2 campgrounds with availability next weekend
Two Rivers State Recreation Area near Waterloo, Nebraska does not offer dedicated horse facilities in any of its campgrounds. Fishing lakes, river access, and hiking trails are available throughout the recreation area's 652 acres, but no horse corrals or equestrian-specific amenities are provided. The park features multiple campgrounds including Goldenrod, Fawn Meadows, and Oak Grove, with electric hookups, fire pits, and picnic tables at most sites. Campsites are generally spacious with good separation between spots and many offer shade from mature cottonwood trees. The campground layout features flat terrain making it easy for children to bike around the different lakes and ponds.
Visitors seeking equestrian activities must look elsewhere in the region. Branched Oak Lake State Recreation Area, located approximately 40 miles southwest of Waterloo, offers more extensive recreational opportunities but also lacks horse-specific amenities. Two Rivers does feature unique accommodation options including renovated Union Pacific cabooses that can be rented as cabins with small kitchens, bathrooms, air conditioning and beds with mattresses. The Platte River runs alongside the recreation area providing ambient sound and additional recreation options. Park facilities include sanitary dump stations, showers, and toilets. Reservations are recommended as the campgrounds often fill up, especially during summer months when the swimming beach attracts families with children.
"As full-time campers we stay at Mahoney quite often as it is close to the Omaha-metro and there are so many things to do within the park: swimming, golf, zip lines, arts & crafts, trails, nature, horses"
"Walking trails. Camping spots galore. Arts and crafts. Horse riding. Water park. Lodge. Viewing tower. And they just added a ropes course. cabins for rent as well."
Available next weekend
from $20 - $485 / 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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $100 / night
"Good hiking, horse rides, great hills for trail running."
"It’s a bit off the beaten path but we got to enjoy the beautiful horses. Bonus!"
Available next weekend
from $340 / 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."
"I am sorry 😔 but I have nut yet been to any of Nebraska's Camping grounds your's well be the first."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $10 - $30 / 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."
from $10 / 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!"
from $15 - $40 / 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."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 / night
"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."
"Take your pick, river or lakeside. Some areas are more modern than others but all are nice. A few have water hookups"
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $30 / night
"It’s not close to water like some of the others but it has a nice amount of room between spots and lots of trees for shade. There is an old playground by a vault toilet."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 / night
"My first time camping in Nebraska. Ive been to several throughout the US. Loved the spot, I was right next to the lake, great swimming access. Downside drinking water access was difficult."
"Camping area 2 has a lot to offer, even if you don't own a horse. The area is well known for being the equestrian camping area at one of the finest lakes in Nebraska."
Campground full next weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $25 - $35 / night
GuideA nice little area to park our RV for the night as we were passing through. Just put your $10 in the donation box. Yes, there is a train that blows its whistle, but it doesn’t come through too often.
TravelerI tried to drive out to the Timber Point campground on Road 29 on September 21, 2026, and got dangerously stuck in the mud! There were two signs at the end of the maintained section of this dirt road, which said "NO GRAVEL" and "MINIMUM MAINTENANCE ROAD". There should be a "ROAD CLOSED WHEN MUDDY" sign!
Just beyond these signs, the road descends, somewhat steeply, about fifty vertical feet, over about two hundred foot horizontal distance. If you start down that hill in any vehicle when it is muddy, you are likely to start sliding, as I did in our 22' RV, completely lose control of steering, and get stuck in the mud at the bottom of the hill. See the accompanying pictures as proof...
We later found a rickety 'ROAD CLOSED' sign in the grass by the side of the road near the two above signs, which we put back up...after we got towed out. I highly recommend LTR Towing in Lincoln, NB for their towing expertise! (see ltrtowing.com)
ScoutTen dollars a night for a electrical hookup, green grass and peace of mind. Perfect, just pull in, find a vacant pedestal and make yourself at home. 510 Midland Street
LegendLittle Creek section site 42, August 31, 2026, 85 degrees at 7pm. Pad was asphalt and level, good angle for backing in. 20/30amp, T-Mobile 5G was great. Green grass everywhere, we saw deer , squirrels and turkeys. CG was empty, showers and toilets are in the same building, older but nice.
All of the sites were paved and level, the grass may not be level and the tables and pits were fine.
Some noise at night from the highway, but the frogs, crickets and peepers were louder than the road noise. Loud trains at night.
Trash and water spigot were close to site. All of the ADA compatible campsites were brand new concrete very nice
TravelerCampsites are grassy and mostly level, though there were a few that had standing water from a thunderstorm earlier that morning. There is not any privacy between campsites and sites are right next to each other. We were lucky to come on a weekend that wasn’t very busy, and I could easily see this campsite get very crowded around holidays. The pit toilets needed a good clean, but other facilities seem maintained.
GuideThere were more people than I expected there on a Monday evening, but we were able to find a spot with 30A to set up. We didn’t even need blocks, as it was perfectly level. Just pulled into the grass next to the electric and had no issues. Great for a quick overnight, especially for just $10.
