2000 acres hosted by Francis H.
2 RV/tent sites
Big rig-friendly
Spacious, level camping well-suited for travel trailers over 40 ft long.
Off-leash friendly
Pets can be off-leash at this Hipcamp.
Francis is a Star Host
Star Hosts are highly rated, responsive, and committed to providing incredible experiences.
Best in Nebraska: Finalist
Named one of the best Hipcamps to visit in 2023.
A working family ranch, running 300+ mother
cows, background over 400 head of calves on about 4000 acres.
We use center pivot irrigation with 7 pivots, to grow feed.
Note: location is SE of Eli Nebraska and about 8 miles off of HW20.
It is approximately 1 hour west of Valentine Nebraska42°52'28.497" N, 101°24'52.846" W location is south east of Eli Nebraska
If you are booking within hours of arriving or I have not responded to a message from you, try calling on phone, before you arrive. Had a problem that wouldn't have been a problem, had I realized I had a booking. Do not worry about the time, just call. I can't always be available, but keep trying. If you book and have no problems, come in and set up even you don't make contact with me. Occasionally, if I have cattle in the area, it is possible that I have an electric fence to keep cattle out of the camp site area. if so, grab the black handle and open it so you can drive in. Or set up outside of the area by the fire pit / picnic table. Note: it is not often this fence is up. If it is up, the area is still open for use.
Cell phones do work at the camp site.: US Cellular , Viearo, and Verizon. Many other company's phones roam off of these towers.
It is perfectly acceptable to arrive late at night. If so, would be good to let us know and if there is another group there, we may ask you to set up a little distance away.
pit toilet, work in progress, but usable, presently mostly needs a new door. Suggested site is along south side our ranch road and on the west side of a Grain Bin. A center pivot Irrigation system is on the north side of the road. to the south is the top of the canyons looking over the Niobrara River valley. Remember it is dispersed site, so you don't have to camp exactly that spot. Both white tail and Mule Deer are common in the area as well as Turkey and a few grouse. There is a potable water hydrant nearby. Look for it by the electrical transformers which are along the road. In winter months, water may not be available at that hydrant. during summer months, there is normally a hose at the campsite that I run a sprinkler with. It has a Y valve on it, that you can get water from.
Only have one fire pit, so if two groups are there, will need to share it. (note, I have never actually had two groups on site at the same time)
This is a working cattle Ranch, with center pivot irrigation for feed. Only ranch traffic on the road, no thru traffic.
You are allowed to walk the canyons on our property, except when hunters are present which could be between Sept 1 and Feb 1. Ask if you are camping during those times. possible routes to the river is go west about 300 yards and walk down the ridge. Or go down the drive way towards our house. at the bottom of the hill, our house will be to your left. stay slightly to the right and go through a hay yard , then west and south to the river. you will be going between 2 small center pivot irrigation systems.
Very little light pollution, so location would be excellent for Star Gazing.
a few geocache sites are within a few miles.
This site has no wind protection, so tent campers, depending on weather forecast, may want to set up beside & camp; downwind of the grain bin.
Could do a short, about 2 mile, Kayak, tube, or canoe trip on The Niobrara river, getting in at the Garner Bridge and getting out on our property, below the campsite.
Area attractions:
Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge 18 miles North, in SD.
Bowring Ranch State Historical Park, north of Merriman Ne 22 miles
Many of our campers tour the Badlands national park 2 hrs,
Circle C market, Cody Ne, a student run grocery store, housed in a straw bale structure. 24 miles
The Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail passes through spectacular Nebraska scenery as it travels 195 miles from Valentine east to Norfolk. This trail is great for biking, hiking and horseback riding. One of the most spectacular parts of the trail is the old train trestle that crosses the Niobrara River just outside of Valentine. although not maintained 'this trail also goes from Gordon to Valentine.
Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
Farming in the Local area includes Corn, hay and Seed Potatoes.
If coming from the north, your GPS may send you down a county road, that is rock / dirt from SD hwy 18 to the state line. If there would be a recent rain event, you might not want on that road. Would be good if you would inform me as to the direction of your arrival, for this type of situations. If arriving on this road, might want to contact me to see If I have any idea of the condition of this road. You can reroute to Martin SD and Merriman Ne, which adds a few miles. Site location is mostly directly south of Kadoka Sd about 1.5 hours.