Chadron, Nebraska: Your Gateway to Pine Ridge Hunting

If you have never hunted the Pine Ridge in northwest Nebraska, Chadron should be at the top of your list. This town of roughly 5,600 sits right at the doorstep of some of the most beautiful and productive hunting country in the state. Ponderosa pine ridges, deep creek bottoms, and open meadows create habitat that holds whitetail, mule deer, turkey, and even limited-draw elk. Chadron is the kind of place where you can fill a tag in the morning and grab a craft cocktail by evening.

The Town

Founded in 1885 during the great westward push, Chadron has a rich frontier heritage that you can still feel walking down Main Street. Chadron State College gives the town a year-round energy that most small Nebraska communities lack. The Museum of the Fur Trade, located just east of town, is one of the finest collections of frontier firearms and trade goods in the country. If you are bringing family along on your hunting trip, it is well worth the stop.

Where to Eat

Pocketful of Rye is the standout restaurant in Chadron. Located downtown, it serves creative American fare with a rotating seasonal menu. Think elk burgers, hand-cut steaks, and locally sourced sides. The cocktail list is surprisingly deep for a town this size. For a quicker bite, the local diners along Highway 20 serve solid diner breakfasts that will fuel a full day in the field.

Where to Stay

Chadron offers several solid lodging options for hunters. The Holiday Inn Express on the west side of town is clean and comfortable with a hot breakfast. Chadron Inn and Suites is a locally owned option that caters to hunters and has no issues with you hanging game in the parking lot. For something different, Camp Norwesca southeast of town offers cabins in the pines. Chadron State Park also has cabins and campsites right in the heart of the Pine Ridge if you want to wake up in the woods.

Where to Hunt

The Pine Ridge is the main attraction. Bordeaux Creek WMA covers nearly 2,000 acres of rugged Pine Ridge terrain just east of town on Highway 20. The mix of ponderosa pine, deep creek draws, and open meadows holds both whitetail and mule deer. Pine Ridge National Recreation Area and the surrounding national forest land add thousands more acres of public access.

Chadron State Park allows hunting in designated areas during certain seasons. The park's timber and canyon terrain is excellent for archery whitetail. Beyond the immediate area, Dawes County offers strong turkey populations in both spring and fall, and the limited-draw elk permits for the Pine Ridge unit are among the most coveted tags in Nebraska.

Why Chadron Is Worth the Drive

Most Nebraska hunters focus on the eastern half of the state, which means the Pine Ridge sees a fraction of the pressure. The landscape here feels more like the Black Hills than the Great Plains. If you are looking for a Nebraska hunting destination that combines world-class scenery, uncrowded public land, and a comfortable small town to return to each evening, Chadron delivers on every count. Plan at least three days to do it justice.