Wildcat Hills SRA Primitive Campground

Visually, this is an incredibly beautiful place. And it was once a very quiet/peaceful/relatively natural one too. That’s until the geniuses at Nebraska Game & Parks decide to install an ugly, noisy, multi-station “shooting range” in this once-beautiful park. Now, most times it’s pleasant enough for visitors to want to find a little peace and quiet and enjoy some nature, you’ll be treated instead to loud volleys of gunfire echoing through the the Wildcat Hills (including nearby public land parcels Buffalo Creek and Montz Ranch).

The Nature Center was expanded at the same time as the “shooting complex” was installed, which is fortunate, since that is likely the only place you’ll see much “nature” amidst the noise. The “shooting range” is only several hundred *feet* from the Nature Center, so have fun enjoying the “natural” noise as you take in the views. Big ugly berms now block views to the south from the park road…presumably to prevent stray gunfire from hitting vehicles. Thinking of enjoying some nice peaceful camping? The prevailing winds and sound-amplifying effects of the Hills means you’ll be “enjoying” the gunfire from any of the park’s designated camping areas.

So put on some noise-canceling headphones, maybe with an app that plays some “natural” sounds, and enjoy your visit. Or keep driving and spend your tourist dollars on a place where the interests of a few (but very noisy) “shooters” don’t outweigh those of the many.

Meh...not sure it was worth the $5 hiking paths and small but nature center was nice and roads maintained

Wildcat Hills is located south of Scottsbluff, NE. Essentially it has 4 sites on hardback dirt. Access road is only about 1/2 mile long, paved then good smooth gravel. Trees on the west and north of the site and open to the south and east. There are no services though I did see a couple of potable water spigots located further up the road.

DO NOT TAKE A BIG RIG OR TOWED TRAILER past the campsites. Literally no where to turn around.

Rate it $5 for a day pass per day and $8 per day for camping.

Visitors center was open but most of the Museum (exhibits / observation deck/floors) closed due to Covid. Very nice Ranger!
There ar 5 pull thru sites at the 1st campground with a CCC built restroom (multiple pit toilets) . A trailhead is also at this CG.
We very much enjoyed liking. We looked at the second campground and felt certain we could get our rig ( 25 ft ) there but turning around would require a 3 pt turn. We liked the 1st CG better anyway. Arrived on a Friday nt late with 2 campers in the 5 pull thru sites. On Sat nt we had only 1 other camper With us so lots of privacy. The star show at night is stunning. We could see the milky way . No fires allowed. Some noise from shooters but very limited as range is only open with reservations.

Loved it. No one else in the first campground. Set up my camper van and watched Mule deer all around me, and after the sunset saw more stars than I have ever seen in my life.

Campsites nothing fancy but it was level and nice. Each site had a picnic table and a fire ring but there was a burn ban.

We pulled into the park and drove into the first couple of campsites. There were 5 marked sites with two being available for trailer pull-ins. However, this camping costs $27 per night!! $15 per day for the camp fee in the “regular” camping season and $12 per day for a non-Nebraska resident for the park pass which isn’t included in the camp fee. Not worth $27.