Best Campgrounds near Waterloo, NE

State recreation areas dominate the camping landscape around Waterloo, Nebraska, with Two Rivers State Recreation Area serving as the primary destination within city limits. This riverside complex includes multiple campgrounds such as Riverside, Goldenrod, and Cottonwood, each offering electric hookups and water access. Within a 30-minute drive, campers find additional options at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Platte River State Park, and Louisville State Recreation Area. The region supports diverse camping styles from primitive tent sites to full-service RV pads, cabins, and even unique accommodations like the Union Pacific Cabooses at Two Rivers SRA. Most campgrounds feature proximity to lakes or the Platte River, providing water recreation opportunities.

Reservations are essential during summer months, particularly for weekend stays at popular waterfront sites. Many state recreation areas charge additional entrance fees for vehicles with out-of-state license plates. As one camper noted, "This is a state-funded park, so non-Nebraska plated cars have an additional fee." Weather conditions vary dramatically by season, with hot, humid summers and cold winters limiting camping seasons at some locations. While many campgrounds operate year-round, amenities like water hookups may be winterized during colder months. Train noise affects several campgrounds in the region, particularly Louisville SRA, where one reviewer warned: "Packing earplugs is a must, but it won't completely help you. There is a train that goes very near the grounds and it needs to use its horn while passing through."

Waterfront sites receive consistently positive reviews, with fishing and boating opportunities highlighted as key attractions. Speed limits on lakes (typically 5 mph) create ideal conditions for kayaking and canoeing rather than motorized watersports. Shade availability varies significantly between campgrounds, with newer recreation areas offering less tree cover. As one visitor to a nearby lake noted, "With the age of this lake there are no mature trees around, making tent camping difficult on hot days." Most campgrounds provide basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, while developed sites typically offer electric hookups, shower facilities, and dump stations. Family-friendly features like playgrounds, swimming beaches, and hiking trails are common at the larger state recreation areas.

Best Camping Sites Near Waterloo, Nebraska (108)

    1. West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday

    29 Reviews
    Gretna, NE
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 332-3010

    "Very close to the Nebraska crossing outlet mall! 😊"

    "The campground itself was fine and very convenient in location to vIsIt famIly."

    2. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground

    47 Reviews
    Ashland, NE
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 944-2523

    $20 - $333 / night

    "Nestled between two major cities in Nebraska, you're never far away from anything you may want to do or see. RV and tent camping is obviously available with limited privacy."

    "We used to stop here as a midway point when driving to Colorado. We always stayed at the lodge for a night and had a pleasant time exploring the area."

    3. Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area

    19 Reviews
    Papillion, NE
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 592-8877

    $20 / night

    "This is a very cool park in Papillion, Nebraska! It also has a sewer dump site for $5 (if you're not camping). See the camp host to pay."

    "This lake in Papillion, Nebraska is a great little lake. Probably one of the best in metro area of Omaha. The fishing is always as well as the kayaking is as well, (especially novice like myself)."

    4. Union Pacific Cabooses — Two Rivers SRA

    8 Reviews
    Waterloo, NE
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 359-5165

    $80 / night

    "The fishing is easy in all the lakes and they have a pay fishing trout lake that nearly guarantees success. Our kid and her friends love the swimming beach."

    "Whether I was riding a bike around the paved roads. Fishing in one of the sandpit lakes they have to offer, or the river. Walk around the nature trails, or lakes."

    5. Platte River State Park Campground

    31 Reviews
    South Bend, NE
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 234-2217

    $330 / night

    "We were passing through Nebraska and opted to stay the night here. The campground is new and will be even nicer when the trees are big enough to provide shade."

    "Short walk in but a wagon is provided to help unload equipment. Picnic and fire pit near the teepee."

    6. Louisville State Recreation Area Campground

    29 Reviews
    Louisville, NE
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (402) 234-6855

    $25 / night

    "A HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas. There is a 3 decent-size lakes spread evenly across the grounds."

    "A HUGE campground with around 250 total sites, with options ranging from walk-in camping tent-only sites to RV areas. There is a 3 decent-size lakes spread evenly across the grounds."

    7. Lake Cunningham Campground

    10 Reviews
    Omaha, NE
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (531) 201-5754

    $15 - $40 / night

    "The lake is right there, with a nice bike path that comes all the way around."

    "Lake Cunningham is a fun destination for getting outside if you only have an afternoon to escape! The lake itself is great for kayaking, paddle boarding, and sailing!"

    8. Riverside Campground — Two Rivers SRA

    5 Reviews
    Waterloo, NE
    6 miles
    +1 (402) 359-5165

    $10 / night

    "We've even walked through the water to go play on the "islands". There is a convenience store ran by a very nice family and they make a great breakfast for a low cost."

    "A short drive from Omaha, two rivers offers generally clean TV and tent camping sites across multiple campgrounds. I camped right by the river. Also a short walk to the outhouse and playground."

