Scotts Bluff County: Landscapes, Trails and History

Scotts Bluff National Monument lies entirely within Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, and covers 3,003.3 acres. Scotts Bluff rises 800 feet above the North Platte River. In the wider Nebraska travel region known as “Landmark Country,” landscapes such as the monument and Chimney Rock serve as landmarks along the routes of westward migration.

Landscapes and Trails

Scotts Bluff National Monument has nearly 4 miles of hiking trails. Visitors who want to reach the summit by car can take the 1.6-mile Summit Road. The trails and road offer different ways to experience the monument: on foot along the hiking trails or by taking the described drive to the summit. A free audio tour by mobile phone adds to the visit. It is divided into two sections, each with six stops.

The trails at Scotts Bluff National Monument are open daily year-round from sunrise to sunset. Check visiting hours before your visit. Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area has more than 3 miles of trails for hikers, cyclists and horseback riders. Its ridge and canyon habitats are characterized by pine and juniper trees. Interactive exhibits at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center explore the plants and animals found there; the center’s naturalists offer public ecological education programs year-round.

Lake Minatare State Recreation Area covers 2,158 acres and attracts water skiers every year. Hiking trails and ecological education in the Wildcat Hills offer different recreational interests from water skiing at Lake Minatare.

Culture and History

The Legacy of the Plains Museum showcases an extensive collection of artifacts from the pioneer era and the early development of the community. The museum also includes an 80-acre working farm. Scotts Bluff National Monument is home to the world’s largest collection of artworks by William Henry Jackson. Historical themes extend beyond collections: at Mitchell Pass, a short section of historic wagon ruts deepened by erosion has been developed into a walking and interpretive trail.

Fort Mitchell served as a frontier army post from 1864 to 1867. The site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Robidoux Pass offers another connection to the history of travel: its trading post was reconstructed at its original location using hand-hewn logs that are 100 years old. At the Horse Creek Treaty meeting, about 10,000 members of Plains Indian peoples representing ten tribes gathered in 1851.

Smaller attractions add to the variety: Riverside Discovery Center in Scottsbluff is a small zoo. Visitors interested in history, nature or both can treat the different themes as separate areas of focus for their stay, rather than combining them into a single attraction.

Plan Routes and Dates

A 23-mile route follows Carter Canyon Road and returns via Robidoux Road. Check local conditions before your trip. In Morrill, the annual Rendezvous Days take place on the third weekend in July; check the specific event dates before your trip.

Explore More Destinations

Explore more destinations: Scottsbluff, Gering, Morrill, Deuel County, Kearney County, Cedar County, Seward County, Brown County.

For the main travel overview: Nebraska.