Looking to cabin camp near Chadron and enjoy a rustic retreat into nature? Find the best information on cabin camping near Chadron, including sites, reviews, and tips for getting the most out of your camping experience. The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect cabin rental near Chadron.
$100 / night
There are two distinct areas of the Nebraska National Forest. This area encompasses the west end of the Nebraska National Forest near Chadron and Crawford and is managed by the Pine Ridge Ranger District. The other distinct area within Nebraska National Forest is located near Halsey in central Nebraska. Special places within the Chadron area include Soldier Creek Wilderness and the Pine Ridge National Recreation Area as well as several developed recreation sites for camping, picnicking, or trailheads for access to miles of trails into the wide open spaces of the Nebraska National Forest. Pine Ridge National Recreation Area is a 6,600-acre area is designed to provide a primitive/semi-primitive recreational opportunity in a natural environment and is managed for non-motorized recreation. Approximately 80 miles of marked trails make up the Pine Ridge Trail system. The easy-to-follow trails accommodate hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers. Soldier Creek Wilderness Area offers a well-developed trail system of 17 miles in and adjacent to the Wilderness which allows hikers and horseback riders a variety of trial loop choices. Overnight camping in developed sites is on a first-come, first-served basis. Campfires are allowed unless restrictions are posted. Backcountry or primitive camping (no facilities) is allowed anywhere on the National Forest. Practicing Leave No Trace principles ensures that the next person to visit will have the same sense of discovery as those who came before.
Camp under shady ponderosa pines in a quiet mountain setting. Hot Springs / Black Hills KOA is located at the southern end of the Black Hills, near Wind Cave National Park, Custer State Park, the Mammoth Site, Evans Plunge, the Black Hills Wild Horse Sanctuary, Windcross Conservancy and the shops in historic downtown Hot Springs. Daily breakfasts are available to start your days off right (seasonal). All sites have picnic tables. Cabins have air-conditioning, ceiling fans, heaters, grills and porch swings. You'll also find free Wi-Fi and cable TV at all RV Sites. Enjoy the large heated pool, mini golf, basketball, volleyball, playground, community fire pit and recreation room.
Red Cloud Campground offers 32 Full Hookup campsites. Red Cloud campground offers reservations for half of their campsites up to one year in advance of arrival.
$22 - $26 / night
Relax Refresh Restore
We believe doing less is more and that playing is not done often enough!
Stay with us and enjoy sun filled days and soak in the cool clear lake while you observe the clouds breeze by. Explore the nature all around you. And once the day is done gather around a campfire, enjoy the star studded night sky, and feel the quiet restfulness deep in your soul.
We are the only intimate outdoor resort with a private lake in the Southern Black Hills of South Dakota where people can relax, disconnect and enjoy life in a natural setting! We are a disconnected campground (no cable, no wifi in the campground area or cabins but great cell phone coverage) so you can reconnect with yourself, you family, and your friends!
$38 - $57 / night
Fort Robinson State Park visitors can choose lodging from rooms in the 1909 enlisted men's quarters or "cabins" ranging from sleep 2 to 20 in the former officers quarters that date from 1874 to 1909. All "cabins" have kitchens, baths, living rooms and bedrooms. Several sleep 6 and all larger units have living rooms. Cabins are full housekeeping units furnished with blankets, towels, stoves, refrigerators, silverware and cooking utensils.
$120 - $475 / night
$5 - $45 / night
Guide
Stopped on the way back to Colorado after visiting Mt Rushmore and Wind Cave NP. This is your classic KOA. Sites are close together, but there are trees so it’s not super sunny and hot. We stayed in a Camping Cabin, and it was exactly like you’d expect. Bathrooms are fairly clean, people were respectful of quiet hours, and the laundry room and dish washing sink is nice to have on a long road trip. Pretty good option if you’re passing through or need a break from the no-showers variety of national forest/park campgrounds. Most KOAs are pretty predictable and this one meets the standard.
