Nebraska RV & Camping: Time, Dates & Rules (With Examples)

Nebraska is home to breathtaking national monuments like Chimney Rock and the Ashfall Fossil Beds and an array of culturally rich museums such as the B-36 Wing Strategic Air Command Museum and the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer.

This state also has the Henry Doorly Zoo, the world’s largest aquarium within a zoo. Visitors can also look forward to many amazing restaurants and shops.

If you are considering visiting Nebraska after learning briefly what the state has to offer, you need to know where the best campgrounds are, which we’re going to look at in this camping article:

2 Nebraska Campgrounds With Times, Dates, and Rules:

With the abundance of campgrounds available in Nebraska, it can be challenging to determine where you should visit.

That’s why after much deliberation, we have found two of the best campgrounds that Nebraska has to offer. Each of these campgrounds is unique in their own way and promise to offer campers a pleasant and memorable experience.

Yet, before deciding if one of them is perfect for your next trip, have a look at the dates, times, and rules.

You won’t want to plan your entire holiday only to discover that the campground isn’t suitable.

1. Riverland Campground

If you’re looking for a luxurious campground that is still immersed in nature, you may want to consider the Riverland Campground, which is situated near the tranquil Platte River.

This campground prides itself on providing guests the highest quality services and amenities without sacrificing a relaxing atmosphere surrounded by nature. Although the Riverland Campground isn’t as large as some of its competitors, it is still worth visiting due to the many activities they have on offer.

At the Riverland Campground, 18 RV campsites are equipped with 20, 30, and 50 am connections. Each of these sites is also equipped with a fire ring, water hookup, and picnic table.

The campground recently developed a dump station that campers can now make full use of, but the campground does charge guests a $10 fee per dump.

When you visit the Riverland Campground, you will be able to participate in activities such as volleyball, fishing, bike rides around the pond, and boating, canoeing, and kayaking at the Platte River. Additionally, visitors can also take day trips to the nearby attractions.

The Quail Run Golf Course has numerous hiking trails in Columbus, the Shenanigans Bar, and the Big Ten Sports Bar and Grill.

Time:

Guests have to check in after 03:00 pm and check out at 10:00 am or earlier.

Dates:

The Riverlands Campground is open year-round.

Rules:

• The campground accepts payment via cash or cheque only.
• This campground requires a security deposit to hold a campers reservation.
• Pets are allowed, but there is a $25 pet fee.
• Excessive noise is prohibited, as are fireworks, firearms, and BB guns.
• Fish cleaning is only permitted at one of the campground’s designated fish cleaning stations.

2. Double Nickel Campground And Resort

The Double Nickel Campground and Resort is a family-owned establishment located in the heart of Nebraska.

Due to its location, it is one of the best campgrounds to visit for those seeking a campground close to popular attractions.

This RV-friendly facility has 50 full hookup RV sites and grassy tent sites that offer 30 and 50 amp electrical connections. Additionally, those with big rigs won’t have to give this campground a miss as they can accommodate motorhomes up to 100 feet in length.

The motorhome sites offer guests a porch swing, picnic table, fire ring, and WiFi. The tent sites offer guests electricity, a fire pit, access to a bathhouse, water, and electricity.

Some of the nearby attractions that guests can look forward to visiting include Lincoln, Crystal Lake State Recreation Area, Mormon Island State Recreation Area, Pawnee Plunge Water park, and the Edgerton Exploit Center.

The Double Nickel Campground and Resort has you covered if you need plenty of amenities when on holiday.

A few of the best amenities available include a volleyball court, horseshoes, an arcade, a swimming pool, a basketball court, a playground, a mini-golf course, an underground storm shelter, and two dog parks.

Additionally, there is an outdoor movie night on Saturdays, and there are free craft activities that run for children to participate in.

Times:

At the Double Nickel Campground and Resort, check-in is at 02:00 pm, and check-out is at noon.

Dates:

The Double Nickel Campground and Resort is open seasonally from the 1st of April until the 25th of October.

