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Outdoor places near Lincoln

39 recreation areas and campgrounds within 135 miles, from Recreation.gov. Filter by what you want to do.

Recreation area

Holmes Lake

3 miles southeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Holmes Lake, NE is a 112-acre lake located on Antelope Creek within the city of Lincoln, NE. Recreational opportunities at Holmes include fishing, hiking, biking, picnicking, and golfing. This park is managed by the City of Lincoln, NE.

BoatingFishingHikingNature educationPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Yankee Hill Lake

8 miles southwest · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Yankee Hill, NE is a State Recreation Area located just 3.5 miles east of Denton, NE, with a surface area of 208 acres and 5 miles of shoreline. Only boats with electric motors are allowed on this lake.

Wildlife viewing

Recreation area

Conestoga Lake

9 miles west · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Conestoga Lake, NE is a State Recreation Area located 3 miles south and 1/2 mile west of Emerald. The 230-acre lake provides plenty of opportunity for boating and fishing.

BoatingCampingPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Campground

Pawnee Dam-Site 14 Campground

10 miles west · straight-line distanceAbout 20 min by car (13 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

This recreation area is part of Pawnee Lake

CampingFishingPicnicking

Recreation area

Pawnee Lake

10 miles west · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Pawnee Lake, NE is a State Recreation Area located about 12 miles west of downtown Lincoln, Nebraska and three miles northwest of Emerald, Nebraska just off I-80 at Exit 388.

BoatingCampingFishingNature educationPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Bluestem Lake

14 miles southwest · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Bluestem Lake, NE is a State Recreation Area located just 2.5 miles west of Sprague, Nebraska and about 20 miles southwest of Lincoln, Nebraska. Bluestem Lake is 325 acres in size with 6 miles of shoreline.

BoatingPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Branched Oak Lake

14 miles northwest · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Branched Oak, NE, a State Recreation Area located 4 miles west of Raymond, NE on Oak Creek, boasts some of the finest camping facilities in the State Park system. There are 268 campsites - 187 of which have electrical hook-ups.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingNature educationPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Stagecoach Lake

14 miles south · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Stagecoach Lake, NE is a State Recreation Area located 1 mile south of Hickman, NE and resting on the south tributary of Hickman Branch.

CampingPicnickingWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Twin Lakes

14 miles west · straight-line distanceBureau of Reclamation

Located 14 miles west of downtown Lincoln, northeast and 3 miles north of Pleasant Dale, NE. Take exit #388 from I-80.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingHistoryHuntingPicnickingRanger programs

Recreation area

Wagontrain Lake

14 miles south · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Wagon 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.

BoatingCampingPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Twin Lakes

15 miles west · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Twin Lakes, NE is located north of Interstate 80 and about 1/2 mile northwest of Pleasant Dale, Nebraska. Twin Lakes is a wildlife management area consisting of 255 surface acres of lake and 1,270 acres of land.

BoatingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Olive Creek Lake

18 miles southwest · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Olive Creek, NE is a State Recreation Area located 1.5 miles east of Kramer, NE. Draining 8.2 square miles on the south tributary of Olive Branch Creek, this reservoir is 1.2 miles in length with 4 miles of shoreline.

BoatingPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Homestead National Historical Park

37 miles south · straight-line distanceNational Park Service

The Homestead Act of 1862 transformed the world. Millions were invited to file claims including families, women, immigrants, and formerly enslaved people. Over 10 percent of the United States was homesteaded!

HikingHistoryPicnickingWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Wehrspann Lake

37 miles northeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Wehrspann Lake, NE, located in southwest Omaha is, operated by the Papio-Missouri River Natural Resource District (NRD).

Nature educationWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Zorinsky Lake

39 miles northeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Zorinsky Lake, NE, located in west Omaha, was named after the late U.S. Senator Edward Zorinsky.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingNature educationPicnicking

Recreation area

Standing Bear Lake

45 miles northeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Standing Bear Lake, NE, located in northwest Omaha, is named for the Ponca leader Chief Standing Bear, and is operated by the City of Omaha.

Wildlife viewing

Recreation area

Glenn Cunningham Lake

49 miles northeast · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Visitors here enjoy picnicking, no-wake boating, hiking, biking, nature trails, birding, disc golf, archery, and fishing. Horseback riding is also permitted in designated areas.

Nature educationWildlife viewing

Campground

Cunningham Lake Dam Site 11 Campground

50 miles northeast · straight-line distanceAbout 1 hr by car (58 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

This recreation area is part of Zorinsky Lake

Camping

Recreation area

Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge

58 miles northeast · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuge was established to recover fish and wildlife habitat in and along the Missouri River and to restore essential wildlife habitat that became scarce after the river was "improved" for navigation half a…

ArcheryBikingBirdingCross Country SkiingEducational ProgramsFishingHikingHunting

Recreation area

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge

61 miles northeast · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge was established in March of 1958 with the approval of the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission with the dual intention of providing for the needs of migratory birds and providing public recreation to local…

ArcheryBikingBirdingBoatingEducational ProgramsFishingHikingHistory

Recreation area

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge

92 miles southeast · straight-line distanceFish and Wildlife Service

Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge is located in northwest Missouri, near Mound City.

BikingBirdingFishingHikingHuntingPhotographyPicnickingRanger programs

Recreation area

Lovewell Reservoir

95 miles southwest · straight-line distanceBureau of Reclamation

Lovewell Reservoir is just inside the Kansas border from Superior, Nebraska. An historic school is now used as a church during the summer. Also, a cemetery from the 1860's is open to visitors.