Guide
Chadron State park is located just a few miles south of Chadron, NE. There are many nice picnic areas throughout the park, some big enough to host large groups. They also offer cabins to rent if you plan on staying the night. Drive through the park and you can enter in to Nebraska national forest which has amazing views out to the prairies and farm land below. One of the best places to watch the sunset!
RangerStayed here for an event in Chadron at the cabins and they served their purpose, but they were fairly outdated. Really pretty campground though and I would like to go back tent camping. Typical nice and clean amentities, some small wildlife sightings, overall a really enjoyable experience.
Legend
Factoid: When I stayed here I learned that the Nebraska National Forest is manmade! It is the largest hand planted forest in the US. it felt like a green oasis in the “desert" of Western Nebraska!
I spent 3 days hiking in this Forest and enjoyed every minute on each trail. This area has such differing geography. I’d begin the hike in the Forest, climb up to the ridge and catch views all the way into the vast, flat Buffalo National Grasslands area.
My home base was in Chadron State Park where I camped. The park itself has 6 miles of hiking trails which connect with several other trails in the Nebraska National Forest. The video is a section of the Black Hills Overlook Trail in the National Forest. A definite must! There was evidence of old wildfires on the western slopes, but otherwise the lodgepole pine trees were beautiful. Steamboat Butte Trail is another good hike.
Chadron State Park is located in the Nebraska National Forest off Hwy 385 south of the town of Chadron which has a Walmart for supplies.The park has pretty much everything: a fishing pond, A trading post for basic camp supplies and some food, swimming pool, seasonal horseback trail rides, archery range, tennis court, disc golf, sand volleyball, horseshoe pits, softball field, playground, AC/heated cabins, group camping with a group lodge, and campsites with 30 amp HU, no water so fill up at the bathrooms and there’s a dump station on site.
The site I was in was level, but there was no shade. Shade trees are sparse in the area where I was camped. It was quiet and the stars were great at night, and made for a good home base from which to hike in the Nebraska National Forest.
Guidesite: stayed in a cabin, would have preferred a tent (outdated, not well maintained, not very clean)
amenities: n/a
attractions: pool. lake. hiking.
I would not go camping (or stay in a cabin) here again.
RangerThis was our first time here and we are already planning our next trip. The park is nestled inside the Nebraska National Forest and provides breathtaking views all around. We stayed in a small cabin for this trip, but next trip will be bringing our camper. There are so many activities here including archery, horseback riding, hiking, and fishing just to name a few. The scenic drive or hike to see the large buttes is really something. I highly recommend this state park for anyone!
LegendLocated in the Northwest corner of the Nebraska panhandle this 98 year old state park has it all for a great family get-away of road tripping stop. Chadron State park offers 70 electric and 18 primitive camping sites. The bulk of the primitive sites are walk up so be sure to get there early for the sites that have the best shade trees. There are a few non-reservable electric sites but to be safe I’d book online well in advance or call ahead. You can also book cabins at this park and during my stay the cabins looked to be entirely in use. Enjoy miles of hiking and mountain biking trails that range from level to steep inclines through rouged terrain. Activities such as swimming in the well maintained pool, horse back riding have extra fees which are reasonable. There is a great fishing pond and several playgrounds scattered throughout the park. If you plan on horseback riding, and you should it was the highlight of our trip, tours begin at 9am and leave every hour except noon until 3pm. I recommend the 9am or 10am ride to avoid the heat. You register at the visitor center located at the front of the park for this 45 min guided ride. Other features of this park include an archery range, paddle boats, tennis, horseshoe pits, sand volleyballs and outdoor events (check the Nebraska state parks calendar).
On this multi family campout we had 8 kids with us and 6 adults. We camped in sites 16 and 14 which are electric sites. We chose these sites for the plentiful shade trees and proximity to the water pump and the shower building. The sites are deep and mostly flat. We had a little tent city going with large tents and we all found level, shaded ground.
