Sunny Meadows Campground

Kearney campers will want to take advantage of the many recreational areas and state parks this region has to offer. While camping at Sunny Meadows Campground, travelers can explore the best the Platte River has to offer. Platte River State Park covers dense woodlands along the Platte River, Crawdad Creek, and Jenny Newman Lake. The lakes and rivers are favorite locations for water recreation such as kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. The small muddy Crawdad Creek is ideal for nature watching with many different frogs, insects, and reptiles calling this waterway home. On a hot summer's day, you may want to visit the spray park, which has water features, waterslides, and more to help you cool off.

If you're looking to mix local history with beautiful outdoor areas, consider visiting Fort Kearney State Historical Park. This state park originally featured Fort Keaney, an old fort built to protect local gold miners and crews building the local railroad during the mid-1800s. The fort has now been reconstructed, and visitors can explore the old stockades, blacksmith stores, parade grounds, and more. There are more than 13 miles of trails at the park, which lead along the Platte River and a segment of the old railroad. During your stroll, stop at one of the shelters for some birdwatching with sandhill cranes visiting the area during the spring.

While camping in southern Nebraska, you may want to venture into northern Kansas. The state has a number of stunning state parks, and one of the closest is Prairie Dog State Park. This park consists of prairies and woodlands surrounding the Sebelius Reservoir. The park is popular for game hunting, and hunters can pursue waterfowl, rabbits, and pheasants in the park. Sebelius Lake is well-known for being an excellent fishing location, and anglers can find wiper, walleye, and black bass in this lake. If you want to see some of Kansas' history, there are two buildings in the park originating from the 1800s which contain information about the state's past.

There are some wonderful cities worth exploring near Sunny Meadows Campground. Grand Island is the nearest major city and is a great place to learn about the Nebraskan way of life. The Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer is one of Grand Island's top attractions and features several unique and ever-changing exhibitions. Nebraska is well-known for its farming, and visitors can see an exhibit featuring over 200 pieces of antique farming equipment. There are also exhibits on the local Pawnee people, the railroad expansion, and much more.

If you're looking to learn more about Nebraska's cultural heritage during your campervan rental vacation near Kearney, consider a trip to the state capital, Lincoln. The city is filled with historical sites, beautiful architecture, and some of the best restaurants in the state. The Sheldon Museum of Art is one of the most popular museums in the city and features nearly 13,000 pieces of art. This collection is mainly focused on 19th and 20th-century artwork. One of the best exhibits at the museum is its collection of 30 monumental statues, which include work by Jacques Lipchitz, Richard Serra, and Mark di Suvero.

A fun activity for kids in Lincoln is the Lincoln Children's Zoo. There are over 400 animals here, including 40 endangered species rarely seen elsewhere. Some of these rare creatures include Humboldt penguins and snow leopards, and you can even see the world's smallest monkey, a pygmy marmoset. The zoo also offers animal encounters where kids can meet and play with some of their favorite animals.