New campground opens along Niobrara River near Valentine

VALENTINE, Neb. - Tourists and locals alike now have a fresh spot to soak in the beauty of the Niobrara National Scenic River. An old campground is gaining new life in north-central Nebraska, just a few miles outside of Valentine.

“We’ve already had people from Arizona, Texas, and others coming from Sturgis,” Billie Brockley said.

Brockley, along with her sister and dad, purchased the former KOA Campground in May. They’ve recently reopened it as River Hideout Campground, offering stays for $25 a night.

“It’s close to town, but you’re still outside of town. It’s quiet. It’s peaceful,” Brockley said.

“We had some campers down here for ten days, and they absolutely loved it because it’s peaceful, quiet and remote,” Co-owner Karen Phillips said.

While you can currently camp at River Hideout, the owners are planning updates, including tearing down the old KOA building and building a new bathhouse.

“We don’t have a bathhouse. We just have a toilet. We do have water and electric hookup,” Phillips said.

The family’s vision also includes transforming an area into a venue for events like weddings. However, even with more modest offerings, tourists and locals are finding the nature hideaway to be the perfect retreat.

"Every time I come down here there’s turkey or deer,” Phillips said. "It really is beautiful."