Eugene T. Mahoney State Park Campground

Nice walking trails and facilities. Lots to do for the entire family

We stayed here on a whim while passing through. The woman at the lodge was very helpful with the booking. We stayed at site #94 in the Little Creek campground which had electric hookup. The campground was a nice change of scenery from all the farmland and corn we had to endure in Iowa and in the rest of Nebraska. We saw a couple of white-tailed deer wandering through in the early morning hours. There seems to be a lot more to offer here than we had time to enjoy. Nice state park, would recommend to others and would stay again if ever in the area

We stayed here for just a night while traveling cross country. It’s a huge state park/camp ground, definitely more than what we needed. Although it offers a lot to do, it wasn’t the cleanest. The bathrooms and shower area was in need of some upkeep. There is also a $12 park fee that you have to pay in addition to your camping costs. Our site offered electrical hookups and was also level.

This is a really nice state park. There are plenty to do. My son and I camped for one night. We went paddle boating, swimming, and horse back riding. The only not so good thing about camping in this park is that it is so close to the interstate. My son was unable to fall asleep. We ended up leaving at 4am. Thankfully, we live close to this place. Overall, it’s a nice campground. It’s serene but not quiet. Also, the men’s restroom, per my son, is dirty and stinky.

Had a great time at this state park. Nice clean facilities. Great friendly staff. The fishing was good. Had great neighbors. Plenty of things to do and geocaches were fun. Took part in a birding adventure put on by the state. Learned a lot. Raccoons were going thru the trash cans at night and they were as big or bigger compared to some of the dogs in our campsite.

This is a nice state park.  It is likely very busy in the summer.  As out of state campers we found it to be expensive to pay for camping $30 plus $12 daily vehicle fee.  We camped there in early April and water at the dump was not turned on yet so we could not flush the black tank when we dumped.  Water was not turned on yet at the campsites either. There was fresh water available at the dump to fill tank in trailer.  Showers were not consistently warm.  There is a laundry with 3 washers/ 3 dryers.  $1.75 and $1.50 per load.  It was a good place to stay for a couple days while visiting Omaha.

Park is well maintained and lots to do activity wise(especially if you have kids). We just stopped for the night passing through on a long road trip. Site was clean and level ( we are in a sprinter van) and fit just perfect. Road noise form I-80 is loud. Bathrooms were very outdated but ok.

I’m biased because I live in Omaha but the camp grounds are clean. The place has rock climbing, horseback riding, Paddleboating, zip lines, pottery and more. I love to go in the winter (cabin) to go sledding and ice skating. Just a family friendly, fun place. Tons of places to picnic and have family reunions and more.

As full-time campers we stay at Mahoney quite often as it is close to the Omaha-metro and there are so many things to do within the park: swimming, golf, zip lines, arts & crafts, trails, nature, horses, etc. Huge amount of walk up sites all year long. Little Creek campground is the best place to stay for amenities: laundry, hot showers but avoid any campsite located at the bottom of the hill so you are not washed away by rain water or have a site full of mud.

New camper, first trip. Picked up our pull-behind and drove straight here on a recommendation from the dealer. Great location, pretty grounds. Site is good but we didn’t realize it was on a hill when we picked it so the picnic table and fire pit set-up were a bit awkward. We could hear the noise from I-80 pretty well but it wasn’t a deal breaker. Had a great time!

This is easily the coolest state park I’ve ever visited. On a walk from my campsite, I went by the marina, disc golf course, conservatory, activity center, stables and ropes course. It’s a bit pricey for camping and, my biggest pet peeve of a campsite, I can hear the interstate from my tent. But, overall, it’s a nice site, and I’d probably return.

Oh, bring bug spray!!!!!

Probably the nicest State Park I’ve ever stayed at. We were just there for one night and we arrived after the guard shack had closed. After hours registration happens at the lodge and it took us a little bit to find it. The signage is small and hard to read especially at night. Camp sites were very nice. We had electric only site and the total was $33 which included $8 park entrance fee. Bathrooms were dated but adequate.

