Natick Campground, Nebraska NF, Nebraska
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I had heard a rumor of a more secluded campground in the forest, and I tent camped there in June 2005.
Describe your camping trip:
I camped here on a Monday night (probably why it was quiet) and accessed the campsite driving over a few miles of a paved, although pothole filled, road. As I arrived at the site I found a pile of firewood waiting along with a clean campsite. The campsites were spaced nicely with a few out in the open with others back in a pine draw.
A water pump was available, however it was not potable. A newer vault toilet was also available. The night was fairly quiet except for a few far off man-made noises. I departed the forest using a back exit described on my map, it lead me over the sandhills on a very sandy road where I could have been stuck a few times. Be cautious on this road. Natick campground is not the first big one when you enter Nebraska National Forest. It was a nice secluded site built primarily for horse riders as evident by the corrals and water-producing windmill. The campsites themselves were nicely spaced with some back into a thicket of pines, which was nice. Be aware of the poor conditions of the roads leading from the forest entrance to the site (many potholes). There had been talk of ATV riders tearing up and down the roads, but all I heard all night was a distant pickup. Some maps may show a road with a rear exit towards Thedford, but be aware this is out in the boonies with soft sand. I spotted some neat wildlife though including some Pronghorn out in this sandhill area.
Pros: Quiet, at least on a Monday night. There may be horseback riders on other days. Firewood was available. If you want a real campsite and don't want to tent out near RVers, consider this place.
Cons: Roads treacherous east and sandy west of campground. No potable water available at time. No real hiking trails to speak of, but that's what made it rustic.
Nearby attractions: The main campsite of Nebraska National Forest offers a swimming pool and a large lookout tower. Thedford to the west on Highway 2 offers a hotel and a few gas stations.
Further comments:
There was talk of ATV riders tearing up and down the roads, but I didn't hear of any the night I camped.
Visit Their Website
Visit Their Website
I had heard a rumor of a more secluded campground in the forest, and I tent camped there in June 2005.
Describe your camping trip:
I camped here on a Monday night (probably why it was quiet) and accessed the campsite driving over a few miles of a paved, although pothole filled, road. As I arrived at the site I found a pile of firewood waiting along with a clean campsite. The campsites were spaced nicely with a few out in the open with others back in a pine draw.
A water pump was available, however it was not potable. A newer vault toilet was also available. The night was fairly quiet except for a few far off man-made noises. I departed the forest using a back exit described on my map, it lead me over the sandhills on a very sandy road where I could have been stuck a few times. Be cautious on this road. Natick campground is not the first big one when you enter Nebraska National Forest. It was a nice secluded site built primarily for horse riders as evident by the corrals and water-producing windmill. The campsites themselves were nicely spaced with some back into a thicket of pines, which was nice. Be aware of the poor conditions of the roads leading from the forest entrance to the site (many potholes). There had been talk of ATV riders tearing up and down the roads, but all I heard all night was a distant pickup. Some maps may show a road with a rear exit towards Thedford, but be aware this is out in the boonies with soft sand. I spotted some neat wildlife though including some Pronghorn out in this sandhill area.
Pros: Quiet, at least on a Monday night. There may be horseback riders on other days. Firewood was available. If you want a real campsite and don't want to tent out near RVers, consider this place.
Cons: Roads treacherous east and sandy west of campground. No potable water available at time. No real hiking trails to speak of, but that's what made it rustic.
Nearby attractions: The main campsite of Nebraska National Forest offers a swimming pool and a large lookout tower. Thedford to the west on Highway 2 offers a hotel and a few gas stations.
Further comments:
There was talk of ATV riders tearing up and down the roads, but I didn't hear of any the night I camped.
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