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Find the Best Tent Camping Sites in Nebraska

Tent camping is an inexpensive camping option that’s just starting to get its due in recent years. Of course, tents have been used for camping for ages, but they were generally used by people who couldn’t afford or didn’t have any choice to sleep under the stars. Tent campers are typically people who don’t have the luxury of having a nice camping spot easily accessible to them. While many have never even seen a modern tent before, they are becoming more common in the backcountry.

This time of the year is a great time to head out into the great outdoors for a weekend of camping. Most people just go out with the family, but you can also go solo for a weekend of tent camping. If you are thinking of the location for your tent camping, well, there are a lot of states and national parks around the country that you can go through? How about going on a tent camping in Nebraska?

Nebraska – Your Next Tent Camping Destination

Most people can’t afford to travel out of the country or stay in fancy hotels, but that doesn’t mean that camping is difficult to do. It just means that you’re choosing to camp in a location like Nebraska. Nebraska is a great state to camp in. One of the biggest draws is the diversity of geography and terrain. Much of the state is flat and with few trees, but there is a large forest that stretches from the Nebraska-Kansas border into Colorado in the west.

In the eastern part of the state, the forest is slowly giving way to the prairie with a big portion. In the north in a big expanse of the south in the south, in a big expanse of the south, there is a patch in the north.

It really is a good time to be a tent camper in Nebraska. Well, there are a lot of different types of camping, from family-friendly to eco-centric. There are three new campgrounds that have opened on the Black Hills loop, the Nebraska State Park system, and the Nebraska State Recreation Area. The newest is in Valley, a small campground about 45 minutes from downtown Lincoln. Valley is a primitive campground, meaning no amenities such as water, sewer, electric, or pit toilets.

Things to Know About Tent Camping in Nebraska

Nebraska’s vast and beautiful landscape can inspire anyone to get out and explore, but it’s not always easy to get out of the city for a weekend getaway. That’s why tent camping is a great option for people who want to experience the great outdoors without spending a fortune on a cabin or RV. In fact, many people don’t even realize there is a whole world of opportunities out there for camping.

Here are other things that you should know about tent camping in Nebraska:

Nebraska is a beautiful place to visit. The state has beautiful scenery and is home to many interesting histories and cultural sites, such as the National Park in Nebraska, Omaha, and the Lincoln Memorial Museum. The state is also well-known for its wide-open spaces and its lakes and rivers. These features make it a perfect location to enjoy tent camping.
Nebraskans have a love affair with their tent camping. In Nebraska, you can get away from the hustle and bustle of your city life and go camping in many of the state’s wonderful forested areas. Campgrounds give campers a chance to sit back and enjoy the scenery while they’re enjoying a campfire.
The tent camping season has begun! The weather is (relatively) beautiful in Nebraska. I’ve even seen the sun peak out during the day. But, there is one major drawback to tent camping: mosquitoes. It’s a common misconception that mosquitoes only live in the East, but you’ll find them almost everywhere in Nebraska during the summer. If you’re going to tent camp, you’ll need to take some precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

Tent camping in Nebraska is different from tent camping in other places. It’s not for everyone. Yes, many national parks in Nebraska offer tent camping opportunities. But most people will gravitate towards the state’s less-visited campgrounds, where the population is smaller, the facilities are more basic, and the trails are usually less well-maintained.

The Top Places to Camp in Nebraska

  1. 1

    Campground

    Victoria Springs State Recreation Area

    What People Are Saying

    We stayed over the weekend on site 58 the beaver point primitive site.

    Overall Rating: 
    4.3/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    88

    Location

    Anselmo, NE

    Latitude / Longitude

    41.6086184, -99.7513317
  2. 2

    Campground

    Bessey Recreation Complex Campground

    What People Are Saying

    "We tent camped one night at this site."

    Overall Rating: 
    4.6/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    95

    Location

    Halsey, NE

    Latitude / Longitude

    41.8999997, -100.2976362
  3. 3

    Campground

    Pawnee State Recreation Area

    What People Are Saying

    "Many camping spots for tents or RVs."

    Overall Rating: 
    4.5/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    749

    Location

    Lincoln, NE

    Latitude / Longitude

    40.8519511, -96.8772783
  4. 4

    Campground

    Main Area Campground

    What People Are Saying

    No reviews yet.

    Overall Rating: 
    4.5/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    6

    Location

    Elwood, NE

    Latitude / Longitude

    40.6838476, -99.8301743
  5. 5

    Campground

    Nunda Shoal Campground

    What People Are Saying

    "This is a good, but not great campsite."

