Journey 2016

NEBRASKA

Pine Ridge

Sandhills & Scenic Rivers

Wild West

Trails West

Nebraska Tourism

6 • JOURNEY TO WESTERN NEBRASKA 2016

Getting Around Western NebraskaRoad Conditions For Nebraska winter travel conditions, call 800-906-9069. To check with the Nebraska Department of Roads, visit www.511nebraska.org, or call 511 (if calling from Nebraska).

Information Centers All major communities have tourist information centers, as do some rest areas along I-80. Look for the half-circle symbol on the map.

Time ZonesWhile North Platte and Valentine are in the Central Time zone, most of Western Nebraska is on Mountain Time, which is an hour earlier. Check the map to be sure of the time at your destination.

AirportsWestern Nebraska has airports with airline service to and from Denver at Alliance (308-762-5311 or 308-762-5992), Chadron (800-554-5111 or 308-432-5717), North Platte (308-532-1900) and Scottsbluff (800-554-5111).

Canoeing the Niobrara, p. 68

MOUNTAIN TIME CENTRAL TIME

MOUNTAIN TIME CENTRAL TIME

WELCOME CENTERS/REST AREAS

Grant County Museum

Thomas County Historical Museum

Pilgrim Holiness Church

Jorn Olsen

Alan J. Bartels

Nebraska Tourism

WESTNEBRASKA.COM • 7

Scenic Byways (see pg. 8)Bridges to Buttes Byway – Hwy 20 Valentine to WY Border385 Gold Rush Byway – Hwys 385 & 87 Sidney to ChadronSandhills Journey Scenic Byway – Hwy 2 East from AllianceWestern Trails Byway – Hwy 26 Ogallala to WY BorderLincoln Highway – Hwy 30 East of Brady to WY Border

Chimney Rock, p. 23

Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center, p. 79

NEBRASKALand Days, p. 32

Scenic Byways

Barbara Johnston Alan J. BartelsNebraska Tourism

Christopher Amundson


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9 Alliance Central Park Fountain385 Gold Rush Byway

Ogallala Lake McConaughyLincoln Highway Scenic Byway

Middle Loup RiverSandhills Journey Scenic Byway

Bowring Ranch State Historical ParkBridges to Buttes Byway

Scenic Byways Escape the grind and travel Western Nebraska’s scenic byways.

Follow our scenic byways and visit these exciting attractions along the way:

For more information on our bywayssee page 88.

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1 Toadstool Geologic Park

2 High Plains Homestead

3 Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center

4 Fort Robinson State Park

5 Chadron State Park

6 Museum of the Fur Trade

7 Carhenge

8 Alliance Historic Main Street

9 Alliance Central Park Fountain

10 Scotts Bluff National Monument

11 Chimney Rock

12 Courthouse Rock and Jail Rock

13 Cabela’s

14 Ash Hollow State Historical Park

15 Lake McConaughy

16 Buffalo Bill’s Ranch Historical Park

17 Nebraska National Forest Bessey Ranger District

18 Bowring Ranch State Historical Park

19 Niobrara National Scenic River

20 National Pony Express Monument

21 Riverside Discovery Center

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Alliance Central Park Fountain385 Gold Rush Byway

Alan J. Bartels (top), Nebraska Tourism (bottom)

Scotts Bluff National Monument, Gering, p. 14

PO Box 628 • Ogallala, NE 69153

1-866-684-4066 • www.WestNebraska.com206 Norfolk Ave., PO Box 819 • Norfolk, NE 68702-0819

1-800-777-6159 • www.NebraskaLife.com

Nebraska Life MagazinePublisher and Editor: Christopher Amundson

Associate Publisher: Angela AmundsonAssistant Editor: Alan J. Bartels

Design: Jenny Coriell and Tannon AschePhoto Editor: Joshua Hardin

Advertising: Christopher Amundson

Western Nebraska Tourism Coalition President: Hal Enevoldsen

Vice President: Brenda LeisySecretary: Kirsten ParkerTreasurer: Patty Glidden

Membership Chair: Karla Niedan-StreeksPast Chair: Mike Kesselring

Trails West pg. 12 Gering 14 Scottsbluff 18 Mitchell 22 Henry 22 Minatare 22 Morrill 22 Bayard 23 Bridgeport 23 Lisco & Broadwater 26 Lewellen 26 Oshkosh 26

Wild West pg. 28 North Platte 30 Maxwell 37 Brady 39 Hershey 39 Sutherland 39 Sidney 40 Potter 45 Lodgepole 46 Lemoyne 46 Ogallala 47 Keystone 50 Big Springs 50 Paxton 50 Chappell 50 Brule 50 Kimball 51 Harrisburg 52

Cody Park, North Platte, p. 30

Alan J. Bartels (top), Christopher Amundson (bottom)


Pine Ridge pg. 70 Chadron 73 Crawford 78 Whitney 82 Harrison 82 Gordon 83 Hay Springs 83 Rushville 84

Ride the Ridge, Crawford, p. 78

Sandhills and Scenic Rivers pg. 54

Alliance 56 Hemingford 60 Hyannis 61 Ashby 61 Mullen 63 Tryon 65 Arthur 65 Seneca 65 Thedford 65 Halsey 66 Valentine 68 Merriman 68 Nenzel and Cody 68

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, Valentine, p. 68

Journey to Western Nebraska is the magazine of travel and tourism for the 20 member counties of the Western Nebraska Tourism Coalition – a nonprofit organization of businesses and local government entities dedicated to promoting and developing the tourism industry. The magazine and companion website (www.westnebraska.com) are produced in partnership with Nebraska Life Magazine. To submit editorial content and advertising, please contact Nebraska Life. We appreciate our advertisers for making Journey to Western Nebraska possible. Throughout the magazine advertiser’s directory listings are in yellow. To become a member, contact the Western Nebraska Tourism Coalition.

About the Cover Enjoy horseback riding at Scout’s Rest Ranch at North Platte (large), visit the Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center (left), follow pioneer trails to Scotts Bluff National Monument (center) and explore Niobrara River waterfalls near Valentine. You’ll love Western Nebraska. Come see us soon, won’t you?

Large cover photo by Bobbi and Steve Olson Small cover images by Alan J. Bartels, Alan J. Bartels, Nebraska Tourism (left to right)

Gering • ScottsbluffMitchell • HenryMinatare • Bayard • Morrill Bridgeport • LewellenLisco & Broadwater • Oshkosh

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GETTING STARTEDThe Oregon Trail stretches 2,000 miles, yet since the 19th century many found the heart of its natural beauty to be here in Western Nebraska. This road of wilderness offered an uncertain fate when fabled frontiersmen like Kit Carson drove those first wagon trains from Missouri in 1842. No doubt, their favorite treacherous tourist stops had to be in the Platte Valley of Trails West Country. The Oregon Trail’s most famous landmarks were seen at Ash Hollow, Courthouse and Jail rocks, and Scotts Bluff National Monument. Sail through the 155-mile journey on the Western Trails Historic and Scenic Byway. The drive will take just hours, but a lifetime of memories awaits.

Chimney Rock appeared in the diaries of pioneers. Today the spire appears in the vacation itinerary of thousands of tourists.

EXPLORE

Trails WestHOLD ON FOR THE RIDE


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Western Trails Scenic Byway Riverside Discovery Center Scotts Bluff National Monument Robidoux Trading Post Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area Lake Minatare North Platte National Wildlife Refuge Chimney Rock Courthouse Rock & Jail Rock Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge Goose hunting Capital Ash Hollow State Park

Attractions

7

Gering Historians know little about Hiram

Scott, and legends abound about the fur trapper who died in 1828 near the bluff that came to bear his name. And though Scotts Bluff National Monument is in Scotts Bluff County, it is nearest the city of Gering rather than Scottsbluff. No mat-ter. To simplify things, folks around here call it “The Monument,” a name as mat-ter-of-fact as its wise Indian moniker, Ma-a-pa-te, which means “hill that is hard to go around.” Wagon trains from the Missouri River reached it only after two months of hard travel. More than 350,000 pioneers are estimated to have passed by here between 1841 and 1869. The ruts and swales left by their many possession-laden wagons still can be seen here.

Rising 800 feet above the valley floor, the bluff is sometimes taken for a small moun-tain, which it is not. Mountains are pushed

up from below; Scotts Bluff is what remains of the ancient High Plains that were eroded by rivers over millions of years. It is part of the scenic Wildcat Hills.

The Monument near the North Platte River encompasses nearly 3,000 acres. Among its badlands of sand-stone and siltstone the fossilized remains of ancient oreodonts, tortoises, rhinoc-eroses, horses and camels and other pre-historic creatures have been discovered.

Atop the bluff on a clear day, one can see Chimney Rock to the south-east and Wyoming’s Laramie Range of the Rocky Mountains to the west. From the bluff, a two-mile-long Union Pacific train looks tiny as it rolls along toward Mitchell.

