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Rustic cabins near Waterloo, Nebraska include unique options like the Union Pacific Cabooses at Two Rivers State Recreation Area, which feature small kitchens, bathrooms, air conditioning, and beds with mattresses. "If you enjoy some extra comforts, rent one of the train cabooses which feature a small kitchen, bathroom, AC and beds with mattresses. Our kids loved the lofted full sized bed," notes one visitor. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park offers both basic and luxury cabin accommodations with varying amenities, while Platte River State Park provides recently renovated cabins with updated appliances, furniture, and fixtures.
Reservations are essential for cabin stays, particularly during summer months when facilities book up quickly. The renovated cabins at Platte River State Park require advance planning but come well-equipped. "The cabin was very clean and organized upon arrival. They supply most everything thing you need i.e. dishes, cookware, etc." Basic cabins typically include beds and refrigerators, while luxury options offer more amenities. Hitchcock County Nature Center in nearby Iowa provides cabin rentals as part of its outdoor recreation area. Most cabins allow pets, though specific policies vary by location.
Most cabin accommodations provide basic furnishings but require guests to bring their own linens, towels, and toiletries. Kitchen facilities vary significantly between locations—from the fully equipped kitchens in the caboose rentals to more basic setups in standard cabins. On-site camp stores at locations like West Omaha KOA Holiday offer essential supplies, though selection is limited. Firewood is available for purchase at several locations, including Memphis Lake State Recreation Area. For longer stays, the nearby towns of Gretna and Ashland provide more extensive shopping options for groceries and camping supplies.
"The campground itself was fine and very convenient in location to vIsIt famIly."
"We had full hookups & the site we were in was spacious with a picnic table and fire ring with grate."
"Picked up our pull-behind and drove straight here on a recommendation from the dealer. Great location, pretty grounds."
"Mahoney State Park. There are challenging trails overlooking the Platte River and railroad line. Bring your camera."
from $25 - $485 / night
Check Availability"It’s flat and easy for young kids to bike around all the different lakes(ponds). Plus the Platte river is right there too that adds a great ambient sound. Lots of cottonwood trees for shade."
"Playgrounds are old, but kids had a blast"
from $100 / night
Check Availability"Tents, cabins and RV camping. Toilets, showers, fire rings. There is a small lake with paddle boats and kayaks for rent. They have a pool and dining hall for rent."
"Love Platte River State park. Lots to do, especially fun for kids. Cute cabins. Camp sites are decent and bathrooms are clean."
from $35 - $340 / night
Check Availability"Goldenrod is one of 6 campgrounds at Twin Rivers State Park. Half of this campground has electric and half has none. It is right next to lake 4 with some beach access."
"Very nice camp sites and playgrounds for children nice clean fishing lakes and river access."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"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."
"State park with many amenities! River and small lake fishing as well. No wifi, good T-Mobile cell service"
from $30 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $10 - $35 / night
Check Availability"This is a small campground a little ways before you get to lakeside campground. These spots are electric with fire pits and picnic tables. It is near the road and the dump station is in view."
"Great spot but no wifi"
from $35 / night
Check Availability"Did some backcountry camping at the Badger Ridge location, overall the stay was great!"
"The tent campsites are close together in the campground all of them have fire rings with grates. There is a vault toliet just up from the site."
from $10 - $50 / night
Check Availability"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."
"Great fishing and kayaking lake! Bike path goes all the way around the lake. Sites are large and spaced out. I prefer the ones along the water but you have to book early to get one."
from $8 - $40 / night
Check Availability
LegendTents, cabins and RV camping. Toilets, showers, fire rings. There is a small lake with paddle boats and kayaks for rent. They have a pool and dining hall for rent. Tons od trails and many of them a taylored to mountain biking. There are 2 types of cabins, basic that has a bed amd refrigerator. Then there are luxury glamping cabins.
GuideOur family and another family shared a primitive tent site near the back of the park. We were first and foremost impressed with the freedom we had in choosing our site. Tent camping here is non-reservable, but once you enter the park, you may choose from any spots containing a fire pit outside of RV loops. Tent sites range from lake-front, to playground side, to more private sites on the outer rim of the park. We chose a large, private site at the back of the park. This site was well maintained and had enough space to easily accommodate two families of four. We even had a picnic shelter all to ourselves. Our site was lined by woods and farmland and had a good view of a small pond. The night was full of exciting animal noises from both the nearby farm and pond. Vault toilets were a short walk away with clean shower facilities just a few loops away. The kids enjoyed riding bikes up and down gravel roads, looking for frogs, and playing on the playground. Canoe and paddle boat rental is extremely reasonable. Hiking trails near the park entrance are rugged. The staff was incredibly kind and easy-going, yet attentive. Just a short drive from neighboring towns, this is a good starter campground for families with younger kids. We hope to return in winter to check out the camping cabins.
GuideLove Platte River State park. Lots to do, especially fun for kids. Cute cabins. Camp sites are decent and bathrooms are clean. Lots of hiking on well maintained trails, the pool is usually pretty busy on weekends.
ScoutIf you enjoy some extra comforts, rent one of the train cabooses which feature a small kitchen, bathroom, AC and beds with mattresses. Our kids loved the lofted full sized bed (but we kicked them to the bunk beds). There are charcoal grills outside, a close by swimming area, and lots of space to wander.
GuideIt 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.
LegendPlatte River State Park is a beautiful, full service park with plenty of amenities. There are playgrounds and a splash pad for the kids, canoe rentals, and plenty of trails to hike or bike. Sites are concrete pads with full hookups and include a fire ring and picnic table. The campground also has a bathroom and dog park. 5 bars of AT&T @ 120Mbps!
