Join the fun near York. With tons of outdoor activities and scenic camping, this is an excellent vacation spot for all kinds of travelers. York is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Get the dirt on all the best camping near York. Browse campgrounds by amenities, site types, and more.
$25 - $35 / 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."
$25 - $30 / night
"We wanted a camp ground that was close to a city and only a 2 hour drive from our home if we needed to get something or an accessory that we forgot to pick up before leaving. "
"This park is right off I-80 off one of the Grand Island exits. This park was actually a surprise to me. It was pretty clean, especially for as packed as it was."
"No people really, just a bunch of cows you pass as you drive down the gravelly/sandy roads to get to it. No mosquitoes, but bullfrogs aplenty throughout the night."
"My favorite campgrounds are the ones that are a little out of the way on unpaved roads in the middle of nowhere :-) there was a pretty lake, a bathroom, a dumpster, and a map of the hikes."
"Check out Blustem if you like to get away from RV heavy camps like I do. You’ll find clean raised toilets, trails, and archery range, boating, fishing and hunting here."
ScoutMy 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.
LegendCamping 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. Pull through sites with full hookups, equestrian trails, and corals. Yet few people realize that there is a nice RV and tent camping area, lovely inlet with lakesides slabs, Boat docks, and Boat ramps. Showers are not available at area #2 but are available at a closeby area #1.
The lake has some nice trails including the equestrian trail that comes from the park. The park has several beaches 2 of them very close. There are archery and shotgun ranges at the lake and a decent disc golf course.
At a popular lake, this is a nice yet secluded camping area that often gets overlooked.
LegendCheck out Blustem if you like to get away from RV heavy camps like I do. You’ll find clean raised toilets, trails, and archery range, boating, fishing and hunting here. I camped here in early spring with my boys and another family and we had the place to ourselves. This is yet another really nice state recreation area within 20 miles of Lincoln Nebraska. Check it out.
LegendThis is really two large primitive campgrounds each capable of holding crowds of campers. Though this does not have flush toilets or showers they are very near in the adjacent campground.
This campground is on the peninsula of Branched Oak Lake and is close to area 6 which has all the fun stuff. See the review of area 6!
Nearby Malcolm has one of the best BBQ joints in the state, and people throughout the area go to a little town called Bee, close by, for an awesome fish fry every Friday night.
LegendThis free camping area is low on amenities, but os well kept and close to the Oak Creek Trail which extends from Valparaiso to Brainard Nebraska.
The Lake is lovely with such good trails it is often used as a cross-country race site. This NRD lake has 3 gravel slabs close to a vault toilet and water hydrant. It is just up the hill from the boat ramp.
GuideThis is the best lake in Nebraska for camping! They are tent sites right by the lake. The bathrooms are pretty clean. There’s a huge no-wake area of the lake for kayaking and paddle boarding. They also offer boat rentals.
ScoutPros
- Own Beach Front! -- I can not express how amazing this perk is!!!
- No "dogs not allowed" signs like the public beaches!
- Plenty of trees for shade (and hammocks)
- Close parking
- The breeze off of the lake helped so much with bugs
- Price $15/night
- Mowed grass trail nearby.. no clue where it leads - the bugs were too bad!
- Shower houses within driving distance, or longish walk (not currently open.. Covid)
- Stars are amazing at night
- Fire Pits & Grate & Picnic Table included
Cons
- No Water hydrants
- Bathrooms are not nearby (maybe 6-7 minute walk?)
- These sites fill up FAST.. Go out on a Friday at 3 pm.. there will not be sites left
---- We went on a Tuesday and got there around noon and there were only 3 sites available.
- Minimal tent sites (I think 8 total?) -- at south shore
- Can hear vehicles driving on the nearby highway
- Can get crowded with visiting boaters during the weekends
LegendOnce we exited off I 80 per campground(CG) instructions, we traveled following our RV GPS, WAZE, and Google Maps on the back roads to the state recreation area(SRA) and specifically the South Shore CG. We saw the South Shore sign that was somewhat hidden by trees and also a sign for the dump station and potable water. We pulled into the dump station for potable water and to dump what we had from our overnight stay as we were going into back-in site 80 with only electric(50/30/20 AMP). There was a small unmanned check-in gate where we got our Nebraska State Park Pass, but no one was around to stamp our pass so we followed the signage to site 80, which was a fairly easy back-in. We were amazed at the lake view as this site sits up on a hill about 100 yards from the water. Our name was on the post as we had online reservations(there are some first-come-first-serve sites here). We could have put out our satellite, but we got a multitude of OTA channels out of Lincoln, NE. We also got 3 bars on Verizon and 2 bars on T-Mobile. The South Shore CG has a mix of FHUs, 50 AMP, and 30 AMP-only RV sites. Note that when the utilities state Electric Plus, there is no water at the site, just 50 AMP electric plus a 30/20 AMP as well. There are also tent areas within the SRA campgrounds. The sites in general are spaced so you are not right on top of your neighbor. However, the sites that run on both sides of site 80 have no one behind with lots of space down to the lake. This was a very nice CG that we would not hesitate to visit again.
ScoutStayed here for a weekend when we purchased our new travel trailer. We wanted a camp ground that was close to a city and only a 2 hour drive from our home if we needed to get something or an accessory that we forgot to pick up before leaving. Location is the big benefit of this location. Literally right off the interstate and all the amenities of the city of Grand Island are only 5 minutes away. Its rare that I can go eat at Texas Roadhouse or ice cream at Cold Stone and its a 5 minute drive from my campsite.
This is a nice and well kept campground. Good shade on our section that is away from the lake and close to the shower houses. Shower houses are clean and typical for NGPC camp grounds. Electrical hookups on each campground with water spigots spaced through the campground. Good access for backing in.
Nebraska offers a variety of options for horse camping enthusiasts, combining beautiful landscapes with facilities that cater to both riders and their equine companions.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near York, NE is Branched Oak Lake State Rec Area with a 4.1-star rating from 28 reviews.
TheDyrt.com has all 6 equestrian camping locations near York, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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