You can drive to the top from the Visitor Center and Oregon Trail Museum by way of Summit Road, Nebraska’s oldest con-crete road. The route provides a stunning view and takes vehicles through three tun-nels carved through the bluff. If you have the stamina, hiking the Saddle Rock Trail from the visitor center to the top is more of an adventure. Seeing the bluff’s walls up

close is spectacular, and at one point the trail passes through a narrow, rocky tun-nel carved through part of the bluff itself. The less strenuous Oregon Trail Pathway allows visitors to walk the same ground where pioneers passed long ago. The visi-tor center/museum displays the remains of ancient creatures that once lived here, and artifacts from the pioneer era. The Monu-ment is three miles west of Gering on the Old Oregon Trail. It is open daily 8 a.m.-7 p.m. from Memorial Day through Labor Day and closes at 5 p.m. the rest of the year. Admission is $5 per vehicle, and rangers give interpretive programs on many week-ends throughout the year. (308) 436-9700.

Just east of the Monument on the Old Oregon Trail, the Legacy of the Plains Museum shows visitors the history of the valley and the development of High Plains agriculture. The 110-acre site has exhibits ranging from horse-drawn implements and steam engines to conser-vation tillage and the sugar beet industry. The artifacts of the former North Platte Valley Museum are now displayed here. A 1930s farmstead has been moved on-site to interpret that period.

SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY TRAILS WEST • 15


During the Harvest Festival on the third weekend of September, volunteers demonstrate farm practices of the past. Visitors can harvest potatoes to take home, or try their hand pitching bundles of wheat into the thresher. The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, mid-May through mid-September, or by appointment off-season. (308) 436-1989.

Across the road from the museum and overlooking the monument is the City of Gering’s Five Rocks Amphithe-ater, which shows movies on summer evenings. Concerts, car shows and other community events are also held at this striking, open-air venue unlike anything else in the West. (308) 436-0056.

Nearby is Monument Shadows Golf Course, a challenging 18-hole course

enhanced by outstanding views in its setting at the base of Scotts Bluff National Monument. The course fea-tures include a driving range, clubhouse and cart storage. To get there, go 1 1/2 miles north of the intersection of Five Rocks Road and the Old Oregon Trail in Gering, then turn west on Country Club Road and south on Clubhouse Drive. (308) 635-2277.

The Ever Green House in Oregon Trail Park has the only producing fig tree in Western Nebraska. (308) 635-3089.

The Wildcat Hills, pine-covered bluffs that rise abruptly from the plains, are some of Nebraska’s most ruggedly beau-tiful country. Eight miles south of Ger-ing on Highway 71, Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area and Nature Center offers more than four miles of winding

and scenic hiking trails, picnic facilities and cross country skiing on more than 1,000 acres of pine and cedar clad can-yons. The Nature Center has an audito-rium, displays and educational oppor-tunities in ecology, biology and geology. Children especially enjoy the fossil dig, and the center’s large windows provide wide views of the area, as well as wild-life including eagles and other birds, coyotes, bobcats, wild turkey and deer. A Nebraska state park entry permit is required to enter the state recreation area. (308) 436-3777.

The adjacent Wildcat Hills Wildlands are open for mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, hunting, camping and general enjoyment of the outdoors. It’s the result of a cooperative effort between many agencies, and provides access to nearly 30,000 acres of this rugged and beautiful landscape.

Buffalo Creek State Wildlife Area offers hiking, fishing and abundant wild-life. From the Gering exit, take Highway 71 south 4 miles, then go east 2 3/4 miles on County Road W.

Cedar Canyon Wildlife Management Area is home to a herd of more than 40 bighorn sheep. The herd was established in 2001 when 22 bighorns were trapped in

Eighteen holes of fun await golfers at Monu-ment Shadows Golf Course at Gering. Great views of Scottsbluff National Monument are a bonus no matter your golfing score.

HOTELS & MOTELS Phone Rooms Amenities Rate Range

Cavalier Motel, 3655 N. 10th St, Geringwww.motelcavalier.com

308-635-3176 39 Outdoor pool 1-50

Circle S Lodge, 400 M St, Hwys 92 & 71, Gering 308-436-2157 30 Pets allowed 1-75

Monument Inn and Suites, 1130 M St, Gering www.monumentinnsuites.com

308-436-1950866-436-1950

61 Wheelchair accessible, free continental breakfast, pets allowed 51-75

CAMPGROUNDS Phone Open Amenities Fees

Robidoux RV Park, 585 Five Rocks Rd, 1/2 mi. S. of Jct of Hwy 92 & Five Rocks Rd, Gering. www.gering.org

308-436-2046 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 42 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets. Camping: unlimited tents.

10-28

Wildcat Hills SRA, 4235 Hwy 71, Geringwww.outdoornebraska.ne.gov

308-436-3777 Year RoundRV Amenities: water, room for 5 trailers. Rest Facilities: pit toilets. Camping: 5 tents.

6 & NE Park Permit

GOLF COURSES Phone Holes & Type Call for hours and tee times. Rate Range

Monument Shadows Golf Course, 2550 Clubhouse Dr, Gering

308-635-2277 18 holes, public Under 15


Colorado and released in Cedar Canyon. To get there, go 4 miles west of Highway 71 on Carter Canyon Road, then 1 1/2 miles south on County Road 17, and con-tinue one mile west to the parking area.

In 1851, Plains Indians brought their furs to Robidoux Trading Post (pro-nounced ROO-bi-doo). In the early days of the Oregon Trail, it was one of the first signs of civilization after many weeks on the prairie. The sod-roofed building has been reconstructed with 100-year-old hand-hewn logs and period furnishings. It is located in beautiful Carter Canyon, on the origi-nal Oregon Trail route before travelers began using Mitchell Pass, known to settlers as Devil’s Gap, at what is now Scotts Bluff National Monument. The winding, 23-mile Carter Canyon Road takes you through rugged country, past pioneer graves marked and unknown and to the trading post. Entrance to the road is two miles south of Gering off of scenic Highway 71.

For travelers seeking entertainment of a faster variety, the Hi-Way 92 Raceway Park, two miles east of Gering on High-way 92, has stock car races Friday and Saturday nights all summer and has since 1968. It is one of only two asphalt circle tracks in Nebraska. (308) 436-7223.

Bicycle enthusiasts can travel the U Street Pathway from 10th Street in Ger-ing, take in the scenic views of the river and Wildcat Hills and ride all the way to Scotts Bluff National Monument. It is also a pop-ular thoroughfare for walkers and joggers.

For more information on Gering, contact the Gering Convention & Visi-tors Bureau at (308) 436-6886 or visit www.visitgering.com.

Father’s Day Rock-n-Roll Classic Car ShowJune 18. More than 300 classics from seven states roll into Five Rocks Amphitheater for this day-long show and shine. (308) 436-6886.

Oregon Trail Days July 7-10. Parades, food fairs, bands, chili cook-off, art show and more. (308) 436-6886.

Harvest FestivalSept. 17-18. Celebrate historic agri-culture of the northwest at Legacy of the Plains Museum. (308) 436-1989.

Monument MarathonSept. 24. Run along the Oregon Trail and through Mitchell Pass in this mostly downhill event. (308) 630-6551.

Gering Events

Bicycle enthusiasts can travel the U Street Pathway from 10th Street in Gering, take in the scenic views of the river and Wildcat Hills and ride all the way to Scotts Bluff National Monument.


Free Wireless Internet • Microwaves/Refrigerators • Flat Screen TV with USB Ports • Keurig Coffee Service • Complimentary Bottled Water

• Local Newspaper • Complimentary Hot Breakfast • Fitness Room • Guest Laundry • Free Airport Shuttle • Free Long Distance Calling

Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence 2014

Located adjacent to the Gering Civic Center, the Monument Inn & Suites is your headquarters for fun and business activities in the North Platte Valley. We’re located minutes from the Scotts Bluff National Monument, Legacy of the Plains Museum, Oregon Trail sites, the Riverside Zoo, Five Rocks Amphitheater and shopping in downtown Gering with restaurants, antiques and other retail stores.

Rick Myers

The sugar beet industry, agricultural practices and local history are interpreted at the Legacy of the Plains Museum at Gering.



Scottsbluff You’d expect to find wildlife in the

rugged country around Scottsbluff, and you will. Elk, pronghorn, mule deer, bighorn sheep, bobcats and even an occasional mountain lion are seen. You wouldn’t expect to see exotic spe-cies such as chimpanzees, zebras or tigers, but you’ll find them at River-side Discovery Center. It’s home to more than 70 animal species.

They include rare species such as Amur tigers, addax and several primate species. Other special exhibits include the Big Cat Complex, Chimpanzee Conservation Center and Heritage Barn with a pet-ting zoo. When visiting during summer, bring swimsuits and flip-flops to enjoy the Splash-pad, a refreshing zero-depth water feature.

