Toadstool Geological Park & Campground

Who knew Nebraska looks like this? I’ve got to admit to a completely stereotypical view of Nebraska before making the drive north from I-80. Endless expanses of open, often completely treeless, rolling land with occasional herds of cattle, enormous bales of hay and farm scenery dotting the scene. Then this. An incredible, otherworldly place. You do have to WANT to be here to get here. The 15 mile or so drive on gravel is teeth-chattering. No I wouldn’t want to drive the road when it is muddy either, but watch the dust clouds generated when it isn’t are epic. Our poor toad has dust in places it will probably take months to get out. The campground is small, just 5 spots. There are 2 privies. Clean and odor free even after the July 4 holiday. There is a small parking area for day-users and there are 5 camping spots, each with a picnic table that is under cover of a canopy, a grill and fire-ring. One large spot fit our 35’ Class A just fine. All spots are back in. Two are quite small-ish, two would fit medium sized rigs, up to 30’ it appears, and this one. There are no hookups. No water or dump available. Finally, I’ve got to warn you about the wind and the mosquitos. Even without a cloud in the sky and infinite stars overhead,the wind continued to blow and blow all night long. And, at least in early July, the mosquitos will swarm you as bad as anywhere else we’ve been. Literally 15-20 on you if you are outside more than 30 seconds without protection and they get to business fast. So why come here and spend the night?? Beauty. Solitude. Quiet. Vast waves of blowing grasses. Fantastic sun rises and sun set. No light pollution spoiling your view of the universe above. The periodic lonesome train whistle in the distance. All combine to give you an idea what things might have been like in the area 200 yrs ago. Lastly, it is also a geologic wonder. A riverbed 30 million years ago, populated by a variety of fantastic creatures which left their footprints in the soft mud, only to be covered by volcanic deposits that then were eroded and re-exposed to create a wonderland to be explored with a 1 mile or so self-guided loop trail through the formations with various interesting points marked. Kids will have a terrific time climbing and exploring the rocks. Adults will too, but will also appreciate the history, geology and solitude. So come and check it out for a night or two. Or don’t. That way the experience will be just the same the next time we come here...

Great place to get away. Very remote and quiet. Roads are ok if dry but very rutted and slippery if wet. It rained the night before we got here. We almost slipped off the road into a ditch coming up a hill. 😳 Our advice check the weather. We would have stayed longer but it’s supposed to rain in 2 days so we’re getting out while we can. The hike is a 1 mile loop and is totally worth doing.

If you want to experience the remote grasslands for what they offer, this will fit the bill. Toadstool is a great unique experience in NW Nebraska and a perfect overnight respite on the way west. The drive up can be a bit unnerving, what seems like endless gravel tracks, but rest assured you are on the right path. Reminiscent of the Badlands just to the north, Toadstool is a great place to explore for the day. A short marked hike is a great experience at sunset, or just explore at your leisure. You will likely be quite alone out here, even more so off season.

There are only six sites and I arrived on a Saturday in late June to acquire the last available site around 5PM. Still even, the sites are VERY spread apart and you have a lot of privacy. Mind you, you did not come to the grasslands for shade so do not expect privacy in the way of forest. Each site is well maintained with covered picnic table, small grill, large driveway and plenty of space for multiple tents; great for groups. The restrooms were clean and easily accessible.There were no fire rings, and no kindling of firewood, so pack warm if tent camping. There is ample cell coverage, I even laid in my tent and bought some gear on Amazon. Yes, there are trains. Yes you can hear them. I heard maybe 3 or 4 at night. Did it keep me from a restful sleep? Not in the slightest.

I thoroughly enjoyed the campground. It feels very remote, quiet and with wide open skies. I would recommend as a great stopover on your way west or north to the badlands out of Nebraska.

With very few exceptions the number one thing we judge a CG on is how many trees are there, we love being in the trees. I don't think there are trees within 10 miles of this place, lol. You are definitely out in the grasslands, but we loved it anyways.

You are about 16 miles down a graded dirt road. There is no town, or large source of civilization for many miles.

The CG itself is a small single loop with 6 spaces. 2 or 3 of them can accommodate a larger rig, the rest are for a smaller trailer / MH or tent.

Because it is a geological park, with a marked walk to show off fossils (very cool) it tends to get a decent amount of traffic during the day (especially on the weekend) with people hiking or taking a day drive. But about an hour before dark just about everyone is gone and it is just whomever is in the park.

The first night there were three of us there, the second two nights just two of us, and the third night three of us again. So the park was never full.

You are about a mile away from a busy set of train tracks. The sound of the trains rumbling by doesn't bother me, in fact I rather enjoy it, and they didn't blow their whistles frequently, but if that bothers you beware.

There is also a recreation of a settlers Sod House there that you can walk through which is rather unique.

Cell was very good, I marked it as 5 bars, but didn't mark whether that was Verizon or AT&T.

[Actual Stay 10/12/16]

Its very quiet as its 16 miles on a well graded dirt road from the highway, its worth a visit as you can explore the rocks with a well marked trail that you can see lots of strange shaped rocks and dinosaur footprints all over the place. There is water and a toilet there also. very fun place to educate the kids. Dont be put off by the long dirt road drive as it well maintained, lots off cattle roaming along the road.Have fun.