Campground Camping

Campground Camping Areas

• Buffalo Gap National Grassland

  This area is divided into two areas located in southern South Dakota.  One area is south and northeast of Hot Springs and the other is south and west of Wall.  There are few developed recreation sites, but plenty of space for all kinds of recreational opportunities.

• Hot Springs, South Dakota

  The Fall River Ranger District is located in Hot Springs, South Dakota, which is known as the Southern Gateway to the Black Hills! Hot Springs has been well known for many years for it’s large, natural, warm water springs. With easy access to great attractions; soothing, natural, warm water springs; great year-round weather; distinctive sandstone architecture; and multiple opportunities for outdoor activities and experiences. Spread out over a wide geographic area, a current visitors map is strongly recommended. Watch wildlife in their natural habitat and enjoy the wide open spaces.

  The Fall River area is also known as an important geological resource included in the well-known Fossil Freeway, covering western Nebraska and stretching into western South Dakota. 

  For more information about the community of Hot Springs, please visit the Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce.

• French Creek Camping Area
• Nebraska National Forest at Chadron

  There are two distinct areas of the Nebraska National Forest. This area encompasses the west end of the Nebraska National Forest near Chadron and Crawford and is managed by the Pine Ridge Ranger District. The other distinct area within Nebraska National Forest is located near Halsey in central Nebraska. 

  Special places within the Chadron area include Soldier Creek Wilderness and the Pine Ridge National Recreation Area as well as several developed recreation sites for camping, picnicking, or trailheads for access to miles of trails into the wide open spaces of the Nebraska National Forest.

  Pine Ridge National Recreation Area is a 6,600-acre area is designed to provide a primitive/semi-primitive recreational opportunity in a natural environment and is managed for non-motorized recreation. Approximately 80 miles of marked trails make up the Pine Ridge Trail system. The easy-to-follow trails accommodate hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers. 

  Soldier Creek Wilderness Area offers a well-developed trail system of 17 miles in and adjacent to the Wilderness which allows hikers and horseback riders a variety of trial loop choices.

  Overnight camping in developed sites is on a first-come, first-served basis. Campfires are allowed unless restrictions are posted. Backcountry or primitive camping (no facilities) is allowed anywhere on the National Forest. Practicing Leave No Trace principles ensures that the next person to visit will have the same sense of discovery as those who came before.

   

• Red Cloud Campground
• Roberts Tract Camping Area/Trailhead
• Soldier Creek Campground
• Nebraska National Forest at Halsey

  There are two distinct areas of the Nebraska National Forest. One section is situated in the northwest panhandle south and west of Chadron, while the other is located near Halsey in central Nebraska. Both offer unique recreation opportunities in the wide open spaces of Nebraska.

  The Halsey portion of the Nebraska National Forest is managed by the Bessey Ranger District. This unique area encompassed by the Nebraska Sandhills. The Sandhills region is one of the largest contiguous and least-disturbed prairies in all of the United States. The Sandhills are home to a large complement of wildlife: birds, bugs, reptiles, and mammals

  Sites to visit include the Bessey Nursery, Scott Lookout Tower, the Middle Loup River, the Dismal River OHV Trail, campgrounds for horses and OHV users, the beautiful Bessey Recreation Area, and acres of wide open spaces.

• Bessey Recreation Complex and Campground
• Natick Campground
• Whitetail Campground
• Oglala National Grasslands

  Located in the most northwestern corner of Nebraska, north of Crawford, you'll find the expansive landscape of the Oglala National Grasslands. This unique area consists of native mixed-grass prairie, with forested streambeds and steep, worn, formations created by water and wind erosion on layers of siltstone, and clay. 

  Find your way to the Hudson-Meng Bone Bed site where you can take a tour and learn about the history of this area, walk through the unique features of the Toadstool Geologic Park, or just spend some quiet time in the wide open spaces of the 94,000 acres of mixed grass prairies.

  The Oglala Grassland is the best place in Nebraska to view pronghorns and a popular place to view prairie dog colonies along the site’s northern border. 

• Toadstool Geological Park and Campground
• Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest

  Located south of Nenzel in Cherry County, this 116,000-acre national forest is a fantastic representation of the unique Nebraska Sandhills prairie ecosystem. Popular uses of the forest include hunting, fishing, horseback riding, camping and bird watching. There is one small campground located on the southwestern edge of the forest. Steer Creek Campground has 23 campsites, 8 horse corrals, potable water, and the 1-mile Blue Jay hiking trail.

  The Niobrara River Canoe Launch day use site on the Niobrara River for launching small water craft. Fishing is available in the nearby Merritt Reservoir. The Lord Lakes wetland complex has been recognized for its outstanding fishing.

• Steer Creek Campground