The 23-acre facility with its new Dino Dig is located on South Beltline Highway W., half a mile west of Highway 71. (308)

630-6236. www.riversidediscoverycenter.org. Open daily 9:30 am-4:30 pm. Riv-erside Campground, open May through September, is nearby. (308) 630-6238.

The Westmoor Pool is another family-friendly attraction in Scottsbluff. Located at Avenue I and 20th Street, the outdoor pool includes water cannons, slides and a lazy river. (308) 632-8881.

The West Nebraska Arts Center, located in the Carnegie Library at 106 E. 18th St., is a hub of activity for paint-ing, sculpture, artists-in-residence and the performing arts (308) 632-2226. Affiliated programs are Theatre West, a summer theater company, and the historic Midwest Theater, a grand, old movie palace of yesteryear in downtown Scottsbluff. (308) 632-4311.

Alongside the North Platte River and Scotts Bluff National Monument, walking and biking trails connect Scottsbluff, Ger-ing and Terrytown. Monument Valley

The communities of Gering, Scottsbluff and Terrytown come together in the rugged Wildcat Hills of Western Nebraska.



Candlelight Inn, 1822 E. 20th Pl., Scottsbluffwww.candlelightscottsbluff.com

308-635-3751 56 Wheelchair accessible, outdoor pool, free continental breakfast 51-75+

Capri Motel, 2424 Ave I, Scottsbluff 308-635-2057 30 Wheelchair accessible, free continental breakfast, pets allowed 1-50

Comfort Inn, 1902 21st Ave, Scottsbluffwww.choicehotels.com

308-632-7510 49 Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, free continental breakfast, pets allowed

75+

Hampton Inn & Suites Conference Center, 301 W. Hwy 26, Jct of Ave B & Hwy 26, Scottsbluff.. www.hampton-inn.com

308-635-5200800-HAMPTON

81 Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, free continental breakfast 75+

Holiday Inn Express, 1821 Frontage Rd, Scottsbluffwww.hiexpress.com/scottsbluffne

308-632-1000 70 Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, free continental breakfast 75+

Lamplighter American Inn, 606 E. 27th St, Scottsbluff 308-632-7108 40 Restaurant on premises, free continental breakfast, pets allowed 50

Scottsbluff Days Inn, 1901 21st Ave, Scottsbluff www.daysinn.com

308-635-3111 136Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, free continental breakfast, pets allowed

75+

Super 8 Motel, 2202 Delta Dr, Scottsbluffwww.super8.com


51-75

Trails West Camp, 1918 S. Beltline Hwy W., Scottsbluffwww.trailswestymca.org

308-632-5705 9 Wheelchair accessible, outdoor pool 75+


Riverside Campground, 1514 S. Beltline Hwy W. Swww.scottsbluff.org

308-632-6342May 1-Sept 30

RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 43 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets. Camping: 50 tents.

7-20

Route 26 Campground, 180454 US Hwy 26. 6 tents, 38 trailers

308-635-3760 Apr-Oct 1RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 38 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets. Camping: 6 tents.

16-26


Sugar Valley RallyJune 3-5. The history of the sugar beet industry is honored with this hundreds of miles long, precision driving contest through Western Nebraska. www.visitscottsbluff.com.

Rock ShowMay 27-30. Rocks, gems and fossils for show, swap and sale at Riverside Discovery Center Campground at 1600 S. Beltline Hwy. (308) 436-4888.

18th Street Farmers Market Saturday mornings June through September. Backyard produce, small farmer veggies, locally-raised meat and other items for sale from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Saturday mornings downtown between Broadway and 1st Ave. www.Facebook.com/ScottsbluffFarmersMarket.

Riverside Discovery Center ZoobileeAugust 20. Spend an unforgettable evening with a live band, catered food, auction items, a raffle and the zoo animals to raise funds for the Riverside Discovery Center. A great way to end the summer! (308) 630-6236.

Scottsbluff Events

Pathways includes 6.3 miles of trails; 26 miles are planned.

In 1902, railroad surveyors discovered an old wagon tire inscribed with the name of Rebecca Winters and the year 1852. It marked the grave of the Mor-mon pioneer woman who was stricken with cholera near Fort Kearny and per-ished near what is now Scottsbluff. Her family continued west.The proximity of the memorial to the railroad tracks led to the woman’s remains being moved in 1995, with more than 100 of Winters’ descen-dants in attendance. Today, the wagon tire is part of the monument that tells her story. The Rebecca Winters Grave is alongside Highway 26, 1 1/2 miles east of Scottsbluff.

The area’s frontier history is also com-

memorated on the Oregon Trail west of Scottsbluff near the intersection of High-way 92 and Hunt Dairy Road. Two mark-ers stand here. One is for Fort Mitchell, a calvary outpost built in 1864. The fort and a nearby pass of the same name were named for General Robert B. Mitchell, who com-manded the military district of Nebraska. All traces of the fort have vanished but this marker stands as a reminder of the role the men stationed at Fort Mitchell played in the settlement of the region. The marker was erected in 1923.

The monument to the left depicts a Pony Express rider and is dedicated to the young men who willingly rode into danger for the brief time that the organization existed (1860-1861). The exact spot of the Scott’s

Bluff Station is unknown but is believed to have been on Fort Mitchell, or very nearby.

In Western Nebraska, the human popu-lation is sparse and people value wide-open spaces. Scottsbluff, with nearly 15,000 resi-dents, is the Panhandle’s largest city. Com-bined with sister city Gering (pop. 10,500) and with Terrytown (pop. 1,200) sand-wiched between, the Scottsbluff/Gering metro area is the largest population center in Western Nebraska. The much younger Terrytown was founded by businessman and politician Terry Carpenter in 1949.

For more information about Scottsbluff contact Scottsbluff Area Tourism at www.visitscottsbluff.com or the Scottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of Commerce at (308) 632-2133.

UNIQUE LODGING Phone Amenities Rate Range

Barn Anew B&B, On old Oregon Trail Rd, 3 mi. W. of Scottsbluff. www.barnanew.com

308-632-8647100-year-old barn in the shadow of Scotts Bluff National Monument,private rooms, full breakfast

75+


Riverview Country Club, 100928 Cty Rd 19, Scottsbluff 308-635-1555 18 holes, public Under $15



Mitchell Mitchell is the usual point of departure

for Agate Fossil Beds National Monu-ment, 30 miles north on Highway 29.

Hunting and fishing opportunities abound nearby. Other recreational activ-ities include a motocross track at the old airport, scenic Centennial Park, and the historic Nile Theater.

Scenic Knolls Golf Course, a public, nine-hole course, is two miles north of the intersections of Highways 26 and 29. Camping is available, with electrical and water hookups. (308) 623-2468.

For more information on Mitchell, contact the city offices. (308) 623-1523.

Henry Henry is Nebraska’s westernmost town.

One mile south, Stateline Island is part of the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge and offers nature observation and hiking. The 130-acre refuge is a bird watch-ing mecca.

One mile east of Henry is the place where in 1847 Brigham Young called a special prayer circle on behalf of the westbound Mormon pioneers. It is known as Prayer Bluffs today. It is accessible by a service road.

Minatare Lake Minatare is large, but not so

big that it needs a lighthouse. It has

one anyway and it offers an impressive 360-degree view. It was built by the Vet-erans Conservation Corps, a New Deal agency that provided jobs to unemployed veterans. (308) 783-2911. Located seven miles north of the town of Minatare, the recreation area offers swimming, boating, fishing, picnicking and more. It has boat ramps, electrical and primi-tive camp sites and restroom and shower facilities. A state park permit is required.

Lake Minatare is part of the North Platte National Wildlife Refuge, which also includes nearby Winters Creek Lake and Lake Alice, and Stateline Island near Henry. All are good bird-watching areas. To provide undisturbed habitat during migration season, all but Stateline Island

are closed Oct. 15-Jan. 14. (308) 635-7851.

Morrill In 1851, 10,000 Plains Indians from

10 tribes met government officials near Horse Creek to form a treaty. Never in recorded history had so many gathered at one spot on the Plains. From the government’s perspective, the treaty’s purpose was to ensure safe passage for people using the Oregon Trail and to stop intertribal warfare.

The government broke the treaty almost immediately. The Horse Creek Treaty Marker is 3 1/2 miles west of Morrill on Highway 26. Every July, Morrill’s Horse Creek Rendezvous commemorates the event.

The lighthouse at Lake Minatare east of Scottsbluff has been a fixture in the area since 1939.


Oak Tree Inn, 707 E. Webster, US Hwy 26, Morrill 308-247-2111 97 Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, pets allowed 51-75


Cheyenne Ridge Outfitters, 320075 Ankony Pkwy, Minatare. www.cheyenneridgeoutfitters.com

308-783-5739 877-850-5144

Rooms with shared bath, full breakfast, lodge with sauna 51-75+


Scenic Knolls, 20458 Hwy 29, Mitchell 308-623-2468 9 holes, public Under 15

Rolling Green Golf Course, 520 Rail Rd, Morrill 308-247-2817 9 holes, public Under 15


Lake Minatare SRA, 7 mi. N. of Minatare on Stonegate Rd 308-783-2911RV Amenities: water, room for 50 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush and pit toilets. Camping: 110 tents.

