{{short description|Park in Nebraska, United States}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}} {{Infobox park | name = Chadron State Park | image = Chadron State Park.jpg | image_size = 280 | image_alt = Landscape | image_caption = | map = Nebraska | map_caption = Location in Nebraska | map_size = 280 | relief = 1 | map_label = Chadron State Park | location = Dawes County, Nebraska, United States | nearest_city = Chadron, Nebraska | coordinates = {{coord|42|42|32|N|103|1|3|W|display=inline,title}} | coords_ref = | area = {{convert|974.26|acre|abbr=on}}<ref name=ngpc2/> | elevation = {{convert|3999|ft|m|abbr=on}} | established = 1921 | free_label = Named for | free_data = | designation = Nebraska state park | administrator = Nebraska Game and Parks Commission | status = | website = {{Official website}} | module = }}
'''Chadron State Park''' is a public recreation area located within the Nebraska National Forest, {{convert|9|mi|spell=in}} south of Chadron, Nebraska, in the northwestern portion of the state.<ref name=ngpc/> The park's {{convert|974|acre}} include a portion of the Pine Ridge escarpment and Chadron Creek. The park is wooded with ponderosa pine throughout and cottonwood trees near the creek and lagoon.
==History== The act that established Chadron State Park was introduced to the Nebraska Legislature by Senator James W. Good and Representative George C. Snow, both of Dawes County.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=1921-08-23 |title=Chadron Offers State Park Site |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-hastings-daily-tribune-chadron-offer/191691897/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |work=The Hastings Daily Tribune |pages=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The park was opened in 1921, making it Nebraska's oldest state park.<ref name=ngpc/> It originally consisted of {{convert|640|acre}}.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=1921-08-07 |title=Dawes County Has the First State Public Park |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/omaha-world-herald-dawes-county-has-the/191691599/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |work=Omaha World-Herald |pages=44 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
The Civilian Conservation Corps was active in the park in the 1930s: {{blockquote|text=Under the work program guest cabins were constructed and improvements made at the swimming pool and picnic and recreation area. Roads and trails were improved and drainage structures built. Brush dams were built to control soil and stream bank erosion, and the water supply system at the headquarters area was improved.<ref name=nshs/>}}
A promotional booklet, "Nebraska's Own State Park", was distributed to various state leaders in 1947 to advocate for modernized facilities.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1947-01-17 |title=Park's Beauty and Revenue Presented in New Booklet |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chadron-record-parks-beauty-and-revenue/191692305/ |access-date=2026-02-19 |work=The Chadron Record |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
In August 2012, with the park threatened by the 58,000+ acre West Ash Wildfire, crews set backfires in the park to deprive the fire of fuel. The controlled burns worked and saved all structures and equipment. The park reopened to visitors in September 2012.<ref name="kearneyhub" /> Although 90% of the park burned, no infrastructure was lost and its forest survived intact, with most of the fire having stayed on the ground as an understory grass fire.<ref name="report" />
==Activities and amenities== Activities include swimming in a regulation-sized pool, horseback riding, archery, disc golf, hiking, tennis, sand volleyball, and fishing. The park has rental paddleboats, hiking trails, campground, and cabins.<ref name=ngpc/>
==References== <references>
<ref name=ngpc>{{cite web|url=http://outdoornebraska.gov/chadron/ |title=Chadron State Park |publisher=Nebraska Game and Parks Commission |accessdate=January 4, 2017}}</ref>
<ref name=ngpc2>{{cite web |url=https://data-outdoornebraska.opendata.arcgis.com/datasets/state-park-locations/data?geometry=-103.049%2C42.701%2C-102.968%2C42.723&orderBy=AreaName&where=AreaName%20%3D%20%27Chadron%20SP%27 |title=Chadron State Park |publisher=NGPC Map and Data Portal |date=March 1, 2017 |accessdate=June 8, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name=nshs>{{cite journal |url=https://history.nebraska.gov/sites/history.nebraska.gov/files/doc/publications/NH1994CCCNebraska.pdf |title=The Civilian Conservation Corps in Nebraska: Memoirs of Company 762 |first=Charles H. |last=Humberger |journal=Nebraska History |date=1994 |volume=7 |pages=292–300 |accessdate=June 8, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200609031547/https://history.nebraska.gov/sites/history.nebraska.gov/files/doc/publications/NH1994CCCNebraska.pdf |archive-date=June 9, 2020}}</ref>
<ref name=kearneyhub>{{cite news |url=http://www.kearneyhub.com/news/local/chadron-state-park-reopening-after-fire/article_c98e3192-f8e9-11e1-9fd5-001a4bcf887a.html |title=Chadron State Park reopening after fire |first=Nancy |last=Gaarder |date=September 7, 2012 |newspaper=Kearney Hub |accessdate=October 22, 2012}}</ref>
<ref name=report>{{cite web |url=http://nfs.unl.edu/documents/2012AnnualReportForestManagement.pdf |title=Forest management helps save Chadron State Park from fire |work=Annual Report |date=2012 |publisher=Nebraska Forest Service |accessdate=January 4, 2017}}</ref>
</references>
==External links== {{stack|{{commons category|Chadron State Park}}}} *[http://outdoornebraska.gov/chadron/ Chadron State Park] Nebraska Game and Parks Commission *[https://outdoornebraska.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ChadronSP-Layout-08-Mar-2021.pdf Chadron State Park Map] Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
{{Protected areas of Nebraska}}
{{authority control}}
Category:State parks of Nebraska Category:Protected areas of Dawes County, Nebraska Category:Protected areas established in 1921 Category:Civilian Conservation Corps in Nebraska Category:1921 establishments in Nebraska