    9. Goldenrod Campground — Two Rivers SRA

    4 Reviews
    Waterloo, NE
    5 miles
    +1 (402) 359-5165

    $25 / night

    "It is right next to lake 4 with some beach access. There are both reservable and walk up sites here. The walk up process is a little strange."

    "Very nice camp sites and playgrounds for children nice clean fishing lakes and river access."

    10. Cottonwood — Two Rivers SRA

    4 Reviews
    Waterloo, NE
    6 miles
    +1 (402) 359-5165

    $25 / night

    "Two rivers is my favorite Nebraska hidden gem! The state Rec Park is by both the Elkhorn and Platte rivers, thus it’s name, Two Rivers."

    "River and small lake fishing as well. No wifi, good T-Mobile cell service"

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Recent Reviews near Waterloo, NE

579 Reviews of 108 Waterloo Campgrounds


  • Donna H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 11, 2025

    Wilson Island State Recreation Area Campground

    Mosquitos and undrinkable water.

    Mosquitos are a given in a wetland refuge, but since this was just an overnight stay, I wasn't especially concerned. What DID concern me was:

    1. The camp host was present, but not at all helpful. A bad storm was moving in, and so I asked about tornado shelters in the area...he said there were none. Funny as the ranger station was within walking distance, but nobody was attending.

    2. It's a state park, and so the water stations are sprinkled throughout the camping areas. I was going to fill my kettle and was stopped by one of the campers who said that the water was bad and that if I needed water, she had extra. The camp host didn't mention the contamination issue, nor were the spigots marked. I did see a weathered "boil notice" on the door to the showers that evening. 

    It has the potential to be a nice park, but is unkept and all but neglected by the camp host.

  • V
    Sep. 30, 2025

    loess hills state forest

    Loess Hills State Forest

    Really impressed with this location. Incredible hiking just outside your door.

  • Fire S.
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Red Cedar Lake

    Peaceful Getaway with Beautiful Views

    Red Cedar Lake is a hidden gem if you’re looking for quiet, simple camping. The scenery is beautiful, with open skies and plenty of wildlife around. It’s free camping, so amenities are limited—bring your own supplies and expect rustic conditions. The fishing was great, and the sunsets over the water were stunning. Perfect spot if you want to unplug, relax, and enjoy nature close to the road.https://kukasoittia.fi/

  • Kyla B.
    Sep. 19, 2025

    Czechland Lake Recreation Area

    Peaceful

    Has fishing, kayaking, hiking, 3 covered picnic areas with electricity, wildlife watching, no-wake boating, 11 (50 amp) RV/tent pads/sites at $20 per night, 3 free non-electrical RV/tent pads/sites, & free tent camping area by the dock. No park permit required. Can pay for pads/sites with cash or with mobile phone. Sites have trash cans, picnic tables and fire rings. Primitive bathrooms available. Water spigots available and working. No dumpsite. Dogs welcome but must be leashed.

    May be difficult parking for larger rigs (35ft+) due to the one way entrance and curvature of the campground. Also note that you will need to bring leveling blocks for nearly every site since the campground is build on a hill.

    https://lpnnrd.org/outdoor-recreation/czechland-lake-recreation-area/

  • Susan W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 13, 2025

    Bluffs Run RV Park at Horseshoe Casino

    Road to Mackinac

    Just an overnight on our way to Michigan. Yeah it's a parking lot! Visited family just in the NE side of the river. Water and electric, not a bad price. Interstate was RIGHT THERE..... but the noise of our AC downed it out! 😎 Showers were low pressure and could have been better maintained.

  • 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.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 11, 2025

    Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area Tent Campsites

    Great state rec area

    Impressive recreation area. Campsites on and off of the water, all very nice. Lots of walking and bike riding. Very woodsy feeling through the whole park and a nice bicycle trail that leaves the park and winds out to Hormel Park on the Platte River.

  • Trav S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area

    Sewer Dump Available

    This is a very cool park in Papillion, Nebraska!

    It also has a sewer dump site for $5 (if you're not camping). See the camp host to pay.

  • Travis A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Yankee hill wildlife management area

    Good over night spot

    Situated in the middle of corn fields. The WMA has a large marshy, stagnant pond, so bring mosquito repellent. The parking area is clean. There is a dumpster and vault toilet. I didnt inspect it, I'll leave that up to you. No potable water, but Lincoln Nebraska is only 17 miles away.


Guide to Waterloo

Two Rivers State Recreation Area serves as the primary camping destination within Waterloo, Nebraska, situated at the confluence of the Elkhorn and Platte rivers. The campgrounds in this area experience temperature variations from winter lows around 20°F to summer highs reaching 90°F with high humidity. Most camping areas feature paved roads and electrical hookups, with varying levels of shade protection depending on the specific campsite near Waterloo, Nebraska.

