Major city · United States
CrawfordCrawford, Nebraska
Base here 1–2 nights for Fort Robinson, 3 mi west: arrive by car, sleep in town or in a fort cabin, and skip it if you have no vehicle.
Crawford is a town of about 1,000 people in the Nebraska Panhandle, three miles east of Fort Robinson State Park. It is a car-only stop: no airport, no train, no bus worth planning around. The draw is the fort, the fossil and rock sites nearby, and a quiet night on the road between the Black Hills and Scottsbluff. One night covers the town; two let you add Toadstool and Agate Fossil Beds.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- May–Sep
- avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow, some sites on winter hours)
- Airports
- CDR · BFF
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Crawford911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Crawford, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyCrawford is a quiet small town and street crime is not the issue.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCDR Chadron Municipal Airport (About 25 mi east of Crawford; small field, check current service before booking.).
- Getting aroundYou need a car.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$2–4
- Sit-down mealSit-down dinner, one personAdd 18–22% tip at a sit-down restaurant.$15–28
- BeerBeer at a downtown bar$4–7
- Budget bedCampsite or RV hookup, a night, per roomUS$15
- Mid-range bedSmall-town motel double room, a night, per roomUS$85
- High-end bedSmall-town motel double room, a night, per roomUS$130
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$60 · Mid US$110 · High US$190
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CDR Chadron Municipal Airport (About 25 mi east of Crawford; small field, check current service before booking.) · BFF Western Nebraska Regional Airport, Scottsbluff (About 1.5 h south by car; the larger regional option.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
Feb
Avoid
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Mar
not flagged
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Apr
not flagged
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Oct
not flagged
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
Nov
not flagged
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
Dec
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Best: May–Sep. Avoid: Dec–Feb. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C) low), wettest May (9 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Crawford: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
−11°C (12°F)12°F (−11°C)
3 rd
Feb
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−9°C (16°F)16°F (−9°C)
4 rd
Mar
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
−4°C (25°F)25°F (−4°C)
6 rd
Apr
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
8 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
9 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
9 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
7 rd
Sep
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
6 rd
Oct
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
5 rd
Nov
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
4 rd
Dec
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−10°C (14°F)14°F (−10°C)
4 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
You need a car. Crawford sits at the junction of US 20 and Nebraska Highways 2 and 71, and there is no useful public transport. The town itself is about one square mile and walkable; a walking path runs from the city park entrance to Fort Robinson. Downtown is reached by turning west on Main Street from Highway 2/71 or north on 2nd Street from US 20.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Fort Robinson State Park
goDoor to door: 10–15 min by car
Drive US 20 west about 3 mi, or walk the path from Crawford City Park
The main reason to stop here: trails, fishing, jeep rides, an indoor pool, and a museum in the old fort buildings.
Toadstool Geologic Park
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Highway 2/71 for about 11 mi, left on Moody Road, right on Toadstool Road, then the first crossing road; last stretch unpaved
Rock formations and short trails; $3 per vehicle day use, $15 per vehicle per night, pay onsite. No water at the six campsites.
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
goDoor to door: About 1 h
About 25 mi west to Harrison, right on Highway 29 for about 22 mi, east on River Road and follow signs
Free entry, dawn to dusk; visitor centre on seasonal hours. No camping at the monument.
Chadron
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive US 20 east about 25 mi
Museums, a state park and the nearest small airport.
Scottsbluff and Scotts Bluff National Monument
cautionDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Drive south via Highway 71 and US 26
Doable as a long day; better as an overnight if you also want the monument trails.
Black Hills, Mount Rushmore and Deadwood, South Dakota
overnightDoor to door: 2–3 h to the hills
Drive north on Highway 71 toward Hot Springs, then US 385
Too far for a return day; treat it as the next stop on a road trip.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown Crawford
Walkable core on 2nd and Main; the Hilltop Motel on US 20 is the practical in-town bed.
Fort Robinson State Park
Cabins, barrack rooms and camping 3 mi west; book ahead for summer weekends.
Crawford City Park
Free camping with electrical hookups at the west end of Main Street; the railroad is close and trains whistle at night.
High Plains Homestead area
Glampground and RV park northwest toward Toadstool and the Oglala National Grassland; a car is required.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $60–100 excl. bed
- Mid
- $100–170 excl. bed
- High
- $170+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Small-town motel double room1 × 1 night × US$85 | US$85 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$110 | US$220 |
| Toadstool day use, per vehicle1 × US$3 | US$3 |
| Fort Robinson Museum entry, per adult2 × US$2 | US$4 |
| Trailside Museum entry, per adult2 × US$3 | US$6 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 · check | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$36 |
| Trip total≈ US$197 per person per day, bed included | US$394 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; fuel and long-distance driving excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $2–4 |
| Drive-in meal (burger, fries, drink) | $10–16 |
| Sit-down dinner, one personAdd 18–22% tip at a sit-down restaurant. | $15–28 |
| Beer at a downtown bar | $4–7 |
| Gallon of gascheck | $3–4 |
| Motel room, one nightcheck | from $55 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- No airport, train or bus: without a car you are stuck.
- Cell coverage is 4G in town but can drop outdoors or on rural roads; download offline maps.
- Toadstool Geologic Park is reached by about 10 mi of unpaved road: check conditions after rain or snow.
- Hunting season fills motels and restaurants; book beds ahead in fall.
- Winter closes or shortens hours at several sites; check before driving.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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CrawfordCrawford, Nebraska
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
Embassy
No embassies in Crawford; your country's embassy or consulate is in Denver or Chicago — check before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Toadstool Geologic Park, day use per vehicle: $3, pay onsite
- Toadstool overnight, per vehicle: $15, charged about 1 May to mid-November
- Fort Robinson Museum, adult: $2; free for accompanied children
- Trailside Museum, adult / child 5–18 / family: $3 / $1 / $6
Say or show
- Where is the nearest gas station? — Where is the nearest gas station?
- Is the road paved all the way? — Is the road paved all the way?
- Do you have a room for tonight? — Do you have a room for tonight?
- Can I pay by card? — Can I pay by card?
Print this card: phone signal is patchy outside town and several sites take cash only.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Crawford. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: May–Sep · avoid Dec–Feb (cold, snow, some sites on winter hours) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CDR and BFF: current service, drive times, and a motel fallback if a flight is cancelled.
- Four walking clusters with anchors: downtown 2nd Street, Crawford City Park and the fort path, Fort Robinson itself, and the Toadstool road.
- Place pages with verified hours and fees (Fort Robinson Museum, Trailside Museum, Crawford Historical Museum, Toadstool, Agate Fossil Beds) and eat pages with seasonal closing dates.
- Winter and hunting-season fixtures so the seasonal warnings can go green.
Sources
- officialCity of Crawford
- officialNebraska Game and Parks — Fort Robinson State Park
- officialNational Park Service — Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
- officialUS Forest Service — Toadstool Geologic Park
- officialTrailside Museum of Natural History
- officialCrawford Historical Museum
- secondaryWikivoyage: Crawford (Nebraska), revision 5240657 (CC BY-SA 4.0)