve never experienced sand burrs Nebraska has them and they are horrible on dogs feet. The owner of the campground made extra efforts to keep the burrs out of the immediate camping area but my dogs still picked up several. There is a cattle yard directly behind the campground so I’m not sure how it smells when it’s hot, we were there in cold weather so it was not an issue.

    Valentine has events going on and the Niobrara River is a main attraction, several of the group did a kayak float and explored the waterfalls along the river. We also walked to dinner within 1/4 mile at an excellent restaurant, Peppermill Steakhouse, worth a visit.

    The three stars is due to the location, cramped accommodations and no recreation in the immediate area. However the owners were very accommodating and the facilities were well maintained. I would stay there again. Also I lost the pictures of the campground and Valentine but included the nearby recreation areas.

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 29, 2021

    Berry Bridge Campground

    Right next to Niobrara

    Berry 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

  • Charles C.The Dyrt PRO User
    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.

  • Sarah H.
    Jul. 29, 2016

    West Campground — Smith Falls State Park

    Rural Nebraska River Camping

    I have camped in this campground multiple times in different configurations including tent camping in a lager group of friends, with a small group of friends in a pop-up camper, and tent camping with small children and pets in tow. Camping here is primitive, so expect to get dirty and be ready for mosquitoes.That said, every time I have visited, I have had a blast. The area is beautiful Nebraska sand hills and prairie. You can even hear coyotes at night. The main attraction of course is tubing/canoeing the river. Local outfitters work with you to ride the shallow Niobrara river to the campground, and then will pick you up further down the river the next day. There are other campgrounds in the area, but I prefer to stay here because of the waterfall. The campground can be busy, but that has never disrupted our stay. Bathrooms and pay showers are basic, but clean. There is a general store at the main entrance and staff are helpful.

  • Jacob C.
    May. 8, 2017

    Cedar Bay Campground — Merritt Reservoir

    Very nice campground with nice beaches

    We 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.

  • Rick J.
    May. 10, 2017

    East Campground — Smith Falls State Park

    Family fun

    This is a small park right on the Niobrara River. We had a great time playing in the falls and wading close to shore in the river. We were there during the week so it was not very busy with campers but before lunch time there was a wave of tubers that took over the falls area for a brief time before moving on. This area is amazing for stargazing because it is incredibly dark at night but bring a lot of bug spray, the mosquitoes could carry away small pets.

  • J
    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.


Guide to Valentine

Valentine, Nebraska, offers a variety of pet-friendly camping options for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with their furry companions.

Pet-friendly campgrounds include East Campground — Smith Falls State Park

  • This campground allows pets and features drinking water and picnic tables, making it a comfortable spot for you and your dog to relax.
  • With access to hiking trails and the nearby river, you can enjoy scenic walks and outdoor adventures with your pet.
  • The campground is known for its peaceful atmosphere, perfect for unwinding after a day of exploring.

Tips for camping with dogs near Valentine

  • Always keep your pet on a leash while at the well-reviewed Valentine City Park, which offers plenty of space for walks and play.
  • Make sure to bring plenty of water and snacks for your dog, especially when visiting Fishberry Campground, where you can enjoy fishing and other activities.
  • Be mindful of local wildlife and secure your campsite to prevent any nighttime visits from curious animals, as noted by visitors at Sharps Outfitters Campground.

Pet owners like the amenities at Merritt Reservoir Main Area Campground

  • This campground features electric hookups and a fish cleaning area, making it convenient for those who want to enjoy fishing while camping with their pets.
  • With ample beach access, your dog can enjoy splashing around in the water while you relax by the shore.
  • The nearby town of Valentine provides additional amenities, ensuring you have everything you need for a comfortable stay with your pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Valentine, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Valentine, NE is Fishberry Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Valentine, NE?

TheDyrt.com has all 27 dog-friendly camping locations near Valentine, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.