RV Rental Nebraska: Motorhome, Camper, & Trailer Rentals NE

Located in the Great Plains, Nebraska goes by several different names, including "The Great American Desert" and the "Cornhusker State." You can find towering sand dunes, large prairies, and mountainous rocky areas in the Midwestern state, which makes it an interesting place to explore.

Nebraska RV rentals cater to those who love nature, history, museums, and monuments. There's no shortage of things to do, from wandering the trails once used by the Lewis and Clark expedition to inspecting petroglyphs at Indian Cave State Park. You can also visit quirky sites such as Carhenge or take a scenic drive through the Sandhills region.

Popular RV Destinations in Nebraska

Chimney Rock 

Chimney Rock, a natural geologic formation, is made of volcanic ash and clay dating back as far as 34 million years ago. It features a conical base and a spire that rises 325 feet into the air. Pioneers came across the landmark while traveling on the Oregon, California, and Mormon trails during the western migration.

It's believed that fur traders came up with the name, and today it looks much like it did when settlers initially set eyes on it in the mid-1800s. Chimney Rock is a designated National Historic Site, and there's a visitor center nearby for those who want to learn more about the rock and the Overland Trails.

Indian Cave State Park

The main attraction at Indian Cave State Park is the large sandstone cave that features prehistoric Native American petroglyphs you can view from a wooden boardwalk. It's unclear exactly when the carvings were made, but experts believe they are several thousand years old.

The park is more than 3,000 acres and borders the Missouri River. It has several camping and picnic spots as well as 22 miles of hiking and biking trails, horseback riding, and fishing areas. There are beautiful scenic views of the winding river as well as a hardwood forest, which is particularly eye-catching in the autumn.

Fort Robinson State Park

History buffs love Fort Robinson State Park, which operated as a fort in the Old West and through World War II. Several of the fort's buildings are original and still in use. The area is famous for the Cheyenne Outbreak in 1879 and for being the place where Sioux Chief Crazy Horse was killed.

It's also been used as a cavalry remount station, a POW camp, a K-9 dog training facility, and a beef research center. The park is located in the Pine Ridge region of the state and consists of 22,000 acres where visitors can see roaming buffalo and longhorn herds.

Niobrara State Park

Niobrara State Park is located on the state's northeastern border near the Niobrara and Missouri rivers. There are loads of activities for outdoor enthusiasts, such as swimming, boating, horseback riding, fishing, and picnicking. The park is famous for its buffalo cookouts held each summer.

Niobrara is a great place to see wildlife, including white-tailed deer, beavers, turkeys, and bald eagles, as well as listen to birds such as the whip-poor-wills, which are named after their distinctive call. The park provides RV camping facilities, a swimming pool, and 14 miles of hiking trails.

Events and Entertainment in Nebraska

Intertribal Gathering

Native Indian culture takes the spotlight at the Intertribal Gathering each summer at Fort Robinson State Park. The event is one of the High Plains' top powwows and features traditional singing, dancing, and drumming, which is geared to children and adults of all ages. Hundreds of spectators and dancers attend the event each year.

Other activities include storytelling, a 5K run, the crowning of a princess, and vendors hawking a variety of Native American food, crafts, and other items. The best part about this event is that it's free, although you need a Nebraska park entry permit for your vehicle.

Old Market in Downtown Omaha

The Old Market is one of Omaha's most interesting neighborhoods. Its brick-lined streets are full of working artists and galleries as well as nearly 50 restaurants that serve everything from French cuisine to good-old American pizza. There are also plenty of places to score a craft cocktail or local lager.

If you enjoy shopping, Old Market is an excellent place to find jewelry, clothing, and gifts. Both visitors and Omahans alike love visiting the district, which features self-guided tours of local art the first Friday of every month and a variety of street performers and other vendors.

Sandhills Scenic Driving Tour

This 272-mile rural route features everything from sand dunes to sandhill cranes, which are responsible for the name of the scenic byway. The region’s soaring sand dunes are the largest in the Western hemisphere. And should you choose to travel on this road, you'll also come across a variety of small towns and beautiful blue lakes.

There are plenty of places to stop on what is officially called Nebraska Highway 2 and is considered one of America's most beautiful highways. You can visit the Carnegie Arts Center, Victoria Springs State Recreational Area, or visit a local drive-in or soda fountain. Other side trips can include watching a local rodeo, attending a county fair, or stargazing.

