Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands
 

Photo of Nebraska National Forests and Grassland


The Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands are located in central and western Nebraska and central and western South Dakota. This area is made up of 2 national forests, 3 national grasslands, a tree nursery, and is host to a Job Corps facility.

There is an unusual combination of the native ponderosa pine forest of the Nebraska and Samuel R. McKelvie National Forests and mixed grass prairies on the Buffalo Gap, Fort Pierre, and Oglala National Grasslands. Hand-planted forests (Bessey Ranger District and Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest) within the Nebraska Sandhills with their combined grassland and forest are unique to the National Forest System.

And finally, Charles E. Bessey Nursery, the nation's oldest federal tree nursery, rounds out this interesting and challenging combination known as the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands. A variety of recreation and natural resources makes this a perfect place to explore and enjoy your National Forests!

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National Grasslands of the Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands

The Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands includes three of the United States' 20 National Grasslands:

The Buffalo Gap National Grassland covers 597,178 acres in southwestern South Dakota and lies on the Fall River Ranger District.

The Fort Pierre National Grassland covers 115,997 acres in central South Dakota and lies on the Ft. Pierre Ranger District.

The Oglala National Grassland covers 94,480 acres in north western Nebraska and lies on the Pine Ridge Ranger District.

There are a variety of activities to explore on the Oglala National Grassland, including camping, hiking, horse riding, and rockhounding...

The Oglala National Grassland and surrounding area is a virtual paradise for those interested in rocks, minerals, gemstones and fossils. Those who collect these treasures are often called rockhounds.