Best Campgrounds near Crawford, NE

Camping near Crawford, Nebraska encompasses a mix of state park facilities, national forest sites, and small municipal campgrounds in the northwestern corner of the Nebraska Panhandle. Fort Robinson State Park offers the most developed camping experience with Soldier Creek and Red Cloud Campgrounds providing full hookups, showers, and laundry facilities. The Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands maintains several more primitive options, including Toadstool Campground with its distinctive rock formations approximately 20 miles from Crawford. Crawford City Park provides a convenient in-town option with electric hookups and a dump station, though campers note the occasional noise from nearby stockyards.

Most campgrounds in the Crawford area operate seasonally, with Chadron State Park (25 miles east) open from April 15 to November 15. Summer temperatures can be hot, while spring and fall offer milder conditions. Many access roads to the more remote sites are gravel, and some require careful navigation in larger RVs. Verizon cellular coverage is generally reliable throughout the area, though signal strength varies at more remote locations. Fort Robinson State Park requires a daily entry permit ($12) in addition to camping fees. Fire restrictions are common during dry summer months, with several campgrounds prohibiting open fires year-round.

The camping experience varies significantly between locations. Fort Robinson State Park provides numerous recreational activities including horseback riding, jeep tours, and a swimming pool, making it popular for families. According to reviews, "there are tons of hiking trails in the park, from easy up to hard." High Plains Homestead offers a more remote experience about 15 miles northwest of Crawford, with strong winds being a notable feature. Dispersed camping is available in certain areas of the Nebraska National Forest, providing more solitude but fewer amenities. The area's unique landscape features sandstone buttes, pine forests, and grasslands, with excellent stargazing opportunities noted by multiple visitors.

Best Camping Sites Near Crawford, Nebraska (38)

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Recent Reviews near Crawford, NE

121 Reviews of 38 Crawford Campgrounds


  • Ryan S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 13, 2025

    Chadron State Park Campground

    Fur Trade Days

    We come here every year for the Chadron Fur Trade Days, and there were plenty of campsites open, which is awesome because Fur Trade Days draws a big crowd. You can reserve sites online but must be 3-4 Days out but we just show up each year and are always able to find a nice spot. Nice main pond to do some fishing, streams that run through the area, 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, trails for those adventures and plenty more. You'll really enjoy the stay!

  • K
    Jul. 12, 2025

    Walgren Lake State Rec Area

    Great little empty campground

    Was worried I might not get a spot on a Friday night in July. Showed up at 8pm and had the entire place to myself. No ranger and no other campers. Nice place with spots around lake. Not level parking area and no hookups for campers but great primitive site and only noise was the occasional coyote. Vault toilets. Pack it in, pack it out. No trash or sewer dump. Cost $24 for out of state.

  • Truly W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 2, 2025

    Limestone Butte Resevoir Dispersed

    Beautiful location, check weather!

    This spot is absolutely gorgeous. There is only 1 spot available from what I could see, and the road is a 2-track where I’d probably recommend medium clearance.

  • Delanie J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 21, 2025

    Soldier Creek Campground — Fort Robinson State Park

    Busy CG, Gorgeous SP

    Busy, like 20 family reunions happening at once busy.  Facilities have only three stalls and stink.  By the road, but not much traffic so it isn't a big deal.   Sites 25-30 are the best even though they don't seem as so as they are closer to the road.  SP itself is beautiful and full of things to do.  If you want to stay near by but a more private CG look to the soldier creek CG hosted by the USDA shortly up the road from Ft Robinson

  • Joe C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 20, 2025

    Sheps Canyon Recreation Area

    Spacious Sites

    Nice spacious 50 amp campsites. We camped about 50 feet from the bathhouse which had four separate toilet/shower rooms which were very spacious and very clean. We were able to make the trek further down the reservoir and discovered the off grid sites. These off grid sites were very spacious and waterfront. Further down were equestrian sites with large gravel sites and private horse stalls. There was water available to fill our fifth wheel at the front of the camp where we entered along with a dump site that is not supposed to use this freshwater. We were one minute from the boat ramps. Just be aware that there is an additional fee for state parks in South Dakota. We paid $60 for a nonresident one year pass otherwise it would have been $15 per day park entry fee.