Observations: the grounds are well kept with regular rounds from camp hosts and park staff to check trash and make sure the guests are happy. If you are hoping for some downed wood for fire you’ll be out of luck at this park. You can bring in local wood and find wood for purchase on site and in nearby Chadron just a 12 minute drive North of the park. You may want to bring your bike to the park. Most of the attractions are a quick although hilly ride from the campsite. I would like to see walking and riding paths separate from the roads at this park. When driving be on the look out for pedestrians and bike riders on the road. This was a quite campground with many short stay visitors during our stay. Quite hours start at 10pm and end at 8am. I have to say were were easily the loudest group a bit in violation of the 10pm quite time as we played games around the campfire but we were not visited by any neighbors or the camp host. If you are a fan of view spectacular night skies this a a great park. You can see brilliant stars, planets and the Milky Way. On hikes you’ll see sandstone buttes and valleys. We also saw many bird species and more woodpeckers than I’ve seen in any other location. You’ll also see white tail and mule deer around the park. The camp host told us that in the fall you can observe big horn sheep in the area. On your hike bring binoculars and enjoy a peak at the black hills of South Dakota.
The visitor center offers camping essentials you may have lost of forgotten, souvenirs, ice, wood and a vending machine. You can also visit the trading post on site and order from a small menu of breakfast and lunch/dinner items.
Nearby Chadron State park you can visit the Nebraska state forest and grasslands, Agate fossil beds, fur trading museum, Box Butte state recreation area/lake, Black Hills of South Dakota, and Fort Robinson state park. All in all this is a must see state park for a short or long stay with family, friends, or a solo trip. 5 stars in my book.
Ranger Review, Wenzel Portico 6 tent:
As a ranger for The Dyrt I have the opportunity from time to time to review camping products. I was fortunate to be able to review the Wenzel Portico 6 tent on this multifamily 3 night, 2 day campout.
The Portico 6 is a 74” heigh dome style tent using 3 lightweight shock corded poles. The footprint is 10’x9’ and advertised as a 6 person tent. I’d cut that in half for occupancy in reality. I’m 6’2” and my sons are 6’ and 5’6”. I’d say with sleeping bags and a couple of back packs we would consume the entire floor space. We tested this tent with 2 cots and two 12 year old boys for 3 nights. The tent was intuitive and easy to set up from the box without looking at directions. Total set up time was roughly 17 minutes from initial unboxing to completion. This is definitely a two person job in order to get the poles upright but not difficult. The Portico has some great highlights including a dry entry awning although a bit short, plastic pole holders at the corners, and a large D shape entry. The door zipper worked very well with no snagging which was a very pleasant thing as tents go. The Portico also has 3 very useful storage pockets on the outside of the tent. The boys used the pockets to hang their wet swim trunks. I can see these pockets being useful for storage of bug spray, sun screen and other like items. It is curious why the storage pockets aren’t located on the inside of the ten however where I can see them being more useful. There is ample head room in the tent and with the rain fly off the tent if very breathable while offering a view of the sky. There is good privacy with the mesh starting a bit higher on the tent which I think is a great feature. You’ll also enjoy the pre-attached guy lines on the rainfly. Speaking of the rainfly, this may be the tent’s best feature. We did see a good amount of rain during this campout with a long lasting low wind thunderstorm. The rainfly held up great and keep the boys dry the hole time.
