Best Campgrounds In Nebraska

Visiting the Midwest? Make sure to check out these best campgrounds in Nebraska for a historical tour while camping.

RELATED: Ultimate Campgrounds Across America: USA’s “Must See” Campgrounds

In this article:

1. Chadron State Park – Chadron
2. Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area – Ames, Nebraska
3. Johnson Lake State Recreation Area – Elwood
4. Enders Reservoir – Enders, Nebraska
5. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
6. Wagontrain Lake – Hickman
7. Niobrara State Park – Niobrara, Nebraska
8. Fort Kearny State Recreation Area – Kearney
9. Fort Robinson State Park – Crawford
10. Windmill State Recreation Area – Gibbon

Best Campgrounds in Nebraska

Where to Camp in the Cornhusker State

Nebraska is also home to many national monuments, state parks, lakes, and campgrounds. Thus, making it a great place to camp on a summer weekend.

You can check out this state of Nebraska camping map, but first, here are our favorite places to camp in the historic Cornhusker state.

1. Chadron State Park – Chadron

Located in the beautiful Pine Ridge of NW Nebraska, the Chadron State Park certainly won't disappoint. Campers will enjoy their stay at the modern campground.

The Chadron State Park camping ground is complete with electrical hookups, showers, laundry, picnic tables, grills, a playground for the kids and a dump station.

2. Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area – Ames, Nebraska

One of eastern Nebraska's most popular recreation areas, Fremont State Lakes has about 40 land acres and nearly 300 water acres in 20 sandpit lakes. The swimming beach is unsupervised, and there is a PWC area, as well as a handicap-accessible fishing pier.

Located three miles west of Fremont, this is a favorite area with campers, picnickers and water enthusiasts. With fun water activities from boating to fishing to water skiing–it sure is.

3. Johnson Lake State Recreation Area – Elwood

The town of Kasilof is located fifteen miles south of Soldotna along the Sterling Highway on the Kenai Peninsula. It is a popular summer recreational destination.

Camping, wildlife viewing, scenic views, and fishing at the Kasilof River and at Johnson Lake are some of the reasons why.

4. Enders Reservoir – Enders, Nebraska

Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area, one of four areas known collectively as the Southwest Reservoirs, is a combination of recreational and wildlife lands. This, with the additional dedication of a portion of the area as a wildlife refuge in the fall and winter.

Because of its refuge status, the recreational facilities are not as extensively developed as those at the other three lakes in the complex. Including the lake, the entire area encompasses 5,700 acres.

Of the 4,000 acres of land, the Enders Wildlife Refuge covers 2,146 acres on the western reaches of the lake. Enders is a good escape for the outdoor enthusiast who wants to enjoy the bounties of nature in a peaceful, uncrowded setting.

5. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park

This modern state park is the perfect year-round destination for a family escape. The jewel of the park is Peter Kiewit Lodge, which offers 40 guest rooms, most with balconies which offer a stunning view of the Platte River valley.

Families can visit the aquatic center and indoor playground, then explore the park’s hiking and biking trails. You can also climb the observation tower and, when the weather turns cold, enjoy sledding and ice skating.

RELATED: 22 Amazing Hiking Trails You Have To See To Believe

6. Wagontrain Lake – Hickman

Train Lake, NE, is a State Recreation Area located two miles east of Hickman. This 315-acre lake has a boat ramp and a dog training area.

Camping facilities at this site include 28 camp pads with electrical hookups, primitive campsites, a playground, three picnic areas, and a swim beach. Wagon Train allows boating under 5 mph. A State Park Permit is required for entry.

7. Niobrara State Park – Niobrara, Nebraska

Situated at the confluence of the Niobrara and Missouri rivers on Nebraska's northeastern border, Niobrara State Park offers visitors an opportunity to sample a wide range of outdoor experiences.

Cabins, camping from RVs to tents, picnicking, swimming pool, buffalo cookouts, boat ramps nearby, horseback trail rides, hiking, fishing, history or communing with Mother Nature are all available at this exceptional state park.

8. Fort Kearny State Recreation Area – Kearney

Fort Kearny SRA offers 186 acres dotted with sandpit lakes. In the spring, the world's largest concentration of sandhill cranes and waterfowl gathers in the central Platte River valley.

Facilities include electrical and primitive camp pads, showers, dump station, modern restrooms, water at the dump station, picnic tables, and grills. Shelters, wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, nature trail, nonpower boating, and hike-bike trail are also included.

9. Fort Robinson State Park – Crawford

Western Nebraska's premier state park, Fort Robinson, west of Crawford, has it all — with more than 22,000 acres of exquisite Pine Ridge scenery, compelling old west history, exceptional lodging, loads of fun-time activities, scenic camping and the park's own buffalo and longhorn herds.

10. Windmill State Recreation Area – Gibbon

Windmill State Recreation Area is one of two highly developed areas operated by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission in the state's unique “chain of lakes” along Interstate 80.

Situated at the Gibbon Interchange, between Kearney and Grand Island, it was once a stopping spot for early-day travelers.

It still serves travelers today with modern camping facilities, several man-made lakes, and a fascinating assortment of antique windmills.

This video from Drivin' and Vibin' will show you how it's done–camping in one of the best campgrounds in Nebraska for free: 

Nebraska has long been a colonial and agricultural hub for the United States. Its great, treeless plains lend themselves to farming and grazing, and its many creeks and rivers keep the land moist and fertile.

Yet, Nebraska has some of the best campgrounds in the US or perhaps gave way for the best campgrounds in Nebraska.

Do you have a favorite camping spot in Nebraska that wasn’t included on this list? Let us know in the comments!

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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published on June 24, 2016, and has been updated for quality and relevancy.