Hall County: Pioneer History and Nature

When planning a trip to Hall County, you can choose how to balance pioneer history, regional history, nature observation, and interactive exhibits. Specific points of interest range from wagon ruts at a historic site to a walkable topographic map of Nebraska.

Pioneer History and Regional Collections

The Murdock Site is on the south bank of the Wood River, two miles south of present-day Alda. Wagon wheels, livestock, and pioneers on foot created ruts across the 2.4-acre site. A precisely dated event is also part of the site’s history: the Mormon Pioneer Party crossed the site on April 29, 1847. The visible tracks in the ground thus sit alongside a specific moment from the pioneer era.

Railroad Town at the Stuhr Museum offers a different historical perspective. It brings a 1890s prairie town to life with historic buildings, working craftspeople, and living history interpreters. The season runs each year from May 1 through mid-September; during this period, Railroad Town is fully open and staffed daily. Check seasonal hours before your trip.

The Cairo Roots Museum preserves the history of Cairo and northwestern Hall County. Its collection includes historical objects and information about the history of Cairo and the surrounding region, from the 1870s to the present. Visit planning is particularly straightforward: the museum is open on Saturday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon and accepts appointments at other times. Confirm your visit time before traveling.

Nature Trails, Wildlife Viewing, and Water Activities

The Crane Trust offers access to ten miles of nature trails through the prairie and along the water. In March, guided crane viewing with expert guides is also available. The Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center is in central Nebraska at Exit 305 on Interstate 80, the Alda exit.

Mormon Island State Recreation Area offers excellent wildlife viewing year-round, especially along the Platte River. These nature-viewing opportunities differ from the guided crane viewing at the Crane Trust, which takes place in March. You can canoe or kayak on the no-wake lake; boat ramps are located at Lakes 1 and 2. For fishing, Lake 1 has an accessible pier.

Hall County also has a growing network of walking and biking trails that connects some parks and schools and provides access to them. These trails add another way to get between parks and schools to the specific nature activities on offer.

Interactive Exhibits and Recreation

At Raising Nebraska, you can explore agriculture in two different ways. The “Drive a Combine” exhibit uses a realistic simulator to give you the experience of harvesting crops. The “Walkable Map” is a large topographic map of Nebraska that you can walk across. Raising Nebraska is free and open to the public on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon and from 1 to 4 p.m. Check opening hours before your visit.

Kids Kingdom at Stolley Park is a themed playground built by the community and designed by children from Grand Island. Heartland Public Shooting Park has shooting ranges for archery, skeet, sporting clays, rifle, handgun, and trap. These activities differ considerably, so you can choose based on your interests.

Fonner Park offers live thoroughbred horse racing. The Finish Line Restaurant also broadcasts live races from across the United States. This means the venue offers both local racing and broadcasts from around the country.

Explore more destinations: Grand Island, Holt County, Scotts Bluff County, Nuckolls County, Dundy County, Deuel County, Sherman County, Dakota County.

For the main travel overview: Nebraska.