Skip to main content

T
T
T

Nebraska National Forest - Pine Ridge / Chadron

The Nebraska National Forest - Pine Ridge/Chadron encompasses the west end of the Nebraska National Forest near Chadron and Crawford. It is called the "pine ridge" because of the native ponderosa pine trees growing on the ridges and cliffs that surround the area.

The forest boasts the Soldier Creek Wilderness Area and the Pine Ridge National Recreation Area. Its diverse ecological areas include forested ridges, river valleys, badlands formations, and mixed grass prairie. Popular uses include hiking, biking, horseback riding, hunting, and OHV riding. Campgrounds and dispersed camping are available. The region borders Chadron and Fort Robinson State Parks, offering visitors an even more diverse experience.

Spotted Tail trailhead
Pine Ridge sunset
Oaks along Pine Ridge Trail
Oak trees at Pine Ridge National Recreation Area_2

General Information

Open year-round.

No fees are required to enter and enjoy the national forest, unless you are camping in a designated campground.

Recreation Sites

Showing: 1 - 10 of 13 results

Black Hills Overlook
Site Open
Biking Outdoor Science and Learning Hiking
The Black Hills Overlook provides views of the surrounding Pine Ridge and grasslands and Black Hills of South Dakota. Forest Service Road 714A accessed from the western edge of Chadron State Park…

Cliffs Trailhead
Site Open
Picnicking Hiking Biking Horse Riding and Camping Off Highway Vehicles (OHV)
The Cliffs is named for the large cliff face above Bordeaux Creek along the east side of the recreation site and trailhead. It’s a popular access point for both motorized and non-motorized trail…

East Ash Trailhead
Site Open
Hiking Biking Horse Riding and Camping
East Ash Trailhead is located along the East Ash Road. East Ash Creek is located nearby. The trailhead provides non-motorized access to the Pine Ridge Trail, the Pine Ridge National Recreation…

Outrider Trailhead
Site Open
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Biking
Outrider Trailhead located north of Chadron State Park just off of Highway 385 provides access to the Pine Ridge Trail system which is open to non-motorized travel for mountain biking, hiking, and…

Pine Ridge Trailhead
Site Open
Horse Riding and Camping Hiking Biking
The Pine Ridge Trail is a 40-mile long trail open to hiking, mountain biking and equestrians. The trail spans most of the Pine Ridge area of the Ranger District. The east end of the trail begins at…

Red Cloud Campground
Site Open
The Red Cloud Campground is located one mile south of Chadron State Park on the west side of Highway 385, uniquely situated near the beautiful Pine Ridge area. The campground has 13 sites with…

Roberts Tract Camping Area/Trailhead
Site Open
Horse Riding and Camping Hiking
Roberts Tract Campground and Trailhead provides horse corrals, rider ramp and stock water. There are 3 tent sites with tables and fire rings. The parking area has one site with a table and fire…

Soldier Creek Campground
Site Open
Horse Riding and Camping Hiking Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
The Soldier Creek Campground is adjacent to Soldier Creek Wilderness to the south, Ft. Robinson State Park to the east and Forest Service non wilderness to the west and north. The 7,794-acre Soldier…

Soldier Creek Wilderness
Site Open
Horse Riding and Camping Hiking Hunting, Fishing and Shooting
Soldier Creek Wilderness was created by an act of Congress in 1986 and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. It covers an area of 7,794 acres within the Pine Ridge section of the Nebraska National…

Spotted Tail Trailhead
Site Open
Hiking Horse Riding and Camping Biking
This trailhead area accesses both the Pine Ridge Trail and Spotted Tail Trail. The Pine Ridge Trail and the Spotted Tail Loop Trail are non-motorized, open to mountain biking, hiking and…

Last updated May 20th, 2025

Return to top