Notable Campgrounds
- Best for water access: Lakeside Campground offers 49 sites close to both Baright Lake and CenturyLink Lake.
- Best for families with kids: Little Creek Campground offers 99 sites, and is the closest to the playground.
- Best for large groups: Located on a secluded ridgetop, 57 fully furnished cabins with two to six bedrooms have room for the whole gang.
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- All cabins and half of the modern campsites can be reserved up to one year in advance. Plan ahead and make a reservation online or by phone.
- If you can’t get a reservation ahead of time, plan to arrive as early as possible to grab any remaining campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- If your plans are flexible and you don’t mind the cold, try timing your stay for winter. The campgrounds are open year-round, and there are still plenty of activities available.
When to Go
The park is very popular over the summer. Expect large crowds, high temperatures, and lots of bugs. The Family Aquatic Center is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with reduced hours starting in mid August. Owen Marina also serves food and drinks from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Horse trail rides are available from May to October. The ice skating season typically runs from mid November to March, weather permitting. Certain activities are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Check ahead to avoid disappointment.
Know Before You Go
- Only a very limited number of campsites have full hookups. All sites have electricity, a picnic table, and a fire ring. Water and a dump station can be found near the park entrance.
- Owen Marina offers a concession stand and paddleboat rentals, and also sells fishing and camping supplies, sundries, and basic groceries. Pick up other supplies in nearby Ashland.
- A fishing permit is required to fish. You can borrow fishing rods and reels for free from Owen Marina.
- Alcohol consumption is prohibited during the quiet hours of 10pm to 6am.
E.T. Mahoney State Park
Find a diverse range of activities for the whole family at this modern Nebraska state park.
Set about halfway between Lincoln and Omaha, this popular park along the Platte River offers numerous lodging options, from tent and RV sites to cabins and lodge rooms, in addition to an array of activities. Enjoy hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, a driving range, mini golf course, sports fields, a theater, conservatory, two lakes, and a water park complete with a wave pool and water slides. Soar to new heights on a treetop ropes course, or climb the observation tower for stellar views. There’s even an indoor playground, rock climbing wall, and activity center for when the weather turns. The fun doesn’t stop in winter, when ice fishing, sledding, tobogganing, ice skating, and cross-country skiing take center stage.
Set about halfway between Lincoln and Omaha, this popular park along the Platte River offers numerous lodging options, from tent and RV sites to cabins and lodge rooms, in addition to an array of activities. Enjoy hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, a driving range, mini golf course, sports fields, a theater, conservatory, two lakes, and a water park complete with a wave pool and water slides. Soar to new heights on a treetop ropes course, or climb the observation tower for stellar views. There’s even an indoor playground, rock climbing wall, and activity center for when the weather turns. The fun doesn’t stop in winter, when ice fishing, sledding, tobogganing, ice skating, and cross-country skiing take center stage.
Activities in the park
2 campgrounds in E.T. Mahoney State Park
No matter where you stay at E. T. Mahoney State Park, you’ll never be more than a few feet from something fun. A stay at Lakeside Campground means water access any time of day, whether it’s swimming, fishing, or watersports that call your name. Head to the nearby Owen Marina for a chance to see what’s really swimming down in those waters, or wande Read more...
You might have trouble convincing Teddy Roosevelt that E. T. Mahoney is a State Park, what with its enormous waterpark and murder mystery dinners, but there’s still plenty of old-school camping fun to be had! Settle down at Little Creek for some quiet time in the woods with easy access to Bur Oak, where you’ll find stellar stars and experts around Read more...
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Notable Campgrounds
Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
When to Go
The park is very popular over the summer. Expect large crowds, high temperatures, and lots of bugs. The Family Aquatic Center is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with reduced hours starting in mid August. Owen Marina also serves food and drinks from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Horse trail rides are available from May to October. The ice skating season typically runs from mid November to March, weather permitting. Certain activities are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Check ahead to avoid disappointment.
Know Before You Go
Public campgrounds (book externally) —