Chadron State Park is Nebraska's oldest state park. The park is set in a rugged area of ridges, buttes, and canyons, with thick forest in many places. Even though the park is just under 1,000 acres, trails in the park have recently been expanded to fifteen miles. But, that is just where the hiking opportunities begin. The Nebraska National Forest is all around the state park, with nearly a quarter-million acres of forest, and over a hundred miles of old roads and trails, a hiker can find weeks of great hiking nearby. The National Forest Service office in Chadron has the best maps available to show all the latest trails and back roads. Plus, they can offer many tips and insights into places you might want to explore.

There are two main canyon systems in the park, and several of the trails run through, or on the sides of, those canyons. The north canyon sees more traffic since the trails have been there longer, plus the vistas are less obstructed by trees. The Black Hills Overlook Trail and the Steamboat Loop Trail provide the best experiences with the north canyon.

The south canyon, sometimes called Lebo Canyon, is not as rugged and is more thickly forested. The Norwesca Trail runs through the heart of the south canyon.

Getting There

Chadron State Park is 8 miles south of Chadron, Nebraska on Highway 385. The main paved roadway loop through the park is 3.6 miles long, but is connected with several smaller loops that provide cabin and camping access.

Red Tape

Like all state parks in Nebraska, all vehicles need a park permit - either a daily or an annual. You can get those at the park headquarters at the entrance. No alcoholic beverages are allowed in the state park, nor are firearms. Horseback riding is not allowed in the park, except on a special trail set aside just for that purpose. So, hikers should only encounter other hikers or mountain bikers on the trails in the park.

Camping

There are 22 great small cabins for rent in the park, plus a few dorms, quite a few RV pull-through campsites, and a primitive tenting area. The park has a swimming pool, showers, tennis court, sand volleyball, picnic areas, and a small lake set up for trout fishing and paddle boating.

Links and Contact Information

Persons interested in more information or in making reservations, can call the park headquarters at: (308)432-6167

Once you get to the park headquarters, it will be worth your while to pick up one of their free park maps. Since the park management is very pro-active in trail upkeep, it would not hurt to ask about any new developments or trail work going on.

The state of Nebraska has a website for the park, which can be accessed by clicking here:
CHADRON STATE PARK

Images