Off Pavement
04-02-2012, 09:17 AM
The weather was great a couple weeks ago so we packed up and headed into northwestern Nebraska to visit a place I've seen pictures of, but never been to... Toadstool Geographic Park north of Crawford, Nebraska.
The area could be called Nebraska's Badlands. Sandstone and clay in this area has made for the unusual formations seen along a short but somewhat difficult hike from the campground. The area is managed by the US Forest Service and is located in the Oglala National Grassland. USFS Web Site (http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72 BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110207&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=null&navid=110360000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&recid=10616&actid=70&ttype=recarea&pname=Nebraska%2520National%2520Forests%2520And%25 20Grasslands%2520-%2520Toadstool%2520Geological%2520Park%2520and%252 0Campground)
We had the place to ourselves with perfect 80 degree daytime temperature. There is no water or trash, but two vault toilets that were spotless, picnic tables and shelters, charcoal grills and firepits. This time of year, the price is right too... free. Max price during summer is $5 per night.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/421658_10150629262812631_757452630_9303051_6688515 50_n.jpg
Me and Blaze
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/420502_10150629261132631_757452630_9303040_1561237 696_n.jpg
We had the campground to ourselves.
It was 16 miles of pretty good gravel road. Those seeking solitude should consider this location. Coyotes and Meadowlarks sang to us, we didn't see another soul, and hope you will consider a visit to this interesting and off the beaten path location.
The area could be called Nebraska's Badlands. Sandstone and clay in this area has made for the unusual formations seen along a short but somewhat difficult hike from the campground. The area is managed by the US Forest Service and is located in the Oglala National Grassland. USFS Web Site (http://www.fs.usda.gov/wps/portal/fsinternet/!ut/p/c4/04_SB8K8xLLM9MSSzPy8xBz9CP0os3gDfxMDT8MwRydLA1cj72 BTJw8jAwjQL8h2VAQAzHJMsQ!!/?ss=110207&navtype=BROWSEBYSUBJECT&cid=null&navid=110360000000000&pnavid=110000000000000&recid=10616&actid=70&ttype=recarea&pname=Nebraska%2520National%2520Forests%2520And%25 20Grasslands%2520-%2520Toadstool%2520Geological%2520Park%2520and%252 0Campground)
We had the place to ourselves with perfect 80 degree daytime temperature. There is no water or trash, but two vault toilets that were spotless, picnic tables and shelters, charcoal grills and firepits. This time of year, the price is right too... free. Max price during summer is $5 per night.
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/421658_10150629262812631_757452630_9303051_6688515 50_n.jpg
Me and Blaze
http://sphotos.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc7/420502_10150629261132631_757452630_9303040_1561237 696_n.jpg
We had the campground to ourselves.
It was 16 miles of pretty good gravel road. Those seeking solitude should consider this location. Coyotes and Meadowlarks sang to us, we didn't see another soul, and hope you will consider a visit to this interesting and off the beaten path location.