To use any Nebraska State Park you must first have a valid pass, both for your RV and if applicable, for your towed. As a non-resident, that totals $92 (in 2023). I've been to three Nebraska State Parks so far, and there is quite a variance in the look and feel of each. Lake Minatare is what I'd call minimalist. Paved roads and paved sites, with electricity. No water, no sewer (one RV dump station for 100 campsites). Potable water is available, just have a hose at least 100' long to reach the tap. I stayed in the 'Butte View' camping section; the only view of the Butte is on the road leading into that camping section; otherwise, you're backed into sites on the lake with the view of a berm on the opposite side (sites 72-99). The lake level can be high (literally at the back end of your backed-in RV), or much lower as water is drained for farm irrigation during the summer. Big, old, and beautiful cottonwood trees surround the lake providing shade and separation between RV sites. This is a fishing and recreational destination park. The rate for an 'electric plus' site is $30 (2023) per night, the 'plus' being included picnic table and fire pit. This park is generally clean and maintained, but I was debating a rating of 3 versus 4 stars. I settled on 4 stars because it is quiet (no railroad tracks, no interstate, no main roads passing through with traffic), the sites are level, the electricity worked, and it is a fair value, once you have the State Park Pass(es) on your windshield(s), and are amortizing that cost by staying at other Nebraska State Parks that year.
A barebones RV Park with water and electricity but no sewer at each site (a dumpsite upon exit from park), situated in the Big Hole River valley south of Butte, along Hwy 43. There is no Verizon reception here, you must drive to the intersection of Hwy 43 and I-15 (13 miles east) to get Verizon voice/data signal; wifi provided by the RV Park is minimal (no streaming, email or picture can be sent if you're lucky). It is beautiful, quiet park with gravel road access to pull-through sites; a community fire pit is situated in the center of the park with free chopped wood. Cash or check only at pay station. A nice dog run is cut out of the tall native grasses in the field to the east.
Open ranch land surrounds this relatively small dirt/gravel road park, with two rows of 8 or so pull-throughs in each row. The view of Chimney Rock Historical Site is unobstructed and striking from the south RV row. RV sites are quite narrow, so with slide outs on either/both sides, you will be maybe 8-10 feet from your neighbor's rig. There is a UP train track parallel to highway 92, horns blow but tracks are straight so no wheel screeching. Full modern hookups (no cable) at each site. Cellphone reception (Verizon) is strong enough for data. You are fully exposed if storms come through (strong winds, hail, rain, thunder and lightning) with no place to shelter should a tornado develop. We experienced those weather concerns in late June. This is a generally quiet and beautiful park that we would visit again, with an eye on weather.
Newer campsites for the transient RVers, atop an elevation high point of the Nebraska plains, so the view (of the prairie landscapes) is pretty much limited only by weather. You can see Interstate 80, but you're far enough to away that noise is not an issue. The wi-fi didn't work for me during my three day stay, but LTE cell reception was fine. Clean, well maintained with 24 hour laundry, showers, and restrooms. A great stopover point, or make it a couple of nights to take in the nearby sites (Scottsbluff, Chimney Rock and The Wildcat Hills Rec Area).
I would just confirm the Review by Brandi below in regard to the pros. The mosquitos were everywhere in late June so cut short the dog walk to the great disappointment of my two dogs. Just seemed over-priced for what it is @ $60 per night. I won't return even though I take this route to see family frequently.
Friendly host, tight fit for 40’ Class A with tow but manageable (large rigs would benefit a phone call to clarify your approach and which drive to use to enter the park), noisy from interstate 90 traffic, passing railroad horns (multiple coal trains), but a clean and well maintained park with level stone/rock sites, small grass yards with picnic table, no fire pits. After about 11pm road noise subsided. Ideal for quick overnight stay if you’re not a light sleeper.
A beautiful park with easy access to the ocean. There is no Verizon cellular service at campsites; You will drive approximately a mile and a half to the boat dock, or, walk on the beach to the east, approximately 1 mile to get Verizon voice and data.