Welcome to Crawford Nebraska also known as the “Big Game Capital of Nebraska”.
Established in 1886 as the Fremont Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad pushed west, Crawford grew from the need to support the soldiers at nearby Fort Robinson with supplies and entertainment. The town was named after Lt. Emmett Crawford who had been stationed at the fort, but killed in Mexico during the Indian Wars. Crawford is located in the scenic Pine Ridge area of Northwest Nebraska just 3 miles from Historic Fort Robinson State Park at the intersection of Highways 20 and 2/71 and is a destination point for both nature lovers and game hunters alike.
The Pine Ridge area is full of trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding. Lakes, streams and rivers provide boating, fishing, and photo opportunities. Deer, elk, antelope, turkey and big horn sheep are the prizes hunters seek and fisherman enjoy angling for trout, bass, crappie, catfish and bluegill.
The area is also rich in fossils with the Hudson Meng Bison Kill Site just 27 miles northwest of the town and 42 miles southwest is Agate Fossil Beds. Rock hunters visit the area in search of Fairburn and Nebraska Blue Agate while visitors can marvel at the geologic wonders in nearby Toadstool Park.
Train enthusiasts will find endless photo opportunities along the tracks through the pines and across the badlands. One can also travel across lands once occupied by Native Americans such as Crazy Horse, Sitting Bull, Little Big Man and Red Cloud. Crawford offers visitors and residents old west atmosphere and small town hospitality!