Welcome to the Nebraska National Forest and Grasslands

Explore the Great Plains

The Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands showcase wide open spaces, big skies, unexpected land formations, and grass that can grow waist-high. Come visit some of the most intact prairies on Earth!

Find Your Adventure


In the Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands you can find quiet, undeveloped spaces. Solitude is closer than you think. Here, East meets West as seen in the wildlife and plant mix.  These large tracts of public land are the closest places for Midwesterners to hunt and play. Travelers crossing the country often stop here to rest and see something different. Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands include the Nebraska National Forest, Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest, Buffalo Gap National Grassland, Fort Pierre National Grassland and Oglala National Grassland.
 

New Area Closure and Fire Restrictions in Place for Bessey Ranger District

The 4H Camp and Scott Lookout Tower are now to all public access due to the Bovee Fire that started on October 2, 2022. The Closure remains in place through April 30, 2023. The rest of the District is now open. The Bessey Ranger District and the Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest entered Stage 2 Fire Restrictions effective October 20, 2022. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detailfull/nebraska/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd604002&width=full

 

  • Buffalo Gap National Grassland

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    Wild and weird, this landscape is vast and unforgettable. The Buffalo Gap National Grassland has a rich history and the most genetically diverse population of endangered black-footed ferrets in the country.

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  • Toadstool Geologic Park & Campground

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    Noted for its unusual geologic formations and scientifically valuable fossils, Toadstool Geologic Park is a popular destination. During your hike, look for - but don't collect! - fossils that help scientists understand animal behavior 30 million years ago.

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  • Nebraska National Forest at Halsey – Bessey Unit

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    Bessey is where the largest hand-planted forest in the western hemisphere is nestled within the most intact temperate prairie on Earth. Bessey is known for its off-highway vehicle trails, hunting, camping, kayaking, and horseback riding.

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Alerts & Warnings

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