Lots of walk up campsites to choose from. Bathrooms are pretty dated but serve up FREE warm showers! Amenities/Entertainment available within in park are endless and there is something for everyone! Busy place in peak season so plan ahead or reserve online

The little creek campground in the Eugene T. Mahoney State Park is nicely kept and has showers. It is mostly quiet but you can hear the background drone of the Interstate highway. The park has a vehicle pass fee ($8) and a camping fee. I am tent camping and the least expensive site was $25.

A short drive off of I80 and close to Omaha, Eugene T Mahoney State Park is convenient if you are passing through NE.  It is a large park with more than one campground.  Since it is close to the freeway there is the constant sound of traffic.  It isn't intolerable, but definitely noticeable.  There are lots of trees and the area is very pleasant.  

This is more than a campground.  There are many activities ie. golf, hiking, fishing, biking etc.  There is a lodge, cabins in addition to the campgrounds.

The sites are spaced well and have plenty of shade.

Camping camping here is awesome they have great cabins that you can rent and there's plenty of amenities all sorts of stuff to do with your kids you can take them zip lining or go for a walk or go to the observation tower

There really is so much to do, from putt putt to iceskating, climbing, the water park, this place has it all. It can be pricey depending on what you're looking for. Cabins are cute and spacious but book up very quickly. Tent camp sites are open more often than not. It is always super busy is the only real downfall.

My buddies and I rented cabin in the area. Lots of options when it comes to cabins tent areas and RV pads. There is enough here to keep you busy for a long time my favorite is the eagles nest you can see miles down the river. If you have a family I would strongly recommend a visit. Might be biased due to having a bunch of birthday parties here growing up but it’s one of my favorite places to take my son. Photos are taken from river looking at Mahoney.

I have a love, hate relationship with this park. There are things I like, and things I don't like. There is plenty of things to do. Swimming and slides at a pool, paddleboats, fishing at some spots, bicycle rentals, ziplines, rock climbing, and other similar activities. However there are no tent camping, and the spots are not level, and are small. The place to me is not relaxing and not quiet, and everytime I have been there it is always packed. I will say I am probably to only in my family that feels this way. So if your more of an outdoors men type of person you probably will feel the same way I do. But I would not dismiss the idea of going to this park.

This was a great place to find! Close enough to Omaha and the zoo, but you really don’t even need to leave the state park to find entertainment! Fishing, paddle boats, pony rides, an aquatic center, mini-golf, playgrounds, and even a ropes and lines obstacle adventure! Strategic Air Command and Aerospace Museum is also right next door and was a nice place to visit. Full hookups with nice, spacious sites. Could hear the interstate and a train at night, but didn’t really bother us. Everyone here was super friendly. Would definitely be back if headed out this way again.

This site backs to trees. Very skinny pad with a large slope and erosion on the way down to your fire pit. They were trying to get grass seed going, but it was a muddy site after the torrential downpour one night. Won't stay at this electric only site again, but will definitely be back for the park. Workers are so polite and friendly. The park itself is beautiful, gorgeous views, beautiful trails and landscaping with many amenities that should be opening back up this weekend with loosening Covid-19 restrictions.

Our stay was the weekend of Oct. 26. I prefer primitive camping in secluded areas. Not the case here. Sites are small and very close together. Luckily we stayed at the end of the season so the park wasn’t very busy. We did have semi close RV neighbors and their lights at night illuminated our surroundings. It was windy that weekend so the sound of the leaves and Interstate mostly drowned out the sound of the neighbors. Another downside was how close the park is to the Interstate. Park pricing wasn’t bad and staff was friendly and professional. I picked up more trash than we created during our stay, that was unfortunate. Even the fact that someone threw out plastic flower pots, there are dumpsters close by. SMH.

Very well kept park with so much to do!

Campground Review:

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park in Nebraska is on the Platte River off Interstate 80 about halfway between Omaha and Lincoln.  I will preface the review stating that the review is receiving four stars primarily because of the amenities at the park.  The campgrounds themselves are fairly basic.  There are areas to tent and park your RV within the state park.  The RV campground has about a dozen full hookup sites and the rest of the campsites have electric hookups.  There is not much room between the sites, so you do feel that you are stacked on top of the other campers.  There is a wait list for the campgrounds much of the year.  We were able to score a walk-up thankfully.  The site does have water fill stations and a dump station.  Their shower house is also decent enough.

