Forty minutes north of Nebraska City on Hwy 75. Two private lakes, full hookups, and a gated lakeside campground — the best base for Arbor Day Farm visits, orchard country travel, and the Lewis & Clark Scenic Byway.
Nebraska City is one of Nebraska’s most distinctive small towns — Arbor Day Farm, Kimmel Orchard, the Lewis & Clark Scenic Byway, and a historic downtown worth a full afternoon. But it doesn’t have a lakeside campground with full hookups. For that, you drive 40 minutes north on Hwy 75 to Merritt Beach RV Park in Plattsmouth: two private lakes, a gated community, and a campground that makes the perfect home base for exploring orchard country and the corridor between Nebraska City and Omaha.
Merritt Beach sits at the midpoint between Nebraska City (40 minutes south) and Omaha (35 minutes north) on Hwy 75 — the most scenic highway in eastern Nebraska and part of the Lewis & Clark Scenic Byway. One campground, two directions of day trips.
A swimming lake and a separate stocked fishing lake, both on the property and included in every stay. There is nothing comparable between Nebraska City and Omaha on the Hwy 75 corridor.
Run your rig exactly as you would at home. No generator nights, no dry camping, no rationing. Both 30- and 50-amp service is available at every site throughout the season.
Set back from the highway, the campground is quiet and organized with 125 permanent pads and a real community feel. You hear lake birds in the morning, not highway traffic.
Drive south for Arbor Day Farm and apple picking. Drive north for Omaha’s world-class zoo, Old Market dining, and Bellevue attractions. Merritt Beach splits the distance evenly.
Two private lakes, a swimming beach, fire rings, and a gated community of long-term campers — here’s what everyday life at Merritt Beach looks like.
Every amenity is included with every stay — overnight, monthly, or seasonal. No tiers, no hidden fees.
On-site connection at your pad for the full stay.
Run AC, appliances, and devices without a generator.
Private on-site lake with beach access all season.
A separate stocked lake on the property.
Secured, managed campground — registered guests only.
All stay types welcome pets, subject to leash/cleanup rules.
Sand volleyball, playground, and biking paths.
Designated fire rings with onsite firewood available.
Campground events for monthly and seasonal guests.
April through October — full-season camping with full hookups, private lakes, and day-trip access to Nebraska City, Omaha, and the Lewis & Clark Scenic Byway.
Season opens April 1. Excellent spring fishing on both lakes, quieter pads, and the apple blossom season in Nebraska City is just getting underway, 40 minutes south. A great time to arrive before June crowds fill sites.
Swimming lake fully open, campground events in full swing, and day trips to Omaha’s zoo and Old Market at their best. Peak season for both Merritt Beach and the Nebraska City attraction circuit.
The best season to pair Merritt Beach with Nebraska City. Apple harvest at Kimmel Orchard and Arbor Day Farm fall events are in full swing, while the campground gets quieter and the fishing gets better.
Seasonal lease holders store their RV on the pad through the winter months. Renewal deadline is August 31 — contact the campground before the end of summer to hold your site for the following season.
Merritt Beach sits at the midpoint of Nebraska’s most scenic Hwy 75 corridor — 40 minutes from Nebraska City’s orchards and history, 35 minutes from Omaha’s world-class attractions, with the Platte River five minutes from the gate.
Omaha’s historic cobblestone dining, galleries, and nightlife district.
Historic Hwy 75 corridor follows the Missouri River through Nebraska — stops from Plattsmouth to Nebraska City and beyond.
Nebraska City’s premier attraction — historic Arbor Day grounds with orchards, trails, hiking, and the birthplace of Arbor Day.
Kayaking, canoeing, and fishing access are minutes from the campground gate on the Platte River.
World-class zoo in Omaha — one of the world’s top-ranked, 35 minutes north on Hwy 75.
900+ acres of old-growth forest with hiking trails and Missouri River overlooks.
Scenic Nebraska state park along the Missouri River — camping, hiking, and historic Native American cave carvings.
Charming downtown with antique shops, local dining, and the John Brown’s Cave — an Underground Railroad historic site.
All rate types include full hookups and both private lakes. Whether you’re passing through on Hwy 75, exploring orchard country for a few weeks, or making this your seasonal home base, there’s a rate that fits.
Traveling Hwy 75 between Nebraska City and Omaha? Merritt Beach is the natural overnight stop at the midpoint — full hookups, two private lakes, and a gated campground 40 minutes north of Nebraska City.
Spending several weeks exploring orchard country, the Lewis & Clark Scenic Byway, or working on a project in the Plattsmouth or Cass County area? Monthly sites are available month-to-month without a full-season commitment.
Lock in your pad from April through October. Priority site selection, winter storage eligibility, and the best per-night rate on the lake. Ideal for families who want a Hwy 75 corridor home base for the full Nebraska camping season.
Common questions from guests visiting Nebraska City attractions or traveling the Hwy 75 / Lewis & Clark Scenic Byway corridor.
Approximately 35 miles north of Nebraska City via Hwy 75 North — about a 40-minute drive. Hwy 75 runs directly between the two towns along the Missouri River valley, with no complicated turns.
Yes — and it’s the best-positioned campground for the Nebraska City day-trip circuit. Stay at Merritt Beach, drive south 40 minutes for Arbor Day Farm, Kimmel Orchard, or Nebraska City’s historic district, then return to the lake for the evening. The drive is scenic both ways.
Yes. Fall is actually one of the best times to pair Merritt Beach with Nebraska City. Kimmel Orchard and Arbor Day Farm harvest events run through September and October — the campground gets quieter, the fishing gets better, and you have a full lakeside base while exploring the orchards.
April 1 through October 31. Peak season runs from June through August. Winter storage (November through March) is available for seasonal guests with a signed lease and deposit in place by August 31.
Yes — Merritt Beach is a gated campground. All guests, including overnight visitors, must contact the campground before arriving to confirm availability and receive gate access instructions. Walk-up or drive-up entry is not available.
Yes. Merritt Beach in Plattsmouth is the only full-hookup lakeside campground on the Hwy 75 corridor between Nebraska City and Omaha. Overnight guests receive water and 30 or 50-amp electric hookups at their site.
Yes — Hwy 75 is part of the Lewis & Clark Scenic Byway, which runs along the Missouri River through eastern Nebraska. Plattsmouth and Merritt Beach sit on this route, making the campground a natural staging point for byway exploration in either direction.
The Hwy 75 corridor doesn’t get better than this stretch. Call ahead, pull off, and set up at the midpoint between Nebraska City and Omaha — two private lakes and full hookups waiting.
Prefer to call? 402-979-1196 · we answer phones until 11pm every night.
