Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands campsites span the northwestern region of the state, containing the largest hand-planted forest in the United States. The area sits at elevations between 3,500-5,000 feet with a semi-arid climate that creates distinct pine-covered ridges contrasting with open grasslands. Camping facilities range from primitive dispersed sites to developed campgrounds with varying amenities and accessibility, particularly along Highway 385 and within the Pine Ridge region.
What to do
Horseback riding and trail rides: Fort Robinson State Park offers horseback trail rides ranging from short excursions to longer adventures through the buttes. A visitor notes, "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."
Fishing opportunities: Roberts Tract Camping Area provides excellent bass fishing in a secluded setting. According to Jesse S., "We caught some awesome bass here. We stayed 2 nights and had a blast. Worked well with my roof top tent."
Winter hiking: Many trails remain accessible during winter months when crowds thin out. The Black Hills Overlook Trail in the National Forest offers views across the Buffalo National Grasslands even during colder seasons. Susan L. shared, "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."
What campers like
Isolation and stargazing: Pine Ridge Dispersed Camping offers more remote options with minimal light pollution. As Marc G. describes, "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."
Swimming amenities: Several campgrounds provide swimming facilities during summer months. Ryan S. mentions that Chadron State Park has "a community pool with two diving boards and it has a little kid pool for those not yet good swimmers."
Bird watching opportunities: Box Butte Reservoir State Recreation Area attracts birders, though experiences vary by season. While some campers report exceptional sightings, Janet K. notes a more measured experience: "Supposed to be good birding here but nothing special. Reservoir was low but people fishing, tubing and having fun."
What you should know
Bridge weight restrictions: Some access roads have weight limitations affecting larger vehicles. Joel L. warns about Crawford City Park, "5 ton weight limit on bridge to get in!!"
Livestock noise: Several campgrounds in the region sit near working ranches or stockyards. James B. observed, "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."
Railroad traffic: Train noise affects certain campgrounds, particularly those near BNSF lines. Daniel C. explains, "The noise is from the 4-BNSF trains per hour coming from/going to the Wyoming coal fields."
Seasonal water levels: Reservoirs and water access points can vary significantly by season. A camper at Box Butte notes, "Water access late in the year from campsites is few and far between."
Tips for camping with families
Pool and playground access: Chadron State Park Campground offers family-friendly amenities including a swimming pool and playground areas. Ryan S. mentions, "a nice park and playground for kids to play in, an indoor 3D archery facility, a community pool with two diving boards."
Consider site selection carefully: When camping with children, some sites offer better privacy and amenities. Laurie L. advises, "The view is great if you stay in the even # sites 38-48."
Kid-friendly historical activities: Fort Robinson State Park provides educational opportunities through historical sites and museums. One visitor explains, "There are loads of activities close by to do and see including historic sites, museum, swimming pool, fishing, Jeep rides, it's seriously endless!"
Tips from RVers
Campground capacity limitations: Red Cloud Campground works better for smaller RVs according to Fred S.: "I wouldn't recommend any rig larger than a truck camper. Concrete picnic table, grill, metal fire ring, almost level gravel parking spot."
Connectivity considerations: Cell coverage varies significantly across Nebraska National Forest campgrounds. Marc G. reports specific metrics from Pine Ridge: "Cell service on Verizon is a solid 3+ bars - 54ms ping, 13.6 Mbps down, 3.5 Mbps up. The Verizon tower is visible about 5 miles to the south of our campsite."
Leveling challenges: Some campgrounds present difficulties for RVers requiring level sites. Dennis G. noted at Chadron State Park, "Unlevel asphalt parking, very few trees, pretty close to your neighbors, and incredibly rough (paved) access roads to the campground."