7-18, NEPark Permit

Scenic Knolls Campground, 20548 Hwy 29, Mitchell www.mitchellcity.net

308-623-2468 Mar-Sep RV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 6 trailers. 15

Scotts Bluff County Fairgrounds, 130625 Cty Rd E., Mitchell, www.scottsbluffcountyfair.net

308-623-1828 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 80+ trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets. 14+ tents. Horse boarding - $10.

10-15

Zeigler Park, 1280 Center Ave., Mitchellwww.mitchellcity.net.

308-623-1616 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, room for 4 trailers. Rest Facilities: flush toilets.

5

SCOTTS BLUFF & MORRILL COUNTIES TRAILS WEST • 23

Annual Greek Festival – BridgeportAugust 13-14. A Greek celebration in cowboy country? Now that’s Western Nebraska. This will be the 89th year of the event that celebrates Bridgeport’s partially Greek heritage with Greek music and dancing, food, games and many other fun activities. Be Greek for a day in Bridgeport. (308) 262-0281.

Morrill County Events

Bayard Visible to wagon trains from several

days away, Chimney Rock was the most noted landmark along the Oregon Trail. With a 120-foot spire and standing 325 feet from tip to base, it was unlike any-thing the pioneers had ever seen. The landmark’s story is told at the Ethel and Christopher J. Abbott Visitor Center at Chimney Rock National Historic Site. The center interprets the westward migration of the 19th century – the greatest voluntary mass migration in history – and the significance of Chim-ney Rock itself. It is 1 1/2 miles south of Highway 92 near Bayard and is open daily. (308) 586-2581.

In town, the Bayard Depot Museum is housed in a refurbished railroad depot at the south end of downtown. It is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily during the summer and at other times by appointment. Contact the Chimney Rock Visitor Center (see above) for more information.

Chimney Rock Pioneer Crossing offers gift shops, snacks, a stocked fishing hole,

teepee sleeping, RV parking and hookups. Chimney Rock Golf Course, a nine-hole pub-lic course, is north of town. Flying Bee Beefmaster Ranch is a 4,000-acre working cattle ranch that offers camping, cabins, bed-and-breakfast guest rooms, hik-ing and trail riding.

Wagon ruts and remains of original sod houses are vis-

ible at the Chimney Rock Pony Express Station. The site is on private land two miles south of town on Highway 26, then 1 1/2 miles west on Oregon Trail Road. Call ahead for directions. (308) 586-1850.

For more information, contact Bayard Area Development. (308) 586-1234.

Bridgeport Courthouse Rock and Jail Rock are

ruggedly beautiful and prominent in the pioneer history and ancient legends of the region. Courthouse Rock rises 340 feet above the valley floor and got its name because of its blocky shape. Oregon Trail migrants thought it looked like a stately courthouse; the smaller rock formation nearby was therefore the jail. Both were mentioned in pio-neer journals and diaries. They are the easternmost rocky outliers of Western Nebraska’s Wildcat Hills escarpments.

The story is told of a band of Skidi Pawnees who fled their Sioux enemies by climbing Courthouse Rock. With cliffs on three sides and only one diffi-cult path to the top, the Pawnee seemed trapped. The Sioux warriors camped at the base of the rock and waited for their enemies to give up from thirst and hun-ger. But late at night, the Pawnees made a long rope from their pony lariats and escaped down a cliff one by one.

The area is five miles south of Bridge-port on Highway 88. You won’t need to ask directions. The rocks are visible from many miles away. The area is open year-round and charges no admission. Courthouse and Jail Rock Golf Club, a nine-hole public course, is nearby.

Just off Highways 26 and 92 on the west edge of town, Bridgeport State Recre-ation Area offers primitive camping, hik-ing, fishing, swimming and waterskiing. A


Nebraska Tourism

state park entry permit is required.As its name indicates, the town

of Bridgeport started with a bridge. Camp Clarke was the site of an early bridge across the North Platte River, built to serve gold rush travelers going to and from the Black Hills. When the railroad came through, the original site was abandoned and the new site became known as Bridgeport.

The history of Camp Clarke and the area are displayed at the Pioneer Trails

Museum. It is open Memorial Day to Labor Day. (308) 262-1117.

Call ahead for a demonstration at Horse history, where history comes alive in Bern Miller’s indoor arena. (308) 262-0181.

Travelers are welcome to use the exercise room and shower at Prairie Winds Community Center on North Main Street.

For more information, contact the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce. (308) 262-1825.

Oregon Trail pioneers named Courthouse Rock and Jail Rock. The blocky monoliths reminded them of municipal buildings back east. A stretch? Maybe, but the names have stuck.


Landmark Inn, 246 Main St, Bayard www.landmarkinn-webs.com

308-586-1075 11 Wheelchair accessible, pets allowed 1-75

Bridgeport Inn, 517 Main St, Bridgeport www.bridgeport-ne.com


Meadowlark Annex, 2 mi. N.W. on US Hwy 385 to mile marker 77, Bridgeport www.meadowlarkmotorinn.com

308-262-0410800-595-4948

8 Pets allowed 1-75

Meadowlark Motor Inn, N. US Hwy 385, Bridgeport. www.meadowlarkmotorinn.com

308-262-0557800-510-1210

22Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, free continental breakfast, pets allowed

51-75


Chimney Rock Golf Course, N. US Hwy 26, Bayard 308-586-1606 9 holes, public Under 15

Courthouse & Jail Rock Golf Course, 5 mi. S. on Hwy 88, Bridgeport

308-262-9925 9 holes, public Under 15


Chimney Rock Pioneer Crossing, 3 mi. S. of Bayard at Jct Cty Rd 75 & Hwy 92, www.chimneyrockpioneercrossing.com

308-631-4478 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 16 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets. Camping: 30 tents.

20-30

Bridgeport SRA, N.W. on US Hwy 26, Bridgeportwww.outdoornebraska.ne.gov

308-436-3777 Year RoundRV Amenities: water, room for 50 trailers. Rest Facilities: pit toilets. Four sandpit lakes totaling 78 acres. Camping: 100 tents.

6, NEPark Permit

Meadowlark Annex RV Park, 2 mi. N. on US Hwy 385, Mile Marker 77, Bridgeport.

308-262-0410 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 18 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush and pit toilets. Camping: 10 tents

9-18

MORRILL COUNTY TRAILS WEST • 25

Lisco & Broadwater Ancient Bluff Ruins is the most dra-

matic and extensive bluff formation along the north side of the North Platte River. The three buttes were formed by erosion and were named by Mormons from England who thought they resem-bled ancient towers and castles from the old country. Trail ruts can be seen nearby.

Lewellen Modern travelers descend into the

North Platte Valley by an easy grade. Pio-neers faced a steeper route. To this day, Windlass Hill at Ash Hollow State Park bears the scars from the countless wag-ons that made the steep descent. Visitors can follow a paved walking path to the top. An old sod house stands at the bot-tom of the hill, enclosed with a fence with a wagon wheel gate. “Close gate, please,” a sign reads. “Otherwise cattle get in and rub the old house down.”

Ash Hollow’s abundant water and trees made it a favorite resting place. The park offers picnicking and a visitor center. Mul-tiple hiking trails lead to a cave once inhab-

ited by American Indians. Their relics have been found nearby. The park is 1 1/2 miles southeast of Lewellen on Highway 26. A state park entry permit is required. Expe-rience life on the Oregon Trail on Father’s Day weekend at the Ash Hollow Pageant, an outdoor performance using historical diaries and music. (308) 778-5548.

Rachel Pattison was just 18 years old when she died of cholera here in 1849. Her grave is at Ash Hollow Cemetery, east of Lewellen. A drive north brings you to the Clear Creek Wildlife Refuge.

West of town 1 1/2 miles along High-way 26 is the Blue Water Battlefield marker. It marks the site of an Army raid that destroyed a Lakota village.

Lewellen, at the west end of Lake McCo-naughy, features The Most Unlikely Place, a 1908 silent movie theater that is now a cafe. The owner roller skates about the maple floor, serving visitors surrounded by high-end art. On that same Main Street you’ll find the 17 Ranch Winery. Visitors can tour the winery and top off the visit with a taste. On the corner of Highway 26 and Main Street the Blue Water Gallery features art from local creators.

Oshkosh Summer is the peak season for West-

ern Nebraska tourism, but Oshkosh is also popular in fall. It’s the Goose Hunting Capital of Nebraska.

Oshkosh also is a point of departure for Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, located deep in the remote and beautiful Sandhills Lakes country. The 46,000-acre refuge is 30 miles north of Oshkosh and includes 21 lakes fed by an aquifer below.

