Crawford, NE

Travel Guide

Photo provided by Nebraska Tourism
Photo provided by Nebraska Tourism
Photo provided by Nebraska Tourism
Photo provided by Nebraska Tourism
Photo provided by Nebraska Tourism

Find history amid the parkland reserves surrounding this Nebraska Panhandle township built outside the historic military outpost of Fort Robinson.

Forested state parks, protected grasslands and wilderness reserves encircle the pastoral town of Crawford, making it an excellent base for a wilderness adventure in the Great Plains. Strolling down the town’s quiet streets today, it might be hard to imagine the wild and rowdy village that sprang up outside the U.S. Army barracks at Fort Robinson in 1886. Discover the town’s history and make the most of its proximity to some of the Nebraska Panhandle’s magnificent wilderness reserves.

Check out the Crawford History Museum to learn about the town’s beginnings as a tent village before it grew into an infamous entertainment destination for local soldiers. Learn more of Crawford’s fascinating history at the Fort Robinson State Park, an expansive reserve that surrounds the former army barracks, which are a National Historic Landmark. Within the park, you can visit the Trailside Museum of Natural History to learn about the landscape and check out the Fort Robinson Museum to discover the site’s bloody history during the Sioux Wars. Catch a theatrical performance at the site’s playhouse and consider staying a night in the barracks’ cabins.

Wander around the tree-lined grounds of Crawford City Park, which is situated along the banks of the White River in Northwest Crawford. Just south of the park are the sprawling grounds of the Legend Buttes Golf Course. The local rodeo grounds are also nearby. Go swimming in the pool or play baseball on the local diamonds at the Peabody Hale Memorial Park. Hiking and biking trails are located south of town in the Nebraska National Forest. To the north, you’ll find the seemingly endless plains of the Oglala National Grassland.

Take a short trip in the car to find more regional attractions, such as the Agate Fossil Beds and the Toadstool Geological Park, where fascinating natural relics can be seen amid the sandstone formations. The Pine Ridge National Recreation Area presents plenty of opportunities to fish, hunt and camp.

Crawford is situated near the South Dakota border of Northwest Nebraska. The nearest airport is the Chadron Municipal Airport, approximately 25-minutes’ drive northeast of the town. Include Crawford on your tour around the Panhandle and discover Oregon Trail heritage, geological wonders and pristine wilderness.

Charming 2-bedroom house with AC, Wi-Fi in serene Crawford, NE.

Charming 2-bedroom house with AC, Wi-Fi in serene Crawford, NE.

Crawford
$131 nightly
The price is $147 total per night from Aug 26 to Aug 27
$147 total
Aug 26 - Aug 27
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this vacation home in Crawford. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attraction Fort Robinson State Park is located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
"A lot of room in this house! Enjoyed the amenities offered."

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2025

Charming 2-bedroom house with AC, Wi-Fi in serene Crawford, NE.
Best Western West Hills Inn

Best Western West Hills Inn

2.5 out of 5
1100 W 10th Street, Chadron, NE
$101 nightly
The price is $116 total per night from Sep 1 to Sep 2
$116 total
Sep 1 - Sep 2
Total includes taxes and fees
Stay at this hotel in Chadron. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (877 reviews)
"It was better on the inside than the outside! Older hotel, but kept up pretty good. Some areas smelled musty . Not an impressive breakfast."

Reviewed on Aug 10, 2025

Best Western West Hills Inn
Chadron Inn & Suites

Chadron Inn & Suites

2.5 out of 5
775 Microtel Dr, Chadron, NE
$79 nightly
The price is $90 total per night from Aug 18 to Aug 19
$90 total
Aug 18 - Aug 19
Total includes taxes and fees
Book a stay at this golf hotel in Chadron. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
6.8/10 (212 reviews)
"Just traveling through. Family restaurant close by. Allowed bike to park under canopy."

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2025

Chadron Inn & Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Charming 2-bedroom house with AC, Wi-Fi in serene Crawford, NE.

Charming 2-bedroom house with AC, Wi-Fi in serene Crawford, NE.

Crawford
Stay at this vacation home in Crawford. Enjoy laundry facilities and air conditioning. Popular attraction Fort Robinson State Park is located nearby.
9.6/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
"A lot of room in this house! Enjoyed the amenities offered."

Reviewed on Aug 8, 2025

Charming 2-bedroom house with AC, Wi-Fi in serene Crawford, NE.
Cozy 2-Bedroom Basement Apartment. Pet Friendly!

Cozy 2-Bedroom Basement Apartment. Pet Friendly!

Chadron
Stay at this apartment in Chadron. Enjoy free WiFi and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Finnegan Park and Pine Ridge National Recreation Area are ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (10 reviews)
"Easy check in.Very comfortable and spacious.Great location.Hosts were readily available and helpful for area suggestions (food, entertainment, etc)."

Reviewed on Jul 21, 2025

Cozy 2-Bedroom Basement Apartment. Pet Friendly!
Nice 3 Bedroom Ranch House

Nice 3 Bedroom Ranch House

Chadron
Stay at this vacation home in Chadron. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and patios. Popular attractions Finnegan Park and Pine Ridge National Recreation ...
10/10 Exceptional! (81 reviews)
Just As Advertised
"This property was easy to access, easy to stay in, and property manager extremely communicative. Very clean w all amenities. Enjoyed our stay!"

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

Nice 3 Bedroom Ranch House
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Cities near Crawford