How much does camping cost at Pawnee Sra?

Camping fees at Pawnee Sra range from $6-$60/night. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Pawnee Sra first-come first-served or reservation?

Pawnee Sra accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

What is the best time to visit Pawnee Sra?

Pawnee Sra is open Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Pawnee Sra?

Yes, Pawnee Sra has shower facilities available for campers. Check the amenities section for details on hours and any fees.

Can I have a campfire at Pawnee Sra?

Fire policies at Pawnee Sra: Fires permitted in fire pits that can double as barbecue grills.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Is there cell service at Pawnee Sra?

Cell phone service at Pawnee Sra is generally available. Cell service is available. Coverage may vary by carrier and exact location within the campground.

Are dogs allowed at Pawnee Sra?

Yes, pets are allowed at Pawnee Sra. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Pawnee Sra?

Pawnee Sra offers: Restrooms, Showers, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Pets Allowed, Camp Store. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Pawnee Sra?

Popular activities at Pawnee Sra include Hiking, Fishing, Swimming, Biking, Boating, Wildlife Viewing, Beach Activities. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Pawnee Sra

4.19

101 reviews

3800 NW 105th, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68524-8814, United States

Top 15% in NESummer

Summer Destination

Featured in:Boating Camping Nebraska Swimming Camping Nebraska Family-Friendly Campgrounds Nebraska +6 more

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,243 ft

Price

$6 - $60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book on Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

1,243 ft

Price

$6 - $60/night

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Has Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

ElectricShowers

Book on Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Official Website

Get Directions

Pawnee Sra

$6.00 - $60.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Nebraska State Park Permit required: $30 Annual Permit, $15 Duplicate Annual Permit, $6 Daily Permit for Nebraska-licensed vehicles. For Non-Nebraska...

Standard Site Fee$25.00

Hookup Site Fee$36.00

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Provider

4027962362ngpc.pawnee@nebraska.gov

I manage this campground

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Campground Map

3800 NW 105th, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68524-8814, United States

Pawnee Sra

3800 NW 105th, Lincoln, Nebraska, 68524-8814, United States

Nearby places

Emerald (approximately 6 miles), Lincoln (approximately 10 miles)

Nearby supplies

The closest store is approximately 6 miles away, located in Emerald.

Driving directionsWestbound I-80 or Northbound on Hwy 2: Take I-80 exit 401 to Hwy 34, Continue West on Hwy 34 8 mi., Turn South on N.W. 112th St. Continue South on N.W. 112th St. 2 mi. Eastbound I-80 Take I-80 to exit 388 (Pleasant Dale/Crete exit), Turn South and continue 1/2 mi. to Hwy. 6. Turn East on Hwy. 6. Continue East on Hwy. 6 for 6 mi. Turn North on N.W. 84th St (intersection located in Emerald, NE) Continue North on N.W. 84th 2 mi. Turn West on W. Adams St. Continue West on W. Adams St. 1 1/2 mi. Westbound Hwy 6: Take Hwy. 6 West 3 mi. (from Lincoln city limit). Turn North on N.W. 84th St. (intersection located in Emerald, NE). Continue North on N.W. 84th 2 mi. Turn West on W. Adams St. Continue West on W. Adams St. 1 1/2 mi.

Accessible from major highways, mostly paved roads. No seasonal closures mentioned.

Weather at Pawnee Sra

Current alert: Water contamination advisory restricting swimming.

Best Time to Camp at Pawnee Sra

Summer brings the best lake conditions. Daytime highs reach the mid-80s to low-90s, evenings drop to the 60s-70s. Water warms enough for comfortable swimming and all boat ramps operate. Expect the heaviest use from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Winter temperatures drop to freezing, creating quieter conditions for visitors who don't mind the cold. The park stays open year-round but some facilities close in colder months.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.5 / 5

Top 15% in NE

Peak season: beaches, boat ramps and all services open; warm days ideal for lake activities.

Planning Tips

Peak Season: Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
Operating Season: Open Year-Round with peak season from Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day.

About Pawnee Sra

Pawnee State Recreation Area sits northwest of Emerald around Nebraska's second-largest lake in Salt Valley. The 1,800-acre park offers tent and RV camping with full hookups, showers, and a dump station. Sites run $6-60 per night. The campground stays busy Memorial Day through Labor Day when boat ramps, swim beaches, and all services are open.

The campground caters to a wide range of camping styles, including tent camping, RV camping, and group camping. Primitive sites are also available.

Weather and SeasonsSummer brings the best lake conditions. Daytime highs reach the mid-80s to low-90s, evenings drop to the 60s-70s. Water warms enough for comfortable swimming and all boat ramps operate. Expect the heaviest use from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Winter temperatures drop to freezing, creating quieter conditions for visitors who don't mind the cold. The park stays open year-round but some facilities close in colder months.

ElevationThe gentle topography of Pawnee creates an accessible outdoor playground where visitors of all abilities can enjoy nature's splendor without challenging climbs or steep terrain.

Natural Features and SceneryThe centerpiece is a 740-acre lake surrounded by maintained parkland at 1,243 feet elevation. Grass slopes run down to the water's edge. The lake supports fishing, boating, and designated swim areas. Seasonal wildflowers appear in meadows around the park. The landscape is open with scattered trees providing some shade in camping areas.

Geological RegionSituated in the heart of Salt Valley, Pawnee showcases the region's natural splendor with its impressive lake – the second largest in the valley. This 1,800-acre outdoor sanctuary represents the perfect marriage of water and land, creating diverse ecosystems and recreational opportunities that define the Salt Valley experience.

