Campgrounds

The many campgrounds of Northwest Nebraska offer everything from full RV hook-ups to primitive camping, with outdoor activities like fishing, hiking and hunting readily available.

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BIGHORN WMA

Adjoins Ponderosa WMA east of West Ash Road, Crawford
(308) 665-2924

Primitive, dispersed camping. 1,271 acres with one parking area. Open to hunting. 

*Camping is allowed on Nebraska WMAs for up to 14 nights unless otherwise posted. Follow rules and regulations posted onsite. Camping encouraged in provided parking areas to minimize impacts. Pets must be leased unless being used for hunting. NO open fires. NO alcohol. Pack-in, pack-out and leave no trace. 

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BORDEAUX CREEK WMA

Highway 20 east of Chadron
(308) 665-2924

Primitive, dispersed camping. 1,915 acres with three parking areas. Open to hunting. Fish in Big Bordeaux Creek. 

*Camping is allowed on Nebraska WMAs for up to 14 nights unless otherwise posted. Follow rules and regulations posted onsite. Camping encouraged in provided parking areas to minimize impacts. Pets must be leased unless being used for hunting. NO open fires. NO alcohol. Pack-in, pack-out and leave no trace. 

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BOX BUTTE RESERVOIR

Dunlap & Table Center Roads
Dawes County, NE 

Nine miles north of Hemingford, NE, or 35 miles south of Chadron, NE, is Box Butte Reservoir SRA with 2,212 acres, including a 1,600-acre lake. The area is a good spot for fishing, camping and picnicking and also features some of the best birdwatching opportunities. There are 34 (20 of these are being constructed in 2023) camping pads with 30- and 50-amp electrical hookups and 40 non-pad camping sites without electricity. The park offers water and vault toilets on site, with construction of a shower house and sewage dump station planned for 2023. Some of the campsites can be reserved through the Nebraska Game & Parks reservation system with the rest available on a first-come, first-served basis. Fees can be found here. State park permit required.

CAMP NORWESCA

79 Camp Norwesca Rd.
Chadron, NE 69337

Brandi May
(308) 432-3872
bmay@greatplainsumc.org

Located 9 miles South of Chadron, Camp Norwesca is a year-round facility with a lodge that sleeps up to 32 people comfortably. Camp Norwesca also has 5 cabins on property that sleep up to 10-12 people along with a conference and meeting room space which has the option to take advantage of in house catering and dining hall. Camp Norwesca offers a variety of activities during the summer, such as the super slide, sand volleyball court, gaga ball, archery opportunities, campfires, challenge/low ropes course & hiking!

 
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CHADRON CREEK WMA  PARK

Two miles south of Chadron State Park.

308-665-2924

Primitive, dispersed camping. Hike, horseback ride, bike or hunt on 2,529 acres. Two parking areas, fishing on Chadron Creek. 

*Camping is allowed on Nebraska WMAs for up to 14 nights unless otherwise posted. Follow rules and regulations posted onsite. Camping encouraged in provided parking areas to minimize impacts. Pets must be leased unless being used for hunting. NO open fires. NO alcohol. Pack-in, pack-out and leave no trace. 

CHADRON STATE PARK

15951 US Hwy 385
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-6167

Nine miles south of Chadron with 22 cabins, 70 camping pads with electrical hookups, 18 non-pad sites without electricity, swimming pool, horseback riding, fishing, paddle boats, indoor shooting gallery, disc golf, tennis and sand volleyball courts, baseball field, picnic shelters, trails, horseshoe pits, playground equipment, laundry, showers and much more.

CLIFFS TRAILHEAD

Hwy 20 and Bordeaux Road

Forest Service Road 723
Dawes County, NE 

Twelve miles southeast of Chadron in the Nebraska National Forest, The Cliffs are named for the large cliff face above Bordeaux Creek. With an extensive trail system, it’s a popular spot for motorized and non-motorized trail users of all levels. Dispersed camping is allowed at no cost; there is no trash service so remember to pack-in, pack-out. One vault toilet is available.

