Experience Full-Service Fun at Lakeside Campground, Ashland, NE

Lakeside Campground Introduce

For Nebraskans seeking a camping destination that combines natural tranquility with an abundance of recreational activities, Lakeside Campground, located within the renowned Eugene T. Mahoney State Park in Ashland, is an exceptional choice. This campground offers more than just a place to pitch your tent or park your RV; it provides a comprehensive outdoor experience, making it a beloved spot for families, couples, and solo adventurers alike.

Lakeside Campground is celebrated by visitors for its serene environment and convenient access to the myriad attractions within Mahoney State Park. Campers consistently praise its "well shaded" and "quiet" atmosphere, providing a peaceful retreat from the everyday hustle. The "Lakeside loop has a lovely view of the pond," offering picturesque scenery right from your campsite. While individual sites are paved, it's noted that not all are perfectly level, and some can be better than others, so bringing leveling blocks for RVs is a wise tip from experienced campers. Despite this, the overall consensus is highly positive, with many strongly recommending the park for its extensive offerings.

Eugene T. Mahoney State Park itself is a jewel in Nebraska's park system, known for its "spectacular array of lodging, group meeting facilities and activities." It spans over 700 acres along the picturesque Platte River, providing a vibrant setting for various outdoor pursuits. The park's philosophy is to offer year-round accommodations and recreational opportunities, ensuring that there's always something to do, no matter the season. Lakeside Campground serves as an excellent base for exploring all these features, allowing campers to easily access everything from nature trails to unique recreational facilities within the park.

Lakeside Campground is located at 28500 W. Park Hwy, Ashland, NE 68003, USA, which is the official address for Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. This strategic location makes it incredibly accessible for a vast number of Nebraskans, particularly those residing in the state's major population centers like Omaha and Lincoln.

The park is conveniently situated just off I-80 at Exit 426, ensuring a straightforward and easy drive for most visitors. From Omaha, a direct drive west on I-80 will quickly lead you to the exit. Similarly, from Lincoln, a short drive east on I-80 will bring you right to the park's doorstep. This excellent accessibility means less time spent traveling and more time enjoying the camping experience and park amenities. The park's entrance roads are well-maintained, accommodating all types of vehicles, including large RVs, although some internal campground roads within Lakeside loop might require careful navigation for very large rigs, as noted by past visitors. Its prime location near major highways also places it in close proximity to other regional attractions, such as the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, offering additional off-site activities for campers.

Lakeside Campground, as part of Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, benefits from a comprehensive array of services and amenities, designed to provide a comfortable and activity-rich camping experience. The park is known for its modern facilities, which enhance the appeal of staying at Lakeside.

Services Offered:

Campsites: Lakeside Campground offers 50 hard-surfaced pads that can accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs up to 53 feet in length. Sites are generally spacious and well-shaded.
Electrical Hookups: Most campsites come with 30-amp electrical hookups, with about 10 sites offering 50-amp service.
Full Hookups: A limited number of sites (approximately 10) also provide full hookups (electric, water, sewer), which are highly sought after by RV campers.
Water/Dump Station: A convenient water filling and dump station is located near the park entrance for RV use.
Restrooms and Showers: Clean, modern shower houses and latrines are available. While one review noted older shower facilities, they were still described as clean. Campers should be aware of push-button showers with strong, fine sprays that may wet items left outside the curtain.
Picnic Tables and Fire Rings: Each campsite typically includes a picnic table and a fire ring for outdoor cooking and campfires.
Marina Services: A small marina (Owen Marina) provides a concession stand with soft-serve ice cream, snacks, and basic camping supplies. Paddleboats and other recreation equipment are available for rent.
On-site Restaurant & Bar: The Peter Kiewit Lodge within the park features a restaurant with a bar and deck, offering dining options for campers.
Park Entry Permit: A valid Nebraska Park Entry Permit is required for all vehicles entering the state park.
Laundry Facilities: While not explicitly noted for Lakeside, a coin-operated laundry is available in the shower building at the nearby Little Creek Campground within Mahoney State Park.

Lakeside Campground's appeal is significantly boosted by the extensive features and recreational opportunities available throughout Eugene T. Mahoney State Park. It's a destination where you can easily fill your days with diverse activities, catering to various interests and age groups.

