Best Campgrounds near Valley, NE
State recreation areas and natural resource district (NRD) lands dominate the camping landscape around Valley, Nebraska, situated along the Elkhorn River. Elkhorn Crossing Recreational Area offers secluded riverside camping with RV pads for $10 per night and allows stays up to seven days. Within a 30-minute drive, campers can access Two Rivers State Recreation Area in Waterloo with multiple campgrounds including Riverside, Cottonwood, Goldenrod, and Fawn Meadows, all offering various accommodation types from tent sites to cabins and unique options like Union Pacific Cabooses. Further options include West Omaha/NE Lincoln KOA Holiday in Gretna and Eugene T. Mahoney State Park in Ashland, both providing year-round camping with full amenities for families and RV travelers.
Nebraska state parks require entrance permits, with additional fees for non-Nebraska vehicles. As one reviewer noted about Elkhorn Crossing, "This is a secluded campsite near the town Valley, NE. It is clean and offers access to the Elkhorn for airboats and other flotation vehicles." Many campgrounds in the region experience seasonal crowding, particularly during summer weekends when water recreation is popular. Summer brings hot, humid conditions with occasional severe thunderstorms requiring weather awareness. Reservations are recommended for developed sites, especially at popular destinations like Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, while some areas like Elkhorn Crossing operate on a first-come basis.
Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the Valley region. Lakes and rivers provide opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and swimming, though many lakes enforce 5 mph speed limits for boats. Louisville State Recreation Area, about 30 minutes south, features three lakes with swimming beaches and boat rentals. A reviewer described it as "a HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas." Shade availability varies significantly between campgrounds, with newer recreation areas like Lake Wanahoo having fewer mature trees. Train noise affects some campgrounds, particularly Louisville SRA, where reviewers recommend earplugs. Family-friendly amenities are common at larger state parks, with Eugene T. Mahoney offering "an aquatic center, indoor gardens, zip lines, horseback riding, cabins and even a hotel on site."