Scenic ViewsLake views are visible from most places in the campground. "The view of the lake is nice and can be seen from most places in the park."

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style accommodations are available within the campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

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Reserving a campsite

Check-in

8:00 AM

Check-out

4:30 PM

Stay Limit

Maximum 180 days in advance reservations.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Site layoutSites feature level pads with grass and concrete paths connecting to picnic tables. Spacing varies. Some sites have trees and shrubs creating privacy. Others sit closer together, particularly in tent areas. Most reviewers note the sites are large and well-spaced overall.

Reservation PlatformsReservations can be made online at OutdoorNebraska.org or via phone.

Walk-in AvailabilityFirst-come-first-served sites are available but may be limited during peak holidays.

Cancellation PolicyIf you check out early, the unused portion of your payment will be forfeited.

AccessibilityAccessibility is somewhat variable. Some areas have paved paths leading to picnic tables, but others lack accessible features like shelves in restrooms.

Site SizeThe campsites are described as large and well-spaced, especially in the Lakeview Campground. One user noted, 'The Lakeview campground has large, well-kept RV spaces.

PrivacyCampsites offer varying levels of privacy. Some are well-spaced with trees and shrubs providing seclusion, while others are closer together, especially in tent camping areas.

Recommended SitesArea 4 recommended for its level pads and clean sites. Lakeview Campground praised for its large spaces.

Best CampsitesArea 4 gets consistent praise for level pads, good spacing between sites, and proximity to the lake. Lakeview Campground has large, well-kept RV spaces with full hookups.

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Pawnee State Recreation Area offers a wide range of amenities, blending natural beauty with modern conveniences. According to the authoritative description, the campground features modern restrooms, electrical hookups, and pay showers. Visitors particularly appreciate the well-maintained trails, fishing opportunities, and a variety of recreational facilities, including equestrian amenities, boating access, and picnic shelters. User reviews frequently emphasize the cleanliness and spaciousness of campsites, although some have noted limited access to certain facilities depending on the specific camping area.

Showers

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Flush toilets

Dump station

Fire rings

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Pawnee SRA offers a variety of activities, including fishing, boating, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The campground is particularly well-suited for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, with its expansive lake and surrounding trails.

Hiking

Fishing

Swimming

Biking

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsWater contamination restricts swimming access. Fishing may be challenging due to rocks causing snagged lines.

No Water HookupsSite-level water hookups are not available. RV campers should fill freshwater tanks before arrival; check the No Potable Water note above if applicable for drinking water.

Fire PolicyFires permitted in fire pits that can double as barbecue grills.

Quiet HoursQuiet hours are Not explicitly mentioned.

Emergency ServicesHospital is over 10 miles away, likely in Lincoln.

Trash & RecyclingTrash and recycling facilities are available near campsites. Dumpsters are present, and waste must be disposed of at designated areas.

Water FeaturesLocated adjacent to a 740-acre lake. Accessible docks are available.

Camp HostHosts are described as friendly and helpful. "Campground host has a yappy dog and does little to control the barking."

Cell CoverageCell phone service is generally available, but its quality depends on the provider. One user noted, 'We had no WiFi. Phone service was good,' while another mentioned, 'There was little or no AT&T phone service.'

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.2

101 reviews

Satisfactory

Pawnee Sra is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Overall, user reviews paint Pawnee SRA as a well-maintained, versatile campground that offers a mix of outdoor activities and modern amenities. Positive feedback highlights cleanliness, spacious sites, and the variety of recreational opportunities, while complaints focus on pay showers, occasional water quality issues, and the distance to certain facilities.

Review Summaries

Based on 101 reviews

What Campers Love

Clean and spacious campsites; variety of outdoor activities including fishing, boating, and hiking; well-maintained trails and picnic areas; friendly and helpful staff.

Based on 101 reviews

Common Concerns

Pay showers; occasional water contamination restricting swimming; limited water hookups at campsites; poor WiFi and inconsistent cell phone service; vault toilets described as smelly by some users.

Based on 101 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

'Lakeview Campground has large, well-kept RV spaces,' noted Michael Mulligan. Area 3 was criticized by David James for lacking amenities like lake access and showers.

Based on 101 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring quarters for the pay showers and possibly a map for navigating the disc golf course; fill water tanks at spigots before parking; check water quality at the beaches before swimming.

Based on 101 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer is the most popular season, with users enjoying swimming and boating. Fall reviews highlight hunting and hiking opportunities. Winter reviews are sparse but note the park's quiet atmosphere.

Based on 101 reviews

Camper Quotes

'The area behind the campsites is grass and very well-tended.' - Elaine Korwek. 'The dump station is quite a distance from all campground areas.' - Daniel. 'Some sites are close together, but it was...

Based on 101 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility features like paved paths to picnic tables are appreciated. However, limitations like the absence of shelves in bathroom stalls were noted.

Based on 101 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, and the campground is described as 'dog approved' by Sarah Cunningham.

Based on 101 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Boaters and anglers get the most out of this place. Four docks, a 740-acre lake stocked with walleye, pike, and bass, and Lakeview Campground's large RV pads make it a solid summer base. Electric hookups and flush toilets keep the comfort level reasonable for the price.

Skip if

Coin-op showers frustrate a lot of regulars, Area 3 lacks lake access and shower facilities entirely, and the current water contamination advisory has beaches closed to swimming. AT&T users also report spotty to no signal.

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