But, as I said you are not coming here to hangout in the campground.  There is something for everyone at this state park.  They have hiking on paved and un-paved trails, which we utilized both.  There is an activities center for kids to make different arts and crafts.  They have horseback riding, a theater, paddle boating, parks, minature golf, etc.  During the summer you can have fun at the big water park they have on site.  They also have cabins and lodge rooms available for rent.  The cabins book quickly, and can get pricey at around upwards of $400 a night during their peak season for one of the newer cabins.  The lodge houses a decent restaurant with some great views of the Platte River. 

At the main activities area they have a massive indoor play area for kids.  This building also houses their new and extremely fun 40ft. climbing walls.  Outside this building during the winter they have a covered ice rink and they also produce their own snow for the sledding hill.  All-in-all it is a nice place with plenty to do onsite.

Product Review:

As a Ranger for The Dyrt I occasionally get to test products.  While out at the state park we got the opportunity to test out Banner & Oak hats. https://bannerandoak.com/ 

My boys and really appreciate good hats.  We found the Banner & Oak brand hats to be really exception hats.

The hats my sons wore were the Banner & Oak Eagle and the Banner & Oak Sierra.  These two hats were made in the United States.  I wore the Banner & Oak Switchback which was not produced in the United States.

All three hats are really quality hats.  The stitching is tight around the sweatbands and the bill, which is usually a sign the hat will last a long time.

The mesh used for the back of the hat appears to be an older heavier duty mesh.  This mesh reminds me of the mesh found in older hats, or the hats of my youth.  I still have a couple of these hats, so this is another good sign of lasting quality.

The overall designs of all three hats are really just cool.  They look cool and they feel cool, and I am really surprised by how much I like the flat billed hat, since I usually cannot stand them.  The boys and I are really impressed with the construction and feel of the Banner & Oak hats!

Pros: SO many activities for the kids - water park, ceramic painting, paddle boats, indoor play area, lots of playgrounds, picnic areas for family gatherings, zip lines, horseback riding. Also nice to have bathhouse with shower and flush toilets. Convenient location right off the highway and 5 mins from the Air and Space Museum.

Cons: SO many bugs. Make sure you bring lots of bug spray. RV sites are pretty close together and are very small. Our site only had electric hookups - no water. It was crazy hot and humid when we stayed there at the end of June.

FYI - If you want to stay in a cabin, they tend to book a year in advance.

The camper spots are pretty nice, but if you have not reserved a spot beforehand, get out to the park early as the first come first served spots fill up quickly! Every spot is equipped with a nice fire ring, and there is plenty of scrap wood laying around if you forget your firewood. The only downfall would be the interstate noise. You can hear that all the time while sitting out around the fire.

Superb park for families as there is so much to do! Water park with wave pool and slides, mini golf, paved and dirt walking trails, fun melodramas, zip line course, etc. plus winter activities in the off season. Modern camping with electric at ever site. Updated cabins, and great views in the lodge rooms. Down fall no river access do to railroad tracks, can get pretty busy in the summer, no primitive camping.

This is the Walmart of camping grounds. The campsites are stacked on top of each other and are always packed!

This park has a little of everything. Great sites— different loops to stay at. Nice bathrooms. Hiking trails and bike trails. Water park, horse riding area, fishing pond and more. This place does get packed so might have to make reservations early depending on weekend of course.

This is a highly developed state park boasting an aquatic center, indoor gardens, zip lines, horseback riding, cabins and even a hotel on site. Popular for family reunions due to the amount of space and accessibility. There is a wonderful lookout tower that allows people to take in views of the Platte River. Nestled between two major cities in Nebraska, you're never far away from anything you may want to do or see. RV and tent camping is obviously available with limited privacy. This is also a great event venue with multiple large buildings available for reservations. This is not the 'roughing it' kind of camping, but rather a fun experience for the whole family.