Features / Highlights:

Quiet, Shaded Campsites: The campground itself offers quiet, grassy, and well-shaded sites, creating a relaxing atmosphere, with the Lakeside loop providing lovely pond views.
Variety of Activities On-Site: The park boasts an impressive array of activities, including horseback riding, zip lines (Go Ape Ropes Course), an observation tower (Walter Scott Jr. Observation Tower), and tons of walking and biking trails (6 miles of hiking trails).
Family Aquatic Center: A major draw is the Family Aquatic Center (though noted to be under renovation at times, always check current status) with a large swimming pool, two water slides, a wave pool, and a splash area.
Mini Golf & Driving Range: The park features an 18-hole miniature golf course and a driving range for those who enjoy a bit of golf.
Owen Marina: Offers paddleboat rentals, fishing supplies, and a lovely dock with soft-serve ice cream, providing a pleasant spot for relaxation by the water (Baright Lake).
Peter Kiewit Lodge: This central lodge offers dining, a gift shop, and serves as a hub for various park services and information.
Denman and Mary Mallory Kountze Memorial Theater: The park hosts performances, adding a cultural element to your stay.
Children's Activity Center: Features indoor climbing walls (Venture Climb), an ice-skating rink (seasonal), and an arts and crafts center, ensuring entertainment regardless of the weather.
Close to Omaha Attractions: Its proximity to Omaha allows campers to easily venture out for city attractions, including Werner Park (for baseball fans) or other urban entertainment.

For more information, reservations, or to inquire about current conditions and amenities at Lakeside Campground and Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, you can use the following contact details:

Address: 28500 W. Park Hwy, Ashland, NE 68003, USA

Phone: (402) 944-2523 (This is the general park office number for Eugene T. Mahoney State Park)

Mobile Phone: +1 402-944-2523 (Same number, ensuring mobile compatibility)

Reservations for campsites are highly recommended, especially during peak seasons, and can typically be made online through the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission website or ReserveAmerica.

Park Office Hours: Memorial weekend through Labor Day: Sat-Wed 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Thur-Fri 8 a.m. - 7 p.m. Rest of year: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. (Always verify current operating hours and seasonal changes).

Lakeside Campground within Eugene T. Mahoney State Park is an exceptional destination for Nebraskans looking for a well-rounded and engaging outdoor experience. Its prime location near Omaha and Lincoln makes it incredibly convenient for quick getaways, minimizing travel time and maximizing recreational opportunities. For locals, this campground offers the perfect blend of natural beauty and extensive amenities, providing something for every member of the family.

Whether you're seeking a quiet, shaded campsite with a lovely pond view, or you're eager to explore horseback riding, zip lines, an observation tower, or miles of walking trails, Mahoney State Park has it all. The convenience of on-site dining, a marina with paddle boats, and comprehensive facilities like clean restrooms and dump stations add to the appeal. While some minor considerations like leveling sites or specific shower features might exist, the overwhelmingly positive reviews affirm that Lakeside Campground offers a highly recommended camping experience, providing an unparalleled blend of adventure, relaxation, and convenience right in the heart of Nebraska.

Lakeside Campground Photos

Lakeside Campground Location

Lakeside Campground

Nebraska Cass County Ashland

Ashland, NE 68003, USA

Lakeside Campground Reviews

Stayed 3 days to be near Omaha. Two camping areas, both well shaded, quiet, grassy and the Lakeside loop has a lovely view of the pond. A small marina had a lovely dock with soft serve ice cream and paddle boats. Lots are paved but no patios or anything and the area is not level so some are better than others. Most had electric, only a few were 50 amp. About 10 or so were full hook up. There is a water/dump station near the entrance. Loved the park, it had horse riding, zip lines, an observation tower, tons of walking trails and a restaurant with a bar and deck up the road at the lodge. Very much recommend, although really large rigs may have a tight fit.
Jun 23, 2018 · Melissa Schultz
Stayed there two days, primarily due to its closeness to Werner Field. The section we were in had spacious sites. However, with a hard rain, several sites were lakes. The shower house is old, but clean. However, there is no place to put your bottles or other items. You had to push a button to give you a prescribed allotment of time before pushing it again for more water. The spray in the men's showers comes out at gale force and is so fine, it is hard to rinse, especially your hair. And, as a result of the mist, the items you left on the bench outside the shower curtain, are wet! This button pushing is also true of the sinks in the handicap restrooms. When you immediately let go of the button, the water stops. You cannot wash both hands at the same time.The water park area is under renovation so it was closed. A big drawback for some families.Overall, if we are back in the area camping, we would choose this campground.
Jun 23, 2024 · Wayne Hinkle
Had a fantastic weekend here. We went to the zoo and it wasn't too bad of a drive. The marina is fin to sit and relax at. $1 for fish/bird food. We stayed at campsite 137. It was electric only, very flat. Potable water fill up at dump station
Jun 23, 2019 · Hailey L
Nice, paved, full hook up spots here in this circle. Not all sites have room for a tent so be sure to ask if you need to put one up. These book up early but they do have a couple walk ups (if not occupied).
Jun 18, 2024 · JennerJ21
Very comfortable and serene. Some of the other campers were very helpful to me, and I was the first time I had to set up a camper trailer. The staff/grounds crew were extremely friendly and helpful, one of them helped me back my trailer into the parking spot.
Aug 12, 2023 · Patrick Prouty