Victoria Springs State Recreation Area Guide

Updated on May 16, 2019

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Introduction

Victoria Springs State Recreation Area is located outside of Anselmo in the state of Nebraska. It is the third oldest state park founded in Nebraska and has been open since 1925. The park is full of history, having had the springs originally bottled for spring water and distributed across the country. You will also be able to see the home and remaining homestead of Custer County's judge Charles R. Matthews, who built two cabins on the property that still stand, including the first post office in Custer County.

At Victoria Springs State Recreation Area, you can enjoy time out on the picturesque water. Bring your own boat to enjoy on the water or rent a paddleboat to enjoy time with friends or family. You can also bring your rod and tackle to enjoy time fishing on the water.

You will have the opportunity to pick from a variety of camping sites at Victoria Springs State Recreation Area. The park offers cabins that you can rent that are even equipped with kitchens. If you are planning to camp with your RV or a tent, not to worry. There are also options for campers, with 81 camping pads. 21 of these sites offer electrical hookups, and the park also has a sanitary dumping station for RV users.

RV Rentals in Victoria Springs State Recreation Area

$104 / Night

2014 Forest River Wildwood

Wood River, NE

$100 / Night

2014 Forest River Cherokee

Hastings, NE

$148 / Night

2014 Open Range Light

Grand Island, NE

$119 / Night

2012 Jayco Eagle Super Lite

Wilcox, NE

$190 / Night

2015 K-Z Manufacturing Goldrush

Ragan, NE

Transportation in Victoria Springs State Recreation Area

Driving

Victoria Springs State Recreation Area is located within easy reach of the towns of Anselmo and Merna. This state recreation area is located roughly six miles east of Anselmo and approximately seven miles north of Merna. Getting to the area is relatively easy, as navigating Highway 21 A is relatively straightforward although during winter weather, you will want to exercise routine caution driving your RV or camping trailer to the campground. To park at the recreation area, you will need to have a park permit, which you can get online prior to arriving at the park or once you get there.

The campground at Victoria Springs State Recreation Area has a variety of sites for your RV, including back in and pull through sites. If you reserve early enough, you will be able to get a site with electrical hookups. You can also bring your boat to the park, as you are allowed to bring fishing and non-powered boats to the campground to use in the lake at Victoria Springs. You will want to get to the park early, as there are also day-use visitors that come to go fishing in the lake or boating, and the park is not overly large, only around 60 acres.

Parking

Public Transport

Campgrounds and parking in Victoria Springs State Recreation Area

Campsites in Victoria Springs State Recreation Area

Reservations camping

Victoria Springs State Recreation Area Campground

The Victoria Springs State Recreation Area campground offers 81 different campsites that accept reservations. Of these, 21 of the sites have electrical hookups, while the others lack hookups and are primitive camping sites. There is a sanitary dumping station for RVs as well in the recreation area. The area offers modern restrooms, as well as showers, so you will not be lacking amenities. You can stay in the campground for a maximum of 14 days before needing to leave before you stay at the campground again.

Generators are allowed at the campsites, but they cannot be operated during quiet hours. Pets are also allowed in the recreation area, but they must be kept on a leash at all times.

The recreation area also offers reservations at two cabins that it operates. These cabins have housekeeping facilities, as well as kitchen facilities. They are two bedroom cabins with double beds, and you can reserve them up to a year in advance.

First-come first-served

Alternate camping

Seasonal activities in Victoria Springs State Recreation Area

In-Season

Paddleboats

When you come to Victoria Springs State Recreation Area with your RV rig or camping trailer and you do not bring a boat, you can rent a paddleboat for enjoyment out on the water. Kids will enjoy the opportunity to paddle these boats across the surface of the lake. There is a boat dock and launching area in the park that is used for the paddleboats and regular boats that guests bring to the park.

Boating

You can bring your boat with you when you come to stay at Victoria Springs State Recreation Area with your campervan or RV. The park allows fishing boats and non-powered boats, so you can feel free to explore the waters with your canoe or kayak, taking advantage of the tranquil surroundings. Why not see if you can bring your stand-up paddleboard to the park to enjoy an early morning adventure before everyone else is up?

Fishing

You can bring your bait and tackle with you when you come to Victoria Springs State Recreation Area with your RV or camping trailer to enjoy the fishing that is available in the recreation area. The park boasts a variety of fishing opportunities, including bass, bluegill, bullhead, and catfish in Victoria Springs pond. You will need to have a valid Nebraska fishing license to fish in the park, which you can get online prior to your trip.

Off-Season

Viewing Wildlife

When you visit Victoria Springs State Recreation Area, you can sit back and relax at the water's edge and take in the sights and sounds around you. Bring a pair of binoculars and enjoy watching the birds nesting on the shores of the lake. While you are exploring the recreation area, keep your eyes peeled for other animals that you can spy, from small squirrels to larger deer. It is a wonderfully serene place to relax.

Visiting Historic Sites

Visit Victoria Springs State Recreation Area and take a step back in time. You can visit the lake that was originally bottled as spring water and explore the historic cabins when you travel to the recreation area in your RV. The historic cabins were built by a pioneer of the area, Custer County Judge Charles R. Matthews, who lived in one and opened the first post office in Custer County at the other cabin he built.

Picnicking

When you visit Victoria Springs State Recreation Area, you can come prepared to enjoy a picnic, so make sure that you pack a few sandwiches on your camping rig. The recreation area features over forty grills, as well as over 100 picnic tables for you to use whether you are camping at the recreation area or visiting for day-use. There is also a picnic shelter that you can utilize if you are at the park.

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