Chadron State Park and Riverside Park Campground offer luxury camping options approximately 60 miles from Alliance, Nebraska. The region features a mix of pine-covered buttes, grasslands, and river valleys with elevations ranging from 3,600 to 4,900 feet. Summer temperatures average 85°F with cooler nights dropping to 55°F, while spring and fall camping sees daytime highs of 65-75°F with overnight lows that can approach freezing.
What to do
Hiking trails: Chadron State Park connects to Nebraska National Forest trails with varying difficulty levels. "Drive through the park and you can enter into Nebraska national forest which has amazing views out to the prairies and farm land below. One of the best places to watch the sunset," notes one visitor to Chadron State Park Campground.
National monuments: Schedule a day trip to nearby landmarks from Riverside Park. "We chose this campground for its proximity to Scottsbluff. We booked for a couple of days to visit Scott's Bluff Monument, Chimney Rock, and Fort Laramie," shares a camper at Riverside Park Campground.
Water activities: Fish in stocked ponds or use rental boats available at select parks. "Nice main pond to do some fishing, streams that run through the area," mentions a Chadron State Park visitor who comes annually for the Fur Trade Days celebration.
What campers like
Accessibility: Many sites offer convenient proximity to area attractions. "When you pull up to this campground it is on the corner of two busy highways. It is surrounded by trees which cuts a little of the traffic noise out. We stayed for 3 nights and it was a quick trip into the town," writes a visitor to J & C RV Park.
Scenic views: Several campgrounds feature elevated positions with panoramic vistas. "The views from here include cliffs, prairie/grassland, rolling hills, waterways and little lakes, and amazing sunrises & sunsets. Close to historic Ft. Robinson and other national forests and grasslands," reports one Chadron State Park camper.
Family amenities: Sites often include recreational facilities beyond natural attractions. "Riverside Park is in the city park right next to the zoo so you can hear the peacocks screaming. In the park there is a nice size dog run/agility area," notes a Riverside visitor.
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Most campgrounds have limited operating seasons. Riverside Park operates from April to October, while many glamping options close to Alliance, Nebraska operate between mid-April and mid-November.
Site selection: Campground layouts vary widely in shade, privacy and facilities. "The view is great if you stay in the even # sites 38-48," advises a visitor to Chadron State Park Campground.
Booking requirements: Some campgrounds require advance reservations while others accept same-day arrivals. "Says you must reserve ahead of time online but it must be done before 12 hours prior," explains a Riverside visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature dedicated play areas for children. "There's a playground, trails, a dog park, and a beautiful view, most of all," mentions a Riverside camper about the amenities available for families.
Swimming options: Look for campgrounds with pool facilities during summer months. "A nice park and playground for kids to play in, an indoor 3D archery facility, a community pool with two diving boards and it has a little kid pool for those not yet good swimmers," notes a visitor to Chadron State Park Campground.
Budget options: Tent camping provides affordable alternatives to premium glamping. "We tent camped here on the last night of a road trip after stopping at the national monument. The tent area was a nice open, grassy area. There weren't many of us tenting so we didn't have anyone close!" shares a visitor to Riverside Park.
Tips from RVers
Site surfaces: Many RV sites feature gravel pads with varying levelness. "Sites are gravel but pretty level. Full hookup site had 30 and 50 amp hookups along with water and sewer. For $25 a night it's a good value," notes a Riverside Park camper.
Site assistance: Some park hosts provide setup help for larger rigs. "Owner is very nice and a pleasure to talk to. Assisted with getting 40' class A into spot. Full hook-ups in all sites. 30/50 amp," shares a visitor to J & C RV Park.
RV site selection: Look for end-of-row sites when possible. "Best sites are the ones at the end of the rows as they have a nice patch of lawn," advises a Riverside Park visitor.