1. Viking Lake State Park

    1. Viking Lake State Park

    0

    Stanton, IA

    Viking Lake State Park

    5.0 (1 review)

    Viking Lake State Park Photos

    More like Viking Lake State Park

    Recommended Reviews - Viking Lake State Park

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    5 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Verify this business for free

    Get access to customer & competitor insights.

    Verify this business

    Shady Brook Camping And Rv Adventures

    Shady Brook Camping And Rv Adventures

    2.5(15 reviews)
    62.5 mi

    Beautiful place nice people the negative was no one was in the office when we arrived. We called…read moretwice cause it says to call no answers and we finally found someone and confirmed. It was a 2 mile drive on well maintained gravel roads from the Hwy, the water pressure was very low, The site was not level, the site fire pit/ring was mangled up, but it was quiet there with all the other campers. The sites are a little tight. I have a 34 foot fifth wheel and anything longer might be difficult to maneuver. it appeared to have great play equipment for kids and tent sites but we're retired. it was very clean and green.

    I will start by saying I do not review businesses - unless the experience was exceptionally great…read moreor unreasonably disappointing. That being said, this place falls in the later category. I had an extremely frustrating experience with this park. We originally booked an RV site directly through their website and later called to cancel, at which point we were told we could avoid cancellation fees by simply rescheduling our stay. We relied on that representation and moved our reservation to a later date. When our plans changed again and we needed to cancel, the park suddenly refused to provide any refund at all, despite their published cancellation policy and despite the fact that we were prepared to pay the stated cancellation fee. At no point when we rescheduled were we told that doing so would supposedly eliminate our right to a refund later. If we had, I guarantee we would have opted to pay the $50+ cancellation fee rather than risk the $300 full price. What made this even worse was the way the situation was handled and the "reasons" behind their decision. We were told the reservation had not even been properly updated in their system and had only been written on a calendar, and they used their own internal decision/mistake as justification for denying a refund. Also, due to them "holding a spot for us for almost a year" even though their website showed multiple RV sites still available for the dates in question (which I looked up while I was on the phone with her,) they insisted that didn't matter..."they held a spot"...which is the entire point of a reservation. I often have hotels and other reservations that are booked months in advance without issue as long as the published policies are abided by. The conversation was dismissive, unhelpful, and ended with us being told there was no one else to speak with before she hung up on me. Based on this experience, I would strongly caution others before booking here, especially if there is any chance your plans might change. We have also filed a complaint with the BBB.

    Photos
    Shady Brook Camping And Rv Adventures
    Shady Brook Camping And Rv Adventures - Great group!

    Great group!

    Shady Brook Camping And Rv Adventures - Fun...

    See all

    Fun...

    Memphis State Recreation Area - Memphis State Recreation

    Memphis State Recreation Area

    5.0(2 reviews)
    73.5 mi

    Very nice park! Beautiful lake to kayak one. We love to bring out our camper from Omaha. They have…read moreabout 17 electrical sites for campers and then plenty more sites with no electricity. Sites do not have water or sewer but he park does have a dump as you leave that you can use at no cost. There are spigots around that have potable water to fill your tank if needed. Very quiet and beautiful!

    Love this little lake Treasure located just outside Ashland (between Omaha and Lincoln). It's got…read moreamazing primitive tent campgrounds on the lake with wonderful views and relaxing spots. Also has camper spaces. It doesn't get the traffic like big camp grounds in my experience so it's more peaceful and costs significantly less- only $8 for primitive camping ($5 more for vehicle permit if you don't have state park pass). When I was there in May I had the whole camp ground to myself save one other camper on the edge of the park. Camping is self-sign up with slips around park. Has fire pits and wonderful lake with tons of birds and avian wildlife to see and listen too. Hundreds of baby geese. Good fishing and local Dons Bar is the only food stop in Memphis so don't be afraid go on in and try a cheeseburger or fish- the bartenders super friendly-Also get fire wood there too. It isn't a far drive from Omaha- 35minutes if there's no road construction and is better than most campsites in platte or Mahoney. Take a trip there it's worth it!

    Photos
    Memphis State Recreation Area
    Memphis State Recreation Area
    Memphis State Recreation Area - Memphis State Recreation Area Park Picture

    See all

    Memphis State Recreation Area Park Picture

    Elkhorn Crossing Recreation Area - I backed my car into the tenting area so I wouldn't have to walk far while setting up.

