Campgrounds and RV parks near Hickman, NE

Fishing and paddling dominate activity at the Salt Valley lakes. Stagecoach Lake holds bluegill, common carp, crappie, largemouth bass, walleye, and wiper, and Wagon Train anglers find bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, freshwater drum, largemouth bass, muskellunge, redear sunfish, walleye and wiper, among other species. All boats are welcome at Stagecoach, though a 5 mph speed limit is enforced, and the same no-wake rule applies at Wagon Train and Olive Creek. All types of boating are allowed at Bluestem, which has four docks and three boat ramps. Swimming beaches are available at Wagon Train and Bluestem, both unsupervised. Bluestem also offers an archery range and a playground, and both lakes have picnic tables, grills, and short trails. For a change of pace, downtown Lincoln is a short drive north and offers the Nebraska State Capitol, the University of Nebraska campus, the Lincoln Children's Zoo, and the Haymarket District.

The Nebraska state recreation areas around Hickman are open year-round, but the practical camping season runs from mid-April through October. Late spring and early summer bring the region's heaviest rainfall. The wettest time of year is normally late spring, with May and June averaging far more precipitation than the January and February minimums, and thunderstorms with hail and tornado risk are common from May through July. Midsummer is peak camping season. Lake levels are typically at their best for boating and swimming, though heat and humidity can be intense, with July highs averaging in the mid-80s Fahrenheit. Aquatic Habitat Projects, including rotenone treatments to remove undesirable species, are periodically scheduled by Nebraska Game and Parks, sometimes limiting lake use for a day or more. Wagon Train's lake levels have been low following an Aquatic Habitat Project renovation followed by significant drought in southeast Nebraska, and swimming, boating and fishing there remain hindered, so renters planning a water-focused trip should check current conditions before booking. Fall brings cooler nights, fewer bugs, and low crowds. Winter camping is possible at the electric pads at Stagecoach, though most primitive loops empty out and services are minimal.

Site infrastructure varies widely. Stagecoach offers 22 camping pads with 20-, 30- and 50-amp electrical hookups, plus 50 non-pad sites without electricity, and water and vault toilets are available to campers. Wagon Train has 28 camping pads with 20-, 30- and 50-amp hookups and 80 non-pad sites, with water, primitive restrooms and a dump station available. Bluestem has 19 camping pads without electricity and 200 non-pad sites, with drinking water, primitive restrooms, and a dump and fill station. Olive Creek is primitive with vault toilets and water. Expect open, prairie-style layouts with limited shade and level gravel pads at the electric loops. Mosquitoes can be heavy after wet spells, and weekend day-use traffic at Wagon Train and Bluestem can be busy. Camp-A-Way in Lincoln is the opposite experience, with full hookups, paved interior roads, and family amenities.