CRAWFORD CITY PARK

Located at the west end of Main Street
Crawford, NE 69339
(308) 665-1300

Four camping pads with 30- and 50-amp electrical hookups available in the park proper for $20 per night on a first-come, first-served basis. Three additional non-pad sites with electricity are located near the White River Wacipi Arbor. Dump station available. Dispersed, dry camping available throughout the park complex for $10 per night. Public restroom on site depending on season, no showers. 14-night limit. Picnic area, playground, baseball diamond, and swimming pool all nearby.

EAGLE’S REST RV & CAMPGROUND

1 Stockade Road / Hwy 20
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-4349

Eagle’s Rest is located just  1/2 mile west of Chadron on Highways 20 & 385 and 20 miles south of the South Dakota state-line. The campground offers overnight stays, weekly and monthly rates. Eagle’s Rest has full hook-ups, wi-fi, pull-through shady sites with clean shower houses and laundry open all the time. Follow them here. 

FORT ROBINSON STATE PARK

PO Box 392
Crawford, NE 69339
(308) 665-2900

Three miles west of Crawford on U.S. Highway 20, Fort Robinson has been named one of the best places in the nation to have a family reunion with a variety of 35 group lodging options available, all with kitchens baths and bedrooms. The Fort’s historic lodge also has 22 rooms. Lodging is available April 1 through Nov. 30. The park also offers 172 RV sites and 30 tents sites; modern restrooms, laundry, showers, water, dump station, picnic tables and shelters on site. Group camping with equestrian facilities is offered year-round, though showers and water are unavailable during the winter months. The 22,000-acre park features summertime amenities for all ages, including an indoor swimming pool, horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, tubing, hiking and biking trails, museums, weekly rodeos, cookouts, playground equipment and tours by stagecoach, jeep and hayrack.

Photo of Soldier Creek Wilderness

FORT ROBINSON WMA 

Adjoins Fort Robinson State Park north of Soldier Creek Road near the Dawes/Sioux County line.
(308) 665-2924

Primitive dispersed camping. 1 parking area. 640 acres open to hunting.

*Camping is allowed on Nebraska WMAs for up to 14 nights unless otherwise posted. Follow rules and regulations posted onsite. Camping encouraged in provided parking areas to minimize impacts. Pets must be leased unless being used for hunting. NO open fires. NO alcohol. Pack-in, pack-out and leave no trace. 

GILBERT BAKER WMA

Monroe Canyon Rd
Harrison, NE 69337

(308) 665-2924

Located approximately 5 miles north of Harrison, Gilbert Baker Wildlife Management Area encompasses 2,535 acres filled with deer, dove, elk, rabbit, squirrel and turkey. Monroe Creek bisects the area and it and Gilbert Baker Pond provide fishing opportunities. Free primitive camping available in a designated area with a vault latrine and hand water pump.

*Camping is allowed on Nebraska WMAs for up to 14 nights unless otherwise posted. Follow rules and regulations posted onsite. Camping encouraged in provided parking areas to minimize impacts. Pets must be leased unless being used for hunting. NO open fires. NO alcohol. Pack-in, pack-out and leave no trace. 

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HARRISON CITY PARK

260 4th St.
Harrison, NE 69346
(308) 668-2445

Two RV pads with electrical hook-ups. Free will donation.

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PETERSON WMA

West of Fort Robinson State Park on Highway 20, Crawford
(308) 665-2924

Primitive, dispersed camping. 4,261 acres with four parking areas. Open to hunting.

*Camping is allowed on Nebraska WMAs for up to 14 nights unless otherwise posted. Follow rules and regulations posted onsite. Camping encouraged in provided parking areas to minimize impacts. Pets must be leased unless being used for hunting. NO open fires. NO alcohol. Pack-in, pack-out and leave no trace. 

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PONDEROSA WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

Hwy 2
Crawford, NE 69339
(308) 665-2924

Primitive camping available; 4,831 acres with six parking areas. Fish in Squaw Creek. Open to hunting. 

*Camping is allowed on Nebraska WMAs for up to 14 nights unless otherwise posted. Follow rules and regulations posted onsite. Camping encouraged in provided parking areas to minimize impacts. Pets must be leased unless being used for hunting. NO open fires. NO alcohol. Pack-in, pack-out and leave no trace. 

Q’S DAIRY SWEET

 

3554 Hwy 20
Crawford, NE 69339
308-665-1323

 

Fuel up your body with goodies from Q’s Dairy Sweet and then hook up the RV at one of the three RV sites, complete with electricity and water. Available 24 hours a day.

