Best Free Camping in Nebraska

Free Camping in Nebraska

By Nathan Swartz

Like its fellow Great Plains states to the north and south, Nebraska is largely a state without much change in elevation or extensive forested area. However, what it holds that those neighbors do not is an abundance of free camping, more than nearly any other state one would need to cross to get from the east to west in these United States.

See a map of all free camping in Nebraska.

Free Camping in Omaha, Nebraska

Directly within the city limits, free camping is limited to RV camping in either the Walmart or Cabela's big box store style parking lot. Their proximity to downtown, however, makes them ideal candidates for such an endeavor.

Should you seek something situated in nature, you'll need to travel over an hour west of downtown Omaha, where wildlife management areas like Timber Point and Twin Lakes, or the state's Department of Natural Resources Meadowlark Recreation Area.

Even further west, Loup Power District also provides three free camping sites, including amenities like electric hookups near Columbus, Nebraska.

Free RV Camping Along I-80, Nebraska

If traversing the state as quickly as possible is your goal, there are multiple camping areas along Interstate 80. The aforementioned businesses in Omaha meet this criterion, as does Twin Lakes WMA just west of Lincoln.

Toward the center of the state, a historical stop celebrating the Oregon Trail–by the name of The Archway–provides free of charge camping with a little something to do just outside your door. Further west, Nebraska has a few more wildlife management areas with waterfront camping just off of I-80, near Hershey, NE.

Chappell Lake is your last stop headed west for free primitive camping spots, a little no-frills city park that'll get you off–and back on–the highways in no time.

Free Camping in Nebraska National Forest and Oglala National Grassland

Looking to explore what is arguably Nebraska's most scenic countryside? Sand dunes jutting skyward in a state that is largely flat land, and even a bit of forest, provide a different type of beauty in the Cornhusker State's northwestern corner. There is dispersed camping in the national forest itself, and additional opportunities for boondocking are provided by the state's Game and Parks service. Travelers can find camping opportunities along US Route 20 from Chadron to Harrison, NE. While camping in the national forests is managed by the US Forest Service, state-run operations–and even a city park–provide a variety of ways and places to camp, including an actual campground with water and electric hookups in Harrison City Park.

With free camping in Nebraska being so varied–from actual campgrounds with electric and water to boondocking in wide-open spaces primed for RV parking or car camping, you're sure to find a campsite that meets your needs. These are no reservations places where the price is right, and whether they're full-blown recreation areas, locations tucked against the state's rivers, or just rest areas off the slice of the map you're traveling through, you should have no trouble finding a place to park your RV.

portable computer displaying map of camping locations
mobile device showing map of camping locations
Roadpass Pro
Signup for Roadpass Pro to get premium access to all of these great road travel apps.
Unlock pro campendium features
Ad Free Experience
Cell Service Overlays & Reports
Public Land Map Overlays
Trail Maps
Filter by Elevation
Pro icon Join Roadpass Pro

Recent Nebraska Free Campsite Reviews

Rushville, NE

Smith Lake WMA

Mar 26, 2024

"Quiet, Small, Remote"

active staractive staractive staractive staractive star
Always stop here for a night when heading to Ft Robinson. Mozzies can be really bad in the spring. Small lake is nice for a little kayaking or fishing. Pit toilet. Road in can be a little rough. Best for smaller to mid sized rigs.

camper-918114
1 review
Mar 20, 2024

"Right Off Interstate "

active staractive staractive staractive staractive star
We pulled in at 8:30pm and had plenty of spaces to choose from. A few semi trucks were already there. Having the convenience of being right off the interstate there is road noise. Had PLENTY of green space to walk a dog. Would stay here again when we are driving across the country.

camper-915836
1 review
Stromsburg, NE

Buckley Park Campground

Feb 06, 2024

"Couldn’t Find It In The Dark"

active staractive starinactive starinactive starinactive star
Got there at 8:30pm and it was dark so we didn’t see the sign guiding us to the campground section but instead pulled into the public park section and only saw barricades into what we figured was the campground. Thought it was closed off for flooding or something. Had nowhere else to go so we slept by the playground in our camper and left early....
Read More

MariaMarooska
12 reviews
Dec 03, 2023

"Quite Lovely"

active staractive staractive staractive staractive star
There were toilets, grills, a very small play area for kids. Honestly such a nice spot for a few free nights

camper-752957
2 reviews
Grand Island, NE

Walmart

Nov 21, 2023

"Very Convenient And Clean"

active staractive staractive staractive staractive star
Easy access from the highway. Big rig friendly. Overnight trucks and campers park to the far left of the parking lot. Very clean, level lot. Well maintained. We arrived about 6:00 pm Thanksgiving week and found plenty of room to park a 45’ bus with a tow car. We went into the store and did grocery shopping and picked up something for dinner....
Read More

CL.Witham
13 reviews