It was established primarily as a migra-tory bird refuge. Canada geese, snow geese, grouse and pheasants, prairie chickens, owls and many species of ducks are among the 200 bird species observed there in the past 30 years.

Attention hunters, the area is rich with sharp-tailed grouse, ring-necked pheas-ants, mule deer and white-tailed deer. Anglers enjoy the lakes’ walleye, crappie, yellow perch, largemouth bass and carp.

Other local attractions include the Oshkosh Swimming Pool, 200 E. First St., which offers swimming in a heated pool; the Oshkosh Coun-try Club, a nine-hole course near the North Platte River, one mile south of town on Highway 27; and the Garden County Museum.

The museum has the Silverhill The-atre at 501 W. First St., and the Rock School, a century-old stone schoolhouse at 215 W. Avenue G. The museum houses pioneer and Native American artifacts, fossils and a stuffed bird collection of more than 300 specimens.

For more information on Oshkosh, contact the Garden County Visitors Com-mittee. www.visitgardencounty.com.

Ash Hollow Pageant – LewellenJune 17-18. Enjoy a chuck wagon supper before 30 cast members take the stage for this 23rd annual outdoor musical of life on the Oregon Trail at Ash Hollow State Historical Park. (308) 778-5548.

Garden County Events

Stephen Jones

Thirty miles north of Oshkosh, the “Goose Hunting Capital of Nebraska,” Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge provides sanctuary for all species of native and migratory wildlife. The 46,000-acre refuge includes 21 natural Sandhills lakes. Birders have seen 200 bird species here.


Lewellen Lodge, 215 E. Church St, Lewellen. www.lewellenlodge.com

308-672-0690 22 Wheelchair accessible, workout room, pets allowed 65-100

Marina Landing, 5051 Albees, Hwy 92, mile marker 124, Lewellen. www.lakemacmarinalanding.com

308-355-3535888-767-7791

8 Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises 51-75

Otter Creek Lodge, 100 Otter Creek Ct, Lewellen, Lake McConaughy, 12 mi. from dam on Hwy 92

308-355-2372 9 Restaurant on premises, pets allowed 1-50

Mesa View Lodge, NE Hwy 92 W., Lewellen, Lake McConaughy. www.homesatlakemac.com

308-355-5000888-568-7620

10 Pets allowed 1-75

Riverview Lodge, 110 Rd 68, 1 mi. S., 1 mi. W., Liscowww.riverviewlodgelisco.com


Oshkosh Inn, 207 W. Ave A, Jct US Hwy 26 & NE Hwy 27, Oshkosh. www.oshkoshinn.com

308-772-3066 13 Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, pets allowed 1-50

Shady Rest, 201 Main St, Oshkosh. www.oshkoshshady-rest.com



17 Ranch, 5052 Rd 197, 1 mi. W., 1 1/4 mi. N., 1/2 mi. W., Lewellen. www.agonline.com/17Ranch

308-778-5543Working family cattle ranch. Wheelchair accessible, rooms with shared bath, full continental breakfast, reservations required

51-75

Clear Creek Retreat, 2220 Rd. West O North, Lewellenclearcreekretreat.com

308-778-9546 Three bedrooms, full kitchen; cater to hunters and fishermen. 90+

Gander Inn B&B, 105 E. Church St, Lewellen.www.ganderinn.net

308-778-5616Small-town peaceful setting. Game room & gift shop. Wheelchair accessible, rooms with private and shared baths, full breakfast., meals arranged around guests

51-75+

Nancy B’s Backyard Bunkhouse, 19150 Rd 44, US Hwy 26 to Rd 44 W, Lewellen. www.visitogallala.com

308-778-5408 3-bedroom guesthouse or tepee, continental breakfast 51-75+

The Rackett, 9250 Rd 193, Lewellen. www.hunttherackett.com

303-680-2462 Private sleeping quarters, clubhouse, dining hall, weather-tight dog kennels 200+

Blue Creek Lodge, 8460 Rd 181, Oshkosh.www.bluecreeklodging.com

308-772-9912Furnished 4-bedroom lodge, sleeps 8-10, rooms with private and shared baths

150+


Highway 26 RV Park and Camping, 311 Home St., Lewellen. www.hwy26rvpark.com

308-778-9552RV Amenities: electricity, water. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets. Camping: available.

Oregon Trail Trading Post, E. of Lewellen on US Hwy 26. 308-778-5879 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 12 trailers. Camping: 12 tents.

Call for rates

Pleasant View Lodge at Otter Creek, 1290 NE Hwy 92 W., Lewellen, www.homesatlakemac.com

308-355-5000888-568-7620

Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 8 trailers. Rest Facilities: pit toilets. Camping: 8 tents Cabin Rentals: 10.

5-20

Oregon Trail Campsite, 402 W. Ave A., Oshkoshwww.oregontrailcampsite.com

308-778-7395Apr 1-Nov 1

RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 15 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets. Camping: 7 tents.

Call for rates


Oshkosh Country Club, South Hwy 27, 2 mi. S. of Oshkosh 308-772-3881 9 holes, public 18

EXPLORE THE

Wild WestSADDLE UP FOR ADVENTURE

Brady • Maxwell • North Platte Hershey • Sutherland • Paxton Ogallala • Brule • Keystone Lemoyne • Big Springs Chappell • Lodgepole • Sidney Potter • Kimball • HarrisburgDalton • Gurley

WIL

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Nebraska Tourism

GETTING STARTEDThis is a land of big thinkers and living large. William F. Cody dreamed up his Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show here. And in 1877, outlaw Sam Bass and his gang made history at Big Springs when they got away with $60,000 in gold and currency heisted from a passing train. Legends abound of a stash of $20 gold pieces still buried nearby. Chappell calls out today to Interstate 80 travelers with a massive 52-by-100 foot American flag painted on grain silos. At North Platte, the Golden Spike Tower climbs eight stories to give visitors a bird’s eye view of Bailey Yard, the world’s largest railroad classification facility. Nebraska’s biggest body of water, Lake McConaughy, thrills visitors with 35,000 acres of sky blue waters at Ogallala. From Brady and Sidney, to Kimball and beyond, big adventure awaits.

The Crystal Palace Review and Shoot Out on Ogallala’s Front Street is Nebraska’s longest running summer theater. Ogallala, Nebras-ka’s “Cowboy Capital,” was a much rougher cow town in its early days.


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Panorama Point & Tri-State Marker Missile Silo Home Potter Sundry Lincoln Highway National Pony Express Monument Cabela’s Front Street Lake McConaughy Haythorn Ranch Sutherland Reservoir Golden Spike Tower at Bailey Yard Buffalo Bill State Historical Park Fort McPherson National Cemetery Bird Watching

Attractions


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North Platte While approaching North Platte from

Interstate 80, one of the first landmarks seen is Fort Cody Trading Post. When viewed from the outside it looks like a frontier log stockade complete with authentically-dressed mannequins with toy rifles stand-ing guard. Inside it’s a combination gift shop and museum, with authentic Buffalo Bill Cody and Wild West memorabilia, and a miniature mechanized Wild West Show. Twenty thousand individual pieces make up the one-of-a-kind machine and no quarters are required. It comes to life on its own every half hour. A taxidermy two-headed calf and frontier canons are among the curiosities to be seen, and jewelry, moccasins and coon skin caps are among the unique gift items found here. Under the watchful eye of one of the few remaining Muffler Man sculptures, the Fort Cody Music Series takes place each summer in the Fort Cody courtyard.

Besides queries about that calf, owner Chuck Henline said the most common question he gets from travelers is, “How do you get to the ranch?”

The ranch, of course, is the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park, which show-cases the restored 1880s Victorian home,

horse barn and outbuildings of William F. Cody’s famous Scout’s Rest Ranch. The site features Wild West Show memorabilia, period household furnishings, picnic areas and walking trails. Cody owned about 4,000 acres, and the park encompasses 25 acres of the original ranch.

As folks at Fort Cody would tell you, it’s easy to find: north on Highway 83, then west on Highway 30, then north on Buffalo Bill Avenue. A Nebraska park permit is required to visit the park open April 22-October 2, 2016. Admission is charged to tour the Cody home. (308) 535-8035.

Buffalo Bill is memorialized at Cody Park on north U.S. Highway 83. In 1998, a British sculptor donated a life-size bronze statue of Buffalo Bill, whose show was a big hit in Queen Victoria’s time. As the centerpiece of the park’s Wild West Memorial, the statue, valued at $500,000 at the time of its installa-tion, is surrounded by the flags of every state and nation the Wild West Show visited.

At the park’s Railroad Museum, Union Pacific Railroad displays two of its largest locomotives (one steam, one diesel) and houses a railroad museum in the accompa-nying cars and restored depot. The steam engine is one of two remaining 3900-class

LINCOLN COUNTY WILD WEST • 31


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Grain Bin Antique Town near North Platte makes use of 20 old grain bins as miniature antique stores and fills them with treasures.


