It’s time to dust off the tent and brush up on your fire-making skills because camping season is upon us. We’ve all got our favorite special places to camp, and we don’t tend to stray from them – why fix what’s not broken, right? But if you’ve never been camping in Nebraska, or if you’re looking for a new spot, you might be overwhelmed with the seemingly endless campground choices. Only In Nebraska to the rescue! If you’ve ever been curious about the best camping in Nebraska, well, here you go:

1. Enders Reservoir, Enders
Enders Reservoir, 3rd St, Enders, NE 69027, USA
By Ammodramus - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27911504
The top-rated campground in the state is Enders Reservoir, located just outside of Enders. The site offers primitive and electrical camping all year, with modern restrooms and showers.
2. Niobrara State Park, Niobrara
Niobrara State Park, 89261 522 Ave, Niobrara, NE 68760, USA
By National Park Service - National Park Service, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15230763
Nestled between the Niobrara and Missouri Rivers, Niobrara State Park is a true gem.
3. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, near Ashland
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, 28500 W Park Hwy, Ashland, NE 68003, USA
By Babymestizo - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15692283
It's no surprise that Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, one of Nebraska's most beloved state parks, is one of its most popular campgrounds. You can rent cabins here or camp on the hard surface pads, all with restrooms, showers, drinking water, and laundry facilities nearby.
4. Wagon Train State Recreation Area, Hickman
Wagon Train Lake State Recreation Area, Hickman Rd, Lincoln, NE 68503, USA
Visit Nebraska
Located not far from Lincoln, Wagon Train State Recreation Area has 28 camping pads with electrical hookups and 80 non-pad sites without electricity.
5. Fort Robinson State Park, Crawford
Fort Robinson State Park, Soldier Creek Rd & US Hwy 20, Crawford, NE 69339, USA
NGPC
Set in one of the most beautiful parts of the state, Fort Robinson State Park has both primitive and electrical campsites open year-round.
6. Fort Kearny State Recreation Area, Kearney
Fort Kearny State Recreation Area, Gibbon, NE 68840, USA
By Hanyou23 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=40868591
Sandpit lakes and 100-year-old cottonwood trees make Fort Kearny State Recreation Area a truly wonderful place to spend a night or two. You'll find both modern and primitive tend camping along with modern restrooms and showers.
7. Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area, Fremont
Fremont Lakes, 3120 State Lakes Rd, Fremont, NE 68025, USA
Visit Nebraska
Get here early to avoid disappointment, because Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area is an extremely popular camping spot, particularly among the RV crowd.
8. Windmill State Park, Gibbon
Windmill State Park, 2625 Lowell Rd, Gibbon, NE 68840, USA
NGPC
Between Kearney and Grand Island, Windmill State Park campground is full of beautiful restored windmills. It offers primitive as well as modern campsites.
9. Box Butte Reservoir State Recreation Area, Hemingford
Box Butte Reservoir, Nebraska 69339, USA
Visit Nebraska
This truly beautiful location in Northwest Nebraska known as Box Butte Reservoir State Recreation Area offers year-round camping on 14 modern pads and 40 primitive non-pad sites.
10. Swanson Reservoir, Trenton
Swanson Reservoir State Recreation Area, Trenton, NE 69044, USA
Visit Nebraska
A lovely spot on the Republican River, Swanson Reservoir is open from the beginning of May to the beginning of October. You can camp in your RV here, but why pass up the opportunity to pitch your tent right on the sandy beach?
11. Louisville State Recreation Area, Louisville
Louisville State Recreation Area, Louisville, NE 68037, USA
By Ammodramus - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26991599
There's some great fishing to be had here, and after a long day of angling you can simply walk back to your tent or RV. Showers, restrooms, water, and a playground are all available to campers. Some see why this is one of the best campgrounds in Nebraska.
12. Pawnee State Recreation Area, Lincoln
Pawnee State Recreation Area, 3800 NW 105th St, Lincoln, NE 68524, USA
Visit Nebraska
Right on the second largest lake in the Salt Valley, Pawnee State Recreation Area has 68 modern camping pads with electrical hook-ups as well as 34 non-electric pads and 97 non-electrical, non-pad sites.
13. Calamus Reservoir, Burwell
Calamus Reservoir State Recreation Area and Wildlife Management Area, 42285 York Pt Rd, Burwell, NE 68823, USA
TripAdvisor/NebraskaFisherman
One of Nebraska's most beautiful lakes also offers some of the best camping. Their modern facilities include 122 pads with electrical hookups and 55 non-pad campsites. You'll find modern restrooms and showers here, too.
14. Chadron State Park, Chadron
Chadron State Park, Gold Rush Byway, Chadron, NE, USA
Nebraska Tourism Commission
You can always rent one of the cabins at Chadron State Park, but the modern campground is really beautiful and well-maintained. You have to reserve well in advance or get there early, though - these spots fill up fast.
15. Johnson Lake State Recreation Area, Lexington
Johnson Lake State Recreation Area, 1 Drive 25A, Elwood, NE 68937, USA
Visit Nebraska
Johnson Lake State Recreation Area is a favorite among anglers, boaters, and all types of outdoor enthusiasts in Nebraska. The recreation area offers primitive and modern camping along with modern restrooms and showers.

What do you think – did we get it right? These rankings seem pretty accurate based on personal experience and your comments! But these ones just scrape the surface of ALL of the magnificent camping spots across the state. What other camping facilities are not to be missed in Nebraska in your opinion? Let us know!

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More to Explore

Best Camping in Nebraska

Tori Jane | April 14, 2023
  1. Where can I find the best camping in Nebraska?

If anyone ever tells you there’s nowhere fun to camp in Nebraska, stop talking to them. You don’t need that in your life. There just so happens to be plenty of awesome options for camping in NE; some of our all-time picks for the best campgrounds in Nebraska are:  

  • Eugene T. Mahoney State Park – Three words: water. Park. Campground.  
  • Victory Lake and Pathfinder Campgrounds – These campgrounds in Nebraska are located quite literally side-by-side, so they’re both worth mentioning.  
  • Branched Oak Lake – This hidden gem is home to some amazing views and relaxing times. Oh, and it’s equestrian-friendly. 

Learn more about Branched Oak Lake and all its wonders.  

  1. Where can I do the best tent camping in Nebraska?

Looking for a more rustic, old-school experience? Primitive camping in Nebraska is all the rage, and it does an amazing job of reconnecting us with our roots. Some of the best tend camping in Nebraska can be found at:  

  • Smith Falls State Park – This park has plenty of formal campsites, but it’s also got 39 primitive sites on which to pitch a tent.  
  • Calamus State Recreation Area – Another park with plenty of modern options, you’ll find some of the coolest spots for your setup here.  
  • Chadron State Park – This park offers 18 primitive tent sites just waiting for your next adventure.  

Learn more about some of the best spots for primitive camping in NE.   

  1. What are some other wonderful places to go camping in Nebraska?

Obviously, the two lists above are nowhere near complete. There are hundreds of amazing camping sites in Nebraska peppered all over the state. Some other notable campgrounds in Nebraska that everyone should check out include: 

  • Platte River State Park – If you’ve never gone “glamping”, this is an excellent introduction to it.  
  • Ponca State Park – Easily one of the most scenic state parks in NE, this amazing place has some of the most enchanting campgrounds in the entire state.  

Get more information about camping in Nebraska and all the awesome options there are!   

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