    Overall Rating: 
    4.6/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    14

    Location

    Burwell, NE

    Latitude / Longitude

    41.8658383, -99.2698274
  6. 6

    Park

    Windmill State Park

    What People Are Saying

    "Good tent sites, several ponds for fishing and a nature trail."

    Overall Rating: 
    4.5/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    195

    Location

    Gibbon, NE

    Latitude / Longitude

    40.7073338, -98.8447178
  7. 7

    Campground

    North Inlet Campground

    What People Are Saying

    No reviews yet.

    Overall Rating: 
    4.4/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    10

    Location

    Elwood, NE · In Johnson Lake State Recreation Area

    Latitude / Longitude

    40.6971588, -99.8727178
  8. 8

    Campground

    Prairie Oasis Campground & Cabins

    What People Are Saying

    "Perhaps the best thing about this camp are the 2 hosts - Patty and Todd."

    Overall Rating: 
    4.6/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    368

    Location

    Henderson, NE

    Latitude / Longitude

    40.82587, -97.807026
  9. 9

    Campground

    Natick Campground

    What People Are Saying

    "Best horse riding ever good trails and camping"

    Overall Rating: 
    4.6/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    10

    Location

    Thedford, NE

    Latitude / Longitude

    41.8812585, -100.413281
  10. 10

    Campground

    Buffalo Bill State Park Campground

    What People Are Saying

    "From Good Size RV's and Pull Behinds to Nice Small private tent ..."

    Overall Rating: 
    4.6/5 stars

    Reviews on Google

    42

    Location

    North Platte, NE

    Latitude / Longitude

    41.1729485, -100.7894283
  11. Important Camping Gear for Nebraska

    You may think that camping gear for tent camping in Nebraska is the same as camping gear for tent camping anywhere--just buy the same equipment for your trip. Well, like all things, there are different types of tent camping gear. There are people who prefer to camp in the woods, near a lake or stream, or on an open field; then there are those who prefer to camp in the open desert, mountains, or another desolate environment.

    Camping is a great way to have fun, learn new things, and get away from the craziness of the everyday world. In order to have a successful camping trip, you need to have a quality tent that is appropriate for your plan, a set of appropriate camping gear, and a good plan for emergencies. While it is never a good idea to be unprepared for a camping trip, a lot of people take it too far, buying a single ultralight tent, a few camping pillows, a handful of inexpensive camping toiletries, and a few cheap camping kitchen items. This often leads to a disappointing experience when the gear fails, the weather does not cooperate, or when the camping location is not ideal.

    Also, since you are going to camp during the chilly fall season, you might need some camping gear that will keep you warm. Aside from sleeping bags, you might want to invest in tent gears that insulate your tents, such as down insulation, tent carpet, or rugs. Water bottles and heat packs might also be helpful.

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Planning Your Camping Trip

Best Time of Year to Tent Camp in Nebraska

Tent camping in Nebraska is a great way to get out of the city and enjoy nature, but many people wonder whether they should go tent camping in Nebraska in the summer, fall, winter, or spring.

Some people are under the impression that camping is only allowed in the summer months. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Fall is a great time to go camping in Nebraska. October is the start of fall and the official start of the camping season. We think that all of you would agree that it’s pretty darned cold during the months of October and November. That means that you’ll want to pack your tent and sleeping bags and head out into the outback of Nebraska to set up your tent and enjoy the great outdoors.
Best place to do tent camping?
Tent camping is a great way to experience your state’s natural beauty and history all in one place. Nebraska has a number of great locations for tent camping and, as such, offers a wide range of experiences to enjoy.

Nebraska’s first state park, Wind Cave National Park, is located about an hour south of Lincoln and offers a plethora of tent camping options. Also, Willow Creek State Recreation Area is a lush area between the Missouri River and the Great Plains and offers a variety of camping options, including full-service camping and primitive camping.

Smith Falls State Park offers primitive camping and also hosts multiple events throughout the year, including a nature and wildlife festival and a wine and beer festival. Merritt Reservoir is a popular camping location that offers a variety of sites and amenities; we recommend the Island Campground, the West Shore Campground, and the North Shore Campground.

Average Temperatures By Month in Nebraska

Month Avg Low °F Avg High °F
January 13.4°F 37°F
February 16.8°F 41.1°F
March 25.5°F 51.2°F
April 35.3°F 62.2°F
May 46.8°F 72.3°F
June 56.6°F 82.2°F
July 62.1°F 88.3°F
August 60.1°F 86.3°F
September 49.6°F 77.9°F
October 37.1°F 64.6°F
November 24.9°F 49.4°F
December 14.7°F 37.7°F

Learn More Camping Tips for Beginners

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