Buckley Park Campground

Highway 81’s Favorite Campground

One of the most popular camping sites on Nebraska’s Highway 81 is Buckley Park Campground located in Stromsburg, Nebraska.

Buckley Park is nestled between the confluence of the historic Big Blue River and Prairie Creek. The campground is located on the north side of the park, along Prairie Creek. Large trees provide shade for campers.

There are twelve electrical pedestals which include eight 50-amp outlets, eleven 30-amp outlets, and eleven 20-amp outlets. There are also four water hydrants and a sewer dump station.

Camping is available. Check with the City Office Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. for Campground Policy. Donations are accepted to help defray expenses.

A large covered pavilion is available in the campground with picnic tables, electrical outlets and lights. West of the pavilion is a primitive tent camping area at creek bank level. This expands the camping accommodations considerably.

Nestled between the graceful curves of Prairie Creek you will find a natural setting amphitheater under the shade of 90-year-old green ash trees. There is a rustic log podium and bench seating for approximately 50. A ground level fire-ring is provided for evening comfort and atmosphere. This Eagle Scout project, built by Robert Oberg in 1996, is used for many Boy Scout ceremonies and civic events. Campers have used the amphitheater for their own church services.

Buckley Park is a large city park where facilities include three picnic pavilions, baseball and football fields, softball and soccer fields, a basketball court, sand volleyball court, heated swimming pool, and two tennis courts, all of which are lighted. A nine-pit horseshoe pitching complex was added in 1999. There are also several playgrounds with swings, slides, balance beams, climbers, rockers, and other equipment.

The Two Parks Trail provides a well-lit walkway from Buckley Park to the downtown City Square Park. Campers find it very enjoyable to walk from their camping site to the businesses located around the square providing restaurants, a grocery store, pharmacy, lounge, hardware store and auto parts store. The newly built City Library is also within walking distance of the trail.

The campground is busy year round and hosts visitors from many states and Canada. Each year sees repeat visitors as “snowbirds” travel south each fall and back north each spring.

Buckley Park is recognized today as an outstanding park in this central part of Nebraska.