39 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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.
"Close to the cattle auction so it feels like you are on a farm from the noise. Train does run close by. Second time we stayed here and it's great."
"Walking Trail nearby."
"Fort Robinson State Park is an activity packed park in Northwestern Nebraska, with some interesting history."
"The trees were perfect for hammocking and there was a little creek right next to it. The grass was well trimmed and the campsite was very clean."
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Not only are there drive in campsites here. There are also plenty and plenty of trails for backcountry primitive camping."
"This area is used frequently by those riding horseback as there is a horse corral next to a couple of the campsites to the south."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"The park is located ~20 miles from Crawford, Ne. Many of those miles are gravel roads. The park is full of a lot of very neat rock formations."
"Access to the park is via dirt roads that can be difficult after heavy rain. Beautiful place to explore, where we found very friendly other campers."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"In Nebraska’s ignorance, they have decided to bill the motorhome and the towed vehicle. Paying the daily vehicle fee twice because it can be driven in the park."
"Bathrooms and showers are available near the partial hookup campground. Good Verizon cell coverage. Campground is on site of old Fort Robinson."
from $35 / night
Check Availability"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."
"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."
from $30 - $150 / night
Check Availability"I rated this high, because of the activities, wilderness, and beauty around Crawford and the food and the availability of the campground when all else is closed, made it worth it. "
from $10 - $16 / night
Check Availability"There is no dump and they charge for water - there’s a state park close by - dump and fill there - if you out of state it’s an $8.00 day pass charge."
from $15 / night
Check Availability
TravelerBeautiful campground, however if you want to take a shower at their facility it's $1 for 4 min. And if you stay Friday night you have to pay for Sat, Sun as well. Nice spots. Great shade trees.
RangerI was mainly interested in visiting where Chief Crazy Horse was killed. I am impressed at how well the grounds have been maintained.I stayed in Soldier Creek campground and there are two other campgrounds on site. This campground has large cottonwood trees for good shade.
The bathrooms and showers are clean. Take note SHOWERS take quarters so be sure to bring quarters along with you because the change machine is not dependable!
North of the park is Toadstool Park and it looks like you are in a totally different planet!
There are A LOT of trails hiking.
The reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because I was here after Labor Day and most buildings are locked up, restaurant is closed, jeep tours etc are all shut down for the year. This also has a flip side, the campground is very calm and slow paced this time of year.
Cell phone service was usable but not enough to do some remote work with.
Sites 44,45,46 will be where I will try to camp next time. They have electric and are away from the showers/bathrooms and more peaceful area.
Red Cloud campground has full hookups.
GuideNicely wooded KOA just outside of Hot Springs, SD
ScoutGreat place to unwind for a day or two. Nice hiking trails always a breeze. Very clean. Bring water!!
ScoutAbsolute perfection with every detail of this campground. Perfectly level and large sites, immaculate landscaping and attention to detail, quiet, and incredible views. It does not get better than this. Six years of RV’ing throughout the country and this is the nicest campground we’ve stayed. We travel with a 45’ Class A and Jeep and we had plenty of room for maneuvering and hooking up. Access to the river as well and a maintained trail!
GuideReally nice site with electric hookup right next the lake. 15$ for no hookup and 20 electricity incl.
GuideWe camped in the dispersed camping and it far exceeded our expectations! It was a Badlands view on one side of our trailer and national grasslands out of the other window. Spectacular!
TravelerGreat camp spot. We arrived after the big fire. Everyone is friendly and nice. Quite place. Beautiful
GuideGreat park, super clean, dump station water everything there. $10 dry sites $20 electric. Bathrooms available. Close to the cattle auction so it feels like you are on a farm from the noise. Train does run close by. Second time we stayed here and it's great.
Camping near Crawford, Nebraska offers a blend of prairie, pine forest, and butte terrain at elevations ranging from 3,600-5,000 feet. Summer temperatures can reach the high 90s while overnight temperatures often drop below 60°F even in July. Wind is a consistent feature across many campsites, with several campgrounds noting particularly strong gusts that can challenge tent campers.
Hiking to trout ponds: At Soldier Creek Campground, a trail leads to excellent fishing spots. "If you like to hike and fish there is a trail that goes west from the campsites 1.3 miles to 3 ponds filled with brown trout," notes Ryan S.
Outdoor archery: Chadron State Park offers indoor 3D archery facilities alongside traditional camping activities. "A 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," according to Ryan S.
Bass fishing: Roberts Tract Camping Area provides secluded fishing opportunities about 15 miles east of Crawford. One camper reports, "We caught some awesome bass here. We stayed 2 nights and had a blast. Worked well with my roof top tent."
Stargazing opportunities: Toadstool Campground offers exceptional night sky viewing. A visitor mentions, "At the right time of the moon phase this would be a good dark sky area to observe the Milky Way since there is no town or development for several miles."
Unique rock formations: The 1-mile interpretive trail at Toadstool showcases distinctive geological features. "The park is full of a lot of very neat rock formations. There is a ~1 mile long looped hiking trail inside the park that has markers so you can read about the land and how the rock was formed," writes Billy B.
Off-season solitude: Several campgrounds remain accessible when others close for winter. Q's Dairy Sweet RV spots behind the restaurant offer an option during off-season periods. One camper explains, "I rated this high because of the activities, wilderness, and beauty around Crawford and the food and the availability of the campground when all else is closed."
Rough access roads: Some campgrounds require navigating unpaved roads. For High Plains Homestead, "This camp is out of the main stream. Miles down a dirt road. We are in a 35ft Motorhome/ pulling a car - take it slow!"
Strong winds: Multiple campgrounds report significant wind issues. At Toadstool, a camper warns, "SUPER FREAKIN WINDY. Legit do not even try if you have a tent you will not stay on the ground."
Bridge weight limits: When staying at Crawford City Park, be aware of the "5 ton weight limit on bridge to get in!!" as noted by Joel L. The campground offers both powered and primitive spots with water access from spigots.
Swimming options: Chadron State Park offers swimming facilities for different age groups. "A community pool with two diving boards and it has a little kid pool for those not yet good swimmers," says Ryan S.
Playground facilities: Crawford City Park includes play areas for children. A camper mentions, "Great playground for kids. Walking Trail nearby."
Spacing between sites: Some campgrounds provide better separation between campsites. At Red Cloud Campground, "Decent amount of space between sites. Picnic table and grill in each site."
Double vehicle fees: Nebraska State Parks charge separate fees for motorhomes and towed vehicles. A camper at Red Cloud Campground explains, "Paying the daily vehicle fee twice because it can be driven in the park. So MH owners end up paying either $28 per day or $105 for an annual pass that ends in December on top of the site fee."
Utility hookups: Several campgrounds offer varying levels of hookups. At High Plains Homestead, "There is no dump and they charge for water - there's a state park close by - dump and fill there - if you out of state it's an $8.00 day pass charge."
Noise considerations: When staying at Crawford City Park, be prepared for potential noise. Daniel C. notes, "The noise is from the 4-BNSF trains per hour coming from/going to the Wyoming coal fields."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Crawford, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, Crawford, NE offers a wide range of camping options, with 39 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 4-star rating from 7 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.
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