Chadron State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chadron State Park
Chadron State Park, October 2017
Chadron State Park Location in Nebraska
Location	Dawes County, Nebraska, United States
Nearest city	Chadron, Nebraska
Area	974.26 acres (394.27 ha)
Elevation	3,999 ft (1,219 m)
Designation	Nebraska state park
Established	1921
Administrator	Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Website	Chadron State Park

Chadron State Park is a super cool place to visit in Nebraska! It's a public park located inside the Nebraska National Forest. You can find it about 9 miles south of a town called Chadron. This park is in the northwestern part of the state.

The park covers about 974 acres. That's a lot of space to explore! It includes part of the Pine Ridge area, which is a cool landform. You'll also find Chadron Creek flowing through the park. The park is full of tall ponderosa pine trees. Near the creek and a small lake, you'll see cottonwood trees. It's a great spot to enjoy nature!

History of Chadron State Park

Nebraska's Oldest State Park

Chadron State Park has a special history. It was created in 1921. This makes it the oldest state park in all of Nebraska! Imagine all the people who have visited this park over the years.

Building with the Civilian Conservation Corps

In the 1930s, a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) worked here. The CCC was a program that helped young men find jobs during a tough time. They built many things in the park that we still use today.

• They built cozy guest cabins.
• They made improvements to the swimming pool.
• They also improved the picnic and recreation areas.
• Roads and trails were made better for visitors.
• They even built special dams to stop soil from washing away.
• The water system for the park headquarters was also improved.

Surviving the West Ash Wildfire

In August 2012, the park faced a big challenge. A huge wildfire, called the West Ash Wildfire, was burning nearby. It covered over 58,000 acres! Firefighters worked hard to protect the park.

They set controlled fires inside the park. This helped burn away plants that the wildfire could use as fuel. Their plan worked! All the buildings and equipment in the park were saved.

The park reopened to visitors in September 2012. Even though 90% of the park's land burned, the main forest was okay. Most of the fire stayed on the ground, burning only grass and small plants. This shows how strong nature can be!

Fun Activities at Chadron State Park

Chadron State Park is packed with things to do! There's something for everyone to enjoy. You can spend a whole day or even a weekend here.

• Swimming: The park has a full-sized swimming pool. It's perfect for cooling off on a hot day.
• Horseback Riding: Explore the park's trails on horseback. It's a unique way to see the scenery.
• Archery: Test your aim with archery. It's a fun skill to learn.
• Disc Golf: Play a round of disc golf. It's like regular golf, but with frisbees!
• Hiking: Discover many hiking trails. They wind through the beautiful pine forests.
• Tennis: Play a game of tennis with friends or family.
• Sand Volleyball: Enjoy a lively game of volleyball on the sand court.
• Fishing: Try your luck at fishing in the park's waters.

Park Amenities

The park also offers great facilities for visitors.

• You can rent paddleboats for fun on the water.
• There are many hiking trails to explore.
• A campground is available for those who want to stay overnight.
• Cozy cabins can be rented for a comfortable stay.