Campgrounds and RV parks near Pierce, NE

Willow Creek State Recreation Area is built around water and trails. The main body of the lake is open to all boating, as well as to water skiing, while the wooded west end is restricted to no-wake boating, making it a good spot for kayakers. A 10 mile hiking and biking trail loops the reservoir, and anglers will find crappie, bluegill, bass, catfish, walleye, northern pike and wipers, with seven rock jetties providing angler access. At Lewis and Clark, activity centers on the big lake. A playground is located in the Weigand and Burbach Area, a sand volleyball court and disc golf course are available, and 4.5 miles of hiking, biking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling and horseback trails may be accessed in the South Shore Area. In summer, the park hosts free movie nights near the Weigand Shelter around 9 p.m.

The camping season in northeast Nebraska runs from spring through fall. At Lewis and Clark SRA, camping is available year-round; however, modern facilities operate from April through October, weather permitting. Willow Creek follows a similar pattern, with modern services concentrated in the warm months. Summer brings the busiest bookings, warmest water, and the fullest schedule of amenities, including marina services at Lewis and Clark. Late spring can be excellent for birding and wildflowers but also carries the highest rainfall of the year, with May typically the wettest month. Fall shoulder season offers cooler nights, thinning crowds, and strong fishing. Winter camping is possible but bare-bones. Modern facilities close, and during the winter months when the ice is sufficient, the lake is open to ice fishing, skating and snowmobiling. Parts of Willow Creek are open to hunting, in season, beginning the first Tuesday after Labor Day and closing April 1, with species including pheasant, quail, mourning dove, rabbit, squirrel and a variety of waterfowl, so RV travelers should be aware of active hunting areas in fall and early spring.

Willow Creek is a straightforward state-park experience with wooded and lakeside sites. Amenities include picnic tables, fire ring/grills, drinking water, a dump and fill station, modern restrooms, showers and laundry. Cell coverage is generally usable, and Pierce is a short drive for groceries and fuel. At Lewis and Clark, expect a larger and more developed footprint. The Weigand Campground has 95 campsites, all with either 30- or 50-amp electrical hookups, fire rings, and picnic tables, plus a few tent-only sites; the sites are level, most are well shaded by trees, and many sit right on the edge of the water. The nearby Burbach campground has 97 additional sites suitable for RVs up to 50 feet long. Pets are welcome at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area but must be on a six-foot or shorter leash at all times. Summer weekends fill quickly, so booking early is advised.