Designated in 1921, Chadron State Park is Nebraska’s oldest state park and one of its most beautiful. The 972-acre park is located in the heart of the Nebraska National Forest, surrounded by stately ponderosa pines with distant views of the Pine Ridge escarpment.

Chadron State Park has 22 semi-furnished cabins, a modern campground with RV hookups, and a primitive campground for tent camping. The Park has a regulation-size swimming pool, volleyball and tennis courts, paddleboats, fishing, archery, horseback trail rides, a craft center and snack bar, mountain bike rentals, and five large picnic shelters. Miles of hiking trails branch across the Park and several extend to the National Forest, all offering breath-taking scenery and fun for all ages.

Cabins are available from mid-April to mid-November; primitive camping is allowed year-round. A valid Nebraska State Park entry permit is required for all vehicles entering the park.

The park celebrates its creation every June with an anniversary bash. Activities typically include the Kiwanis Regatta canoe race on the park’s pond, the Run for the Hills trail races, a classic car show and a wide variety of displays, including the Game and Parks taxidermy trailer featuring mounts confiscated due to game violations. Live music, discounted horseback rides, free paddle boat rides, archery and pellet gun shooting also fill the day.

Location: Chadron