Rules:

• The playground, mini-golf course, and pool are closed when it is dark.
• Throughout this resort, there is a speed limit of 5 miles per hour.
• There is a $2 wash fee and a $2 dry fee at the resort’s laundry facilities.
• Visitors are allowed, but they can only arrive after 8 am and leave by 10 pm.
• Pets are only allowed to be off their leash when in the off-leash dog park.

Can You Go RVing In Nebraska Outside These Dates?

Many campers often face the difficult task of establishing whether or not a campground is open throughout the year.

Luckily in recent years, many campground websites have begun providing campers with their open dates, times, and rules, but it can still be difficult to find this information.

In Nebraska, most private campgrounds, resorts, and parks, along with National and State Parks, can change their own open dates. These places can also choose to change their dates according to circumstances.

Sometimes they will forget to update the information, which is why it’s crucial to still get in contact with the establishment you are interested in camping at to make sure it is open when you plan to visit.

Those looking to go camping in Nebraska will be pleased to learn that many campgrounds are open throughout the year.

Should you be interested in uncovering a few of the best all-year campground options, you can have a look at the list below:

• Sandy Channel State Recreation Area.
• West Omaha KOA Holiday Campground.
• Gremlin Cove.
• Victorian Acres RV Park and Campgrounds.
• Niobrara State Park.

Where Can You Camp For Free In Nebraska?

Are you seeking a camping adventure that isn’t going to cost you a fortune?

Nebraska is one of the best states that visitors can travel to if they are looking for free campgrounds. Although free campgrounds within city limits are few and far between, there is an abundance of free campgrounds further away from the cities.

Most of the free campgrounds in Nebraska do not come with electricity, water, or other facilities, but a few hidden gems do if you know where to look.

For example, the Loup Power District offers three free campsites with electric hookups, and Harrison City Park offers campers both electric and water hookups.

Consider the below free campground options available to those camping in Nebraska:

• A few Walmart and Cabela’s parking lots.
• Meadowlark Recreation Area.
• Timber Point Wildlife Management Area.
• Twin lakes Wildlife Management Area.
• Chappel lake.
• Ogla National Grasslands.
• Nebraska National Forest.
• Samuel R McKelvie National Forest.

In Nebraska Can You Camp On Public Hunting Land?

In Nebraska, hunting on public lands is incredibly challenging.

This is because approximately 97 percent of the land in the state is privately owned. Yet, this does not mean that hunters are limited. Much of the public lands available are open to hunters and campers who can camp and hunt on public hunting land in designated areas.

Motorhome and tent campers can look forward to camping on public hunting land at the public State and National Parks in Nebraska during the appropriate seasons.

However, campers who are hunters should note that no hunting or trapping is allowed within 100 yards of certain public use facilities on SRA lands.

These facilities could include parking lots, designated camping areas, concession areas, picnic areas, private cabins, and boat ramps.

Nebraska Camping and RV Rules For Local State Parks and National Parks

Regardless of what State or National Park you choose to camp at in Nebraska, you need to know the general camping and RV rules.

Learning these rules will be incredibly beneficial as they will indicate what is expected of you when camping at a Nebraska National or State Park. If you know what is expected, you are less likely to encounter any unpleasant surprises that could ruin your camping holiday.

You should also note that Nebraska State and National Parks implemented new camping rules in 2020. It is uncertain if these rules have changed, so it would be best to contact the specific Nebraska State or National Park you want to visit beforehand.

We have only listed the general rules put in place for Nebraska State and National parks:

• Guests are not allowed to launch or land any sailplanes, body kites, balloons, gliders, or hand gliders without a written permit from the commission.
• No visitor is allowed to beg within any Nebraska State or National Park.
• No commercial soliciting of any kind is allowed without a permit.
• Tent camping and motorhome camping are only allowed in designated park areas unless prior permission is granted to camp in an area that has not been designated for camping.
• Each campsite is only allowed one camping unit and one tent with a maximum of eight people per site.
• No visitor can dig or level the ground at any campsite except if the park superintendent grants permission.
• Motorhomes are not allowed to be wider than 102 inches, and they cannot be longer than 40 feet with a maximum height of 13 feet and 5 inches.

Citations:

Nebraska State Park Rules 

Year-Round Campgrounds In Nebraska