  • Kerry K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 5, 2025

    J & C RV Park

    Easy to find and clean

    Pulled in without a reservation on a Thursday night. Was able to get a nice site with full hookups. Grounds are well maintained with lots of grassy areas to walk the pup. It’s in town just off the highway, but road noise was minimal. Josh was great on getting us a good spot and very personable, as was his dad. Stop by Carhenge just outside of town, quirky but cool. On our way to the grasslands near Pierre, so was a welcome campground to find.. it was $62.50 for full hookups.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 2, 2025

    Buffalo Gap National Grasslands

    Adjacent to Limestone Butt Reservoir

    But windy. Cactus around. Lots of birds and no amenities. Judging by the road little used gem. We camped on a little peninsula. Careful there is a 3 foot sink hole beside our van so we tied up the van. Nice in breeze on a 34' Celsius day. Nobody else around. The highway is behind a hill. You drive across the limestone butt dam to access the peninsula. It looks like the most well used spot. There are about 2-3 bars of at&t cellular service. Beware of the ticks. Our dog came back from his walk with at least 20.

  • Mona M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 18, 2025

    Bordeaux Wildlife Management Area

    It Will Do

    The day I pulled in was 79° but there was a winter weather alert for the next day. Perfect place to ride out a snow storm coming through. Nothing fancy, the parking lot is uneven and would hold maybe 4-5 vans. But it worked for what I needed at the moment. Good Verizon cell signal.

  • Dave B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 10, 2024

    Harrison City Park

    Tight and cozy

    Like James reported, there are two very close sites with a third for handicapped. Quiet little town. My neighbor and I enjoyed a conversation.


Guide to Crawford

Camping near Crawford, Nebraska, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to relax or a place to explore, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs.

What to do

  • Hiking Trails: There are plenty of trails to explore. One camper mentioned, “Plenty of cool hiking trails. Awesome swimming pool. Groceries, gas, restaurants, & golf nearby” at Chadron State Park Campground.
  • Fishing and Swimming: If you enjoy fishing, the Box Butte Reservoir State Recreation Area is a great spot. A visitor noted, “Great fishing and boat lake, but I prefer sandy beach for swimming.”
  • Horseback Riding: For those interested in horseback riding, Fort Robinson State Park offers trail rides. One reviewer shared, “There are tons of hiking trails in the park, from ‘easy’ up to ‘hard’.”

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate clean restrooms and showers. A visitor at Red Cloud Campground said, “Clean bathrooms. Nice sites with trees.”
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many enjoy the peacefulness of the campgrounds. One camper at Crawford City Park mentioned, “Cute, quiet campground with a few powered spots and primitive spots.”
  • Spacious Sites: Campers often comment on the spaciousness of the sites. A review for Chadron State Park Campground noted, “Campsites are well-spaced and generally level.”

What you should know

  • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds can be noisy due to nearby roads or trains. A camper at Crawford City Park said, “The noise is from the 4-BNSF trains per hour coming from/going to the Wyoming coal fields.”
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A visitor at Toadstool Geological Park & Campground mentioned, “Super simple campground. Bathroom and a parking spot that's about it.”
  • Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds have specific seasons. For instance, Chadron State Park Campground is open from April 15 to November 15.

Tips for camping with families

  • Activities for Kids: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds or swimming pools. One camper at Fort Robinson State Park said, “This campground is a great place to come to enjoy a family getaway!”
  • Space for Games: Choose campgrounds with spacious areas for kids to play. A review for Red Cloud Campground noted, “Sites were well spaced and had picnic tables and fire rings.”
  • Plan for Meals: Some campgrounds have nearby restaurants. A visitor at Chadron State Park Campground mentioned, “Groceries, gas, restaurants, & golf nearby.”

Tips from RVers

  • Check Hookups: Ensure the campground has the necessary hookups for your RV. A camper at Crawford City Park said, “Sites were $20 for 50amp service with water.”
  • Road Conditions: Be aware of access roads. One camper at Jeske’s Over The Hill Campground noted, “The owner was great and one of the employees helped make an extra accommodation for us since all of the spots were full.”
  • Noise Considerations: Some RV spots can be noisy. A visitor at Crawford City Park mentioned, “There is a feed lot or hub for cattle across the creek. When we were there, it was loud with the sound of a bunch of cows.”

Camping near Crawford, Nebraska, has something for everyone, whether you're in a tent or an RV. Just be sure to check the specific amenities and conditions of each campground to make the most of your outdoor adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Crawford, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, Crawford, NE offers a wide range of camping options, with 38 campgrounds and RV parks near Crawford, NE and 5 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Crawford, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Crawford, NE is Crawford City Park with a 3.8-star rating from 6 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Crawford, NE?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 5 free dispersed camping spots near Crawford, NE.