Lone Star Recreation Area

- Road 2400 &, County Rd U, Tobias, NE 68453

For Nebraskans seeking an accessible and genuinely peaceful outdoor experience, the Lone Star Recreation Area is a beloved local treasure. Located near the charming community of Tobias in southeast Nebraska, this well-maintained campground and lake area offers a perfect blend of recreational activities and natural tranquility. Managed with care by the Little Blue Natural Resources District (NRD), Lone Star provides essential flood control for the region while serving as a crucial hub for outdoor enthusiasts.

The core of the area is a stunning, super-clear lake, spanning approximately 75 surface acres, surrounded by 160 acres of land dedicated to recreation and wildlife habitat. This clear water quality is a major draw, making it a fantastic spot for swimming, fishing, and boating. Visitors consistently praise the area's natural beauty and the abundance of local wildlife. Whether you are a dedicated angler, a family looking for a weekend escape, or a seasoned kayaker, Lone Star offers a welcoming, laid-back atmosphere that keeps locals coming back year after year. One customer beautifully captured the sentiment by stating, "This campsite is amazing! I’ve been here 4 times this summer and have had a blast every time." It truly is a spot where genuine Nebraska outdoor fun is the main attraction, offering an uncomplicated yet deeply rewarding connection with nature.

Lone Star Recreation Area boasts an excellent location that feels remote enough for a true escape but remains conveniently accessible from central and eastern Nebraska towns and cities. Its address is Road 2400 & County Rd U, Tobias, NE 68453, USA, putting it in the heart of Fillmore County.

The recreation area is situated approximately four miles east and a quarter mile south of Ohiowa, Nebraska, and is easily reachable via well-maintained county roads. This makes the drive-in access straightforward for both RV campers and day-use visitors. From major population centers, the commute is surprisingly reasonable, often being less than an hour's drive from Lincoln, allowing for spontaneous weekend trips or even mid-week getaways without excessive travel time. The small nearby communities of Ohiowa and Milligan are vital for travelers, providing essential services like gas and food, ensuring that visitors can quickly stock up on supplies before or after their camping adventure. The relative isolation from major highways contributes significantly to the peaceful and quiet atmosphere that campers highly value, making the recreation area feel like a true retreat into the Nebraska countryside. The combination of easy access and a serene environment is a significant advantage for Nebraskans looking to maximize their outdoor time.

Lone Star Recreation Area provides a range of essential services and amenities designed to support a traditional, rustic camping experience, focusing on comfort and access to nature. The management prioritizes making the natural environment accessible to all visitors.

• Campsites with Electrical Hookups: The campground offers a number of dedicated RV camper pads equipped with electrical hookups, providing a comfortable option for those traveling in recreational vehicles. A modest nightly fee is applicable for these electric sites.
• Free Tent Camping: A major draw for budget-conscious outdoor lovers, the area is known for allowing tent campers the freedom to set up basically anywhere in designated areas, often at no cost. This provides a truly flexible and affordable primitive camping experience.
• Boat Ramp and Floating Dock: For water recreation, the area features a practical boat ramp for easy launching and a floating dock, which is especially convenient for anglers and boaters looking for easy access to the lake.
• Handicapped-Accessible Fishing Pier: A dedicated fishing pier is provided, which is designed with handicapped accessibility, ensuring that everyone in the community can enjoy the excellent fishing opportunities the lake has to offer.
• Restroom Facilities: Clean, primitive restroom facilities are available throughout the park to serve campers and day-use visitors. Visitors should note that the area focuses on basic amenities and does not typically include showers or a dump station (nearest dump station is available a short drive away in Milligan).
• Shelters and Picnic Areas: Multiple picnic shelters and designated areas equipped with grills are available for day use or group gatherings, offering covered space for family cookouts and events.

The experience at Lone Star Recreation Area is defined by its outstanding natural features and the quality of its recreational offerings, drawing rave reviews from visitors throughout the season.

Key features and highlights include:

• Crystal Clear Lake Water: The lake is renowned for its beautiful, super clear water, making it visibly appealing and excellent for various water activities, including swimming and kayaking.
• Excellent Fishing Opportunities: The lake is regularly stocked and provides good fishing for species popular with Nebraskan anglers, including Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Crappie, and Bluegill. The accessible fishing pier enhances this feature.
• Kayaking and Paddle Sports Haven: The "no-wake" nature of the lake makes it a "super fun" and exceptionally peaceful spot for kayaking, canoeing, and other paddle sports, as highlighted by loyal visitors. The calm water is perfect for leisurely exploration and kayak fishing.
• Extensive Trail System: The area is circled by approximately 11,700 feet of trails, which include both limestone chipped paths and concrete handicapped-accessible sections, catering to hikers and those wanting to enjoy a scenic stroll.
• Family-Friendly Amenities: The presence of a playground, along with the swimming beach and open camping space, makes it an ideal, affordable destination for families traveling with children.
• Abundant Wildlife Viewing: Due to the dedication of the surrounding land to fish and wildlife habitat, visitors often report seeing "lots of wildlife," providing a quiet, rewarding experience for nature observers and photographers.

For the most up-to-date information on camping, fees, rules, or general inquiries about the Lone Star Recreation Area, please use the contact details provided below. We recommend calling ahead for details on current water levels, fishing reports, and any seasonal information.

• Address: Road 2400 & County Rd U, Tobias, NE 68453, USA
• Phone: (402) 364-2145
• Mobile Phone: +1 402-364-2145

Note that the physical address location is near the town of Tobias, which helps when planning your route through the local county road system. The Little Blue NRD staff or a friendly camp host will be happy to assist you with your questions to ensure you have an enjoyable visit.

Lone Star Recreation Area is perfectly suited for Nebraskans, embodying the state’s spirit of accessible, unpretentious outdoor fun. For the local user, this campground provides an invaluable blend of affordability, convenience, and quality recreation that is hard to find elsewhere. It offers one of the most cost-effective ways to enjoy the Nebraska outdoors, especially for families, with free tent camping and reasonably priced electric hookups.

The primary draw for locals is the clear, beautiful lake itself, which provides reliable and excellent fishing, a calm environment for personal watercraft like kayaks and canoes, and a clean place to swim. The dedicated effort put into amenities, from the handicapped-accessible fishing pier to the family playground, ensures that all members of the community, regardless of age or mobility, can enjoy the park. Being close enough to Lincoln for a quick drive but far enough into the countryside to guarantee peace and quiet, Lone Star truly offers the best of both worlds. It is the ideal place for busy Nebraskans to unplug, reconnect with nature, and create summer memories, whether they are casting a line into the cool, clear water, kayaking along the shoreline, or simply enjoying the sight of local wildlife from a comfortable camper spot. It's a testament to the fact that the best outdoor experiences in Nebraska don't have to be complicated or expensive—they just need to be real.

Lone Star Recreation Area

Road 2400 &, County Rd U, Tobias, NE 68453, USA