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RED CLOUD CAMPGROUND 

 

Hwy 385
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-4475

 

The Red Cloud Campground in the Nebraska National Forest is located one mile south of Chadron State Park on the west side of Highway 385. The campground has 13 sites with picnic tables, parking pads, pedestal grills, fire rings, and a vault toilet. $10/night

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ROBERTS TRACT TRAILHEAD CAMPGROUND

 

Pine Ridge National Recreation Area
Forest Service Road 747, Whitney, NE 69367

(308) 432-0300

 

Roberts Tract Trailhead and Campground is located eight miles west of Chadron on U.S. Highway 20 and seven miles south on Eleson Road, then 1 1/2 miles east on Bethel Road in the Nebraska National Forest. Horse corrals, a rider ramp and stock water are available, as are three tent sites with tables and fire rings. The parking area also has one site with a table and fire ring for visitors with horse trailers or campers. No potable water. Stock water is available from mid-may to mid-October, and garbage service is provided from mid-May to mid-November; the rest of the year the campground and trailhead is pack-in, pack-out. Open year-round, the trailhead provides non-motorized travel by mountain bike, hiking and horseback. $15/night.  

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SAGE MOTEL & CAMPGROUND 

 

398 E. Hwy 20
Harrison, NE 69346
(308) 665-5300

 

The Sage Motel has 12 rooms (all ground level) and they all have WIFI and Cable TV.   Eight rooms have a queen size bed, three rooms have two full size beds and one room has two queens. The campground has 12 full hook-ups and easy access. A horse motel adjoins the campground.

SOLDIER CREEK CAMPGROUND

 

Nebraska National Forest
Crawford, NE 69339
(308) 432-0300

 

Adjacent to the Soldier Creek Wilderness Area near Fort Robinson State Park, this campground has three sites with a picnic table and fire ring, and at least three other camping areas large enough for a horse trailer or RV. A hand pump well provides potable water, and there are three vault toilets, garbage cans and a large 15-paddock corral system on site. Stock water must be hauled from nearby creeks or the hand pump during the fee period. Campground is open year-round, but potable water and garbage service is only offered from mid-May to mid-November. $15/night

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SPOTTED TAIL TRAILHEAD 

 

Nebraska National Forest
Chadron, NE 69337
(308) 432-0300

 

Dispersed camping is allowed off of Forest Road 711 near the Spotted Tail Trailhead south of Chadron. No potable water and no garbage service so pack-in, pack-out is required. No public restrooms. The Spotted Tail Loop Trail and Pine Ridge Trail are both open to non-motorized travel for mountain biking, hiking and horseback riding.

TOADSTOOL GEOLOGIC PARK

 

Nebraska National Forest
Forest Service Road 902, Crawford, NE 69337
(308) 432-0300

 

Toadstool Geologic Park is noted for its unusual geological formations, some in the shape of toadstools, and scientifically valuable fossil deposits. The trailhead at the campground provides access to three hiking trails to choose from with varying degrees of difficulty. The campground consists of six sites (additional sites being constructed in 2023) with picnic tables and fire rings and upright grills and two accessible vault toilets. There is no water and the campground is open year round with limited services from mid- November to early May.  In the off season pack in/pack out. $3/day use fee or $15/night.

WEST ASH PICNIC AREA

 

Nebraska National Forest
Crawford, NE 69337
(308) 432-0300

 

Dispersed primitive camping is allowed at this picnic area along West Ash Creek just off of West Ash Road. No garbage service (pack-in, pack-out), no water, no restrooms. The picnic area includes two sites with picnic tables and fire rings. Access to the Pine Ridge Trail and the West Ash Trailhead is nearby.

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WHITNEY LAKE INLET WMA

Whitney Lake Road
(308) 665-2924

Primitive, dispersed camping. 7.6 acres with two parking areas. Open to hunting. Fish Whitney Lake. 

*Camping is allowed on Nebraska WMAs for up to 14 nights unless otherwise posted. Follow rules and regulations posted onsite. Camping encouraged in provided parking areas to minimize impacts. Pets must be leased unless being used for hunting. NO open fires. NO alcohol. Pack-in, pack-out and leave no trace.Â