Platte River State Park Camping
Located near Louisville, Nebraska, the Platte River State Park is a popular destination for those seeking outdoor adventures, especially camping. Spanning over 773 acres, this park offers an impressive array of options for those seeking to immerse themselves in nature. For campers, Platte River State Park features 230 campsites ranging from primitive sites suitable for backcountry enthusiasts to premium electric sites designed to cater to RV owners.
The campsites are divided into several distinct areas: the Lakeside Campground, situated near the picturesque oak-lined Oak Creek Lake, which is home to varied fish species including bluegill and catfish; the Fossil Ridge Campground overlooking the picturesque Oak Creek lake; and the Ponderosa Pines Campground offering ample shaded area for a serene outdoor adventure. Furthermore, the park also features several camp cabins available for those preferring the added comfort and convenience of solid walls and roofs.
Numerous hiking trails, including the 8.8-mile Oak Creek Trail, which winds along Oak Creek Lake, crisscross the landscape, beckoning campers to explore and discover the park's unique wildlife and diverse ecosystems. One unique example of this is the varied habitats of local birds, such as the western meadowlark and the American bald eagle, a protected species under Nebraska state and US federal law.
Not far from the campsites is the Platte River State Park's outdoor education center, which serves as a hub for park naturalists to engage with visitors, especially children. Park rangers and staff lead educational programs focused on preserving local wildlife and preserving the ecosystem. Programs often take place in designated naturalist-led activity areas like the interactive nature center. For the sports-minded visitors, the park features an on-site, 10-target archery range and offers opportunities for seasonal hunting (white-tailed deer) subject to the specified bag limits.
Additional park facilities include modern showerhouses, shelter houses, play areas for children, picnic areas along Oak Creek Lake, the scenic and serene river shoreline, which stretches nearly two miles long. Platte River State Park does offer cabins for rent but must be reserved through online advance camping reservations. Cabin reservations are accepted for stays up to one year in advance from the current date.
Platte River State Park strictly adheres to its no-wake, boating regulations protecting both lake visitors and local aquatic wildlife from accidental pollution of Oak Creek Lake through high-velocity or high-powered boats.
Visitors to the Platte River State Park are encouraged to support local conservation efforts to maintain balance and support each habitat environment. In preserving the park's wildlife we honor and conserve the quality that local visitors have grown to cherish in this unique, distinctive national haven for wildlife and travelers alike.
Historically established in 1986 after combined acquisition and legislative action of past farm real-estate obtained and acquired for state rewilding purposes dating 45 and over 75 years prior for wildlife conservation.
The campsites are divided into several distinct areas: the Lakeside Campground, situated near the picturesque oak-lined Oak Creek Lake, which is home to varied fish species including bluegill and catfish; the Fossil Ridge Campground overlooking the picturesque Oak Creek lake; and the Ponderosa Pines Campground offering ample shaded area for a serene outdoor adventure. Furthermore, the park also features several camp cabins available for those preferring the added comfort and convenience of solid walls and roofs.
Numerous hiking trails, including the 8.8-mile Oak Creek Trail, which winds along Oak Creek Lake, crisscross the landscape, beckoning campers to explore and discover the park's unique wildlife and diverse ecosystems. One unique example of this is the varied habitats of local birds, such as the western meadowlark and the American bald eagle, a protected species under Nebraska state and US federal law.
Not far from the campsites is the Platte River State Park's outdoor education center, which serves as a hub for park naturalists to engage with visitors, especially children. Park rangers and staff lead educational programs focused on preserving local wildlife and preserving the ecosystem. Programs often take place in designated naturalist-led activity areas like the interactive nature center. For the sports-minded visitors, the park features an on-site, 10-target archery range and offers opportunities for seasonal hunting (white-tailed deer) subject to the specified bag limits.
Additional park facilities include modern showerhouses, shelter houses, play areas for children, picnic areas along Oak Creek Lake, the scenic and serene river shoreline, which stretches nearly two miles long. Platte River State Park does offer cabins for rent but must be reserved through online advance camping reservations. Cabin reservations are accepted for stays up to one year in advance from the current date.
Platte River State Park strictly adheres to its no-wake, boating regulations protecting both lake visitors and local aquatic wildlife from accidental pollution of Oak Creek Lake through high-velocity or high-powered boats.
Visitors to the Platte River State Park are encouraged to support local conservation efforts to maintain balance and support each habitat environment. In preserving the park's wildlife we honor and conserve the quality that local visitors have grown to cherish in this unique, distinctive national haven for wildlife and travelers alike.
Historically established in 1986 after combined acquisition and legislative action of past farm real-estate obtained and acquired for state rewilding purposes dating 45 and over 75 years prior for wildlife conservation.