Indian Meadows Public Golf Course, 2746 W. Walker Rd, North Platte

308-532-6955 9, public Under 15

Iron Eagle Golf Course, 2401 Halligan Dr, N. of I-80 Exit 179, North Platte

308-535-6730 18, public 15-30

Lake Maloney Golf Club, 608 Birdie Ln., 5 mi. S. of I-80 on US Hwy 83, 2 mi. W., North Platte

308-532-9998 18, semi-private 15-30


A-1 Sunset Mobile Park, 3120 Rodeo Rd, North Platte 308-532-9182 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 22 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets.

30

Buffalo Bill Ranch SRA, US Hwy 83 N. to US Hwy 30, 2 mi. W., 1 mi. N, North Platte

308-535-8035 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 23 trailers. Rest Facilities: pit toilets. Camping: 12 tents.

7-13NE ParkPermit

Cody Park Campground, 1601 N. Jeffers, N. US Hwy 83www.ci.north-platte.ne.us/publicservices

308-535-6706May 1-Oct 15

Room for 40 trailers. Rest Facilities: Flush toilets. 5

Holiday RV Park & Campground, 601 Halligan Dr, I-80 Exit 177, N.E. quadrant, North Platte www.holidayparkne.com

308-534-2265800-424-4531

Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 92 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets. Camping: 8 tents.

Call for rates

Lake Maloney SRA, 5 mi. S, North Platte www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov

308-535-8025RV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 120 trailers. Rest Facilities: Showers, flush and pit toilets. Camping: 50 tents.

7-14NE ParkPermit

CB’s Hideaway, 206 N. Lake Rd, North Platte 308-534-5315 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity (year round), water, sewer, room for 30 trailers. Full hookups April-Oct. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets. Camping: 15 tents.

6-1580/week

Lake Side Camping, 3800 Hadley Dr, I-80 Exit 179, N.E. quadrant, North Platte

308-534-5077877-648-2267

May 15-Sept 15

RV Amenities: Electricity, water, sewer, room for 54 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets. Camping: 16 tents.

Call for rates



Challenger locomotives built by Union Pacific. The park also has a swimming pool and amusement rides for children, including a carousel and Ferris wheel. A concession stand adds treats to the memories made here.

Some of the animals that Cody saw on the frontier can be seen at Cody Park, too. Deer and bison are part of the herd, and the bugling of elk can be heard across North Platte during rutting season. Peacocks and llamas live here, and there are geese, ducks and donkeys. The lake at Cody Park attracts rare trumpeter swans. Binocular-clad bird-watchers come here for nature’s show dur-ing spring and fall migrations. There is an admission for rides; other attractions are free. In 1995, the Guinness Book of World Records recognized Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard as the world’s largest railroad clas-sification yard. It has since grown by 25 percent. It stretches eight miles and covers

nearly 3,000 acres. More than 15,000 cars pass through daily.

Golden Spike Tower and Visitor Center rises eight stories for a bird’s-eye view of massive Bailey Yard. An elevator takes visi-tors to the seventh floor open-air observa-tion deck, or to the top for an enclosed view-ing experience. (308) 532-9920.

The area’s geological history is part of the flavor of Feather River Vineyards, where the mineral-rich soil produces dis-tinctive grapes for its new wines. There’s a tasting room for sampling each variety, and the purchase of bottles of your favor-ites and other gifts. (308) 696-0078.

Putting Nebraska agricultural ingenu-ity to work, Grain Bin Antique Town offers high quality collectibles and antiques for sale from re-purposed grain bins. A boardwalk connects 20 depres-sion-era grain bins chock-full of vintage

signs, glassware, wooden furniture, trin-kets and more. (308) 539-7401.

The North Platte Canteen is commemo-rated at the Lincoln County Historical Museum. The World War II canteen met every train and fed the service men and women who passed through the depot – about 6 million in all. The museum also fea-tures a village of historic buildings, includ-ing a Pony Express station and the old Fort McPherson headquarters. (308) 534-5640.

Located just south of I-80, America’s 20th Century Veterans’ Memorial hon-ors all military men and women of the past century. A brick bas-relief sculpture depicts major wars from World War I to the Persian Gulf. Larger-than-life-size bronze statues depict the branches of the armed forces and the ladies of the North Platte Canteen. The memorial is south of I-80 beside Highway 83. (308) 532-6579.

Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park, also known as Scout’s Rest Ranch, includes William F. Cody’s 1880s Victorian home and period furnish-ings, 25 acres of the original ranch, and Cody’s huge horse barn. The property on North Platte’s northern edge became a state park in 1965.


Nebraska Tourism

Military veterans are memo-rialized at North Platte’s 20th Century Veterans’ Memorial.


Americas Best Value Inn Travelers Inn, 602 E. 4th St, I-80 Exit 177, 1 1/2 mi. N. on US Hwy 83, 6 blks E., North Plattewww.bestvalueinn.com

308-534-4020888-315-2378

32 Outdoor pool, pets allowed 1-75

Best Western Plus North Platte Inn & Suites, 3201 S. Jeffers, North Platte I-80 & US Hwy 83 S.

308-534-3120 79Restaurant on premises, outdoor pool, free continental breakfast, pets allowed

51-75+

Blue Spruce Motel, 820 S. Dewey St, North Platte 308-534-2600 25 Pets allowed

Cedar Lodge Motel, 421 Rodeo Rd, North Platte 308-532-0970 31 1-75

Comfort Inn, 2901 S. Jeffers St, I-80 Exit 177 S., North Platte. www.comfortinn.com/hotel/ne021


51-75+

Days Inn, 3102 S. Jeffers, I-80 Exit 177, 1 blk S., North Platte. www.daysinn.com


1-75+

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott, 319 W. South River Rd, North Platte. www.marriott.com/lbffi

308-532-9900888-236-2427

82 Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool free continental breakfast 75+

Hampton Inn, 200 Platte Oasis Pkwy, North Platte I-80 Exit 177 & US Hwy 83, www.hampton-inn.com/hi/northplatte

308-534-6000800-426-7866

110 Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, free continental breakfast 75+

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites and Convention Center, 300 Holiday Frontage Rd., North Platte. www.hiexpress.com/northplattene

308-532-9500888-562-9500

152Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, free continental breakfast, pets allowed

75+

Howard Johnson, 1209 S. Dewey, North Plattewww.howardjohnson.com

308-532-0130 77Restaurant on premises, indoor pool, free continental breakfast, pets allowed

51-75+

Husker Inn, 721 E. 4th St, North Platte 308-534-6960 20 Wheelchair accessible 1-50

Knights Inn, 501 Halligan Dr, I-80 Exit 177 N., North Platte www.knightsinn.com

308-532-6650888-532-0151

81Restaurant on premises, outdoor pool, free continental breakfast, pets allowed

1-75

LaQuinta Inn & Suites, 2600 Eagles Wings Pl., North Platte. I-80 Exit 179, www.821.lq.com

308-534-0700866-534-0700


75+

Motel 6, 1520 S. Jeffers St., North Platte. www.motel6.com 308-534-6200 61 Wheelchair accessible, outdoor pool, pets allowed 1-50

Oak Tree Inn, 451 Halligan Dr, North Platte. I-80 Exit 177www.oaktreeinn.com

308-535-9900 111Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, free continental breakfast, pets allowed

51-75

Park Motel, 1302 N. Jeffers, North Platte. N. US Hwy 83 308-532-6834 27

Quality Inn & Suites Convention Center, 2102 S. Jeffers St., North Platte. I-80 & US Hwy 83. www.sandhillcc.com

308-532-9090800-760-3333

196Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, indoor pool, free continental breakfast, pets allowed

51-75

Rodeway Inn, 920 N. Jeffers St, North Platte 308-532-2313 38 Outdoor pool, free continental breakfast, pets allowed 51-75

Super 8 Motel, 220 Eugene Ave, North Platte I-80 Exit 177. www.super8.com

308-532-4224 111 Wheelchair accessible, free continental breakfast, pets allowed 51-75

Western Motel, 706 Rodeo Rd, North Platte 308-532-5240 10 1-50


Brauer’s Bed & Breakfast,12900 N Sandhills, North Platte. www.bauersbedandbreakfast.com

308-530-1753Rooms with private and shared bath, full breakfast. Beautiful view, horse boarding, bird watching

70-100

Knoll’s Country Inn B&B, 6132 S. Range Rd., North Platte. www.knollscountryinn.com

877-378-2521Rooms with private and shared bath, full breakfast. Outdoor activities and horse boarding

51-75+



Country Bluegrass Festival – North PlatteApril 28-30. The festival offers great bluegrass entertainers, good food, craft/vendor show, workshops, jamming, and more at the Lincoln County Fair-grounds. http://npcountrybluegrassfestival.weebly.com

NEBRASKAland DAYS – North PlatteJune 15-25. NEBRASKAland DAYS returns for its 52nd celebration. It kicks off with 4 nights of PRCA Buffalo Bill Rodeo (June 15-18), the Junior Rodeo (June 19), Family night (June 20), and close with the US Cellular Summer Jam Concert Series Featuring Sam Hunt and Dierks Bentley (June 24-25). www.nebraskalanddays.com.