GuideDid some backcountry camping at the Badger Ridge location, overall the stay was great! The park has multiple hike-in backcountry locations, tent camping spots near the road, RV pads with water and electric, as well as a few small cabins. The scenery is amazing! The shower house was also clean and well maintained.
LegendThe tent campsites are close together in the campground all of them have fire rings with grates. There is a vault toliet just up from the site. There are also a lot of hike in sites that are equiped with a fire ring, no bathrooms though. Tons of hiking trails ranging from hard to easy. Plenty of RV spots and they have cabins
RangerHitchcock Nature Center is north of Crescent, IA and just let outside Omaha, NE. A short drive from the city and you are in the Loess Hills that were explored by Lewis and Clark on their trek west. The is a $3 day use pass or a $20 yearly pass available.
This place has a lot to offer anyone. They have Nature education events, archery range, a handicapped accessible boardwalk trail, hiking trails, camping, etc. There are miles of trail available with backcountry camping available for $10 per night. RV camping is also available for $15 per night with electric, showers/bathrooms, picnic tables, fire rings, etc. They also offer a couple cabins for rent.
The hiking is fantastic and offers something for every skill level. There are absolutely gorgeous views of the Missouri River valley below. All trails are marked and the a multiple different trailheads, many which start around the visitors center/tower Overlook. During the winter they even over snowshoeing events. It is really a nice place to get outdoors anytime of the year.
Cabin accommodations near Waterloo, Nebraska sit among the loess hills terrain and along the convergence of the Platte and Elkhorn rivers. The area experiences seasonal temperature fluctuations with summer highs averaging in the upper 80s°F and winter lows often below freezing. Cabin camping options range from primitive shelters to modern accommodations with varying levels of accessibility during the region's spring flooding season.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Wanahoo State Recreation Area offers multiple fishing spots with a well-stocked lake. "Great fishing and kayaking lake! Bike path goes all the way around the lake," notes one visitor at Lake Wanahoo. The three-mile trail loop provides scenic views and connects to the town of Wahoo.
Hiking trails: Hitchcock County Nature Center offers trails for various skill levels. "The hiking is fantastic and offers something for every skill level. There are absolutely gorgeous views of the Missouri River valley below," reports a camper. The center features a handicap-accessible boardwalk trail alongside more challenging routes.
Water recreation: Memphis Lake State Recreation Area provides non-motorized water activities. "The lake is a no wake zone, so kayaks, and canoes are great," explains a visitor. The lake offers boat rentals and a dock for easy water access during warmer months.
Secluded spots: Cottonwood Campground at Two Rivers State Recreation Area offers riverfront sites. "The Cottonwood camp area lays right on the Platte River and it is beautiful watching the sunset over the water," shares one camper. The park's location at the confluence of two rivers creates diverse landscapes for nature viewing.
Family-friendly amenities: West Omaha KOA Holiday features numerous activities for children. "This site is great for any size family. The range of different camping options and amenities is incredible," states a reviewer. The campground maintains playgrounds and scheduled events throughout the main camping season.
Privacy options: Goldenrod Campground at Two Rivers SRA provides spacious sites. "This campground is amazing! The park has beautiful views and the river is not far away," notes a visitor. Sites include both electric and non-electric options with adequate space between camping areas.
Reservation requirements: Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground sites fill quickly, especially during peak season. "This place has it all... but books up months in advance and the crowds can get a bit annoying," explains one camper. The park enforces strict reservation policies due to high demand.
Noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience highway noise. "This campground is crowded with significant interstate noise. However there are many activities for kids," reports a visitor about Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. Sites farther from I-80 generally offer quieter camping experiences.
Weather preparedness: Storms can affect camping conditions. "There was a major storm that rolled though... the radar was clearly showing that it would," shares a West Omaha KOA Holiday camper. Area campgrounds have designated shelter locations, typically in bathroom buildings or dedicated underground structures.
Water activities: Platte River State Park Campground offers splash parks and paddle boats. "This park offers a lot of nature activities. You can hike the many hiking trails to the mini waterfall, or Platte river. They have paddle boat and Kayak rentals," explains a visitor. The park maintains supervised water areas suitable for various age groups.
Educational opportunities: Hitchcock County Nature Center provides nature programs. "When I think of 'nature center' I think of a stuffy little cabin with taxidermy. This site is far far more than that, with hiking trails, educational programs, a museum, event halls, and of course camping," shares a camper. The center schedules seasonal activities focused on local wildlife and conservation.
Budget considerations: Two Rivers State Recreation Area caboose rentals offer unique lodging. "If you are a social camper you'll enjoy meeting people and watching the kids make new friends," notes a visitor. The caboose rentals provide cost-effective alternatives to hotel accommodations while maintaining essential amenities.
Site selection: Cottonwood Campground sites vary in proximity to neighbors. "There's only one good campsite at this campground. It's more secluded and away from the rest. The others are pretty close to each other, I would recommend getting two campsites if you don't want neighbors," advises a camper. Reserving corner sites or booking multiple adjacent spaces increases privacy.
Hook-up locations: West Omaha KOA Holiday offers full-service sites with specific layout considerations. "We were given an inappropriate size space for the rig we stated, super narrow and we stuck over the road by 2 feet. They had larger sites all around us but were told we could not change," cautions an RVer. Specifying exact RV dimensions when reserving helps secure appropriate sites.
Seasonal accessibility: Dump stations and water fill locations may have limited access. "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," explains a Lake Wanahoo visitor. Some campgrounds close certain facilities during winter months, requiring advance planning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular cabin campsite near Waterloo, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Waterloo, NE is West Omaha / NE Lincoln KOA Holiday with a 4.1-star rating from 29 reviews.
What is the best site to find cabin camping near Waterloo, NE?
TheDyrt.com has all 20 cabin camping locations near Waterloo, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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