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Established Camping

Windmill State Recreation Area Campground

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.

CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Windmill State Rec Area, near Gibbon, Nebraska, is a solid choice for those looking for a convenient stop while traveling. This campground offers spacious sites with electric hookups, making it a comfortable spot for RVs and tents alike.

Visitors appreciate the clean facilities, including restrooms and showers, which are a welcome relief after a long day on the road. The area features a small pond and a lake for swimming, along with trails perfect for dog walking, as one camper noted, “Nice trail around the outside that wove in and out of the trees for dog walking.”

If you're into fishing, there are several ponds nearby that can keep you entertained. The campground is also pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along for the adventure. Just keep in mind that the sounds of the nearby highway can be noticeable, especially at night, but many find it manageable.

With easy access off I-80, Windmill State Rec Area is a practical option for a quick overnight stay or a weekend getaway. Whether you're just passing through or planning to stick around, this campground has the essentials to make your stay comfortable.

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Location

Windmill State Recreation Area Campground is located in Nebraska

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Gibbon, NE: 3 miles south, or Windmill SRA is located at the Gibbon I-80 Interchange #285.

Address

PO Box 427
Gibbon, NE 68840-0427

Coordinates

40.70700053 N
98.846 W

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Connectivity

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    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 7 users
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

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Drive Time

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Connectivity

Presented byT-Mobile SatelliteT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
    Verified by 7 users
  • signal strength bars
    AT&TLTE
    Some Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Pull-Through Sites
  • 30 Amp Hookups
  • 50 Amp Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

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Reviews

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3.5

out of 5

13 Reviews

Reviewed Oct. 27, 2023

Clean well maintained and easy stop

Nice trail around the outside that wove in and out of the trees for dog walking. Otherwise, I'm in an RV so no road noise. One caution for Verizon users who want to work during the day, the wireless is slow. Great after traffic slows but completely unworkable otherwise.

Site40
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Nov. 4, 2021

Easy access when passing through

Very easy access off I80 so it makes for a good stop for the night. The sites are large with 30 amp power and excellent cell service. This would be a 5 star atop except for one thing, it's right next to I80.

Unlike most highways, I80 doesn't quiet down after dark. The heavy trucks come out at night. For most city dwellers you don't notice the noise but I live in a very rural area and I'm not used to the constant thunder and tire whine of a freeway.

Site24
Month of VisitOctober
Reviewed Sep. 12, 2021

Beautiful lawn and trees

Very large campground. Sites come with or without electricity. There is a dump station insight, and also potable water. Small pond, but also small lake for swimming. Restrooms are clean. Must pay for a state pass plus the campground fee...$33 per night for non-residents. Lots of place to spread out and run the pups. We will be back!

Site56
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Aug. 1, 2021

Great for a night off Hwy80

Needed one night as we headed west - great find - clean, quiet, showers, friendly staff and other campers. We lucked out and got a site in the back and were the only ones (89-92) on Lake 6. Other loops were full of RVs. (Also know that you can hear the highway-but we figured that as it’s literally right next to it!)

Site92
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Windmill State Recreation Area Campground by Heather E., August 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Windmill State Recreation Area Campground by Heather E., August 1, 2021
  • Review photo of Windmill State Recreation Area Campground by Heather E., August 1, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 18, 2021

Great Stop Over Option

Very easy and clean. Showers were fine after two days on the road and a few spots still available for a camper van after 10pm on a Saturday night.

Site49
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Oct. 30, 2020

Great Spot to Stopover

Great little campground to stop overnight at or for a quick weekend getaway.  Well maintained. Odd "pull-through" options.

Site02
Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Windmill State Recreation Area Campground by Barry M., October 30, 2020
Reviewed Sep. 8, 2020

It's a nice park or stop over but not great

This is a nice park, but not the best park. It is fairly clean, and offers some nice amenities. Such as fishing in 3 lakes or ponds, canoeing, kayaking, and there is also a swimming area. I would rank this one just below Mormon island but slightly above fort Kearney. I will mention we just stopped by here for a brief time over Labor day weekend. However I would not have a problem with camping at this park.

Reviewed Aug. 7, 2020

Works in a pinch

Eh we needed somewhere to stop and this was on the way and they let your register after hours. We showed up on at 1am and were able to find a walk up spot. Lots of the reservable spots were open but not sure if we could park there if they were unoccupied at than point. $33 for one night including the out of state fee. Bathrooms and showers seems clean-ish but they were pretty old. Freeway sounds were quite loud. Not exactly a peaceful destination but still much better than a parking lot.

  • Review photo of Windmill State Recreation Area Campground by Claudia M., August 7, 2020
  • Review photo of Windmill State Recreation Area Campground by Claudia M., August 7, 2020
  • Review photo of Windmill State Recreation Area Campground by Claudia M., August 7, 2020
  • (11) View All
Reviewed Oct. 3, 2018

Good overnight

Several good fishing ponds, my favorite is back on the service road.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 29, 2018

clean park

clean park, spots are super close. swimming lake was clean and well kept, just a really super hot weekend. most people opted to buy baby pools and keep close to camp site -which a fantastic idea by the way!

Reviewed Aug. 29, 2016

Decent campground but not my favorite

Did a quick overnight visit here driving through Nebraska. It was a little too close to the interstate for my taste and it could have been a little cleaner, but overall was a nice enough campground and conveniently located. I'd stay there again under similar circumstances but probably not as a getaway location.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do the reviews rate Windmill State Park for camping?

Windmill State Park generally receives positive ratings for camping, averaging around 3-4 stars. Campers appreciate the clean facilities, well-maintained grounds, and convenient location off I-80. The park earns points for its nice amenities like fishing ponds, swimming areas, and clean showers. Most visitors find it suitable for overnight stays or quick weekend trips. Some drawbacks mentioned include highway noise from I-80, sites being positioned close together, and the campground fee structure that includes both a state pass and nightly fee (approximately $33 for non-residents). Verizon users might experience slow wireless service during peak traffic hours.

Where is Windmill State Park located in Nebraska and how do I get there?

Windmill State Park is located directly off Interstate 80 in Nebraska, making it extremely accessible for travelers. The park's proximity to the highway makes it a convenient stopover for those driving through the state. While the exact exit number isn't specified, the recreation area is visible from I-80 and well-marked. This strategic location makes it particularly popular for overnight stays during long road trips. The easy highway access is both a benefit for convenience and a potential drawback due to persistent traffic noise.

What activities and amenities are available at Windmill State Recreation Area?

Windmill State Recreation Area offers multiple recreational activities centered around its lakes and ponds. Visitors can enjoy fishing in several good fishing ponds (with one particularly noted along the service road), swimming in a clean designated swimming area, and boating opportunities including canoeing and kayaking. The campground features both electric and non-electric campsites, clean shower facilities, restrooms, a dump station, and potable water. There's also a nice walking trail around the perimeter that weaves through trees, perfect for dog walking or casual hiking. The grounds are generally well-maintained with adequate facilities for both overnight stays and weekend getaways.

Are there photos available of Windmill State Recreation Area to preview before visiting?

While official photo galleries aren't specifically mentioned in available information, visitors can find images of Windmill State Recreation Area through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website and various camping platforms. These photos typically showcase the campground's multiple lakes, swimming areas, camping loops, and various site types. For the most current visual representation, check the Nebraska state parks official website or camping reservation systems where updated photos are typically maintained. The recreation area features picturesque spots, particularly around the fishing ponds and tree-lined trails that would be of interest to potential visitors.