Second Bench in NE -- Free Camping & Overnight Parking in Nebraska

AnyRoost

Second Bench in NE

Nebraska NF, Pine Ridge Ranger District
3,882 ft
Maps
Overnight camping allowedRUTTED
VerizonUSABLE
AT&TWEAK
T-MobileUSABLE
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A 1.7-mile stretch of dirt National Forest road in Dawes County, NE. The road serves Soapweed Trail & Cabin Trail.

Nebraska National Forest, Pine Ridge Ranger District allows dispersed camping here -- 14-day limit in any 30 days. Camp at least 100 ft from water.

All 1.7 miles in are maintained only for high-clearance vehicles. Dirt the whole way in (1.7 miles). Dead-end road -- no mapped turnaround; expect to back out or unhitch.

A well-travelled stretch -- travellers have camped along here. A body of water lies 0.5 mi off. Night skies measure Bortle 3 -- a dark rural sky. The nearest town, Chadron, is 9.0 mi off.

September normals 50–78°F, 1.5″ rain. Monthly averages, PRISM 1991–2020.

Nearby Spots
Red Cloud Campground in NECampground0.2miRed Cloud (ne) Nebraska Nf in NECampground0.2miStrong Canyon (FR 719) in NEForest Road Road1.0miBlackhills Overlook (FR 714) in NEDispersed Camping1.1miOutrider (FR 739) in NEDispersed Camping1.8mi
Fire restrictions

Set by Nebraska National Forest, Pine Ridge Ranger District. Stage 1 and 2 orders change within days -- check the current order before you build a fire.

fs.usda.gov
Sources checked August 2026Something wrong here?