Best Equestrian Camping near Valentine, NE

I visited this campsite over Labor Day weekend. It never filled up, though other people were always there (maybe 1/2-2/3 capacity). No extra/second vehicle fee. There are lots of shady sites, almost all the trees are pines and there's lots of downed, dry wood for campfires. There are two vault toilets, a centrally located water pump (fresh, cold Sandhills groundwater!), and a dumpster. I didn't see any pests like raccoons while there. We heard coyotes both nights. There are plenty of pull offs in the surrounding National Grassland if you want to explore (highly recommend, but wear long pants! Lots of prickly plants there). Overall a fantastic spot for a weekend in the quiet heart of Nebraska.

If you love more primitive sites this may be for you. No hookups. Tents and smaller rigs work best. Tucked away back in the pines with a 1 mile walking/hiking trail. Vault toilets, water, fire rings picnic tables and trash bins. The place did not appear to be taken care of as much as it should but that didn’t bother us. Sites were not full when we were here but it was not a holiday weekend. Definitely recommend.

There isn't much to this campground, but the pines and the drive itself (for me) is what makes it worthwhile. 

I live in Lincoln, NE and make an annual (sometimes bi-annual) trek out here to decompress and soak-up the awe-inspiring rolling hills and scenery.

We enjoyed one night here, while traveling through. Ended up having the whole campground to ourselves 😀.

Very beautifully nestled in the fragrant ponderosa trees.

Only downside: MILLIONS of ticks! We actually turned around after attempting to do the loop trail and literally being attacked by masses of ticks... So come prepared!