Rail Fest – North PlatteSept 16-18. Celebrate the Union Pacific Railroad in Cody Park with live music, a model train expo, art competition and pancake feed. Events spill over to the Lincoln County Historical Museum, Buffalo Bill State Historical Park, Bailey Yard and other sites. www.nprailfest.com

Christmas at the Cody’s – North PlatteDecember 16-19. Buffalo Bill’s mansion is decked out for you to enjoy. Com-plete with 20 Christmas trees, Santa, cookies and hot cider, caroling and horse drawn rides. Buffalo Bill is even there to welcome you. (308) 535-8035

Lincoln County Events

The North Platte Area Children’s Museum offers hands-on learning about science, technology, culture and the arts in the Carnegie Library building, 314 N. Jeffers St. (308) 532-3512.

Downtown has unique shops, restau-rants and art galleries, including the Art & Gift Gallery, 516 N. Dewey, the largest original art gallery between Omaha and Denver. (308) 534-1946.

North Platte’s Prairie Arts Center opened its first exhibition in the renovated 1913 federal building during the 2015 holi-day season. The historic building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is undergoing further renovation, but the main level, complete with grand entry hall, gift shop and gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. showcasing local artists and traveling exhibits.

Cody Go-Karts near I-80 has water slides, mini golf, bumper boats and go-karts mid-March through September, weather permitting. (308) 534-8277.

The North Platte River valley between North Platte and Sutherland hosts thou-sands of Sandhill Cranes during spring migration February to April. For viewing information call (308) 532-4729.

Five miles south of town, Lake Maloney State Recreation Area provides fishing, boating, camping, picnicking, as well as archery, golf and wildlife watching.

North Platte offers three 18-hole golf courses: Iron Eagle, (308) 535-6730; Lake Maloney, (308) 532-9998; and Rivers Edge, (308) 534-7550; as well as a nine-hole course, Indian Meadows, (308) 532-6955.

For more information about North Platte, contact the North Platte/Lincoln County Convention and Visitors Bureau at (800) 955-4528.

Maxwell When Fort Cottonwood was renamed

Fort McPherson in 1866, its soldiers were already accustomed to fetching cold, great-tasting water from the well of John “Mac” McCullough. Soon, other travelers heard about the well and would stop. As a com-munity formed, it was decided to name it after Mac’s well. Maxwell was born.

Fort McPherson National Cemetery glows with peace south of Maxwell and the Platte River. Soldiers from conflicts dating back to the Indian Wars have been laid to rest here with honor. Four Medal of Honor recipients are interred here. Fort McPherson

The Golden Spike Tower rises eight stories to give visitors a bird’s eye view of Bailey Yard.



National Cemetery was founded in 1873 and it is Nebraska’s only national cemetery.

The original Pony Express route and Oregon Trail passed through what is now the cemetery. One mile southeast of the cemetery a monument marks the site of the flagstaff of the military post.

BradyOn the eastern end of Wild West

Country, Brady is home to several outdoor adventures. Jeffrey Canyon Reservoir is five miles south and one mile west of Brady. Potter’s Pasture in the beautiful hills south of Brady, consists of 1,300 acres of privately owned land crisscrossed with 15 miles of mountain biking trails.

Hershey Stones and Bones Gallery and

Emporium offers a unique assemblage of Stone Age artifacts from Western Nebraska, along with western and wild-life art. (308) 368-7400.

Sutherland Sutherland Reservoir offers swimming,

camping and fishing. The area has good wildlife habitat, and bald eagles use it as a winter feeding area.

Oregon Trail Golf Course is a nine-hole course and campground on the north shore of the lake with RV hook-ups and camp-sites. (308) 386-4653.

Loess Hills’ soil imparts unique flavors to Feather River Vineyards’ wines.


Park Motel, 1110 First St, I-80 Exit 158, Sutherland 308-386-4384 19 1-75

Prairie View Motel, 409 N. Commercial Ave, Wallace 308-387-4618 3 Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, pets allowed 1-50


Hidden Acres Campground, 16501 W. Murray Rd., Hershey 308-368-7654RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 18 trailers. Camping: 5 tents.

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Oregon Trail Park, 31200 W. Tower Rd, 1 mi. S. of I-80 Exit 158, Sutherland, www.oregontrailgolfcoursene.org

308-386-4653 Mar-NovRV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 31 trailers. Rest Facilities: flush and pit toilets. Camping: 10 tents.

7-20

Sutherland SRA, 3 mi. S., Sutherland 308-535-8025 Year RoundRV Amenities: water, room for 50 trailers. Rest Facilities: Pit toilets. Camping: 35 tents.

7 & NEPark

Permit


Oregon Trail Golf Course, 1 mi. S., 1/4 mi. E. of I-80 Exit 158, Hwy 25 Tower Rd, Sutherland

308-586-4653 9, semi-private Under 15


Sidney If this were an 1870s travel guide, we’d

advise you to go around Sidney. There’s no sense in taking your chances with the outlaws, gamblers and other riffraff that made this railroad town one of the tough-est places in all of the American West. Stay on the train, lock the doors and you’ll be fine. Unless there’s a train robbery.

Sidney began in 1867 as an Army fort guarding the Union Pacific Railroad from hostile Native Americans. With the dis-covery of gold in the nearby Black Hills, Sidney became a trailhead for northbound gold-seekers. The boom-town days brought easy money for some, and outlaws that many had to contend with. Legend has it a single city block in Sidney once held 23 saloons.

The tales of Sidney’s rowdy past are many. One local favorite is an incident in which a man was shot and killed at a dance. The body was propped up in a corner, and the dance went on. Another

man was shot and likewise displayed. The party, so it was said, ended only after the third shooting. Good times.

These days the community of 6,900 resi-dents is best known as the home of Cabela’s, a locally-owned business that began on a kitchen table and now bills itself as the “World’s Foremost Outfitter.” Visible for miles, the green-and-gold water tower bear-ing the Cabela’s logo stands tall at exit 59. It

beckons irresistibly to more than 1 million visitors each year. The 72,000-square-foot store sells outdoor equipment of every sort from fishing and hunting supplies to back-packing and boating equipment. Open 8 a.m.-8 p.m., Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Closed Christmas Day, Thanksgiving and Easter. RV parking and

tent camping available with a restaurant on site. (308) 254-7889.

Near the Cabela’s store is the Pony Express National Monument. The monu-ment’s flags can be seen from a long dis-tance by travelers motoring on I-80.

Sidney Barracks was established in 1867 to protect Union Pacific Railroad track layers from Indian attack. In 1869, the post was relocated to the present site

at Sidney. The following year it was renamed Fort Sidney and was active through the Indian wars. At its height, the fort had 40 buildings. It closed in 1894. Three buildings remain in what is now a residential neighborhood on Sidney’s east side.

The grounds of former Boot Hill Cemetery, established by the military in 1868, has been restored and features interpretive panels with stories of some of the people buried there. The cemetery was used until 1889, and 211 bodies were removed and relocated in 1922.

At Sixth and Jackson streets, Fort Sidney

Outlaws, gamblers and riffraff made the railroad town of Sidney one of the toughest places in the American West in the 1870s. On one city block alone there were 23 saloons.

CHEYENNE COUNTY WILD WEST • 41

Joshua Hardin

Museum and Post Commander’s Home consists of the Officers’ Quarters, which is a museum of Sidney’s colorful past, and the Post Commander’s Home, which has been restored with original and other period furnishings. The third building is an octagonal stone structure once used as the fort’s powder magazine. It is at 1047 Fifth Ave. All three buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Fort Sidney Complex is open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday and 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Memorial Day-Labor Day. (308) 254-2150. Annual Christmas Lamplight tours are popular and take place the Friday after Thanksgiving from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. The building remain open for the holidays through December from 1-4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

The Christ Episcopal Church in Sidney was built in 1866 and was the original church of Fort Sidney. Worshippers gather today at 1205 10th Ave. in the same building where Native Americans and early settlers once worshipped together.

Half a century after Fort Sidney closed, Sidney again became home to a major mili-tary facility. The Sioux Army Depot, built in 1942, held equipment and ammunition. Located six miles west and two miles north of Sidney, the site once covered 36 square miles. It closed in 1967. Its igloo-shaped ammunition bunkers remain and are accessible through a driving tour.

Twenty-nine Sidney buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. Sidney is the only Western Nebraska city with a “Historic District” designation. When a local man suggested erecting a flag-pole for the War Memorial in Legion Park and Memorial Gardens, local residents decided that just any old flagpole wasn’t enough to honor the sacrifice of Cheyenne County’s veterans. Volunteers and local companies converted a blown-down inter-state light pole into a flag pole. At 140 feet, it is the tallest flagpole in Nebraska. The flag measures 20 feet tall and 38 feet wide.

