Map showing campground location near Valentine, Nebraska

Camper submitted image from Powder Horn Area Campground

Powder Horn Area Campground

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Powder Horn Area Campground sits on the far side of Merritt Dam within the Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, accessible by a dirt road that may require four-wheel drive in some sections. There are no designated sites. Campers choose their own pull-off, with a pit toilet and boat ramp available in the main area. Bring cash, as no staff are on-site to process payment. Valentine is roughly 30 minutes away for fuel and supplies. Anglers make up much of the traffic here, and nearby options like Cedar Bay Campground — Merritt Reservoir offer additional facilities on the other side of the dam. Pack layers regardless of season, as temperatures in this part of Nebraska can swing dramatically within a single day.

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Map & DirectionsPowder Horn Area Campground is located in Nebraska near Valentine

Public Campground

Coordinates

42.62917029 N
100.88098075 W

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Connectivity

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T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Connectivity

Presented by

T-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&T
No Coverage

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Phone Service
Drinking Water
Toilets
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

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Drive Time

3 hrs 8 min from Rapid City, SD
3 hrs 31 min from Grand Island, NE
4 hrs 19 min from Sioux Falls, SD
4 hrs 32 min from Cheyenne, WY

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Reviews2 Camper Reviews - Powder Horn Area Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

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1 Star

4.5

out of 5

2 Reviews

Erik B.

Traveler

Reviewed Sep. 13, 2024

Beautiful Sandy Lake

Great views and not too far off the main road. There aren’t any sectioned campsites. More of just pull offs. But it is free so it’s nice. You get a beautiful view and nice sand.

Month of VisitSeptember

Shelly S.

Legend

Reviewed Sep. 29, 2018

4 Wheel drive

Powder Horn Area Campground is part of Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area near Valentine, NE.

I traveled this area in September, when I left Kentucky it was in the 80’s, my first night in the Valentine area it got down to 41 and didn’t go above 55 for the entire time I was there. That being said pack a variety of clothes because the locals said it can be in the 70’s one day and snow the next this time of year ;)

Powder Horn is on the far side of the Merritt dam close to the entrance of the Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest. I’m from Kentucky and there is no forest in McKelvie, just a lot of prairie grass, sand and hills. Think of the desert with long grass on top. Pretty in a stark sense.

Powder Horn is a primitive campground set up with lots of trails off the main road in, a 4 wheel drive might be needed for some of the areas. There is a pit toilet and a boatramp in the main area otherwise you’ve a choice of locations to set up base camp. Merritt is all about fishing, there is a fish cleaning pavilion in the main camp area on the other side of the dam. I did not see an employee my entire time in the area, bring cash to pay for your site. Valentine was about 30 minutes away with fuel, food and some entertainment.

SitePrimitive

Month of VisitSeptember

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are fires allowed at Powder Horn Area Campground?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Powder Horn Area Campground, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Powder Horn Area Campground have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Powder Horn Area Campground does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Powder Horn Area Campground?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is no coverage for AT&T, excellent coverage for T-Mobile, and some coverage for Verizon.

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