Best Camping In Nebraska

If you are planning a camping trip in Nebraska then you will need to find the perfect spot. There are lots of options, but not all of them have the same facilities, views, or activities available. We have put together this list of 8 of the best camping spots in Nebraska that have everything you need for the perfect trip.

Willow Creek Reservation Area

Willow Creek is actually a lake. The area of the lake is around 700 acres, but surrounding it is over 900 acres of land to explore. You can hit the hiking trails, go horse riding, fishing, or boating. There is even a swimmers beach so you can have a dip in the water.

If you’re interested in camping here there are 100 camping pads. 64 of these are equipped with 30 amp electrical points and 19 of them have 50 amp electrical points, ideal for RVs or generators.

The campsite is equipped with showers and toilets which means you can enjoy your camping trip with some convenient comforts. There are also lots of picnic tables for outdoor dining.

There are so many great things about this location – there are playgrounds for the younger campers, fishing piers and boat launches for people who want to kayak, canoe or take part in other water-based activities.

It’s also a lovely spot for stargazing – ideal for a romantic camping trip. The campsite is close to the Ashfall Fossil beds, a great day trip.

Branched Oak Recreation Area

Branched Oak is a large lake with a surface area of 1800 acres. There is a lot of recreational land around the lake which makes it the perfect place for a camping trip.

There are over 300 camping pads available and even more space for ‘wild’ camping if you want to find your own spot within one of the permitted areas.

The camping pads have electrical hook up points, either 30 amp or 50 amp, as well as some without electricity if you prefer.

On the campsite you have access to dump sites, toilets, coin operated showers, and clean drinking water. There are lots of great areas to enjoy outdoor dining on picnic tables or at one of the grill stations.

One of the great things about Branched Oak Recreation area is that you can bring your horses with you when you go camping. This makes it much easier to enjoy the horse riding trails on the site and in the surrounding area. If you aren’t into horse riding then there are plenty of other activities to get involved in – archery, cycling, bird watching, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, swimming and much more.

Smith Falls State Park

Smith Falls is the highest waterfall in Nebraska and is located in a beautiful state park that is the perfect spot to go camping.

The Niobrara River is scenic and very popular with kayakers, canoers, boaters, and tubers. You can also explore the various hiking trails in the area to take in the beautiful scenery.

This is a more simple campsite than some of the others, but it still has restrooms and coin-operated showers along with various picnic shelters and picnic pavilions. There is also a concession stand for buying snacks.

This is an ideal place for tent camping, especially if you love water sports. You can purchase a permit to enter the park on entrance to the park or from permit vendors.

Indian Cave State Park

This is a stunning state park on the Missouri river that has 3000 acres of land. It has 22 miles of hiking trails with amazing views to help you get closer to nature.

This is a great place for campers with an interest in botany, as there are plenty of species of shrub, hardwood trees and other types of plants. If you really want to make the most of it then make sure you plan your trip for the Fall.

This is a fantastic camping spot for horseback riding and hiking, and has plenty of picturesque spots for picnicking. It’s also close to St.Derion, a wonderful town which is host to craft fairs from May to October.

The space for tent camping stretches out over the hills with views of the Missouri river.

There is also space for over 100 RV campers with electrical hook-ups of various amps. The RV camping spots are only open in season, but you can use the area for primitive camping all year round.

Merritt Reservoir

The Merritt Reservoir is located in the Snake river valley in the Sandhills. The lake is ideal for fishing – it is fed by Snake River and Boardman Creek and has an excellent flow.

Anglers tend to catch white bass, crappie, walleye and even lunker catfish. The lake has five public boat launches so you get out on the lake to fish.

Due to the prominent fishing, there are restrictions on water sports on the lake. However, you can take part in hunting or hiking instead. The area has 140 tent spots and plenty of RV spots with electricity. There are over 200 picnic spots including some under shelter so you can eat outside in all weathers.

Eugene T Mahoney State Park

If you want a camping trip filled with fun then this is the place to come! It has a swimming pool with water slides, a petting zoo, and an indoor playground for children and rental paddle boats. You can also go fishing, tubing, hiking, or climb up the observation tower to take in the views of the valley.

There are also great things you can do in the surrounding area – a visit to the Strategic Air and Science Museum, the Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park, various golf clubs and a state park.

There are plenty of camping spots with showers, restrooms, drinking water, coin operated laundry, and dump stations. If you want something a little more luxurious you could rent one of the cabins.

They are in secluded spots on the ridge top with excellent views. Included with cabin rentals are linens, tableware and cookware.

The cabins have heating and air conditioning so you can be comfortable in all seasons. They also have microwaves, refrigerators, televisions, fireplaces, outdoor decks and grills.

Another alternative accommodation is the lodge rooms – 40 rooms with wifi and air conditioning, private baths, telephones and televisions. Some of the rooms have walkouts with amazing views over the valley.

Chadron State Park

This is one of the oldest state parks in Nebraska, founded in 1921, and is located in Pine Ridge with excellent views. The park has 972 acres of land with hiking trails of various difficulty for all ramblers.

There is a beautiful lagoon that is perfect for swimming, and you can also take part in fishing and kayaking. If you are looking for an adventure then why not try archery, mountain biking, volleyball, and horseback riding.

For something slower paced you can have a game of tennis or go bird spotting.

There are great facilities at this campsite, including electrical hookups, showers, restrooms, laundry, grills, playgrounds, and dump stations.

There are also plenty of picnic tables so you can eat outdoors and make the most of the views. There are also some cabins you can stay in with bedding, towels, cooking utensils, silverware, stoves, and refrigerators.

Niobrara State Park

This state park is located at the confluence of two rivers – the Missouri river and the Niobrara river. This is a great area for spotting interesting wildlife like coyotes, wild turkeys, deer and much more.

There are 14 miles of hiking trails to explore so you can keep an eye out for the animals whilst taking in the amazing views of the rivers.

There are swimming pools, a bathhouse, boat launches to get out onto the water, and opportunities for fishing. You can also go bird spotting, mountain biking, horseback riding, hunting, and star gazing.

There is also a paleontological site within the park which is really interesting to explore – it is where the fossils of a mosasaurs were found, the first complete one of its kind to be found in Nebraska.

The camping areas are open all year round but there is a cheaper rate out of season when some of the facilities are unavailable.

The campsite boasts facilities such as electrical hookups, showers, restrooms, laundry facilities, dump stations,grills, and picnic tables. The site even has a 9 hole golf course.

There is a stunning one way loop around the park with various picnic spots that make the most of the views, including some that are under shelter. If you want to get the best view in the park, make sure you head to the picnic shelter on the highest hill in the state park.

Summary

Whichever camping site you pick, you are sure to enjoy your time exploring the beautiful Nebraska countryside.