camping (Omaha, McCook, Alma: RV park, rental, restaurants)

[froggin4colorado]

I want to take the kids camping this summer to see and catch/release lightening bugs. Any recommendations on where to go and WHEN to go? I am also hopeful to catch some farmers markets too, small town festivals, etc.
Thanks!

[tpabes]

Are you from Fountain, Co? Are you looking for more the western part of Nebraska then?

[Off Pavement]

Nebraska has some great camping opportunities, and most will offer the opportunity of catching some of those flashing bugs throughout the summer.

What kind of camping are you looking for? Dispersed camping is available at state wildlife management areas for example and there are some really great spots you can pitch your tent next to a lake and be all by yourself. Many wildlife management areas have free camping available.

State parks and recreation areas are another possiblilty. A big jump up from dispersed camping in terms of ammenities. Swimming pools, RV hookups picnic tables and rest rooms are available for a nominal price. Park entrance fees apply as well.

Most towns offer camping in their park. Many are free, some ask for a donation, and some flat out tell you they want "X" amount of money.

I'd recommend that you determine the time you want to visit and make your camping plans around that. Check out county fairs, town festivals etc around the time you want to come and find a place to camp.

For a recommendation... I'd stay near Cambridge in SW Nebraska. We're about 25 miles east of McCook, 10 miles from Medicine Creek State Recreation Area and the Medicine Creek Wildlife Management Area... both have camping as described above. Town has a donation RV park/campground, stores, restaurants, supplies, and everything you could need for a camping trip. If you like golf, we've got a great course, and Medicine Creek Days, our local festival, is held in late June I believe this year. Oh yeah.... we have flashy bugs too.

To find out about just about every place you can camp in Nebraska, check out www.rv-camping.org/Nebraska.html.

The Cambridge town web site is www.cambridgene.org/

Come on down and have some fun!

[roots'nbulbs]

Or....you could travel on West, on the Republican River, until Harlan Reservoir. Great facilities. Go across the dam to Patterson Harbor where there is swimming dock and a marina with boat rental. Boat rental on North Shore, as well, and a really neat restaurant.....

Consider 4th of July parade in Alma plus Art in the Park............and, a beautiful biking trail, golf course, city park, swimming pool, library...

[froggin4colorado]

Yes, we are in Fountain, CO. Think we are heading towards Grinnell, IA as our end destination. I would like to find something on the western end of the state (NE).

[roots'nbulbs]

Duh. I said, "Travel...West...(from Medicine Creek Res.) to Harlan Reservoir. Harlan is EAST of Med. Creek. Don't know what I was thinking. And, if you are traveling North Kansas highways or South of I 80, it's on your way.

But, Harlan really is a nice lake with a lot of camping and other facilities.

[tpabes]

Visit Nebraska - Travel & Tourism Home

I'm not really a camper, but the above website might give some insight.

[jdmcde]

I am wondering if there is an Explorers camping group is active in Omaha. My family were members in the 70's and now my husband and I own a camper and I know how fun it is to camp with other families.

[itsMeFred]

There's also Trenton/Swanson Reservoir (on hwy6/34), as well as the more obvious-- Lake Mac, and Jeffries Reservoir which are both near I80...