Before I go in to the concerns it should be noted that this is not a tent designed for outback and rouged camping. This is a tent for the back yard or well established camp sites. If that is where you keep this tent then I think you’ll really enjoy the tent for a long time. Potential concerns come from the light weight fiberglass poles, thin floor, plastic pole holder corners and plastic tent stakes. We layed down a second tarp in the tent and used cot foot prints to help protect the floor. I’d defiantly never use this tent without a good think tarp under the tent to protect from puncture. I’d upgrade the tent stakes if you plan on camping on hard ground or ground with any rocks. These yellow low end stakes will not last long. Much care is also needed when pounding in the stakes to the plastic tent pole holders. One missed swing could potentially break the corners or the stake. The awning did do it’s job keeping some small camp chairs dry but I’d like to see a bit deeper awning. The only complaint the boys had about the tent was that it didn’t move air very well with the rainfly on. The tent didn’t have any condensation in it however. All in all this is a nice backyard camping tent for a maximum of 2 people with cots or 3 people in sleeping backs with a couple of packs. It is light weight and easy to store. Set up with two people and tear down with one will take around 15 minutes both ways. Check out more here: https://wenzelco.com/portico-6/
ScoutChadron state park is a beautiful park with everything you need. The campground has full use bathrooms and is well-spaced for fun camping alongside others.
RangerWhat did I love about this KOA? It was quiet. I read and roamed around watching birds and picking up rocks while the kids were occupied with the pool and playing free putt-putt. The owners were very nice and helpful. The cabin was clean and neat with no spiders. The showers and bathroom were neat and clean. Add to that being not-too-far from one of my favorite corners of the planet with so much to offer, a cute little town, the birthplace of the People, and the origin of the Buffalo and you have a great spot.
RangerLarge state park with tons to do. Spacious RV campground. Electric hook ups. Water and dump station. 8 miles south of Chadron, NE. They have a pool ( you pay to have access) paddle boats, fishing pond, horseback trail rides (only $25/person), hiking and biking trails. Bathrooms and showers. Beautifully kept. A great find!
Guide
This is a large park with a couple campgrounds. One campground had full hookups and the other electric only with water hydrants on the loop. There are lots of shade trees, a bathhouse with showers and flush toilets.
This campground has many historical signs, a museum, an equine campground, longhorn cattle, horses, and a free-roaming buffalo herd penned into their area of course.
Many marked trails, some leading from the campground and others in the nearby bluffs and cliffs. They are quite well marked. In addition, there is fishing at ponds a short drive from the Fort and also golf nearby.
The area is often used for family reunions. Reservations can be made to stay in cabins or the lodge.
GuideOur family of four tent-camped two nights on the way home from the Black Hills. It's rural Nebraska at its best! A very social campground with flocks of kids biking, playing hide-and seek, and just running free. With several lodging options, this hidden gem seemed to be a place where family and friends meet up to get away. During our stay we enjoyed an interactive rodeo, swimming in the indoor pool, and a history lesson including Native American culture as we toured the grounds. At night the stars were spectacular, and the morning chuck-wagon breakfast was treat. We would love to go back for the annual pow-wow! If you are touring western Nebraska or South Dakota and don't mind beautiful open drives and busy friendly campgrounds stay here!
RangerKOAs are not my norm when it comes to camping, but when on a long road trip you often have to find camping based on your location. We gave this campground a shot, and it reaffirmed why I don’t do KOA style camping. There is nothing really wrong with the park, but it did not suit us. Our campsite was a very un-level gravel pad that was within a few feet of the back of cabins. There was little in terms of privacy. The bathrooms were clean and semi conveniently located. I thought the pool would be a treat for my son after spending a couple long hot days of traveling, but it was so cold we couldn’t enjoy the water. The WiFi (another treat for my son) was weak and unusable from our site. The only pro for us was its close proximity to Mt Rushmore, Wind in the Caves, and The surrounding Black Hills sights.
LegendChadron State Park is such a beautiful area. The scenic drives are amazing. The campground is a nice campground. The sites are a little close together and it was challenging to back our 38' camper into our site, but once we were in we had a great time. Everyone was friendly and campground and restrooms and showers were clean. The sites were Electric only. Each site had a fire ring and picnic table. We were able to get cell service most of the time.