The Nebraska Star Party

Speaking of stargazing, the Nebraska Star Party (NSP) is an annual event held 27 miles from Valentine that helps people explore the night sky. You can camp beneath the stars, take part in observing challenges or an astro photo contest, and get incredible light pollution-free views of the summer night sky.

A telescope is not required to attend, as you will have plenty of opportunities to see the stars on the Observing Field near the entrance of Merritt Reservoir’s Snake Campground. There are several nighttime constellation talks, and if you're a newbie, there's a Beginner's Field School that teaches guests some basic skills. There are also several RV spaces available in the area.

Campgrounds and Parks in Nebraska

Prairie Oasis Campground & Cabins

Located in Henderson, Prairie Oasis Campground accommodates big rigs and features large pull-through sites with 30- and 50-amp electric, sewer, and water. Amenities include Wi-Fi, restrooms, picnic tables, fire pits, a dump station, laundry room, and limited RV supplies. There's also a recreation hall that can fit up to 50 people.

On-site activities include a small fishing lake, paddle boats, volleyball, badminton, horseshoes, and other games. Nearby attractions include Henderson Mennonite Heritage Park, Junction Motor Speedway, Kirkpatrick North Wildlife Management Basin, Lees Legendary Marble Museum, the Yorkshire Playhouse, the Wessels Living History Farm, and the York Area Children's Museum.

Double Nickel Campground

Double Nickel Campground is located in Waco about 50 miles east of Grand Island and 45 miles west of Lincoln. The family-owned campground features 47 pull-through sites, the longest of which is 120 feet. Amenities include a playground, mini-golf, arcade, horseshoes, volleyball, restrooms, laundry, Wi-Fi, and an underground storm shelter.

Next door is the Sandy Meadows Golf Course, and you can also visit the Smith Creek Recreation Area and Recharge Lake as well as Indian Cave State Park, the Henry Doorly Zoo, Arbor Day Farm, the birthplace of Kool-Aid in Hastings, and the Homestead National Monument of America, all of which are worth a bit of a drive to explore.

Mormon Island State Recreational Area

Thousands of visitors flock to this region every year to observe the hundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes that migrate there annually. Mormon Island State Recreation Area is located near Grand Island and features 35 RV sites with 30- and 50-amp electrical hookups. Amenities include showers, a laundry, and a dump station. 

The area is also a great fishing spot and includes species such as largemouth bass, sunfish, black crappie, walleye, catfish, and bluegill. There are beaches for swimming and places to picnic as well as various spots for wildlife viewing. 

RV Storage and Dumpstations in Nebraska

When you travel in an RV, you may need a place to store it for a specific period of time. Fortunately, there are plenty of places throughout the state that can accommodate your needs, including:

  • Bud's Indoor RV Storage, Pleasant Dale
  • Allied Boat & RV Storage, Omaha
  • KCM RV Self-Storage, Springfield

Nebraska is an RV-friendly state with many free dumping facilities, including several in the cities of Neligh, Oxford, and Saint Paul. Flying J locations also have free dumping as does Wagontrain State Recreation Area in Lincoln. Other options include:

  • Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Ashland
  • Camp A Way, Lincoln
  • Pawnee Lake State Recreation Center, Lincoln
  • Louisville State Recreation Area, Louisville
  • Hastings Campground and RV Park, Hastings

FAQs

1. What are RV rentals?

Owning and maintaining an RV can be expensive, so that’s why a lot of people take advantage of renting a motorhome or campervan instead. 

2. How much are RV rentals?

The cost of RV and trailer rentals in Nebraska varies based on the size of the RV and the length of the rental. Smaller campers can cost between $75 and $150 per night, while larger ones can cost as much as $250 per night. You can spend as little as $60 per night if you rent an RV for a week or month-long trip.

3. Do I need to be a certain age to rent an RV in Nebraska?

Yes. If you choose to rent an RV in Nebraska, you need to be at least 25 years old. 

4. Do I need insurance when I rent an RV?

Yes. You need insurance in case you get into an accident. 

5. Do I need to return my rental RV with a full tank?

That depends on the rental company. Some may require a full tank as part of the contract.

6. Are RVs pet-friendly in Nebraska?

Many RV owners allow renters to have pets onboard; however, you may have to pay a deposit or extra fee.