Fort Robinson State Park's expansive grounds welcome pets at multiple camping areas, including Soldier Creek, Red Cloud, and Mare Barn campgrounds, where leashed dogs can accompany campers at tent sites, RV spots, and select cabins. Each site provides picnic tables, fire rings, and nearby water access with clean facilities. Pets must remain on leashes no longer than six feet throughout the park, including on the network of hiking trails. Crawford City Park offers four electric and water hookup sites plus dispersed camping areas where pets are permitted, though the proximity to nearby stockyards means occasional animal noise might excite dogs. Pine Ridge Dispersed Camping allows free camping with pets on Forest Service land above Chadron State Park, providing stunning views stretching to the horizon with excellent hiking opportunities.
Chadron State Park's pet-friendly campground provides numerous shaded sites with clean, well-maintained facilities approximately 30 minutes from Crawford. Dogs must remain leashed while exploring the park's extensive trail system that connects to Nebraska National Forest lands. The park's location offers cooler temperatures at higher elevations, providing relief during summer months when hiking with pets. High Plains Homestead permits pets at both tent and RV sites with picnic tables and fire rings available, though visitors should note the strong winds in this remote location. Nearby wildlife viewing opportunities require careful pet management, especially during dawn and dusk hours when deer are most active. Most campgrounds in the region enforce standard pet policies including proper waste disposal, vaccination requirements, and restrictions on leaving pets unattended.
$25 / night
"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."
$30 / night
"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."
$25 - $150 / night
"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."
$10 - $16 / night
"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. "
"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."
"You actually have to drive through the State Park to access FR-714-A, and the park does not lock their gate overnight so access remains unrestricted."
"It was ok -not much privacy as cars are passing by to the end of the path to watch sunset, walk the dogs or exercise. However the views from this area are simply phenomenal!"
$80 - $1100 / night
$25 / night
GuideThe 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. 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. There is an outhouse style bathroom available and half dozen camping spots with fire rings.
LegendI 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. Also, you can use the Dairy Sweety's rest room, WiFi and the close proximity to the highway, and a convenient store all must count for something. But as a campsite itself, it has hookups and is affordable, otherwise it is a parking area behind a Cafe.
Crawford has so much going for it. We went to camp and catch trout. Unfortunately, due to COVID and wet weather, even grassland boondocking was forbidden. A local pointed us to the dairy sweet. Behind the Dairy sweet she has 4 hookups and room for about 6 campers. We set up late and just got food there- WOW!
This is one of those places that aren't anything to look at but put amazing food on your plate! The beef is locally raised. The Ruben I had had thick slabs of corned beef they process themselves. The BBQ I had on my last day could have fed a small village.
While their visit Fort Rob, but don't miss Sowbelly Canyon, Toadstool SP, and the Museum of the Fir Trader in Neighboring Chadron. AND if you can, enter Crawford from the South, you will be glad you did.
One of my favorite towns in Nebraska is Harrison. It is the largest town in Sioux County which is itself larger than the state of Delaware. Do you want to guess the second largest town in Sioux? There is no other town in Sioux County! That is how remote this area is…enjoy.
ScoutDecent price rv park Full hookups Laundry Showers Sites not to level.... Stayed for a week.... to visit mt. Rushmore and Badlands Really interesting museums in area of chadron Nebraska Museum of the fur trade Rodeo in Crawford Nebraska Was fun exploring
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.
RangerBut 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.
RangerGoogle maps will lead you right to the area. It's next to a busy road. Nebraska 20, Bridges to Buttes Byway. Enough parking for several rigs if parked close. I was the only rig there on a Thursday. It's only a few miles from a Super Walmart and a Safeway, in Chadron.
LegendFactoid: 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.
LegendStopped on the way back through Nebraska.
Sites were $20 for 50amp service with water.
There is a dump site located near the sites, which you have to drive into the grass to use.
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.
Had difficulty finding a view of the sky for Starlink due to trees.
Good Verizon signal so no problem.
GuideChadron 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!
Situated in northwest Nebraska's Pine Ridge region, Crawford sits at 3,675 feet elevation where the White River flows between dramatic buttes and canyons. This area experiences temperature swings typical of high plains, with summer daytime highs often reaching 90°F while dropping to 50°F at night. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that can drop well below freezing, with occasional snow accumulation affecting accessibility to remote sites.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Crawford's pine-covered ridges provide excellent woodpecker watching, especially in Chadron State Park where visitors report frequent sightings. As one camper noted, "Clean 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."
Jeep tours through rugged terrain: Book guided excursions at Fort Robinson State Park, exploring remote canyon roads inaccessible to standard vehicles. A visitor mentioned the park "is an activity packed park in Northwestern Nebraska, with some interesting history" and explains that "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."
Historic site exploration: Visit the Trailside Museum within Fort Robinson to learn about the region's military history and the site where Crazy Horse was killed. At Red Cloud Campground, one camper observed the "campground is on site of old Fort Robinson. The old barracks and post buildings are available to reserve and stay in."
Affordable dispersed options: Pine Ridge Dispersed Camping provides free sites within Nebraska National Forest with stunning valley views. A reviewer described their experience: "We're in the midst of a week in our 26' travel trailer along this beautiful 1.5 mile-long dirt Forest Service road 714-A, directly above Chadron State Park. We're guessing that most folks who stay in the State Park campground below are unaware that dispersed camping is indeed permitted within 300 feet of the center line of this road."
Pet-friendly accommodations: Crawford City Park welcomes dogs with designated areas throughout the grounds. A visitor mentioned it has "4 electric & water sites, plus dispersed sites. Water and dump available. You can hear the stock yards across the street, and train from the HU sites, but not really from the dispersed area. Laundromat in town center. Great playground for kids."
Night sky visibility: Clear, dark skies provide exceptional stargazing opportunities at more remote campgrounds. However, some locations have challenges as one camper at Crawford City Park noted: "Had difficulty finding a view of the sky for Starlink due to trees. Good Verizon signal so no problem."
Noise considerations: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Crawford experience sound disruptions. A camper at Crawford City Park reported: "Clean campground, 4 sites with electricity and water ($20). Many sites without electricity ($10). The noise is from the 4-BNSF trains per hour coming from/going to the Wyoming coal fields."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Crawford, NE?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Crawford, NE is Crawford City Park with a 3.8-star rating from 6 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Crawford, NE?
TheDyrt.com has all 28 dog-friendly camping locations near Crawford, NE, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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