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Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area

Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area / Lakeview Campground, near Lincoln, Nebraska, is a solid spot for those looking to unwind and enjoy some time outdoors. With a mix of tent and RV accommodations, it’s a convenient place to set up camp, especially for travelers passing through.

This campground is known for its clean, open spaces, perfect for activities like frisbee or just lounging around. Visitors have mentioned that the fire pits with grilling add-ons are a nice touch, making it easy to cook up a meal while enjoying the scenery. The nearby lake offers a refreshing swim, though keep in mind that algae can be an issue later in the summer.

If you’re into kayaking, there’s a great little put-in nearby, and the views of the sunrise over the water are a highlight for many campers. While the campground doesn’t have all the bells and whistles—like electric hookups or showers—it does provide essential amenities like drinking water and toilets. As one camper noted, “I had a great and relaxing night here, and was ready for another full day of driving when I woke up!”

For those traveling with pets, it’s worth noting that the campground has a no-pets policy, so plan accordingly. Whether you’re just stopping for a night or looking to kick back for a bit longer, Pawnee Lake offers a laid-back atmosphere with plenty of natural beauty to soak in.

Description

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area

This recreation area is part of Pawnee Lake

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Location

Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area is located in Nebraska

Detail location of campground

Coordinates

40.847993 N
96.866861 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Stay Connected

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

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • WiFi
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Drive Time


Reviews

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1 Star

43%
43%
11%
0%
10%

4.0

out of 5

28 Reviews

Reviewed May. 10, 2024

Expensive and Dirty Bathrooms

Nebraska campgrounds are never that stellar in my opinion often right by the freeway, but this one was the worst. The location is beautiful but the restrooms were the worst I’ve ever seen. It costs nearly as much as a site in a national park with the out-of-state permit, and music was played at all hours by people without any recourse. The cherry on top was our vehicle being pelted with rocks when the person next to us started mowing at 7am.

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Sep. 30, 2023

Pricey for out of staters

I understand wanting to keep state parks available for those that live in the state, but charging out of state people double for a daily pass seems a little unfriendly. $12 daily fee + $30 electric site = $42 for a state park. The park itself was very peaceful and had a similar number of reserved and drive up sites. The drive up sites has nice mature shade trees and were spaced for privacy, which we appreciated. The bathrooms were clean and well maintained. They had shower rooms, but bring your quarters if you like being in there for very long. The electrical sites are paved.

Site1
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed May. 18, 2023

Very Relaxed

Was on a cross country road trip. Site was clean and very open for me to play frisbee with the dog. Fire pits with grilling add ons seemed new. Lake was clean. Got in an swam with the dog in the morning. Everything seemed well taken care of. Would definitely stay again.

Sitelakeview 50
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Blake M., May 18, 2023
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Blake M., May 18, 2023
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Blake M., May 18, 2023
Reviewed May. 4, 2023

Overnighter

Found on Google maps as a possible campsite during our trip east. It's fairly easy access from I-80, and made for a relaxing getaway from the interstate.

Site13
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Jan. 16, 2023

Didn’t like

It was a very difficult place to find a camp. First you have to go to the office. Information at the entrance would be good idea. Lots of fish hooks and trash. Set up camp anyway while I cleaned. Then big horse flys covered my dog. I packed up and left

Siteon the strip by the concession stand
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Oct. 9, 2022

So peaceful

This campground is so peaceful. It’s one of our favorites. The trees have turned and leaves are falling. The air is cool. Love it.

The bath house was recently replaced. It is clean. Shower rates (bring quarters) are reasonable. $.50 for 3 minutes and every $.25 gives another 90 seconds. The change machine was either broken or out of change but that seems to be the norm this year at Nebraska parks.

There’s some mowed/natural trails to hike and Area 1 has a fun 9-hole disc golf course. There’s a swimming beach at Area 1 as well but it’s too cold this time of year.

Picnic tables are permanently in the ground. Many sites have a sidewalk from the pad to the table but ours did not.

Site58
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Kyle S., October 9, 2022
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Kyle S., October 9, 2022
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Kyle S., October 9, 2022
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Oct. 10, 2021

Area 3

We had a great weekend in Area 3 of the Pawnee Recreational Area. Big spots, good working power for 30 amd 50 amp, but no water at the sites. The camp host had 200 feet of hose and we filled the clear tank from that. Lots of hiking trails, very nice weekend!

