Moon Creek Area Campground

🏞️ Introduction / Overview

For many Nebraska outdoors enthusiasts, the perfect camping trip means leaving the fully-developed RV parks behind and embracing a more natural, primitive experience. The Moon Creek Area Campground is one such place, located as a designated camping access point within the expansive Sherman Reservoir State Recreation Area (SRA) near Loup City, Nebraska. This area is less of a manicured campground with defined pads and hookups, and more of a rustic access point for those looking to immerse themselves in the central Nebraska wilderness.

The Moon Creek Area is one of several access trails—specifically Trail 11—leading to the shoreline of the 2,845-acre Sherman Reservoir. It is managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission as part of the State Recreation Area. Its primary appeal lies in its designation for primitive, non-pad camping, making it a popular, though rugged, spot for fishermen and those with basic camping needs. It caters to a self-sufficient camper who prioritizes direct access to the water and the tranquility of the wildlife management area over luxury amenities. As a potential visitor, it is essential to set your expectations: Moon Creek is known for its rolling, hilly terrain and provides a much more “roughing it” style of camping than the nearby developed areas of Sherman Reservoir.

🗺️ Location and Accessibility

The Moon Creek Area is an integral part of the Sherman Reservoir State Recreation Area, situated approximately five miles northeast of Loup City, NE.

General Area Address: Loup City, NE 68853, USA (Accessible via marked trails within Sherman Reservoir SRA)

Accessibility Considerations: The Moon Creek Area is accessible via one of the State Recreation Area’s secondary access roads, often referred to as Trail 11. Due to its primitive nature, access might be less forgiving than main paved loops. For those planning a visit, it is crucial to understand that the terrain is notably hilly. Campers have noted that finding a perfectly flat spot for parking vehicles or setting up tents can be challenging, with much of the land on a significant slope. This characteristic makes it less suitable for large, heavy-duty RVs or campers requiring a perfectly level pad.

Entry into the Sherman Reservoir SRA, which includes the Moon Creek Area, requires a valid Nebraska Park Entry Permit to be displayed on your vehicle. All camping spots in this specific area are operated on a first-come, first-served basis, meaning reservations are not possible, and early arrival is recommended during peak summer weekends or popular fishing seasons. This is truly a spot for the adventurer who is prepared for a more rugged and exploratory style of camping in central Nebraska.

⛺ Services Offered

As a primitive camping area within a State Recreation Area, the services at Moon Creek are intentionally limited, focusing on essential access and sanitation rather than comprehensive hookups and developed infrastructure.

• Primitive Camping: The area offers non-pad, undesignated camping spots that accommodate both tents and smaller camping units that are comfortable on uneven, grassy terrain.
• Sanitary Facilities: Vault toilets are generally available near the main access points to provide basic restroom services for campers and day-use visitors.
• Water Access: While the specific Moon Creek Area may not have dedicated water hookups, community water sources are generally available within the broader Sherman Reservoir SRA, particularly near the main entrance or the shower house facility on Trail 1.
• Boat Ramp Access: The area provides access to the 2,845-acre Sherman Reservoir, which is open to all types of boating. There are generally multiple boat ramps located across the broader SRA for launching watercraft.
• Nearby Concession: The Trade Winds Marina, located near the dam on Trail 2, acts as the primary concessionaire for the reservoir, offering supplies, fuel, and food services during the recreation season.

🎣 Features / Highlights

The Moon Creek Area, and the larger Sherman Reservoir SRA, provides several key features that draw campers from across Nebraska.

• Excellent Fishing Opportunities: Sherman Reservoir is a premier central Nebraska destination for anglers, with a reputation for strong catches of walleye, crappie, channel catfish, white bass, and northern pike. The diverse shoreline and structure offer excellent fishing throughout the season.
• Primitive & Rustic Setting: For those seeking an escape from crowded, pavement-dominated campgrounds, Moon Creek offers a genuine primitive camping experience. It is one of the designated areas where the camping feels more isolated and immersed in the wildlife management setting.
• Wildlife & Hunting Access: The surrounding 4,721 acres of land at the Sherman Reservoir Wildlife Management Area (WMA) offer substantial hunting opportunities, including deer, turkey, pheasant, and quail, making Moon Creek an excellent base camp during hunting seasons.
• Water Sport Hub: The massive reservoir allows for all types of boating and water sports, including water skiing and sailing, ensuring recreational variety for the whole family.
• Affordable Experience: Generally, primitive, non-pad camping is offered at a much lower daily fee than utility sites, providing an extremely cost-effective outdoor getaway for Nebraska residents.

📞 Contact Information

For the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding permits, current lake conditions, and general questions about the Sherman Reservoir State Recreation Area, which encompasses the Moon Creek Area, please use the main park office contact.

Sherman Reservoir State Recreation Area Office Phone: (308) 745-0230

Physical Address (General Area): 79025 Sherman Dam Rd. Ste 1, Loup City, NE 68853, USA

Please note that phone services might be limited in the immediate Moon Creek Area due to its remote, primitive location.

💚 What is Worth Choosing

Choosing the Moon Creek Area Campground is choosing the quintessential, no-frills Nebraska outdoor adventure. It is worth selecting this area if your primary goal is to camp affordably and have nearly unrestricted access to the vast fishing and water recreation of Sherman Reservoir. It is not the place for luxury RV amenities, but it is the perfect spot for the angler who wants to be first on the water, or the family prepared to enjoy the rugged beauty of the rolling hills and quiet seclusion. The Moon Creek Area is truly unique because it retains a deliberately undeveloped, primitive character, offering a raw, unfiltered camping experience that has become increasingly rare. If you own a tent, a truck camper, or a smaller RV, and are willing to embrace the challenge of the hilly terrain for a reward of quiet, lakeside nights and phenomenal fishing, then Moon Creek Area is the genuine, rustic destination you’ve been searching for in Central Nebraska.