Two Rivers State Recreation Area, near Waterloo, Nebraska, is a solid spot for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. With a mix of tent, RV, and even unique caboose accommodations, it caters to a variety of camping styles, making it a versatile choice for families and friends alike.

The campground is known for its clean facilities and friendly staff, which many visitors appreciate. You’ll find amenities like drinking water, showers, and picnic tables, perfect for enjoying meals outdoors. One camper noted, “The campground was clean and well maintained,” which is always a plus when you’re out in nature.

Fishing is a popular activity here, with multiple ponds and lakes available, plus the Platte River right at your doorstep. Families can enjoy the playgrounds, and there are plenty of trails for hiking or biking around the area. As one reviewer put it, “I have always had a fun time here,” highlighting the campground's welcoming vibe.

While it can get busy, especially on weekends, the shaded sites and overall atmosphere make it a great place to unwind. Whether you’re looking to fish, hike, or just relax by the water, Two Rivers State Recreation Area has got you covered.

**Summary**  
The chance to sleep in an authentic retired caboose, put-and-take trout fishing and outstanding camping facilities highlight the outdoor fun at Two Rivers SRA, located southwest of Venice. The 622-acre area boasts 320 acres of water in several sandpit lakes. Besides a variety of fishing opportunities and non-powered boating, there is an unsupervised swimming beach, concession and an accessible fishing pier.  
  
**Attractions**  
With seven camping areas and 209 padded sites, Two Rivers can handle everything from pup tents to huge RVs on 113 pads with hookups (30 amp and 50 amp). Some have water hookups. Modern restrooms, showers, drinking water, and a dump station are conveniently located. For those camping with a tent, Two Rivers offers tent camping sites. Ten bright cabooses were refurbished by the Game and Parks Commission to sleep six. Permanently side-tracked on actual rails, the cabooses offer a unique lodging opportunity from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.  
  
**Campground Notes**  
Two Rivers is a high density recreation area with 302 acres of land and 320 acres in 7 ponds adjacent to the Platte River. This area offers Modern Camping, boating, fishing and picnicking. This area features a put-and-take trout lake and 10 seasonal caboose camper cabins.  
  
**Cabin Notes**  
At Two Rivers State Recreation Area, 10 Union Pacific cabooses have been remodeled and restored for park lodging. The integrity of the caboose was retained in the process. The cabooses offer a unique lodging experience for park-goers. The cabooses are air-conditioned for hot summer use. They sleep six people, with two bunk beds in the rear and two mattresses in the cupola. Each is equipped with a modern bathroom, which includes a tiled shower. A stove, refrigerator, sink and a few cabinets make up the kitchen. A table, with four chairs and couch for two, serve as the dining area. For those who enjoy outdoor dining, there is a deck with picnic table and grill.

Camping reservations may be made a minimum of three days in advance of arrival and a maximum of 180 days in advance of arrival.  
  
**CHECK IN AND OUT SCHEDULE- If you check out early, the unused portion of your payment will be forfeited.**  
  
Office Details  
  
**Office Hours** : March 1 through July 4 - 7:00 a.m. to Sunset. July 5 through December 8:00 a.m. to Sunset  
  
When a reservation is made one year to the date in advance, the arrival date must remain the same within that reservation. No cancellation of that arrival date is allowed. To cancel your reservation log into your account at nebraskastateparks.reserveamerica.com or contact the Call Center during business hours at 402-471-1414.  
Reservation period is May 15th to the end of September.  
No pets allowed in the cabooses at Two Rivers. Office phone number is (402) 359-5165 or email ngpc.two.rivers@nebraska.gov with questions.  
  
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.](http://outdoornebraska.gov/)All vehicles entering a Nebraska Park Area are required to have a valid park entry permit.  
  
**[See Reservation Policies details](https://nebraskastateparks.reserveamerica.com/resource/contracts/ne/ReservationPolicies.pdf)**

Union Pacific Cabooses — Two Rivers SRA

Searching for the best camping near Waterloo, NE? Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Waterloo is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Waterloo, plus reviews and photos from other campers like you.

Waterloo

The Best Camping Near Waterloo, Nebraska

If you enjoy some extra comforts, rent one of the train cabooses which feature a small kitchen, bathroom, AC and beds with mattresses. Our kids loved the lofted full sized bed (but we kicked them to the bunk beds). There are charcoal grills outside, a close by swimming area, and lots of space to wander. 

Fun place to take the kids

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. Our kid and her friends love the swimming beach. We usually tent camp but have also stayed in the cabooses a couple times, the kids really enjoy that. If your looking to get away from people this is probably not the place for you because during the summer it is busy even during the week but if you are a social camper you'll enjoy meeting people and watching the kids make new friends.

Kid friendly fishing and camping 

It’s flat and easy for young kids to bike around all the different lakes(ponds). Plus the Platte river is right there too that adds a great ambient sound. Lots of cottonwood trees for shade.

Lots of fishing opportunities in the ponds and river. Even a trout lake.

Cant forget that you can rent a caboose as a cabin.

Great river view spot 

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.

Clean and friendly 

campground layout is not accurate on the website when reserving spot. Great fishing. Playgrounds are old, but kids had a blast

Good fishing

It really depends if you get a good spot. Sometimes it’s super packed. It’s right on the platte River. There’s a swimming pond. The park patrol are very strict, if you make any noise during quiet hours they’ll come after you. 

It’s okay 

The camp office personnel are a bit annoying and don’t seem to want to help you much. You probably could get more help by visiting the cashier at the small camp store. We had a reservation, but the site was terrible crowded. We asked the office if they could move to a more secluded spot and they were not accommodating at all. It’s a rip off if you have to cancel your reservation. You also have to pay for the state park fees which is absurd! 

Reserve!

First off let me start by saying, I have been going here since I was very little.  So I may just have soft spot for this place.  But I have always had a fun time here.  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. Or swimming in the swimming area,  or wading in the Platte River.  I have alway felt at home at this park.  It's always clean, and quiet in frequent visits we have had.  They offer tent, and rv camping either off the lakes or river.  They have a day use area for the river where you can go and visit in the day or picnic. They also have old remodeled Union Pacific caboose you can stay in.  

Photos of Union Pacific Cabooses — Two Rivers SRA

Real photos from real campers