MAY 2017 • NEBRASKAland 75
"the absolute premier horseback riding in the state": Fort
Robinson State Park, located three miles west of Crawford.
The park offers 20 miles of equestrian trails, large barns
and a number of lodging choices for riders, including lodge
rooms and cabins. The American Paint Horse Association's
annual trail ride at Fort Robinson has drawn riders from
across the country and as far away as Germany. "I ask them,
why this ride, why Fort Robinson? And they say it's the only
place where you can get all this in one location – the trees of
the Pine Ridge, the prairies, and the buttes, where you can
see for miles. It's a unique location," Ridder said.
In northeastern Nebraska, Ridder highlighted Lewis and
Clark State Recreation Area near Crofton, which offers 6.5
miles of trails and an equestrian campground with corrals,
water, restrooms and picnic areas. "It's a nice horse camp
and the trails take you up into the hills with a beautiful view
of the lake," Ridder said. Niobrara State Park is a great day
ride as well, she said, with 120 acres of free range riding and
an equestrian campground with primitive camping.
Both Willow Creek State Recreation Area and Danish
Alps State Recreation Area are also great multi-use areas,
Ridder said, with opportunities to fish, boat and hunt along
with equestrian campgrounds and other amenities. The 321-
mile Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail beginning in
Norfolk is another option for horseback riders, she said.
Those without horses of their own can rent one for a
guided trail ride at Buffalo Bill State Historical Park,
Chadron State Park, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, Fort
Robinson State Park, Indian Cave State Park, Niobrara
State Park, Platte River State Park and Ponca State Park.
For more information on these and other locations, visit
OutdoorNebraska.org. ■
With the Red Cloud Buttes serving as the backdrop, a wrangler leads a trail ride at Fort Robinson State Park.
Visitors enjoy a trail ride at Chadron State Park in Dawes
County.
Niobrara State Park in Knox County offers guided trail rides that
overlook the Niobrara and Missouri rivers.
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