Fort Robinson
Located just west of Crawford on Highway 20, Fort Robinson, Nebraska’s largest state park, was an active Army post from 1874 to 1948. It played a key role in the tragic and tumultuous days of the Plains Indian wars, saw the death of the famous Lakota war chief Crazy Horse and was the camp from which a small band of Northern Cheyenne attempted an ill-fated break from captivity to resume their trek homeward to Montana.
Today, visitors to the fort can lose themselves in quiet scenic vistas, or revisit the past at the Nebraska State Historical Society Museum.
At the Trailside Museum, also on the grounds, visitors can now view a unique fossil display of two mammoths who died with their tusks locked in battle. The one-of-a-kind set of fossil remains was discovered nearby in the 1960s, but it wasn’t until 2006 that scientists were able to fully restore the bones and create a suitable display.
Fort Robinson was named for Lt. Levi Robinson, who was killed in an 1874 skirmish near Laramie Peak. In 1877, the fort was administrative headquarters for the Lakota Indian reservation when the war chief Crazy Horse died of stab wounds.
Today, horseback rides and open-air Jeep tours are offered for visitors to enjoy the park’s majestic buttes, scenic vistas and abundant wildlife.
Marked trails for hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders are a popular feature of the park. Bike rentals are available.
Other park activities include daily wildlife and buffalo tours, a hayrack ride and buffalo stew cookout. Visitors can also rent kayacks or inner tubes for a trip down the White River, cool off in a swimming pool, play tennis, attend craft classes or a mini-rodeo and view theater performances at the Post Playhouse.
A restaurant is available, along with a variety of lodging opportunities.
Visitors to the park must have a Nebraska State Park Entry Permit, available at the park office. For more information about park activities, schedules and prices, call 308-665-2900.