fort robinson state park

We took a few minutes to detour from our Rapid City trip. Museum, cafe and everything was closed, but we bought our park ticket and drove through. The lady that we bought the park ticket from gave us a map to show where Crazy Horse was killed. It would be the perfect place in summer if you were into outdoors, hiking and horses. They were working on updating one of the houses. The whole drive through takes you back in time. Even in the "off" season, I'm glad that we detoured and went through the park. If going in the summer, reserve early! Many dates fill up with reservations and there are activities abound to fill your family time.

My love of history took me to Fort Robinson from St. Louis some thirty years ago as a member of a horse cavalry reenactment unit. I've been to many such sights; Ft. Larned, Ft. Riley, Ft. Leavenworth, Ft. Scott-I could go on.Fort Robinson offers the opportunity to experience the old Frontier Army days in a manner that few other places can permit. First, you can bring your mount and actually stable him/her in a genuine cavalry stable. Second you can stay in relative comfort in the barracks or an officer's quarters cabin. Third, you have the beautiful scenery and wide open spaces of the Pine Ridge, who know that Nebraska could be so beautiful? "Give me lands lots of land under starry skies..." Roy Rodgers once sang, Rob and the surrounding public land (121,000+ acres) indeed provides just such an environment!Inexpensive lodging from spacious cabins (up to 7 bedrooms), rooms and camping are available. Activities? They abound; campfire cookouts, horseback riding, miles of hiking trails, scenic drives, fishing, indoor pool, tennis courts and some. Museums and historical exhibits? They have those too but I miss the old days when they had a live interpreter there to show you around. To summarize: you cannot beat the place whether you are looking to take your horse or the family and its only a short drive north into the Black Hills of South Dakota.A word of WARNING: Fort Rob is Nebraska's most popular state park despite the fact it is at the opposite end of the state from most of the population. This means the cabins rent up well in advance beginning with the large multi bedroom brick former officer quarters. Additionally, the only time to visit, if you are looking for activities is from Memorial Day up to Labor Day which is when these and the Post Playhouse closes for the season. Few Americans have heard of the place though for it is a kept secret. Many years ago I heard how Nebraska had produced an advertising campaign to publicize the park in nearby urban areas such as; Cheyenne, WY and Denver, CO. only to scrap the idea when they realized the park was running at near capacity way back then.The park sits at the 4,000 foot elevation mark and while the summer days can get hot there is almost no humidity and once the sun sets so does the temperature. Average nightly temperatures run from 40-60 degrees (F). Because of those most cabins have no AC. There are three that do. The lodge rooms all feature window AC. You won't find any TV or phones (there is one pay phone outside the lodge) in any rooms or cabins. There are good videos that can be viewed via Youtube including my 2013 Black Hills Convoy snips and my 2016 Black Hills Convoy promo that explains the fort and its facilities as I drive you about in my jeep.Last year I made a return trip after 27 years to both the fort and the Black Hills. Previously I rode my flesh and blood war horse. This time I was riding in my 1942 Ford war jeep. I do lament, like the Indians of the Great Plains, the passing of the old ways and the fact I was not riding horse cavalry fashion but I had a great time. I am uncertain if I truly miss the old days of sleeping on the ground with my McClellan saddle as a pillow as I did not give it a try this time around.

Enjoed our quick visit to Fort Robinson, a really nice place to spend an afternoon, which left us wanting to stay a longer. A lovely museum and monument to Crazy Horse who was sadly killed here.

Next to the Broadway quality Post Playhouse shows, the Hayrack Breakfast is the best event at Ft. Robinson. I have been on two morning trips, August 2011 and August 2013, up to the buttes and have enjoyed every minute.

any history buff interested in the era of the Indian Wars of the 1860's and 1870's ought to visit Fort Robinson state park. It is the site of the assassination of famed Lakota warrior Crazy Horse as well as the tragic finale of the Cheyenne Exodus in January 1879

We stopped in mid-October on a Black Hills road trip. Most of the park closes down after the Labor Day holiday. Not a lot of the buildings were open. Interesting place to drive and walk through, especially considering the history of the fort. Would have loved to spend more time and really looked around. Would be nice if some of the buildings were open, even if no tour guides are available. I do have to say that lady at the desk seemed kind of rude. Apparently helping tourists is not her policy.

We booked a site in the Campground. We were the only ones there. Huge trees with lots of squirrels. We were told the water was still on in the Campground however it was turned off. We had two horses and the barn facilities were very nice. Trails were good but not really well marked. Showers had lots of bugs, assume it was that time of year. A ton of history here and we really enjoyed walking around the different buildings (even though they were closed for the season). People were very friendly.

