Fishing and boating enthusiasts will find direct access to Calamus Reservoir from this 83-site state recreation area campground. All sites include electric hookups, with about half available for advance reservations and two designated as handicap accessible.
The campground features paved driveways and level sites, each equipped with picnic tables and fire pits. A single bathhouse provides flush toilets and coin-operated showers, though as one camper noted, "the quarter machine was broken but the host had quarters." Additional vault toilets are distributed throughout the grounds. Sites near the playground (26, 28, 30, 40, 42, and 44) may experience more activity from families with children.
Weekend and holiday periods see the campground fill to capacity, particularly during boating season. The adjacent white sand beach offers gradual water entry for swimming, while a nearby boat ramp provides reservoir access, though launching can become challenging in windy conditions. A nature trail extends from the day-use area for those seeking land-based recreation.
Out-of-state visitors pay $30 per night plus a $14 daily vehicle pass, while Nebraska residents pay the camping fee plus $7 for vehicle access. Calamus Lodge offers an alternative lakeside option for those preferring a different setting.
Description
Calamus offers prime fishing and camping in the heart of the Sandhills, 6 miles NW of Burwell. The modern campgrounds have 122 pads with 30/50 amp electrical hookups, plus 55 non-pad sites, modern restrooms, showers, dump station and water. Other facilities include: Unsupervised swimming beach, 5 boat ramps, vault toilets, picnic tables and fish cleaning stations. The area encompasses 11,720 acres, including the 5,124-acre lake.
Calamus Reservoir SRA offers some of the state's finest recreational opportunities. Camping, fishing, boating, hiking, sightseeing and hunting are all popular here. The 5,124-acre lake is surrounded by 4,958 acres of gently rolling land, covered with native grasses and forbs. About 1.2 miles of the Calamus River and 3.5 miles of other streams meander through the area.
Another highlight is the Calamus State Fish Hatchery trip, located below the dam. The hatchery has self-guided tours and displays on raising fish and other topics.
CHECK IN AND OUT SCHEDULE- If you check out early, the unused portion of your payment will be forfeited.
Office Hours:
Memorial Day - Labor Day: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., 7 days a week. All other dates office is open Monday -Friday 8:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. Quiet hours are from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Generators may not be operated during these hours. Pets are allowed, but they must be kept on a leash that is no longer than 6 feet. Campers staying over must re-register by 2 p.m. Check in time is 4 p.m. and check out time is 2 p.m. Campers must vacate their campsite no later than 2:00 p.m. on the date the camping reservation or registration expires. All persons entering the campground after 10 p.m. must be registered campers.
When a reservation is made 180 days in advance, the arrival date must remain the same within that reservation. No cancellation of that arrival date is allowed.
A Nebraska State Park Permit is required to enter this park area. A Nebraska Licensed Vehicle Park Entry Permit is $35 for an Annual Permit, $17.50 for a Duplicate Annual Permit (used for that second vehicle in your family) or a Daily Permit which is $7 per day you are staying. A Non-Nebraska Licensed Vehicle Park Entry Permit is $70, $35 for a Duplicate Annual Permit or a Daily Permit which is $14 per day. You may purchase your Park Permit prior to your stay by shopping online at OutdoorNebraska.org.All vehicles entering a Nebraska Park Area are required to have a valid park entry permit.
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
Warning 1 Alert is In Effect
There is 1 alert for this campground. Camp safely!
The Nebraska Game & Parks Commission maintains the right to establish "black-out" dates and reserve facilities or lodging for Special Events and maintenance related needs.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsHomestead Knolls Campground is located in Nebraska near Burwell
Directions
The Calamus SRA is located 6 miles NW on HWY #96 from the West edge of Burwell
Address
42285 York Point Road
Burwell, NE 68823
Coordinates
41.84957841 N
99.21908175 W
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors
T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/5/26
VerizonLTESome Coverage- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/5/26
Connectivity
T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoors- T-Mobile5GGood CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/5/26
- VerizonLTESome Coverage
- AT&TLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 6/5/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Picnic Table
- Reservable
- Showers
- Drinking Water
- Electric Hookups
- Toilets
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Sewer Hookups
- Water Hookups
- 30 Amp Hookups
- 50 Amp Hookups
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 31 min from Grand Island, NE
- 2 hrs 52 min from Lincoln, NE
- 3 hrs 3 min from Omaha, NE
- 3 hrs 5 min from Sioux City, IA
