By:
Submission
Elkhorn Crossing Recreation Area is one of three canoe access parks managed by the Papio-Missouri River NRD on the Elkhorn River in Douglas County. Elkhorn Crossing, near 252nd St. and Bennington Rd, has camped in addition to river access for float trips. The park is open from April 1 thru November 1.
Primitive camping for $10. Nice sites. Beautiful park. Great for tents and big rigs alike. Sites are open with little to no tree coverage... perfect for those with solar and/ or satellites.
An excellent spot to camp for seven days. Official online website states that it's free to camp for seven days straight, take five days off, and then be able to camp again for seven days again... For free. I got there and MOST of the Elkhorn Crossimg Recreational area was secured by gate and padlock with a "NO TRESPASSING" notification which was applicable to the majority, but not all, of camp sites. Now in addition to this, upon arrival i noticed that i had to either walk around the gate and through a ditch or climb over/through said "NO TRESPASSING" gate to get information about this site. Information to inform me that it WOULD cost $10 per day and only at the few sites to select from. ONLY TWO of which i was able to park my vehicle at... It's complicated... I guess you either have to possess good luck or just be desperate to camp somewhere. Oh , I almost forgot to mention that if you camp at one of the sites that you are unable to park a vehicle at you have to park in the parking lot with signage stating all vehicles will be towed after 10 p.m. no exceptions... reader beware, camp at your own risk.
The responsible agency has put some money into this site but people are trashing it. You will see a photo of what my firepit looked like. I did clean it up but there's also lots of micro trash. I had a good night of camping after the looky loos stopped driving through. Too bad some people don't pick up after themselves.
Took the kids to the playground, it's adorable and well maintained. No one camping on a gorgeous (hot/humid) Friday afternoon.
Playground has no sand (yay!) and my 3 year olds had a blast. There is also disc golf and horseshoe pits.
Bring your own water for camping, there is no dump station and no hook ups. Plenty of lovely tent sites and gravel camper sites (one paved site next to playground, wasn't marked as handicapped only but definitely set up for it with accessible table and firepit area also paved). All sites appeared to have fire rings and some also had grills. There is a small (4 or 6 tables) picnic shelter near the playground and bathroom.
I did not investigate the bathroom but it appeared to be a primitive style pit toilet situation.
Next to the river is more parking for day use, 6am-10pm. Saw folks launching rafts and kayaks. There are also a few picnic tables next to the river and a dumpster for all of your float trip trash.
They do close from Nov 1st through April 1st but based on the quiet, playground, location and price this may become our new favorite weekend spot for nice weather times.
