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Dispersed Camping

Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area

6 Reviews

Description

Not recommended for trailers or vans. High clearance vehicle is recommended, or simply use this as a "walk in site" for tents instead.

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Location

Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area is located in Nebraska

Coordinates

40.75658899 N
98.61060186 W

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Connectivity

Presented by

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

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Last on 7/17/25
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 1 user

Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BY

Lincoln Park

1 hr 24 min away

Deshler City Park Campground

1 hr 30 min away

Drive Time

Presented by

20 min from Grand Island
1 hr 24 min from Lincoln
2 hrs from Omaha
3 hrs 13 min from Manhattan

Connectivity

Presented by

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

T-Mobile5G
Excellent Coverage
Last on 7/17/25
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 1 user

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Dispersed

Features

For Campers

Phone Service
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

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Mary

Guide

Reviewed May. 3, 2025

Tick central! Stay on the gravel, and check, check, check. Took a 50 foot walk on short grass and had at least 15 ticks. We have a monster long haired dog, and he’s going to get a comb out before coming in camper.

Siteno site #s

Month of VisitMay

Mary

Guide

Reviewed May. 3, 2025

Sure beats parking lot at Cabels’s

Highway noise might be an issue, but the privacy, birdsong, and pond make up for it.

Siteopen sites

Month of VisitMay

Linda R.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 24, 2024

Tough to get a vehicle down to “site”

This is NOT for rigs over 15’ long. Turn around potential is tight. Lots of beer cans around. Got down there and turned around and went back to 80. Just a little too creepy.

SiteThere are no “sites”.

Month of VisitAugust

Megan K.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 4, 2024

Perfect for what I needed

Small area perfect for a quick night. There were a few people here when I got here but it’s easy to make room when you know most people are just trying to get a quick rest.

Month of VisitJune

Hillary J.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 6, 2023

Great overnight spot when traveling cross country!

We stopped here just to sleep when traveling across the country. It was easy to find and a relatively quiet spot. You could hear some road noise but I didn’t find it to bad. Nice views in the full moon! There is a pretty strong farm smell so just be prepared for that!

Month of VisitOctober

Grayson T.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 22, 2023

Super Convenient

Stopped here to sleep for the night on a cross-country road trip. It’s a gravel road right off I-80; farmland surrounded the camping spot and it was pretty private. No facilities so be prepared to pack out what you pack in.

Month of VisitAugust

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area needs a permit.

Try PRO for Free

Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BY

Lincoln Park

1 hr 24 min away

Deshler City Park Campground

1 hr 30 min away

Drive Time

Presented by

20 min from Grand Island
1 hr 24 min from Lincoln
2 hrs from Omaha
3 hrs 13 min from Manhattan

Find free camping nearby

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any hip camping options near Unknown Campground?

Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area offers a primitive, off-the-beaten-path camping experience ideal for those seeking hip, rustic camping. It's a simple gravel area off I-80 with no facilities, providing privacy and natural surroundings. The site features farmland views, a pond, and opportunities for bird watching. While basic, it delivers an authentic outdoor experience with minimal development. Be prepared to pack out all trash and bring everything you need as this is truly a primitive camping option. Perfect for self-sufficient campers who appreciate natural settings.

What state parks with camping are located near Unknown Campground?

While Wood River West is itself a State Wildlife Management Area offering primitive camping, nearby state parks with more developed camping facilities include Mormon Island State Recreation Area and Fort Kearny State Recreation Area. These offer additional amenities not found at Wood River West. For more developed camping options with facilities, you might also consider checking Nebraska's state park system website for other parks in the region. Most state parks in the area require reservations during peak season and offer more amenities than the primitive setup at Wood River West.

What is the max vehicle length at Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area?

Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area allows vehicles up to 15 feet.

Are fires allowed at Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area?

Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

Does Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area have wifi?

No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area does not have wifi.

Is there cell phone reception at Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area?

According to campers on TheDyrt.com, there is some coverage for AT&T, excellent coverage for T-Mobile, and some coverage for Verizon.

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Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area

Description

Location

Coordinates

Connectivity

Detours Nearby

Drive Time

Connectivity

Access

Site Types

Features

For Campers

DISPERSED CAMPING

PERMIT might be REQUIRED

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Reviews

4.0

This is an addendum

Sure beats parking lot at Cabels’s

Tough to get a vehicle down to “site”

Perfect for what I needed

Great overnight spot when traveling cross country!

Super Convenient

Are there any hip camping options near Unknown Campground?

What state parks with camping are located near Unknown Campground?

What is the max vehicle length at Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area?

Are fires allowed at Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area?

Does Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area have wifi?

Is there cell phone reception at Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area?