The park had tennis courts, a pond for fishing and paddle boats, a swimming pool, horse riding, and hiking trails. We stayed here a night than moved on to Fort Robinson and will definitely come again.
Guide
This campground is a great place to come to enjoy a family get away! There are loads of activities close by to do and see including historic sites, museum, swimming pool, fishing, Jeep rides, it’s seriously endless! There is a restaurant at the state park as well so cooking is optional😉
GuideThis park is wonderful. Every spot has some shade, and the grounds are well kept. The bathrooms and showers are super clean and well stocked. I’ve never explored this part of Nebraska before, and it exceeded all expectations.
TravelerThis is a beautiful area in Northwest Nebraska. The bathrooms are clean and well maintained. There's a couple good hikes and a swimming pool. We were there in September 2017 and pretty much had the place to ourselves! The view is great if you stay in the even # sites 38-48.
ScoutFort Robinson State Park is an activity packed park in Northwestern Nebraska, with some interesting history. BUT, know that the price listed for camping does not include taxes & fees (~$2/day), nor cost of Park daily entry permit ($12/day). Still a good deal, but be ready when you check in. There are tons of hiking trails in the park, from “easy” up to “”hard”. There are also jeep tours, short and long horseback trail rides, stagecoach rides, chuckwagon meals, breakfast or dinner among the nearby buttes, an indoor swimming pool, and the “Trailside Museum”, each for a fee. The on-site restaurant has a small menu, but there’s definitely something for everyone, and the portions are LARGE! Campsites are well-spaced and generally level. Bathrooms & pay showers are clean and well maintained. Showers use quarters, change machine takes $1 & $5; $1.50 for 4-1/2 minutes. A little bit of road noise (trucks engine braking) from adjacent US Rte 20. Could not find an on-property guest laundry. Would stay here again.
ScoutWe were here April 10, and we were the only campers in our part of the loop. Some roadway noise but nothing bothersome. Just a vault toilet near us, but very clean, and a short walk to the flush facilities. Plus a soda vending machine.
GuideUnlevel asphalt parking, very few trees, pretty close to your neighbors, and incredibly rough (paved) access roads to the campground. Nothing but dead dry grass around you. Highway noise VERY prevalent right behind the camp site. Reserved online and yet they managed to double book my spot.
GuideClean restrooms with showers and laundry. Little noise from the highway. Some sites have tree cover. Close to city and within 2 hours of Rushmore and Crazy Horse. .
Rangerbeautiful for as far as can see
RangerThe 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. Campground includes a swimming pool and sand volleyball. The sites were all pretty close together, most not very shady, and no tent-only area. As a campground this was just ok for my personal style, but it was all very clean and well tended so I can’t complain. The park itself is a lovely find.
LegendI think we hit this park at a strange time because it was busy! Somewhat off the beaten path we were surprised by the amount of kids runnings around. The sites were good and bathrooms well used, somewhat clean. Expecting a quiet experience, it was a bit of a let down. Maybe with different expectations it would have been a better experience.
LegendWe stopped here after a long day in the car. This campground is nice and well maintained with beautiful view. The sites were level for tents and the facilities were well maintained and clean. We only stayed one night but the campground was quiet and peaceful.
RangerWe had a great stay, 5 nights in the upper loop (site 68). Not much shade, but the sites are spaced out a little more than the lower section. Lower section is closer to the highway so it's probably noisier- we didn't notice it too much in our area.
Plenty of cool hiking trails. Awesome swimming pool. Groceries, gas, restaurants, & golf nearby. Not too far from Fort Robinson.
Guide
Nice campground. NE SP requires a pass for each motorized vehicle. In state is $6 per day or $30 annual. Out of state is $12 per day or $60 annual. $30 per day plus cost of pass.
Chadron, Nebraska, offers a fantastic opportunity for cabin camping, surrounded by stunning landscapes and a variety of outdoor activities.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular cabin campground near Chadron, NE is Chadron State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 17 reviews.
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