TravelerFound this spot last minute before the 4th of July, it was pretty much the only availability. It was perfect and I wish I would have found this place a lot sooner. Although it was busy it still was comfortable. And it's a straight shot to my work in Omaha. Is like staying longer.
GuideSouth of Omaha, on the Platte River. 200+ rv and tent sites. $30/night with electrical. Water and dump in the park. 5 lakes for fishing, kayak, hiking trails, rc track, access to the river, convince store, swimming beach, blowup obstacles course, and shower bathroom locations.
ScoutThis park offers something for everyone! Although the campsites are average this big beautiful park makes up for it in other ways. From the aquatic park, to the stables, hiking and biking trails, a small marina with fishing and paddle boats, and a nature center, you won’t have to leave to be entertained. Recommend staying at the lakeside campground for better views.
Two Rivers State Recreation Area near Waterloo, Nebraska sits at approximately 1,080 feet above sea level along the eastern edge of Nebraska's Great Plains. The recreation area encompasses 652 acres with seven lakes and ponds spread across relatively flat terrain. Summer temperatures typically range from 75-90°F with higher humidity levels due to proximity to the Platte River, while spring and fall offer milder conditions that many campers prefer.
Fishing opportunities: Two Rivers SRA features multiple fishing lakes stocked with various species. "Great fishing. Playgrounds are old, but kids had a blast," notes John K. about Fawn Meadows Campground. Many campers bring their own gear, but seasonal bait shops operate near the entrance during peak months.
Water recreation: The swimming beach at Two Rivers provides a popular spot for cooling off. "There's a swimming pond," mentions Jordan H. from her stay at Two Rivers. For those seeking broader water activities, Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area offers "a huge no-wake area of the lake for kayaking and paddle boarding. They also offer boat rentals."
Biking and hiking: The flat terrain makes Two Rivers ideal for family bike rides. "It's flat and easy for young kids to bike around all the different lakes(ponds)," shares Justin R. The river access points provide opportunities to wade in shallow areas during summer months when water levels typically recede.
Spacious sites: Campers appreciate the well-designed layout at Two Rivers. "Lots of trees for shade 7 lakes to fish platte river to boat in and 4 area's to choose from for camping tent or rv," reports Linda H. after staying at Two Rivers SRA.
Natural soundscape: The flowing Platte River creates a pleasant ambient background for campers. According to Justin R., "The Platte river is right there too that adds a great ambient sound. Lots of cottonwood trees for shade."
Unique accommodations: Beyond standard campsites, Two Rivers offers distinctive lodging options. "You can rent a caboose as a cabin," mentions Justin R., while Tony B. elaborates: "They also have old remodeled Union Pacific caboose you can stay in." These cabooses require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends.
Reservation system: Planning ahead is essential during peak seasons. "Reserve!" emphasizes Timothy, noting the challenges with on-site staff. "The camp office personnel are a bit annoying and don't seem to want to help you much."
Enforcement policies: Rangers strictly monitor quiet hours at Two Rivers. "The park patrol are very strict, if you make any noise during quiet hours they'll come after you," warns Jordan H. from her stay at Two Rivers.
Weather considerations: The area can experience sudden storms in spring and summer. Louisville State Recreation Area campers have reported occasional flooding: "There is a lot of good things about this park... however our site was right by a train track. There were trains going by all night long."
Easy introduction to camping: Two Rivers provides an accessible camping experience for beginners. Rick J. notes, "This is a great campground for camping and fishing with kids. The fishing is easy in all the lakes and they have a pay fishing trout lake that nearly guarantees success."
Swimming options: The designated swimming area provides a controlled environment. "Our kid and her friends love the swimming beach," shares Rick J. from Fawn Meadows Campground. The beach is monitored during peak summer months with designated swimming hours.
Social atmosphere: The campground layout encourages interaction. Rick J. adds, "if you are a social camper you'll enjoy meeting people and watching the kids make new friends." Sites in the Goldenrod area tend to have the best playground access according to regular visitors.
Site selection strategy: For RVers, some areas offer better accommodations than others. "Oak grove is one of 6 campgrounds at Twin Rivers State Park. It is one of the smaller campgrounds and is peaceful and offers electric and electric plus, fire pit, and picnic table," recommends Shannon G. after staying at Oak Grove Campground.
Hook-up availability: The campground provides various utility options. According to Shannon G., camping at Two Rivers offers sites that are "electric with fire pits and picnic tables." Water fill stations are available near the entrance for those without direct hookups.
Horse camping limitations: Despite searches for horse campgrounds near Waterloo, Nebraska, no equestrian facilities exist at Two Rivers SRA. Campers seeking equestrian-friendly options must travel to other regions, as no horse corrals or equestrian trails are present at any of the Two Rivers campgrounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Waterloo, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Waterloo, NE is Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 48 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Waterloo, NE?
TheDyrt.com has all 17 equestrian camping locations near Waterloo, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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