    Elkhorn Crossing Recreation Area

    5.0(2 reviews)
    71.6 mi

    Elkhorn Crossing Recreation Area is a terrific spot for camping. That's why I came here. I was…read moretraveling across the country and this quiet park situated about 25 miles west of Omaha, Nebraska was the perfect place to rest for the night. I discovered Elkhorn Crossing through the app on my phone called Campendium. Upon arriving here, there's a little "introduction board" posted near the entrance. I pulled my car over and read the sign with instructions on how to get situated camping. There was a small pamphlet/card to fill out. Included with this was an envelope to deposit $10 cash or a check into the drop-box. Then I teared off the receipt portion and attached it next to the campsite of my choosing. That was it. I was good to go! I'd just like to point out that Elkhorn Crossing is closed for 5 straight months out of the year from November 1 - April 1 which obviously makes sense due to the winter conditions. For me stopping on by back in August 2020...I had nothing but warm weather, lol. What I really liked about this Elkhorn Crossing was the amount of space and area to spread out on. So although when I visited back over the summertime there were other campers nearby my tent...they actually appeared far away. I felt like I had a big section of grass all to myself. Also...this was important. You were allowed to pitch your tent on the grass area so it made for a fluffy setting to sleep upon. Most campsites these days (especially the more primitive ones in remote locations) feature hard dirt grounds to rest on. For those campgrounds I use my inflatable mattress for padding. Some real good aspects to Elkhorn Crossing that I appreciated was not only the campground area being so spacious...but every site had a barbecue pit to cook including picnic tables. For anyone bringing food and groceries with them...it's the ideal place to enjoy a cookout. Also good was being able to back my car nearby my tent so this way I didn't have to walk back and forth far setting myself up. If I had to reveal anything disappointing, it'd be that there weren't any showers or restrooms on the grounds. Sometimes I get real lucky at campsites I pick where places actually offer these amenities. But usually I have to pay more than $10. Those types of campgrounds (mostly within RV Parks) cost more in the range of $25 - $50 for the night. But I am easy. I have no issues using the vault toilets. Although I never explored around this Elkhorn Crossing Recreation Area, I did check online a lot of other outdoor activities for having fun here. This included... - Fishing - Float trips down the river - Playgrounds - RV Camping - Wildlife Viewing (though I didn't see anything) I really liked the picturesque scenery during sunset. I sat back in my lounge chair and appreciated the views out into the distance. Goes to show how much space there was available here that I was able to admire an evening summer sunset. Overall, I very much enjoyed my time and stay for the night here at Elkhorn Crossing Recreation Area. It was a great pit-stop along my driving journey around the USA. I'd certainly recommend to anyone needing an easy going stop for the evening...this place is more than serviceable.

    We like this place because we can bring our small motorhome out and enjoy camping for several days…read morewhile being just 15 minutes from home. There is no water or electricity hookups but we do not need them. There is no dump but there is a Loves 4 miles away where you can. It's quiet and right on the river. Sites are level.

    Photos
    Elkhorn Crossing Recreation Area - A picnic table off to the left. Here at my campsite I had so much room to spread out it felt like I had the entire place to myself!

    A picnic table off to the left. Here at my campsite I had so much room to spread out it felt like I had the entire place to myself!

    Elkhorn Crossing Recreation Area - More and more grassy, spacious area for camping.

    More and more grassy, spacious area for camping.

    Elkhorn Crossing Recreation Area - Here my tent set up on grass with my car nearby and other campers in the background spaced far away from my site.

    See all

    Here my tent set up on grass with my car nearby and other campers in the background spaced far away from my site.

    Acorn Valley Campground

    Acorn Valley Campground

    3.3(3 reviews)
    87.0 mi

    Variety of camping options at Acorn Valley. There's RV spots and a lot for tent camping, you can be…read morein the shade, tucked in the trees, or out in the open. $14 for one night but if you have some pass you can use that and not have to pay. With the variety there are some spots much closer to bathrooms than others. Some spots you'll have a little trek to your site and if you do drive in closer the rangers will ask you to move your car. Nice playground, big shower (singular.. one shower per bathhouse). Bathrooms were pretty nice for a campsite. Drinking fountains were closed. Bugs were pretty pesky in the woods, to be expected with camping. There was a little path to a fishing area - we swam and it was no beach but it was good enough with some shoes that work in water. Decent option for Saylorville lake.

    Got into a bind while traveling on August 17th. We called this place in a pinch about 6:30 and…read moreasked if they had anything open. The woman on the phone said she had 4-5 electric sites open, but we had to leave by 3pm the next day. She kept repeating this over and over like I was 4 years old, and I replied that was fine. In my experience this is a normal campground check out time. We got there about 25 minutes later and parked about 10 ft. from the booth where we could see 2 employees inside. There was a sign in the window with the number to call due to Covid, so we called. Now the woman says since we didn't make reservations, we cant stay. At this point we have no WiFi on the phone to make a reservation. I'm 10 ft away with cash and a mask on. at this point she immediately starts talking to me like I'm a child again, and repeats that we didn't make reservations so we cant stay. Ended up turning around and driving the kids 5 hours back home. If you want rude staff and a bunch of b.s., this place seems perfect. Personally, I'd just skip this place.

    Photos
    Acorn Valley Campground
    Acorn Valley Campground - Visitors to my campsite.

    Visitors to my campsite.

    Acorn Valley Campground - Here's todays visitor. I saw this baby with her Mom a few weeks ago here at Acorn Valley.

    See all

    Here's todays visitor. I saw this baby with her Mom a few weeks ago here at Acorn Valley.

    Viking Lake State Park - hiking - Updated July 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...