Looking for an adventure where you can explore Valentine and then fall asleep in your tent? Find the best tent camping sites near Valentine. Each spot offers quick access to one or more of Valentine, Nebraska's most popular destinations.
Smith Falls State Park offers beautiful Basic campsites ideal for tent camping while floating the river or viewing the falls. The campground is located along the north side of the river. The campground has picnic tables, restrooms and pay showers.
$15 / night
Primitive hike in campground
$15 / night
Located south of Nenzel in Cherry County, this 116,000-acre national forest is a fantastic representation of the unique Nebraska Sandhills prairie ecosystem. Popular uses of the forest include hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping and bird watching. There is one small campground located on the southwestern edge of the forest. Steer Creek Campground has 23 campsites, 8 horse corrals, potable water, and the 1-mile Blue Jay hiking trail. The Niobrara River Canoe Launch day use site on the Niobrara River for launching small water craft. Fishing is available in the nearby Merritt Reservoir. The Lord Lakes wetland complex has been recognized for its outstanding fishing.
For campers, primitive and/or modern overnight facilities are available at all areas on this scenic reservoir. A dump station is located at the Main Area, southeast of the dam. There are 140 tent sites found throughout the lake, over 200 picnic tables and 8 picnic shelters. Other facilities include drinking water, fire grates and grills, one modern restroom with an ADA accessible coin operated shower as well as several vault toilets. Camping reservations are available for half of the campsites in Beeds Landing, Boardman and Cedar Bay campgrounds. All other camping is all first-come, first-served and campers register their nightly camping fees in a raised, locked box called an Iron Ranger. Self-service envelopes are provided at each Iron Ranger station. Check or cash only. Iron Rangers are generally located near the park entrance or in the campground area. On-site camping informational signs are provided to help guide campers with the self-registration process. 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.
$10 - $35 / night
For campers, primitive and/or modern overnight facilities are available at all areas on this scenic reservoir. A dump station is located at the Main Area, southeast of the dam. There are 140 tent sites found throughout the lake, over 200 picnic tables and 8 picnic shelters. Other facilities include drinking water, fire grates and grills, one modern restroom with an ADA accessible coin operated shower as well as several vault toilets. Camping reservations are available for half of the campsites in Beeds Landing, Boardman and Cedar Bay campgrounds. All other camping is all first-come, first-served and campers register their nightly camping fees in a raised, locked box called an Iron Ranger. Self-service envelopes are provided at each Iron Ranger station. Check or cash only. Iron Rangers are generally located near the park entrance or in the campground area. On-site camping informational signs are provided to help guide campers with the self-registration process. 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.
$10 - $35 / night
For campers, primitive and/or modern overnight facilities are available at all areas on this scenic reservoir. A dump station is located at the Main Area, southeast of the dam. There are 140 tent sites found throughout the lake, over 200 picnic tables and 8 picnic shelters. Other facilities include drinking water, fire grates and grills, one modern restroom with an ADA accessible coin operated shower as well as several vault toilets. Camping reservations are available for half of the campsites in Beeds Landing, Boardman and Cedar Bay campgrounds. All other camping is all first-come, first-served and campers register their nightly camping fees in a raised, locked box called an Iron Ranger. Self-service envelopes are provided at each Iron Ranger station. Check or cash only. Iron Rangers are generally located near the park entrance or in the campground area. On-site camping informational signs are provided to help guide campers with the self-registration process. 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.
$15 - $30 / night
Ranger
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.
Traveler
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.
Traveler
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.
GuideGood: 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.
GuideSmall 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.
TravelerWe 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.
ScoutPulled up late in the evening. Easy to find and quiet
Guide
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.
Legend
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.
Traveler
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.
Scout
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!
Guide
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….
Traveler
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.
ScoutGreat 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!!!
Guide
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.
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
Legend
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.
Scout
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!
Traveler
Nice clean and well maintained. Staff was friendly Camp sites are well maintained. Showers and restrooms are clean Great scenery
GuideIt 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.
TravelerOne of our favorite places to camp. Relaxing, lots of wildlife-make sure you raccoon proof your campsite at night-
TravelerNice 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.
GuideWhile 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.
ScoutWe 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!
Scout$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.
ScoutVery clean nice staff great even pull-through parking
Scout5-6 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Valentine, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Valentine, NE is East Campground — Smith Falls State Park with a 5-star rating from 10 reviews.
What is the best site to find tent camping near Valentine, NE?
TheDyrt.com has all 10 tent camping locations near Valentine, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
