Camping near Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands
Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands give you a different camping feel than other Midwest spots. At Chadron State Park Campground, you'll find a swimming pool that's great for kids and families. Red Cloud Campground has nice clean bathrooms and some shaded sites for a quiet stay. Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit when the weather isn't too extreme. Summers get hot here, and winter snow can make some roads tough to access. You should book ahead if you want spots at popular places like Chadron, especially on busy weekends. While camping here, check out Toadstool Geologic Park with its weird rock formations or Fort Robinson State Park to learn about local history. You can hike plenty of trails or fish in several spots throughout the forests and grasslands. Fort Robinson has good museums and historical signs if you're into that kind of thing. Box Butte Reservoir is good for fishing and floating on tubes when it's hot. Your phone might not work in some parts of the forests - Verizon seems to be the most reliable carrier. Make sure to stock up on food and supplies before heading out since stores can be pretty far from the campgrounds. Most sites come with picnic tables, fire rings, and clean bathrooms, but bring extra water since not all sites have hookups. The forests and grasslands work well whether you want quiet time or outdoor activities.