Part of the facility was closed for the season, but the rest was great and the people are very nice!

We love this old, historic park where soldiers used to fight against the Indians. The old barracks, store, etc. are still there and have been restored. People and family reunions can stay in the park IN the different houses depending on how big your group is! It cost, of course, but it is a fun place to stay. There is horse back riding, hay rides out to a bar-b-que and show, horseshoes, a playhouse and much more. The restaurant there is good and boasts buffalo burgers. There is also a nice museum in the middle and a monument to Crazy Horse. It is close to the cute little town of Crawford, Nebraska.

We always enjoy our yearly trip here. We take our horses here to ride and the scenery is just beautiful when you get high up in the bluffs. Also interesting history.

We stayed in cabin L10 for two nights and enjoyed the peace and quiet tremendously. The cabin was large--three bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and bath--and the park was lovely. There were two negatives: everything, and I mean everything, cost extra and the trail ride was terrible. First, when I pay to rent a cabin in a state park, I do not expect to have to also pay a $10 per day entry fee plus fees for every activity including the pool. Second, the trail ride equipment was just unsafe with saddles cobbled together from left over parts to helmets that were cracked and too large. The ride itself was also BORING basically being around a field of grass. The longer ride to the buttes might have been better, but I would not have been willing to take it due to my safety concerns. The rest of the park was great including the small museum, which of course cost extra. Overall if we were in Nebraska again, we might stay here, but we would be better prepared for all the extra costs.

We only stopped here at the "Trailside Museum of Natural History" because the Stagecoach Museum in Lusk, Wy was closed and we had a little extra time, and were surprised at how "good" it was. It's basically just one not-real-big room devoted to the many fossils found in Nebraska. That includes one huge mammoth skeleton in the center, and two others locked in eternal battle on the far end, partially excavated. Along the walls are pictures and small bones from the other huge prehistoric "critters," many of which you never heard, telling about them and where they were found. Including the gift and rock shop, it only takes 30-45 minutes. The same $3.00 gets you admission to Ft. Robinson State Park next door. Most of the buildings are reconstructed from 1949 or later, but the history is there on signs. A 20-minute drive-through may be enough.

Lodging is in buildings of various types from the historical fort, which was originally built during the Indian Wars. Since then the Fort was used to train dogs and horses and even detain some German Prisoners of War. There are two places to eat on the Fort, both tasty and fun. A variety of activities such as horseback riding, jeep tour, and swimming are available at a very reasonable price compared to other attractions where those activities are offered.This is a very popular location for family reunions as the whole family can stay in the same house which was once occupied by an officer and his family or if they prefer they can have separate smaller units or even stay in the lodge.Strolling around the fort after dark when there is a full moon is fun and a little "scary" for those not used to wide open spaces. Kids love the excitement. I have been here twice with my grand kids and we all love it. Everyone wanted to stay longer and are talking about going back.This is a great place to visit or stay when traveling from further south on the way to Mt. Rushmore or visiting other attractions in the region.

We stayed one night and had a couple of days to experience the attractions offered at Fort Robinson. We experienced an authentic stage coach ride through some nice western countryside and a longer horseback ride through a little more rugged western country. We'd booked an evening chuckwagon steak feed in the butte country surrounding the fort but it was cancelled at the last minute due to an impressive late summer lightening storm. The attractions are very reasonably priced and are accessible to anyone in even less than average physical condition. There's a natural history museum on site and one can learn about the Indian wars and the famous Buffalo Soldiers (elite segregated Negro soldiers), as well as experiencing first hand the lifestyle and architecture of the US cavalry in the 19th century amid beautiful buttes and cottonwood draws.

To start, I'll be honest: I'm biased in loving the Fort because I have family ties to it and the area. Over the years I've made many trips to the Fort/Harrison/Crawford for family reunions and I'll just say that from age 4 to 28 I've never been disappointed in traveling all the way from North Carolina to visit.There is a ton of outdoor activities to do, if you can only do one go for a Jeep or horseback ride into the buttes, and the museums are great if you need something to do when it's too hot or rainy. There's scenic driving and non-Fort attractions a decent drive away (Toadstool is a must!) if you exhaust the options at the Fort or just want a change of scenery. The only downside is the lack of food options but you don't go to this corner of Nebraska expecting the range of food that a big city would offer. If you're there for any length of time I'd suggest getting a cabin or adobe and stocking up at a grocery store to cook your own food to get some variety that you can't get at the Fort's restaurant (that's not to say that it's not good).