Map showing campground location near Denton, Nebraska

Camper submitted image from Conestoga State Recreation Area

Conestoga State Recreation Area

Fishing enthusiasts and paddlers will find direct lake access at Conestoga State Recreation Area, an Army Corps of Engineers campground located just outside Lincoln. The facility underwent major renovations completed in 2018, including complete lake dredging and new boat ramps that accommodate watercraft under the 5 mph speed limit.

The campground operates on a first-come, first-serve basis with self-registration available at two locations. Twenty-five sites offer electric hookups ranging from 20 to 50 amp, while eight additional sites remain non-electric. Paved roads lead to most RV sites, though some areas feature gravel surfaces. Sites along the row near site 50 provide extra space for multiple tents and outdoor activities. Shade coverage varies significantly across the camping area, with about one-third of powered sites offering limited tree cover while primitive sites closer to the lake feature mature trees.

Multiple fishing docks extend into the water, where catfish approach the structures at night. Joe R. notes "Water is also available" along with vault toilets and a dump station throughout the facility. Local traffic passes through the area regularly, and hunting occurs in designated zones during season. A camp host provides information about the on-site storm shelter when severe weather threatens the region.

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Map & DirectionsConestoga State Recreation Area is located in Nebraska near Denton

Public Campground

Coordinates

40.77099519 N
96.85108927 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol

For Vehicles

Sanitary Dump
50 Amp Hookups
Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

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Drive Time

10 min from Lincoln, NE
51 min from Omaha, NE
1 hr 19 min from Grand Island, NE
2 hrs 12 min from Manhattan, KS

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Conestoga State Recreation Area

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4.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

Guests commonly noted the spacious, well-maintained sites and excellent facilities following 2018 renovations. Many visitors appreciated the helpful camp host and convenient amenities, though noise levels vary due to highway proximity and local traffic.

jaime T.

Traveler

Reviewed Jun. 24, 2022

Passing Through

Very relaxing and quiet place. Sites with electric hook ups available, dump station on location. Will definitely stay here again when in the area.

Site55

Month of VisitJune

sunny B.

Guide

Reviewed Jan. 2, 2022

Home for the Holidays - Time to Move On

Pros:

closest to downtown Lincoln amenities
electric hook-ups with a few different terrain options for a site
lake view approx 100 yds
no one else camping during winter here (except one van for a night)

Cons:

lots of locals drive through - including the campground drive if they choose
state park with a fishing and small fowl hunting area - therefore gunshots a little too close for comfort - or not at all if you are not comfortable with
the neighbor across the road (75yds or so from campground), has a dog outside at night that barks constantly - though there are coyotes heard within the same amount of distance…also sounds to be comfortable with in order to camp here

Two weeks stay and ready to move along where there is a trail system to hike without hunting concerns, local traffic, barking dog - coyotes However have enjoyed the campground / space to ourselves after our months of busy campgrounds on the Colorado front range

Site47

Month of VisitDecember

Seth H.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 8, 2020

Close to town easy in and out fishing

I like this site because I can get there within 20 minutes from my house in Lincoln. Paved roads and parking lot. Easy to use boat ramp. If you enjoy dock fishing this is the lake for you. They have several individual docks to fish off of. The catfish will come right up to them at night.

Joe R.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 15, 2019

Conestoga State Recreation area. Site 50 and major renovation review

Conestoga SRA is an increasingly popular campground following major renovations that were completed in 2018. Improvements to the picnic tables, restrooms, added shelter area and most importantly a complete overhaul of the lake have made this a much improved campground. Conestoga is entirely walk up with no reservations. You can easily self register at the park entrance and a second location closer to the lake centrally located between two of the three camping areas. A pack in primitive campground was also added to the lake and is accessible via a gravel hiking path. Fishing for mature fish will not be possible until 2021 according to Nebraska game and parks. I did see plentiful immature fish while kayaking the lake in June of 2019. The lake was complete dredged out and the parks commission added several silt pond around the lake to capture silt run off. This should keep this lake much cleaner than it was in the past. The park is boat and kayak friendly these days with the addition of two brand new boat ramps. By my count there were three new fishing docks going up although only one was completed during my stay. This is not relatively quite campground but it is popular. Kids can ride their bikes all around the paved and gravel rounds throughout the camp. The sites in the row on the side of site 50 are huge. We enjoyed spreading our stuff out with multiple tents and played games in the large open space. Shade is limited over a good 1/3 of the powered sites. The primitive site closer to the lake is well shaded with mature trees. There was a camp host who made sure we knew where the storm shelter was on the night of our stay. We nearly needed to use it as we experienced a severe thunder storm. There are 25 camp pads offering 20-30–50 amp hook ups and another 8 non electric pad sites. There is a dump station and several vaulted, well maintained toilet houses. Water is also available. If you plan on boating there is a 5mph speed limit so this is more of a canoe or kayaking lake or just for fishing. I highly recommend this SRA close to Lincoln Nebraska

Site50

Month of VisitMay

(24) View All

Joe R.

Legend

Reviewed Jun. 13, 2018

Nice small SRA

I tent camped here in March and I had the campground to myself. The parks department has been working at this campground, replacing old picnic tables with new composite material tables. Thanks for leaving the old picnic table wood at the primative sites parks department! This is a mostly quite campground but is a little close to the highway just north of the park. Conestoga is a small lake just a short walk from any of the camping spots.

Month of VisitMarch

(4) View All

Bran P.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 26, 2016

Nice, green area!

Located just a bit west of Lincoln, NE. Gravel road and sites in the rv section with electric only so fill up with fresh water before setting up. All sites are first come first serve with self check-in. Most are 30A like ours, site 46, but there are a couple with 50A. No bath house but a couple of vault toilets, About 58 sites here with half of them tents only.

(4) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Conestoga Lake Campground?

Conestoga Lake Campground offers electric hookups at RV sites (mostly 30A with a few 50A available), a dump station on location, and composite material picnic tables throughout the grounds. The campground features several restrooms but no bathhouse or shower facilities. Recent renovations included improvements to the shelter area, restrooms, and picnic tables. The grounds have paved roads and parking lot with a boat ramp for water access. Multiple fishing docks are available for anglers. Primitive tent sites are also available, some of which retained the old picnic table wood for camper use.

Where is Conestoga Lake Campground located in Nebraska?

Conestoga State Recreation Area is located just west of Lincoln, Nebraska. The convenient location puts it within a quick 20-minute drive from downtown Lincoln, making it the closest campground to downtown amenities. This proximity to the city makes it perfect for those wanting a camping experience without venturing far from urban conveniences.

What activities can visitors enjoy at Conestoga Lake?

Conestoga Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities, particularly for catfish which are known to come right up to the docks at night. The lake features multiple individual fishing docks, making it ideal for anglers who prefer dock fishing. Boating is also popular with an easy-to-use paved boat ramp providing convenient water access. Beyond water activities, visitors can enjoy the peaceful lakeside setting for picnics, relaxation, and casual recreation. The recently renovated lake area has significantly enhanced the overall recreation experience at Conestoga.

Do I need reservations for Conestoga Lake State Recreation Area?

Conestoga State Recreation Area operates on a first-come, first-served basis with self check-in. No advance reservations are accepted. Campers should arrive early to secure their preferred site, especially during peak seasons, as this campground has grown increasingly popular following its 2018 renovations. The campground features various site options including electric hookups and primitive camping areas. For the most current information about availability policies, contact Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.

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Map & DirectionsConestoga State Recreation Area is located in Nebraska near Denton

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What amenities are available at Conestoga Lake Campground?

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Do I need reservations for Conestoga Lake State Recreation Area?