Red Cloud Buttes Trail : Trailhead Information : SummitPost

The Red Cloud Buttes Trail accesses one of the most beautiful areas of Fort Robinson State Park in Nebraska. The National Forest Service map shows several branches of trails in the Red Cloud Buttes area. Some are poorly marked, while other sections are marked much better. One of the best routes to view the area, would be to access the trail at a trailhead located about 1/2 mile west of the White River bridge on Highway 20 just west of Crawford, Nebraska. There is a small parking area there with a sign, but not much other helpful information. Hikers will have to climb over a padlocked gate and head across the meadow toward the first trail marker. All the trail markers are diamond shaped, usually white but sometimes other colors.

Less than a mile up the trail, one will come to a fork in the trail. The right fork goes out to Saddle Rock. The route left will go on just a short distance until you come to another fork. The right fork goes out into pasture land and a poorly marked trail. The left fork goes up into thick forest on a fairly steady incline. There is a fork in the trail at about 3/4 miles. The left fork goes on around some of the other Red Cloud buttes, while the right fork works back around to the east behind some of the other buttes, eventually arriving at Lovers Leap Butte. From the trailhead to Lovers Leap, the distance has to be under 3 miles, but there are no distance makers, so one has to estimate.

There are no other well marked trails down, so you will have to go back the way you came up. The views along this route are spectacular in many places, and most of the time you will have the trail to yourself. There are rare sightings of rattlesnakes in the area, and even more rare sightings of mountain lions. So, be aware of your surroundings.

The buttes in the area are all soft sandstone with mostly sheer sides, from 100 to 300 feet. Getting to the tops of most of them, without major risk to your health, is pretty much unlikely.

Getting There

Fort Robinson State Park boundaries are just to the west of Crawford, Nebraska on Highway 20. At 22,000 acres, this is the largest state park in Nebraska. The nearest airline service is at Chadron, some 30 miles to the east.

The great thing about a hiking trip to Fort Robinson, is that the Soldier Creek Wilderness Area sits at the western boundary of the state park. And, the Nebraska National Forest has nearly a quarter million acres nearby. So hiking and climbing opportunities do not end at Fort Robinson.

Red Tape

The only Red Tape you will face, is needing a state park permit to park. Firearms are not allowed in the state park from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Hunting is allowed there, in season. So please be aware of those seasons when you hike there in fall, winter, and early spring.

Camping and Lodging

The state park not only has tent and RV campsites, but also has lodging available in the original officers quarters and enlisted men's barracks. You can make reservations, or get other information by calling:
(308)665-2900

External Links

To get more information about Fort Robinson, click here:
FORT ROBINSON

Fort Robinson History

This historic outpost served from the days of the Indian Wars until after World War II. This was the site of the 1879 Cheyenne Outbreak and the death of famed Sioux Chief Crazy Horse. Over the years, the fort served the Red Cloud Indian Agency, as a cavalry remount station, K-9 dog training center, POW camp and beef research station.

The State Historical Society operates a museum and many restored or reconstructed exhibit buildings to interpret the Fort's history.

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