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Camping and Hiking in Nebraska
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Chadron State Park
The majestic beauty of the Pine Ridge forms the backdrop for
this great, get-away-from-it-all state park, 9 miles south of
Chadron on US Hwy. 385, in the northwest Nebraska. At an
elevation of nearly 5,000 ft. the 972-acre park ties in the
heart of the Nebraska National Forest and is dominated by
ponderosa pines. The park boasts cabins, plus a group
camp/conference facility, a brand-new, modern campground.
Excellent hike-bike trails lace the park and adjoining Forest
Service lands. Facilities include: swimming pool, horseback
trail rides, new tennis and sand volleyball courts, craft
center, snack bar, mountain bike rentals, paddleboats on the
picturesque lagoon, fishing, hiking, evening programs, picnic
tables, shelter, water dumping station, showers, and modern
restrooms. Additional Information and Reservations: Chadron
State Park, 14951 Hwy 385, Chadron, NE 69337-7353. Phone:
308-432-6167
Fort Kearny State Historical Park and Recreation Area
Built to protect the Overland Trail travelers, Fort Kearny SHP,
near Kearny, along I-80, was a stage station, home station for
the Pony Express, outfitting depot for the Indian campaigns and
home of the Pawnee Scouts. The stockade, parade grounds and
blacksmith shop have been rebuilt. Nearby Fort Kearny SRA offers
186 acres dotted with sandpit lakes. In the spring, the world's
largest concentration of sandhill cranes and waterfowl gathers
in the central Platte River valley. Facilities include camping,
showers, dump station, modern restrooms, water, picnic tables,
grills, shelters, handicap fishing pier, nature trail, non-power
boating and hike-bike trails. Additional Information and Tours:
Fort Kearny SHP, 1020 V Road, Kearny, NE 68847-9804 Phone:
308-864-5305
Indian Cave State Park
RV campground, modern with 3.052 rugged acres bordering the
mighty Missouri River, Indian Cave is a pristine area devoted to
camping, hiking, backpacking, picnicking, nature and wilderness
activities. Located 10 miles south of Brownsville and 5 miles
east on S-64E, in southeast Nebraska., Indian Cave boasts a
variety of hardwood trees, shrubs, and other flora. There are 20
miles of biking trails in the park. Autumn is particularly
spectacular here. Horseback trail rides and cruises on the
Missouri River are also available in season. A new boat ramp
offers river access for boaters. Facilities include: restrooms,
showers, water, laundry, dump station, plenty of room for
primitive and group camping. Adirondack shelters are available
for backpackers. Additional Information: Indian Cave State Park,
RR1 Box 30, Shubert, NE 68437-9801 Phone: 402-883-2575
Schramm Park State Recreation Area
Located about 6 miles south of I-80 exit 432, in eastern
Nebraska, 340 acre Schramm Park SRA is another picturesque
Platte River area and home of the exceptional Ak-Sar-Ben
Aquarium. Schramm is also the site of the state's first fish
hatchery (1882), the old hatch house is now a fish management
museum and there is an interesting geologic display nearby. The
picnic areas offer spectacular views of the countryside, and
there is a 3-mile nature-hiking trail divided into two 1-1/2
mile segments. Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium houses 12 viewing tanks with
intriguing displays of native and introduced fish species. Films
and slide programs are shown in the theater and there is a large
terrarium. Additional Information and Field Trips Info: Schramm
Parks SRA and Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium, 21501 W. Hwy 31, Gretna, NE
68028. Phone: 402-332-3901
Johnson Lake State Recreation Area
Excellent camping and water sports are hallmarks of this
every-popular area. Located 10 miles south of Lexington, in
central Nebraska, I-80 exit 237. The 68 acres of State
Recreation Area packs a lot of outdoor fun and provides 3 access
points to the 2, 068-acre lake. Facilities include: camping, pad
and non-pad sites, showers, water, restrooms, dump station,
shelters, picnic tables, grills, 2 boat ramps, unsupervised
swimming beach and accessible fishing piers. Additional
Information: Johnson Lake SRA, 1 E. Park Dr. 25A, Elwood, NE
68937. Phone: 308-785-2685
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