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Organized groups that can reserve 120 days out and want a forested, lakeside base for fishing, kayaking, and evening park programs. Summer is the sweet spot, with full services and daytime temps in the 70s–85s.
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Has Service
Pets
No Pets
Select a month, then check for open campsites
Price
Varies
Booking
Reservable
Sites
Varies
Season
Year-round
Cell
Has Service
Pets
No Pets
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44.2248, -93.5177
Organized groups that can reserve 120 days out and want a forested, lakeside base for fishing, kayaking, and evening park programs. Summer is the sweet spot, with full services and daytime temps in the 70s–85s.
Restroom reliability is a real gamble here: visitors report overflowing toilets, missing supplies, and showers that close without warning. Groups that need consistent facilities or want to bring pets should look elsewhere.
Context for the broader area surrounding Group Camp, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.
<A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Facility.jsp?fac_Name=Virginia+Smith+Dam">Virginia Smith Dam</a> (formerly called Calamus Dam) and Calamus Reservoir, <A HREF="http://www.usbr.gov/projects/Project.jsp?proj_Name=North Loup Division Project">North Loup Division, P-SMBP</a>, are on the Calamus River in Nebraska. Recreation at the site is managed for the Bureau of Reclamation by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Reservoir open 24 hours. Good access roads. Fishing season is year round. Available species include walleye, wiper, white bass, northern pike, largemouth bass, rainbow trout, and crappie. Irrigation supply reservoir experiencing moderate fluctuations. The reservoir has 5,142 water surface acres, 6404 land acres and 31 miles of shoreline. <a href="http://www.usbr.gov/gp-bin/arcweb_cane.pl">Current reservoir level.</a>
Site is 5 miles northwest of Burwell. Nearest highway is Nebraska 91.
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Summer delivers the best conditions for group camping, with daytime highs around 70–85°F and cool nights in the 50s–60s°F. Boat ramps and fishing access are fully operational, trails are dry, and the group campground is staffed and open for reservations. Expect bugs after rain and higher weekend crowds. Fall offers outstanding colors and fewer visitors, though services may be reduced. Check the park's website for seasonal opening and closing dates, which vary each year.
Summer is best: full services, operational boat ramps, dry trails and warm weather.
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