BoatingCampingFishingHistoryHuntingPicnickingRanger programsRecreational Vehicles

Campground

Stockdale

104 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 25 min by car (131 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Stockdale Campground is a 188-acre park located on the shores of Tuttle Creek Lake in the wide open expanse of northeast Kansas.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingWildlife viewing

Campground

Tuttle Creek Cove

106 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 15 min by car (134 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Tuttle Creek Cove Campground is a large, quiet oasis located on the shores of Tuttle Creek Lake in the wide open expanse of northeast Kansas.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHuntingWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Tuttle Creek Lake

107 miles south · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

Situated in the scenic Flint Hills, Tuttle Creek Lake provides 12,500 surface acres of water and 100 miles of shoreline, making it the second largest lake in Kansas.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature education

Campground

Farnum Creek

115 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 25 min by car (143 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Farnum Creek is a quaint double-loop campground set on the lovely shores of Milford Lake. Click or tap here for an updated map of Farnum Creek Click here for the Milford Lake Virtual Tour.

CampingFishingWildlife viewing

Recreation area

Davis Creek Reservoir

117 miles west · straight-line distanceBureau of Reclamation

Davis Creek Dam and Reservoir are features of the North Loup Division, Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program. Reservoir open 24 hours. Fair access roads.

BoatingCampingFishingHorseback ridingHuntingPicnickingWater sportsWildlife viewing

Campground

North Overlook Park (Ks)

119 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 30 min by car (148 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

North Overlook Park is a one of the many day use parks at Milford Lake with two shelters available for reservations, great fishing access, and a playground.

CampingSwimmingWildlife viewing

Campground

Curtis Creek

120 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 3 hr by car (163 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Curtis Creek Park is a classic camping destination with a wealth of options for boating, hiking, hunting and fishing. The park area provides excellent views of Milford Lake and Milford Dam.

Camping

Recreation area

Milford Lake

120 miles south · straight-line distanceUS Army Corps of Engineers

The Milford Education Center and Fish Hatchery are located below the dam. From Topeka, 65 mi W on I-70, 5 mi N on US77, 2 mi W on K-57 hwy.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHikingHorseback ridingHotel/Lodge/Resort Privately OwnedNature education

Recreation area

Sherman Reservoir

120 miles west · straight-line distanceBureau of Reclamation

Sherman Dam , Farwell Unit, P-SMBP , lies across Oak Creek, about 5 miles northeast of Loup City. Reservoir open 24 hours. Good access roads.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHuntingPicnickingRecreational VehiclesWater sports

Campground

East Rolling Hills Park (Ks)

121 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 40 min by car (157 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

East Rolling Hills day use park is the largest day use park the Corps of Engineers offers at Milford Lake with six shelters available for reservations. Each shelter location is unique but all offer a beautiful view of Milford Lake.

CampingSwimmingWildlife viewing

Campground

Outlet Park (Ks)

121 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 40 min by car (157 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Outlet Park is a day use park at Milford Lake located just below the Milford Dam. With one shelter available for reservation, those visitors interested in angling and wildlife observation will enjoy its location near the Outlet Pond, a…

CampingSwimmingWildlife viewing

Campground

West Rolling Hills

121 miles south · straight-line distanceAbout 2 hr 50 min by car (161 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

West Rolling Hills is a comfortable campground with a site layout that maximizes views of the sparkling Milford Lake. An expanse of 33,000 acres surrounding the lake is public, protected land that's home to an array of wildlife.

BoatingCampingSwimming

Campground

Old Town

128 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 3 hr 5 min by car (179 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

***WATER WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE DURING THE NON-PEAK SEASON. WATER AT ALL CAMPSITES, SHOWER BUILDINGS AND DUMPSTATIONS WILL BE TURNED OFF.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHiking

Campground

Longview

130 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 3 hr 15 min by car (183 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Longview Campground is situated on Perry Lake in the lush Kansas forest, offering peaceful, family-oriented camping. Longview offers families the chance to camp together in a group camp setting overlooking the lake.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHiking

Campground

Rock Creek (Ks)

133 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 3 hr 20 min by car (192 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Rock Creek Campground is situated on the south end of Perry Lake in the lush Kansas forest. CAMPGROUND GATE POLICY--Park entrance gates will be closed from 10pm-6am Friday/Saturday nights and the entirety of holiday weekends.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHiking

Campground

Slough Creek

133 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 3 hr 10 min by car (177 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Slough Creek Campground is situated on Perry Lake in the lush Kansas forest. As the largest and most popular recreation area at the lake, Slough Creek is an ideal destination for family camping trips.

BikingBoatingCampingFishingHiking

Campground

Perry

135 miles southeast · straight-line distanceAbout 3 hr 10 min by car (184 road miles, checked October 2026)US Army Corps of Engineers

Perry Park is a recreational day use area, situated near the dam on the south end of Perry Lake.

BoatingCampingFishingHikingSwimming

Recreation areas and campgrounds from Recreation.gov's directory, checked October 9, 2026. Listings are not live availability: check Recreation.gov or the managing agency for open dates, fees, reservations and conditions. Directions go to the listed coordinates, which may not be the entrance. Campground driving times: Powered by Geoapify · © OpenStreetMap contributors.

Questions

Where can I camp near Lincoln?

Recreation.gov lists 15 campgrounds within 135 miles, including Pawnee Dam-Site 14 Campground (10 miles west), Cunningham Lake Dam Site 11 Campground (50 miles northeast), Stockdale (104 miles south). Check Recreation.gov for current availability, seasons and reservations.

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