Site16
Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Russ  G., October 10, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 16, 2021

Pawnee State Recreation

This was my second time staying here and it wasn’t as nice as I remembered. Our site was filled with garbage and we had to move sites. Other than that it is in a great location and their bathroom/shower house has been updated which was nice.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Jenna A., July 16, 2021
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Jenna A., July 16, 2021
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Jenna A., July 16, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 8, 2021

Great Place to Stay!

Stayed here on our way traveling out west. The sites were awesome! Very well-kept grounds and a beautiful park. Lots of wildlife and nice and quiet.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Bobbi Jo K., July 8, 2021
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Bobbi Jo K., July 8, 2021
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Bobbi Jo K., July 8, 2021
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jun. 3, 2021

Great Place

Awesome camping Area. And cheap rates. Will be going every year. Lots of wild life and it's quiet.

Site1B
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Apr. 28, 2021

Greeting by the SITE manager

I was pleasantly surprised when I arrived at my RV site as I was greeted my the site manager. he informed me of the Hook ups situation and that there was no water at this particular site. I was not planning on filling my tank or needing a direct hook up so I was good to go. The site was clean and so were the restroom facilities. It was very peaceful and a great first RV experience.

Reviewed Sep. 6, 2020

A beautiful lake just west of Lincoln ne

Pawnee is a lake that offers the ability of various water and other activities. There are the obvious acitivies for the water. Such as fishing, all types of motor boats, jet skies, all types of water skiing and tubing. I did see numerous kayaks at campsites I passed by as well. But kinds seemed to have to rough of water for a novice like me. There are also a couple swimming beaches, nature trails, horse shoe pits, and a disc golf course. I want to say that the trails are used for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders, because I saw a couple road apples. Honestly that don't bother me because I watch were I step, due to some parks I have visited have venomous snakes on The trail. The campsites for tents did have some shade for lake camping. The rv park seems to be fairly close together, but that could be common because I am a tent camper and don't pay attention that close. There is a horse camp on The other end of the lake west side that has corals in it. I would say that Pawnee is a definite a stop even for a day trip for outdoor or nature enthusiasts. Especially sense it's just out side west of Lincoln.

  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Tony B., September 6, 2020
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Tony B., September 6, 2020
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Tony B., September 6, 2020
  • (9) View All
Reviewed Oct. 24, 2019

Close to town lakeside tent camping

The pros! Lakeside tent camping is always fun. Lots of activities, like boating, swimming, fishing, hiking, etc. And its close to town.

The cons! Its close to town, so it can be a bit crowded on nicer weekends.

Its great for overnighters in the middle of the week.

  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Brian C., October 24, 2019
Reviewed Oct. 16, 2018

Roomy but not

Pawnee Lake State Recreation Area was within 30 minutes of Lincoln, NE . Try to make sure all essentials are packed to enjoy your stay without frequent trips to town. This is one of those spots where you can easily park the car and use other means of transportation for your whole visit.(ie, feet, bike, boat, horse, etc.)

There are options to where you camp. RV sites and tent in three different areas. This is not my favorite sort of tent camping, you have to park and walk everything to your site. Some tent sites are located right on the lake which is nice, you can easily park your watercraft nearby. However if it’s busy your neighbors are going to be very nearby. Not much privacy in that case. We however were completely alone when we visited, the crappy weather played a part I’m sure. Shade, which we didn’t need and picnic tables. If you have a hammock you may have an issue with getting it hung, bring alternate means of suspension.

The trails are multi-use so pay attention. We were hiking in the rain so did not see anyone but the trail apples were fresh. Were we hiked it was grassy and mostly level, there was an area where hikers had trails to themselves and a few benches to sit on.

The lake looked nice but I didn’t see anyone on it. I didn’t see any algae signs but the weather may have been a factor too. We overnighted so I didn’t get to completely explore the entire area. It was pretty quiet, some motor noises but they were more of a background noise. Worth an extended stay as long as the lake is open.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Trailhead across from RV campground
    Play button icon
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Shelly S., October 16, 2018
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Shelly S., October 16, 2018
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Jun. 13, 2018

Convenient and cozy.

Clean, fairly easy to get checked into after the offices close, and pretty well cozy. Some road construction had me confused about where to camp, but a little exploring made for an easy camp set. Some highway noise in the background, but mostly peaceful.