What to do

Fishing opportunities: The area offers multiple fishing lakes with diverse options at Two Rivers State Recreation Area, including a dedicated trout lake. "Lots of fishing opportunities in the ponds and river. Even a trout lake," notes one visitor. Another camper adds, "The fishing is always as well as the kayaking is as well, (especially novice like myself)."

Paddling and water activities: Several lakes allow non-motorized boating while limiting motor speeds. At Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area, "The fishing is always as well as the kayaking is as well, (especially novice like myself). The birdwatching as well as the wildlife is abundant." Most recreation areas maintain speed limits around 5 mph, creating ideal conditions for beginners and families.

Wildlife viewing: The natural surroundings support diverse wildlife observation opportunities. A regular visitor to Walnut Creek mentioned, "The birdwatching as well as the wildlife is abundant. Honestly if not for the city noise you could forget your in a city." Many campgrounds feature hiking trails where visitors commonly spot deer, wild turkey, and various bird species.

What campers like

River proximity: Waterfront sites, particularly those along the Platte River, receive consistently positive reviews. At Cottonwood — Two Rivers SRA, one camper shared, "The Cottonwood camp area lays right on the Platte River and it is beautiful watching the sunset over the water." These sites typically book well in advance, especially for summer weekends.

Breakfast options: Several campgrounds offer food service, a feature many campers appreciate. At Two Rivers SRA, a visitor mentioned, "There is a convenience store ran by a very nice family and they make a great breakfast for a low cost. We like to get up early and walk across the park to breakfast and then walk back to our campsite."

Cleanliness: Campground maintenance and cleanliness regularly appears in positive reviews. At Goldenrod Campground — Two Rivers SRA, campers noted, "Very clean and well maintained camp sites" and "The park has beautiful views and the river is not far away." Most campgrounds feature regularly maintained restrooms and shower facilities.

What you should know

Train noise: Several campgrounds, particularly Louisville State Recreation Area, experience significant train disruptions. "Packing earplugs is a must. The train uses its horn very often. I was in campsite 11 another night, literally as far away from the tracks as possible and wore ear plugs and there was no avoiding it," reports one camper. Sites closer to Interstate 80 also experience traffic noise.

Reservation systems: Each recreation area has specific reservation procedures. At Walnut Creek Lake & Recreation Area, the process works differently: "Wednesday at 3pm there were 8 sites open. Nice city park. Electric hookups. Water spigot about the park. Dump station by the entrance." Two Rivers uses a waiting list system for non-reserved sites: "You get put on a waiting list and have to return to main office at 3. Then they start at beginning of list and people start choosing so get on waiting list early."

Weather considerations: Summer storms can impact camping experiences. One KOA visitor recounted, "There was a major storm that rolled though and upon arriving I asked about the weather, which I was watching closely at the radar. They didn't seem concert about it however news reports were saying other wise of his very storm system producing 90-100mph winds." Spring and fall typically offer milder conditions with less extreme heat and fewer storm risks.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. At Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground, visitors note, "This campground is crowded with significant interstate noise. However there are many activities for kids including paddleboating, a wave pool, horse riding, ziplining, and playgrounds." Most recreation areas include at least basic playground equipment.

Swimming options: Dedicated swimming areas provide safer alternatives to river swimming. At Goldenrod Campground, a camper mentioned it "is right next to lake 4 with some beach access." Another camper at Two Rivers SRA noted, "The park has several lakes with a variety of different fishing options... A swimming beach for kids, and river access when the river is low enough."

Educational opportunities: Several parks offer nature education experiences. One visitor to Two Rivers SRA shared, "We have also used other campgrounds at Two River SRA for Cub Scout campouts. The park has many, many opportunities to earn badges. You can even take a short hike into a little outdoor nature classroom."

Tips from RVers

Site selection: RV campers recommend researching specific site dimensions before booking. At West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday, one RVer cautioned, "We were given an inappropriate size space for the rig we stated, super narrow and we stuck over the road by 2 feet. If we go back to visit, we will insist that we are in a larger site as it was actually a nice campground."

Off-season benefits: Many campgrounds operate year-round with reduced crowds during shoulder seasons. One RVer noted, "We always stop here when we're traveling on I-80. It's the perfect distance for us to overnight before moving on. Clean campground, showers/bathroom. Courteous employees. We've stopped on a couple of holidays & a reservation is a must!"

Utility access: Water access varies between campgrounds and seasons. At Cottonwood, one camper explained, "Not water hookups but electricity ones work just fine! Water hook ups are in a different subdivision, but available." Most campgrounds provide electrical hookups, while water and sewer connections vary by location.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Waterloo, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, Waterloo, NE offers a wide range of camping options, with 108 campgrounds and RV parks near Waterloo, NE and 2 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Waterloo, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Waterloo, NE is West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday with a 4.1-star rating from 29 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Waterloo, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Waterloo, NE.