By Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Fort Robinson State Park has partially reopened as the South Fork Fire risk has shifted to the north.
While portions of the park remain closed, the park’s lodge, cabins, activity center, Sutler Store, Post Playhouse, restaurant, and historical tours are now open to guests. The Fort Robinson History Center and the Trailside Museum of Natural History, managed by the Nebraska State Historical Society and the University of Nebraska respectively, also have reopened.
Visitors are advised to inquire with park staff to verify areas that remain closed, and to avoid entering those areas. Game and Parks Commission staff have been in daily communication with emergency management incident command officials, who are aware of the limited reopening of the park.
Horse trail rides, stagecoach rides, jeep rides, tube rides, bison cookouts and hiking trails will remain closed. These areas either continue to be affected by fire operations, are located in areas with limited access, or require additional safety assessments before reopening. Reopening timelines for these amenities will be shared at OutdoorNebraska.gov when they are deemed safe to reopen.
Fort Robinson's main complex — including the historic fort buildings, lodging facilities, Mare Barn, stables, Sutler Store and museums, Post Playhouse, campgrounds, and livestock — was not damaged by the fire.
According to Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 2, fire activity and potential have decreased across most of the fire area. The greatest potential for fire activity remains on the northwest side of the fire, about 10 miles from Fort Robinson's main complex, and in a small area between Crawford and Fort Robinson on the south side of Highway 20. Fire managers ask the public not to stop in the fire area or on pull-offs adjacent to the fire for their safety and that of the fire crew.
Nebraska Game and Parks thanks the firefighters, emergency responders and park staff whose efforts helped protect Fort Robinson and made the park's reopening possible.
Visitors are advised to remain aware of changing conditions and to monitor emergency notifications until the fire is fully contained.
Additional updates will be posted to the Fort Robinson webpage at OutdoorNebraska.gov.