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Best Tent Camping near Wahoo, NE

534 Reviews

Tent camping options near Wahoo, Nebraska include several established campgrounds within a short drive, providing varying levels of amenities and natural settings. Saunders County Fairgrounds Campground in downtown Wahoo offers approximately 40 sites with full hookups for $20 per night. Riverside Campground at Two Rivers State Recreation Area near Waterloo provides tent sites along the river with picnic tables, fire rings, and basic amenities.

Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area offers tent campsites with drinking water, electric hookups, and amenities like showers and toilets. Sites are primarily on flat terrain with limited shade at most tent locations. A visitor commented, "The lake was awesome, not much shade on most tent sites." Facilities are notably clean, though campers should be prepared for noise from nearby train tracks and highway traffic. Powerhouse Park in Columbus provides free tent camping with drinking water, picnic tables, and toilets, situated in a location that balances accessibility with natural surroundings.

Tent campers at Two Rivers SRA can select riverside sites that provide direct water access. "We use this campground the most often for our weekend getaways. Our favorite campground is Riverside for tent camping. There are spots where you can tent camp right by the river," noted one regular visitor. The area offers opportunities for nature observation with deer, turkey, and various bird species present. Weekend tent sites can become busy and noisy during peak season. Area Three Campground presents primitive tent camping options at $15 per night with minimal amenities beyond picnic tables, fire pits, and vault toilets. The location provides access to disc golf, beaches, and showers nearby, with some sites positioned directly on the water. Centennial Park Campground features reservable tent sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and water hookups in a quiet setting with walking trails around a small lake.

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Best Tent Sites Near Wahoo, Nebraska (8)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Wahoo, NE

5 Photos of 8 Wahoo Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Wahoo, NE

534 Reviews of 8 Wahoo Campgrounds

  • Joe R.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 1, 2018

    Wagon Train Primitive sites

    Wagon Train easy going camping

    This SRA about 25 minutes Southeast of Lincoln Nebraska is a favorite go to for me and my boys. Wagon Train is far enough from major roads that all you’ll hear is nature and the crackle of your fire. There are 28 pad/powered sites and 80 non powered, non pad sites for basic tent camping. If you want a sad spot reserve early. This SRA experienced a tornado a few years ago and many trees were lost. Those trees are in a pile near the non pad sites though, so claiming free fire wood is easy if you have a saw. Potable water is available and vaulted toilets are a short walk from the non powered sites. If you RV you’ll also have access to a dump station. There is a short hiking trail but nothing to write home about. Your camp sites will all have fire rings and picnic tables. I think the best part of this lake is the sand beach swimming area which is near a large covered picnic area. As with many Southeast Nebraska lakes, you can boat but there is a 5mph speed limit. If you don’t make reservations online you can show up and self register at the camp entrance. For me Wagon Train isn’t the prettiest lake in the area be a long shot but I love how quite it is and you’ll love the dark starry skies at night.

  • D
    Sep. 16, 2020

    Memphis Lake State Rec Area

    Camping Right on the Lake

    It is a nice spot a bit off of the main roads. Many of the tent sites allow you to camp right next to the lake. It's generally pretty quiet and people respect the 10 pm quiet hours rule. Each site has a picnic table and fire ring.

  • C
    May. 5, 2024

    Czechland Lake Recreation Area

    Great first come first serve campground

    This is a nice small campground that is well taken care of. We stayed at site number 8 which may be one of the more unlevel spots. The passenger side of our 5th wheel was about 7" lower than driver side and rear of fifth wheel was about 3" lower than front before we levelled out. 

    Pros:

    -Well maintained walking trails that are perfect for dogs

    -Most sites have 30 and 50 amp hookups

    -Fire rings and picnic tables at most sites

    -$18 a night for electric hookups

    -Quiet

    Cons:

    -Some sites are very unlevel  

    -No water or dump station

  • Jennifer T.
    May. 28, 2024

    Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area

    Beautiful spot

    We spent Memorial weekend here in 2022. We had to park in a designated parking spot and walk in to set our tent. The site was shady and came with a picnic table, fire ring and We were right on the shores of the lake. It was a beautiful and very relaxing to hear the waves, although the wind coming across the lake was mighty fierce and destroyed the canopy that we had over the picnic table. And the beating of the tent all night long was a little hard to get some decent sleep. But the area was nice and close to the restrooms and spacious campsites

  • LThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Lake Manawa State Park Campground

    Nice metro campground

    Large concrete pads with patio and permanently mounted mesh steel picnic table with a fire pit grill on the corner.. Lakeside locations are quite well spaced with a panoramic Lake view. small restroom and shower pair with unisex entry. Quite spartan, but relatively clean. Trees surround the campground, but none provide any campground shade. Entry gate code required, which provides some security. all amenities are available within a limited distance. Some lake activity noises during the day, and depending upon wind, some aircraft traffic, otherwise very quiet.

  • Pat V.
    Sep. 7, 2019

    Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area

    Really nice campground that is missing shade

    Lake Wanahoo is a fairly new lake in Saunders county Nebraska. The lake is part of the local NRD and was originally managed by the state parks department. You used to be able to use your state park permit to gain entry, but now you need to either buy a day pass or a yearly pass from the NRD.

    There are plenty of places to camp here including gravel pads and grass pads for RV’s. While most people seem to prefer the gravel pads closer to the lake, we actually prefer grass pads because they are 2-3 larger, so you have more room to setup.

    The tent camping area is huge and there always seems to be plenty of availability. We were the only tent in the entire area. The tiered tent area allows you to have a great view of the lake from wherever you setup. All RV and tent spots have picnic tables and fire rings. Unfortunately when the lake and campground were built they planted saplings, so during the hot months there is no shade to be found.

