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After all of my Nebraska Badland posts, you would think I am a paid promoter for Sioux County and Dawes County, Nebraska. I am not. This area of the panhandle of Nebraska and Southwest South Dakota probably made the biggest impression on me as a teenager, Geology University Student and a parent of two daughters. THIS vacation will make a lasting impression on everyone who enjoys natural history and the Sioux Indian Wars of the 1870's. There is biking, horse back riding, camping, Fort Robinson Playhouse, a Rodeo in Crawford and Harrison, Nebraska, Scottsbluff and the Oregon Trail history, a restored/original Calvary Fort Robinson where you can rent rooms or a building for 12 or more visitors. An Olympic swimming pool. A golf course in Crawford. A huge swimming pool and slides at Hot Springs, South Dakota... The Black Hills... should I go on? Yes... do not forget Chadron, Nebraska to the East of Crawford. Again... do not forget Agate, Nebraska where Red Cloud use to visit, near the Agate Fossil Bed Monument. Also you can find the Buffalo Bill Ranch, North Platte, Nebraska to the South near the North Platte River! I have scanned some brochures I use to give out to friends thinking about a true adventure. This is an area that is wide open. Elevations run 3500 to 3900 feet elevations in the general area. It is DRY but not so high, like most of Colorado, where "flat landers" will need to catch their breath. I have always considered 3000 feet elevation and above the best dry air and cool evenings during the Summer months in the WEST. The air will "pop" with a window slightly open... do not believe me... listen if you live under 1000 feet elevation to the sound of the wind from your car window while traveling, then you will understand. The facilities at Fort Robinson will overwhelm you! The kids will love it. The RV Park is modern, showers at the Camp Ground, Art classes for the kids, Tennis court, Swimming, Biking, Horse back riding, a "kids" Rodeo... TWO museums at Fort Robinson! Crazy Horse was murdered at Fort Robinson. You can stand at the site of his murder... and the restored jail cell he had been held. This IS in the center of the Sioux Uprising, the Indian Wars and near Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota... and go to Wall, South Dakota to Wall Drugs. The BIG Badlands are not too far away in South Dakota. Crazy Horse's grave site has never been discovered... There IS one unusual grave site on a Ranch in the Panhandle that would have taken many people to stack the amount of stones required. It IS Indian... but who might be interred, no one knows as it has never been excavated. Maybe Crazy Horse? Maybe Yellow Hand? History lives in these enchanting Pine Ridges, Bluffs and Grass Lands! It is hot in July, but cool and dry in the evenings. High time for tourists would be the mid June to mid August. Check with Fort Robinson as to when they are open this year and close. Also, ask about the Playhouse that has excellent melodrama shows... great for the entire family to participate! If you have any questions... ask. I have been camping on the National Grasslands to the Northwest of Toadstool Park. You can easily take a car or pickup pulling a camping trailer. They are posted as "Pasture (number). You may be sharing the pasture with grazing cattle as the ranchers will lease these productive grasslands for long term grazing.