  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Tony C., June 13, 2018
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Tony C., June 13, 2018
Reviewed Jun. 13, 2018

Well maintained gem

Pawnee SRA is a well maintained family friendly SRA North West of Lincoln Nebraska. You’ll find powered and primative sites accommodating RV’s to tents. Pawnee can be busy during Husker Football Saturdays in the fall as an alternative to expensive lodging in town so plan ahead. You’ll find fun hiking trails along a creek, a shower house, playground, and even an archery range. In the fall this campground is near hunting land so wear bright clothes if you are going on a hike. This is one of my family’s favorite SRA’s within 30 minutes of Lincoln. You won’t regret a stay at this beautiful campground.

Site19
Month of VisitMarch
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Joe R., June 13, 2018
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Joe R., June 13, 2018
Reviewed May. 6, 2018

For Nearby Lake View Campground Sites

Doesn’t look like the northern campground at Pawnee Lake comes up in a search on this app, very specific to note my review is for the Lake View area that is on the north side of the lake. Pops up in google maps no problem.

This tends to be a quieter area, easy to head out later in the evening and still usually plenty of tent camping spots. I love this area because I camp close to the water, and can watch the sun come up over the water and trees. There’s an easy little put in for my kayak over here. Too bad that after May, the water is too overtaken with algae to hit the water.

That is so important to note at this lake - if you are camping with an animal/dog you may want to reconsider. Again, the algae here is very bad more months in the summer than good. Even once the warnings are taken down, it’s still thick with green algae and it’s harmful to animals. If you planned to swim I would caution you to re-evaluate.

Generally you’ll always be able to find an open spot here, so for a little more mellow atmosphere compared to the bigger Branched Oak lake just north, this is a great smaller alternative that is just outside Lincoln.

Also plenty of spots for Day recreation too - multiple swimming beaches and picnic spots. There’s only one spot that has a short walk form your car to the picnic area and it’s less than a minute, so you don’t have to haul stuff around.

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Aug. 20, 2017

Hope you like your neighbors!

This is a nice campground all in all. The staff was friendly and the shower/restroom facilities were clean. There were not many tent campers in our area, mostly big RVs. The camp sites were fairly close together, so you can definitely hear your neighbors, but it wasn't a big deal. One funny thing to note is that there are plenty of big trees, but they are all just too far apart to use a hammock.

SiteLake View Site 25
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Ann P., August 20, 2017
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Ann P., August 20, 2017
  • All around site 25
    Play button icon
Reviewed Sep. 26, 2016

Popular Equestrian CG

Located just a bit west of Lincoln, NE on nice sized Pawnee Lake. Paved roads and paved sites with a section of first come, first serve sites (about 35 sites or half of the electric ones) with electric only (a few have 50A like ours, site 73). A good water spigot is located just as you enter the camping area and a few others are dispersed in the cg. The lake was closed due to a toxic algae bloom which meant that is was a little quieter than normal. The nice dump station is located a couple of miles down the road near the Park Office. There are a couple of day use areas located on the lake also with boat ramps. A large tent only area (50 sites) is located next to the lake and there is only one bath house in the park in the RV loop with high pressure showers. The cg is self registration.

  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Bran P., September 26, 2016
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Bran P., September 26, 2016
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Bran P., September 26, 2016
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Sep. 6, 2016

Good for one night

We stayed here on our way back home to RI from Colorado- it was good because it was right off the highway, is dog friendly and even had some nice facilities. No complaints- was a pretty area.

  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Molly G., September 6, 2016
  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Molly G., September 6, 2016
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2016

Nice quick stop for 1 night while driving through in Lincoln, NE area

Nice quick stop for 1 night while driving through in Lincoln, NE area. I tented 1 night while traveling through the area on a summer roadtrip 2015. Easily located off of Interstate-80. All the amenities you'd need for tenting or RV hookups. Affordable. It is in a Nebraska State Park but the $5 day pass wasn't a deterrent. Quick drive into Lincoln as well as easy interstate travel to Omaha, NE if you're passing through.

Reviewed Jul. 30, 2016

Quick Stop

This is a great site for anyone who does not want to travel far off the highway. I drove out to RI in 2015, and found it to be very convenient for my needs. I was driving along i80 and needed a place to chill out and rest a night, and this was the perfect spot!! The dam is beautiful and the campsite sits right near the edge of the water. I had a great and relaxing night here, and was ready for another full day of deriving when I woke up!

  • Review photo of Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area by Tarah W., July 30, 2016

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area have wifi?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area does have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Lakeview Campground — Pawnee State Recreation Area?

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