    The is still plenty to do at the lake from getting the fishing boat out, using their three wide boat ramp or fishing from the shore using bank or using a jetty. There is a gravel trail that goes all the way around the lake, which provides about a three mile loop. The trail also leads down into the town of Wahoo. There are two large play areas for kids. One is in the campground and one is across the lake in the day use area.

    No matter where you go you are not far from a restroom. There are nice clean vault toilets available all around the lake. There is also a large bathroom/shower house in the campground. The shower house does have a change machine on the outside of the build to get change for the showers. These are kept very clean and tidy.

    When pulling your RV out here the water fill is in an awkward spot in a parking lot of the campground. To get to the dump station you have to leave the campground, get on the highway and drive to the opposite side of the lake to the day use area. These were just installed a couple years ago. They are nice and level, but just add a bit of driving to get to them.

    All-in-all this is a nice place and in a few more years of tree growth, it could be even better!

  • Shelly S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 16, 2018

    Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area

    Roomy but not

    Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area was within 30 minutes of Lincoln, NE . Try to make sure all essentials are packed to enjoy your stay without frequent trips to town. This is one of those spots where you can easily park the car and use other means of transportation for your whole visit.(ie, feet, bike, boat, horse, etc.)

    There are options to where you camp. RV sites and tent in three different areas. This is not my favorite sort of tent camping, you have to park and walk everything to your site. Some tent sites are located right on the lake which is nice, you can easily park your watercraft nearby. However if it’s busy your neighbors are going to be very nearby. Not much privacy in that case. We however were completely alone when we visited, the crappy weather played a part I’m sure. Shade, which we didn’t need and picnic tables. If you have a hammock you may have an issue with getting it hung, bring alternate means of suspension.

    The trails are multi-use so pay attention. We were hiking in the rain so did not see anyone but the trail apples were fresh. Were we hiked it was grassy and mostly level, there was an area where hikers had trails to themselves and a few benches to sit on.

    The lake looked nice but I didn’t see anyone on it. I didn’t see any algae signs but the weather may have been a factor too. We overnighted so I didn’t get to completely explore the entire area. It was pretty quiet, some motor noises but they were more of a background noise. Worth an extended stay as long as the lake is open.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 5, 2021

    Hitchcock County Nature Center

    Nice and peaceful

    Great spot for an overnight! Restroom is clean w/ pit toilet and tp. Wifi is only accessible in the upper area of the grounds. Site number 13 is the most cozy as there’s no one next to your rig. Firewood is at the right of the entrance. Potable water available!

  • Jerry B.
    Sep. 3, 2019

    Memphis Lake State Rec Area

    One of my favorites

    Tent camping sites. No electrical hookups but you can still camp in campers if you want. Beautiful Campground with lots of trees and shade. Very nice Lake with fishing available. There appears to be an option for canoe rentals available. Boat ramp and dock. Multiple bathroom locations within the campground. Picnic tables near the water. I’ve kayaked the lake! So much fun.

Guide to Wahoo

Tent campsites near Wahoo, Nebraska are predominantly located in state recreation areas and county parks within a 30-mile radius. The region features prairie landscapes intersected by the Platte River watershed, with camping options situated on generally flat terrain at elevations between 1,100-1,300 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 65-90°F with moderate humidity and occasional thunderstorms.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: Area Three Campground offers primitive sites with direct water access. "On the east end there are sites right on the water," notes a camper, highlighting the peninsula location on Branched Oak Lake.

Walking trails: Centennial Park Campground features a path circling a small lake. "There's a wonderful trail to walk around a small lake. Beautiful just doesn't justify the look and feel of this place," reports one visitor who appreciated the quiet setting.

Disc golf: Primitive campsites at Area Three Campground provide convenient access to recreational facilities. "This is primitive camping on the peninsula of Branched Oak, so you get close access to Disc Golf, nice beach, and Showers just up the road," explains a reviewer who found the location convenient despite basic amenities.

What campers like

Water activities: Riverside Campground at Two Rivers SRA offers river-adjacent camping with opportunities for tubing. "The river is decently safe and a good place to tube," notes a camper who found the location relaxing despite limited amenities.

Peaceful environment: Tent campers appreciate the quiet atmosphere at Powerhouse Park in Columbus. "Close to town yet far enough away," mentions a reviewer who found the balance between accessibility and seclusion favorable, despite considering it "better for a picnic than camping."

Beach access: Low-water periods at Riverside Campground reveal sandy shorelines. "When the river is low, you can go play on the beach. We've even walked through the water to go play on the 'islands'," shares a camper describing additional recreational opportunities during specific water conditions.

What you should know

Temperature fluctuations: Late-season camping requires preparation for cold nights. "Late October tent camping- low around 19F... we seemed to be the only souls in the place," reports a camper at Area Three Campground who appreciated the solitude but faced challenging temperatures.

Cost considerations: Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area requires both entrance and camping fees. "Cost- $12 for out of state plates and $15 for a site without amenities is steep," notes a camper at Area Three who found the primitive site pricing excessive compared to other Nebraska options.

Noise factors: Tent campers should prepare for transportation noise at some locations. "There is a very busy set of train tracks that run about every 20 minutes all day and all night. Didn't get any sleep, even with earplugs. Plus, it's right next to a busy highway," warns a Fremont Lakes camper who brought earplugs but still struggled with noise.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Columbus offers camping with child-friendly amenities. "Nice playground, picnic tables, and charcoal grills. Clean restroom. Free tent camping," notes a Powerhouse Park visitor who found the facilities suitable for families despite considering it primarily a day-use area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Wahoo, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Wahoo, NE is Saunders County Fairgrounds Campground with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Wahoo, NE?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Wahoo, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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