Indian Cave State Park near Shubert, Nebraska sits at approximately 1,050 feet elevation along the Missouri River bluffs. The park's unique loess hill formations were created by wind-deposited silt during the last ice age. Trail conditions vary dramatically between seasons with spring mushroom hunting popular during April and May when rainfall averages 4-5 inches monthly.
What to do
Halloween festivities: Experience the park's popular Halloween celebration at Indian Cave State Park. "A few years back we were told to come experience Halloween at Indian Cave State Park. I was skeptical, but once we went we were hooked and keep coming year after year. We even won the decorating contest last year-The prize is free camping, can't beat that," notes Shannon G.
Mushroom hunting: Spring brings morel mushroom enthusiasts to the area. At Waubonsie State Park just across the Missouri River, seasonal events include "the Expo in the spring with Morel Mushroom hunting contest," according to Shauna G. The loess hills ecosystem creates prime conditions for mushroom growth after spring rains.
Explore historic sites: Beyond the namesake cave, discover abandoned townsites and cemeteries. "The trail system connects riders to historical points of interest including an abandoned townsite, cemetery, and the park's namesake cave featuring ancient petroglyphs," reports James D., noting there's "a fair amount of graffiti from local kids."
What campers like
Trail variety: Multiple difficulty levels accommodate different hiking abilities. "If you do the whole loop, coming down 9 is a breeze," explains Meaghan S. about Indian Cave's trail system. "We went up loop 10 and down loop 9. It was a steep climb to the top but had great overlook views."
Privacy options: At Honey Creek Conservation Area, campers find seclusion. "We stayed at camp area 3 which is way more wooded and deep inside the conservation area with access to the river right on the site," shares Sayler O. This contrasts with Indian Cave's more developed campsites.
Budget-friendly options: Several locations offer free or low-cost camping. Syracuse City Campground provides "30amp and water for $10 a night!" according to John A. Honey Creek Conservation Area offers completely free camping, though Travis M. notes "it's more just access roads" rather than developed trails.
What you should know
Wildlife encounters: Raccoons are particularly bold at campgrounds in the region. At Waubonsie State Park, "These signs are not exaggerating. We had a raccoon at our campsite trying to steal our food while we were there, like the raccoon was less than 10 feet from humans during mid-day," warns Danni A.
Water availability: Hydrants and water access points aren't always obvious. At Indian Cave State Park, Rylan B. advises "The only downfall is finding water hydrants. Bring your own water if you don't want to search for hydrants."
Trail navigation: Map reading can be challenging in some parks. At Waubonsie State Park, Shelly S. had "a more than usual difficult time navigating by the map supplied. The signage was close to non-existent. I fell back on the tried and true, always go left."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer play areas for children. At Syracuse City Campground, Lynn J. mentions "It's in a treed area with a nice playground." This makes it suitable for families needing to keep children entertained.
Day-use facilities: Picnic areas provide gathering spaces. "The pavilion has several picnic tables and 20 amp outlets," notes Lynn J., which can be helpful for family meals away from sleeping areas.
Walk-in tent sites: For families wanting more privacy, consider tent sites away from RVs. Michelle V. reports at Indian Cave: "Basic tent sights are first come, $15 a night. The park offered firewood ($6) and ice for sale. Lots of hiking trails with different difficulty levels and elevation."
Tips from RVers
Leveling ease: Syracuse City Campground offers extremely flat terrain. "The whole area is very flat. Leveling was a breeze," reports Lynn J. This contrasts with the more challenging terrain at horse campgrounds near Shubert, Nebraska.
Electric hookup locations: At Mozingo Lake County RV Park, Dave M. confirms "Nice sites close to the lake with electricity water and wifi." For those needing full hookups, this park offers more amenities than the primitive equestrian camping areas at Indian Cave.
Electrical reliability: Test connections before settling in. At Syracuse City Campground, Tim D. shares this warning: "Sadly, the 30A plug I plugged into kept tripping the breaker, but I always have a backup 20-30A converter, I just don't get to use my AC."
