Chadron State Park
{{short description|Park in Nebraska, USA}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox park
| name = Chadron State Park
| photo = Chadron State Park.jpg
| photo_width = 280
| photo_alt = Landscape
| photo_caption =
| map = Nebraska
| map_caption = Location in Nebraska
| map_width = 280
| relief = 1
| label = Chadron State Park
| location = Dawes County, Nebraska, United States
| nearest_city = Chadron, Nebraska
| coords = {{coord|42|42|32|N|103|1|3|W|display=inline,title}}
| coords_ref =
| area = {{convert|974.26|acre|abbr=on}}
| 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}}
| embedded =
}}
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. 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
Chadron State Park was established in 1921, making it Nebraska's oldest state park. 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.}}
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. 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.
Activities and amenities
References
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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