Chadron Sp

Open — Open year-round with electric and basic campsites available on a first-come, first-served basis during the winter season. Half of the sites accept reservations during peak season up to 180 days in advance.

About

Chadron State Park, founded in 1921 as Nebraska's first state park, encompasses 972 acres of Pine Ridge wilderness nine miles south of Chadron on Highway 385. At an elevation of nearly 5,000 feet, the park is dominated by ponderosa pines and features distinctive buttes and canyons that offer a dramatic contrast to the typical Nebraska landscape. The modern campground provides 70 camping pads, all equipped with 30-amp electrical hookups and water. Campers have access to showers, restrooms, a dump station, laundry facilities, picnic tables, grills, and a playground. During peak season, half of the campsites accept reservations up to 180 days in advance, while the remainder operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Winter camping is available year-round. The park offers extensive recreational opportunities including over 100 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails when combined with adjacent National Forest lands. Additional amenities include a swimming pool (seasonal), guided horseback trail rides from Memorial Day through Labor Day, a stocked fishing pond with trout, smallmouth bass, and hybrid sunfish, a 3D archery and pellet gun range, disc golf course rated among the best in Nebraska, and paddleboat rentals. The park also features 22 rental cabins available mid-April through mid-November. Popular winter activities include sledding, cross-country skiing, and ice fishing.

Directions

Located 9 miles south of Chadron on Highway 385 within the Nebraska National Forest.

Nearby Campgrounds