Camper submitted image from Johnson Lake State Recreation Area - 1
View All
Camper submitted image from Johnson Lake State Recreation Area - 2
Nature
Camper submitted image from Johnson Lake State Recreation Area - 3
Facilities
Camper submitted image from Johnson Lake State Recreation Area - 4
Roads
Camper submitted image from Johnson Lake State Recreation Area - 5
Signs & Maps

Established Camping

Johnson Lake State Recreation Area

Review Campground Win Gear

Do you own or manage this property?

Claim Your Listing

Johnson Lake State Recreation Area, near Elwood, Nebraska, is a solid spot for campers looking to enjoy the great outdoors year-round. With a mix of tent and RV sites, you can set up camp with a view of the lake, making it a nice backdrop for your outdoor adventures.

The campground offers essential amenities like drinking water, electric hookups, and clean bathrooms. Many visitors have appreciated the shade provided by the surrounding trees, which adds a nice touch to the camping experience. One camper mentioned, “Nice to have a site that has plenty of shade,” highlighting the comfort it brings during those sunny days.

For those who enjoy fishing or just relaxing by the water, the lake is a great feature. While some campers noted that the sites can feel a bit close together, the planted bushes between them help create a sense of privacy. If you’re just passing through or need a stopover, this area can serve that purpose well, but it’s also a decent choice for a longer stay if you’re looking for a laid-back vibe.

Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a longer retreat, Johnson Lake State Recreation Area has the basics covered for a pleasant camping experience.

Description

State Park

Summary Excellent camping, fishing, and water sports are hallmarks of this ever-popular area, 10 miles south of Lexington. Though relatively small at 68 acres, this SRA packs a lot of outdoor fun and provides three access points to the 2,068-acre lake. Attractions Johnson Lake offers great boating and skiing and excellent angling for a variety of fish, including walleye, white bass, and wipers. Campers will find electrical hookups, nonpad sites, showers, modern restrooms, dump stations, water, picnic tables, grills, shelters, vault toilets, a boat ramp, fish cleaning stations, a swimming beach, and accessible fishing piers. Johnson Lake campground offers 2 campgrounds. The main campground on the southeast side of the lake has 82 camper pads with electrical hook-ups and an additional 30 non-designated campsites. The campground is shady and located close to shower facilities. It has a sandy beach area and plenty of picnic areas. The Inlet campground on the lake's west side has 31 camper pads with electrical hook-ups and 10 non-designated campsites. It has a boat ramp, excellent bank fishing, and a handicap pier. For those golfers, there is an 18-hole golf course close by.

Suggest an Edit

Location

Johnson Lake State Recreation Area is located in Nebraska

Detail location of campground

Directions

Johnson Lake SRA: From 1-80 take exit 237 and go 7 miles south on Highway 283, then make a right hand turn at the Cenex Ampride station then first left in to the Park.

Address

1 East Park Dr 25a
Elwood, NE 68937

Coordinates

40.68456316 N
99.83178055 W

Open in Google Maps

The Dyrt Alerts

Get reservations at sold-out campgrounds.

Learn More

Access

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

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Unknown
  • Verizon
    Unknown
  • AT&T
    Unknown
  • T-Mobile
    Fair

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info


Reviews

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

25%
25%
25%
25%
0%

3.5

out of 5

4 Reviews

Reviewed Apr. 28, 2024

Lovely Area to Camp

I stayed at the Main camp ground with a great lake view on site 76. Sites 77-86 are pull through and the rest are back in for RV. There are also tent sites near the water. There are bathrooms, showers and electric (50/30amp), there are no water hook-ups. The dump station is currently closed (April 2024) due to construction. The camp grounds are close together but they have planted bushes between them to create privacy. I cant speak on the bathroom or showers as the are closed since it is off season.

Site76
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Johnson Lake State Recreation Area by Tarrah C., April 28, 2024
  • Play button icon
  • Review photo of Johnson Lake State Recreation Area by Tarrah C., April 28, 2024
  • (11) View All
Reviewed Jul. 1, 2018

Eh

Area around SRA is great. Fireflies every night, nice bathrooms, and fishing wasn’t bad. However, the sites are WAY too close together. Don’t know if we just showed up at the wrong time, but seems like “quiet hours” aren’t enforced. If you’re in need of a stopover, stay here but if you want more of a camping experience, look elsewhere. Booked a reservation for the weekend (3 nights) and left a day early.

  • Play button icon
Reviewed Jun. 27, 2017

Stopover

Stopped on way to another destination. Sites need updating and are packed too closely. Neighbor offered parking assistance as we witnessed him urinating in bushes. If you're going to party with a group is fine but not friendly to big rigs. Bathrooms were clean and lake is nice.

Month of VisitJune
  • Play button icon

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are fires allowed at Johnson Lake State Recreation Area?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Johnson Lake State Recreation Area, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Johnson Lake State Recreation Area?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is unknown, AT&T is unknown, and T-Mobile is fair.