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Print Friendly MapIn the northwestern corner of Nebraska, the White River Trail provides a 3-mile connection between Crawford City Park and Fort Robinson State Park. Along the way, the crushed-stone pathway offers stunning views of tree-covered buttes and a few crossings over the White River on former railroad bridges.
Fort Robinson State Park—the western end of the White River Trail—encompasses the fort and military camp that was home to the Red Cloud Agency in the 1870s. This federal agency served both the Oglala Lakota tribe of the Great Sioux Nation, as well as the Northern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, in what was essentially a forerunner to modern American Indian reservations. Fort Robinson is also notorious as the site of both Crazy Horse's surrender and his death in 1877. Today, a historic plaque marks the location.
Exhibits at the Fort Robinson Museum also inform visitors about the fort's later history as the regimental headquarters of the Buffalo Soldiers in the late 1800s and as the site of a German prisoner-of-war camp during World War II.
On your way to and from Fort Robinson, be sure to keep your eyes open for the wildlife who call the area around the White River Trail home. Depending on the time of year, deer, wild turkey, bison and long-horn cattle can be seen.
Parking is available in Crawford at the unassuming trailhead at 1st and Main Streets. Alternatively, start your journey at Fort Robinson State Park. Parking is available at several small parking lots around the Fort Robinson Museum just off of US 20. Walk a short distance to the marked trailhead at the southeastern corner of the park.
This trail isn't that long for some, but probably long enough for others. I didn't have any problem with the surface of crushed stone. I had gone to Fort Robinson State Park first since I was in the area, but I didn't stay to tour that place or look for the endpoint of the trail there. Instead I drove to Crawford, saw the trailhead and then parked in the city park, which was very close. The park had restrooms where I could change my clothes. (I'm from Ohio and was traveling and biking in various mid-western states). The trail went through part of the town and then to the open country. Buttes could be seen. Some of the trail was tree lined and some in the open. One of the bridges went over White River. Benches and covered shelters were available at intervals along the rail.
At the western endpoint, and after 3 miles and where the red line on TrailLink ended, the trail butted up to a road. One could go on a few other roads and into the main part of Fort Robinson. There were not any signs or maps at that spot, so I don't know where the trail went or ended in the state park. I decided not to do that portion, so I turned around.
I enjoyed the ride and I hope it gets well used.
We went from the city park in Crawford to FT. Robinson state park, easy trail. Fun to bike around the state park,
We were camping at Ft. Robinson. The trailhead was clearly marked. The tracks you can clearly see right by the campground we were at (Red Cloud). Very picturesque! Be aware there is poison ivy on the shoulder of the trail. Also, if you park at Ft. Robinson, you will need a Nebraska State Parks sticker to come into the park. This was very enjoyable to run!
I made reference to the town east of Fort Robinson State Park as Gordon - It should be Crawford rather than Gordon. They only place I could find the White River trail is going 3.5 miles from the park to Crawford.
Chris Bracknell, Ivanhoe, Va
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