Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area, near Gering, Nebraska, is a solid choice for those looking to enjoy the great outdoors with a touch of rugged charm. This campground offers a handful of sites perfect for tent and small RV camping, making it a convenient stop for travelers heading to Colorado or those wanting to soak in the stunning views.

The area is known for its hiking trails that wind through beautiful landscapes, providing a great opportunity to stretch your legs and explore. Visitors have noted the peacefulness of the campground, with minimal noise from the nearby gun range and a nice distance from road traffic. As one camper put it, “It was empty for us, however there are a limited number of established campsites.”

While amenities are basic—think pit toilets and waste containers—there's a nature center nearby that can be a great spot to cool off or learn something new. Bird watchers will find plenty to enjoy, as the area is home to diverse wildlife, including big horn sheep and deer, though sightings can be hit or miss.

If you're up for some adventure, the campground is just a stone's throw from geological wonders like Chimney Rock and Scott’s Bluff National Memorial Park. Whether you're here for a quick overnight stay or a longer retreat, Wildcat Hills offers a laid-back atmosphere and a chance to connect with nature.

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area

Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Gering, NE has a lot to offer. Camping, hiking, biking: however you want to spend your days near Gering, you'll find great campgrounds with The Dyrt. Ready to plan your adventure? Check out our campgrounds near Gering and user-submitted reviews.

Gering

The Best Camping Near Gering, Nebraska

There are only about 4 campsites in Wildcat Hills but there are various campsites around the area. The campsite is right off a well traveled road in the park. They are also at the trailhead of a very nice trail that splits into various trails along the way. The campsites are very close together but camping there is not very popular. 

Wildcat Hills Canping

Ranger review of Wildcat Hills SRA. If you love to hike and want to truly feel like you are away from it all check out Wildcat Hills. This beautiful recreation area just South of Gering Nebraska is just minutes away from geological wonders such as Chimney Rock, Jailhouse Rock and Scott’s Bluff National Memorial Park. Wildcat offers Archery, gun range, biking, hiking, picnicking, a playground, nature center and hunting. I’d add that if you are a bird watcher you need to get to Wildcat hills. There are also big horn sheep, wildcats, rattle snakes, elk, and deer in the area although we didn’t see any in our two days and nights at the park. There is a huge nature center that will provide a great place to cool off, stay dry or just for learning for the sake of learning. 4 main trail heads interconnect through rough, minimally maintained hiking trails that climb up to 5,000 feet. Backpack a lunch to the bottom of the canyon and try to find the Game of Thrones shelter (my pet name for it). I’ve given this park 4 stars because we were fortunate enough to camp at the group site that an area boy-scout troop updated. There are two other camp sites along the dirt road leading to the group site. Those 12 total sites are very close together and I wouldn’t recommend anything more than a pop up camper in those spots which are right on the road. If you have to camp in one of those 12 sites I’d rate the camping at 2 or 3 stars. this park hits it out of the ball park with the hiking and nature center.

Ranger review INNO INH 330 Aero Light Bike Rack

I had the opportunity to review the INNO INH 330 Aerolight QM bike rack. I have put hundreds of miles on this 2 bike rack from state parks to urban use. INNO has created a rack that is worthy of consideration among high end bike racks. The INNO arrived in a large clean and well packaged box and was nearly fully assembled. There are a number of pros and cons to be considered with this rack as with any product. I’ve listed those below.

Pros: Well made light metal and plastic construction that I believe will hold up for a very long time. Innovative locking cable for piece of mind. Fits both 1.5” and 2” receiver. Quiet ride. Exceptionally study bike securement if you don’t have attachment and you have a triangular bike frame. Protects your bike from banging into other bike like on hanging style racks.

Cons: awkward fit on height bar strap if you have a water bottle or bike tire pump attachment. If you are mounting different bikes often there a few adjustment steps that will take some time before you can secure your bike. The pins that secure the arms in the lower and upper positions can stick and require some force to pull out and place. I think some WD40 would probably resolve that issue. Bikes without the traditional triangle frame do not strap well to the veritable bar.

In the end, I’d give this rack 3.5 stars I would give it 4 if it fit my son’s non-triangle frame bike. I recommend that you consider the INNO and determine if it will fit your bikes and your needs. This rack has become my go to if I only need to take my bike or one other. Find your local retailer and try it out with your bikes.

Sorry about the oddly formatted photos. They flipped during upload.

Ranger Review Wildcat Hills SRA campground and INNO INH 330 Aero Light   

This is a park for small rvs or tent campers. There are a few pull through just after the gun range but the rest of the sites down the road are very small. All sites are very close together. Pit toilet and waste containers. 

Peaceful 

This was a great little campground for a one night stop on the way to Colorado . Campground was clean and looks maintained . It was empty for us , however there are a limited number of established campsites . This campground has some great views and a few hiking trails . It sits behind the local gun range but there was no noise , and it’s set back far enough from the road so there zero traffic noise 

Photos of Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area

Real photos from real campers