Your Dream Vacation Is Closer Than You Think!

Anyone who purchases a new or used RV before September 15th will have a chance to compete for an unforgettable dream vacation to four of America's most iconic national parks!

Follow our Facebook page for the full details on this incredible itinerary, or stop by Camperland today to learn more about this exciting giveaway and see everything this outstanding prize has to offer!

Tulsa, Oklahoma → Gothenburg, Nebraska

Buckle up for a scenic drive north — with a quick stretch through Kansas, a state so famously flat and straight that some say you can watch your dog run away for three days. But push through, because the payoff is Gothenburg, Nebraska, a charming small town that was once a real stop along the historic Pony Express route.

Travel Time: 7 hours, 44 minutes.

The popular 3-3-3 rules of RV travel suggest you drive no more than 300 miles per day, arrive at your campsite by 3:00 PM, and stay a minimum of 3 days in each location. Because of the distance to our first destination, we are ignoring these rules for the first (and last) parts of our trip, but feel free to add as many stops as you like!

Where to Camp: Lafayette Park Campground

A shaded, quiet city park campground with 30/50-amp electric and water hookups, showers, restrooms, and a dump station. Set beneath large cottonwood trees and adjacent to Lake Helen's walking trails, it's an easy, big-rig-friendly stop with quaint, small-town charm.

Optional Points of Interest in Gothenburg:

If you aren't in a hurry to move on, Gothenburg and the surrounding area offers several historical sites and recreational activities.

• Pony Express Station — A well-preserved original log cabin from the historic mail route, featuring exhibits on the riders and their legendary 1,966-mile journey. The museum is located in Ehmen Park, a beautiful place to stretch your legs after a day of travel.
• Sod House Museum — Step inside an authentic recreation of a pioneer sod house and learn how early settlers built homes from the materials of the treeless prairie.
• Lake Helen Recreation Area — A scenic 20-acre lake with a paved hike/bike trail, picnic shelters, fishing, and a 9-hole frisbee golf course. Lake Helena is located adjacent to Lafayette Park Campground.
• Wild Horse Golf Club — For golf-loving travelers, this nationally ranked, links-style course offers rolling terrain and a beautiful prairie backdrop.
• Old Depot Vineyard and Winery — A local favorite for wine and pizza, just a short drive from town.
• Pioneer Village (Minden, NE) — About 45 minutes south of Gothenburg, this sprawling Americana museum houses over 50,000 historical artifacts across 28 buildings — including antique cars, planes, tractors, and the nation's oldest steam-powered carousel. Worth the detour for history and antique lovers, though plan on several hours to see it all.

Whether travelers want a quiet history stop, a scenic walk, or a detour into one of Nebraska's most beloved roadside attractions, Gothenburg offers a great first-night stop full of small-town charm before continuing north.