The park, at 11th and Toledo, features a railroad monument, pond, handicap-accessible docks, gazebo and playground. The Living Memorial Gardens is home of “Nebraska’s First Angel of Hope” (based on the Christmas Box Angel). A trail begins here and winds through the community.

For visitors seeking more of a work-out, the Cheyenne County Community Center, 627 Toledo, offers indoor bas-ketball and racquetball courts, running

Sidney’s western history is strong. So were the Pony Express riders memorialized today at the Pony Express National Monument near Sidney’s Cabela’s store adjacent to Interstate 80.


Joshua Hardin

Nebraska Tourism

tracks and weight lifting equipment. Visitors to Sidney receive free admission. Open year-round Monday-Friday, 5 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, noon-6 p.m. (308) 254-7000.

Located on bluffs overlooking Sidney, Hillside Municipal Golf Course incor-porates the area’s rugged Western ter-rain into a 18-hole adventure. The course twists through a beautiful canyon, offer-ing spectacular views of Sidney and the countryside. (308) 254-2311.

Test your marksmanship at the Sidney Shooting Park with target shooting lanes and sporting clays courses. From I-80 exit 59, go north to U.S. Highway 30, then west to Greenwood Road, then three miles north. Sidney Shooting Park prices and hours are subject to change and availability. (308) 249-2555.

In 1874, a military expedition led by George Armstrong Custer discovered gold in the Black Hills. Though a treaty reserved the Black Hills for the Sioux

Indians, the Army stopped enforcing it. Interlopers trespassed by the thousands and soon a major gold rush was under way. It led to a tragic war between the Sioux tribe and the United States, a war in which Custer himself was famously killed during the Battle of the Little Bighorn.

For would-be gold miners, Sidney became a popular jumping-off place,

leaving behind the ease of railroad travel and heading overland by horse, oxen, mule and wagon up the 267-mile Sidney-to-Deadwood Trail. Through the early 1880s, the trail carried most of the gold rush traffic, including rich gold shipments from the Black Hills in South Dakota.

On Highway 30 west of town, a his-torical marker indicates where trail ruts

Cabela’s, touted as the world’s foremost outfitter today, began at a kitchen table in 1961. Its flagship store pulls thousands of motorists into Sidney each year. The gem of the Cheyenne County Museum is the former Fort Sidney’s Officers’ Quarters.


Joshua Hardin

are still visible across from the Union Pacific tracks. Highway 30 is also part of the old Lincoln Highway, which in the 1920s became the first paved coast-to-coast auto route.

Today, the Nebraska portion of U.S. Highway 385 is designated the Gold Rush Byway. From the Colorado to the South Dakota state lines, the highway connects Sidney with Bridgeport, Alliance and Chadron. It follows the old trail for much of the way and rolls through some of the most spectacular country in Nebraska. Heading north from Sidney, the highway passes through Gurley and Dalton before descending dramatically into the North Platte Valley beside Courthouse and Jail rocks near Bridgeport.

Northeast of Sidney, visitors can find one of the state’s most interesting greenhouses. It’s interesting, too, that the owners of Ricky

and Lucy’s Country Greenhouse, 11732 Road 32, are neither named Ricky nor Lucy. In 2003, Terri and Dan Wolff opened the business in a renovated 1800s era barn. Their organic farm offers herbs and spices, dips, medicinal herbs, teas, coffees and pasta. There is a gift shop with Roman-inspired fountains and pottery. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday from May-September, or by appointment; and during the off season by appointment only. (877) 254-2204.

Six miles west of Sidney, the I-80 Golden Link marks where the last seg-ment of Interstate 80 was completed in 1974. The link is a 6-inch strip of brass plates embedded in both lanes of the thoroughfare, signifying the joining of Western and Eastern Nebraska.

For more information about Sidney, contact the Cheyenne County Visitors Committee. (866) 545-4030.


Americas Best Value Inn & Suites, 2115 W. Illinois St, W. on US Hwy 30, Sidney


Best Western Plus Sidney Lodge, 645 Cabela Dr, I-80 Exit 59, www.bestwestern/us/ne/sidney.com, Sidney


75+

Country Inn & Suites, 664 Chase Blvd, Sidney 308-254-2000 85Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, indoor pool, pets allowed

75+

Days Inn, 3042 Silverberg Dr, I-80 Exit 59, Sidneywww.daysinn.com


75+

El Palomino Motel, 2220 Illinois St, W. US Hwy 30, Sidney 18 1-50

Ft. Sidney Inn, 935 9th Ave, 1 blk S. of post office on US Hwy 30, Sidney. www.fortsidneyinnmotelne.com

308-254-9106 51 Outdoor pool, free continental breakfast, pets allowed 1-75+

Generic Motel, 11552 US Hwy 30, 2 mi. N. of I-80 Exit 59, Jct US Hwys 30 & 385, Sidney

308-254-4527 13 Pets allowed 1-75

Hampton Inn, 635 Cabela Dr, Sidneywww.hamptoninn.com


Motel 6, 3040 Silverberg Dr, Sidney www.motel6.com 308-254-5463 47 Wheelchair accessible, pets allowed

Sidney Motor Lodge, 2031 Illinois St, W. US Hwy 30, Sidney 308-254-4581 18 Pets allowed 1-75

Sleep 4 Le$$, 954 E. Elm St, I-80 Exit 59, 2 1/2 mi. N. to US Hwys 30 & 385,www.sleepforlessmotel.com

308-254-4009877-220-0109


Quality Inn, 730 E. Jennifer Ln, I-80 Exit 59, Sidneywww.choicehotels.com



Bear Family RV Park, I-80 Exit 59, E. US Hwy 30, Sidney 308-254-6074 June-OctRV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 25 trailers. Rest Facilities: Showers, flush toilets. Camping: unlimited tents.

25

Cabela’s Campground, I-80 Exit 59, Sidney 308-254-7177 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 31trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets. Camping: 6 tents.

Call for rates


Hillside Golf Course, 2616 Hillside Dr, Sidney 308-254-2311 18, public 15-30


Gold Rush DaysJune 10-12. The Old West comes alive with quick-draw competitions, a chuck wagon cookout and fun for all. (866) 545-4030.

Cheyenne County Fair and RodeoJuly 17-23. This county fair goes back to the roots of such events with marksmanship contests and 4-H ex-hibits, livestock shows and judging, rodeo, dog show, horse shows plus more. (308) 250-1976. OktoberfestSept. 30-Oct. 2. Hundreds of classic cars line up, side by side, for inspection by judges, and hundreds of en-thusiastic gearheads. There will be a show and shine at Legion Park, and a parade, farmer’s market, crafts and entertainment, all helping make this festival fun filled. (308) 254-2932.

Lamplight Tours Always the day after Thanksgiving. The Fort Sidney Museum and Post Commander’s Home come alive in this holiday gala. (308) 254-5851.

Downtown Christmas Kickoff Always the first Saturday following Thanksgiving. Enjoy a parade of lights, refreshments, a visit from Santa and a tree lighting in Hickory Street Square. (308) 254-5851.

Sidney Events


Potter Duckpin Bowling Alley

Potter You don’t have to go far out of your

way to visit downtown Potter – it’s just a minute’s drive from I-80. Unwind at city parks or at the Reading Garden beside the library downtown.

In one of several restored historic buildings, Potter Sundry is an old-fash-ioned soda fountain serving homemade food and ice cream desserts. The Tin Roof Sundaes are legendary.

The A Collective Gathering Flea Market is next door. Nearby is Chestnut Street Memory Station antique store, and the old Lincoln Highway Cafe, now known as Bags Bar and Steakhouse.

The Railroad Museum on Front Street displays Union Pacific Railroad History. Potter Historical Museum on Sherman Street preserves local history. Both muse-ums open by appointment. (308) 879-4356.

Prairie Pines Golf Course is a links style seven-hole course. Cart rental avail-able. (308) 879-4469.

Three miles east of Potter on U.S. Highway 30 is the historic Point of Rocks, where rail-road crews laying the Union Pacific line east of Potter clashed with Indians.

The altercations provided the impetus to establish Fort Sidney. The track here, called Buffalo Bend, is the sharpest curve on the Union Pacific line. Lodgepole

Creek, which parallels the track, is the longest creek in the world. The Point of Rocks Motel and Campground located beneath the Point, just south of Highway 30, offers lodging and camping facilities.

For more information about Potter, contact the Cheyenne County Visitors Committee. (866) 545-4030.

Potter is proudly home to great games at one of the few remaining duckpin bowling alleys in the Great Plains. Nearby, the Potter Sundry serves a Potter original, the Tin Roof Sundae.

Potter DaysLabor Day weekend. This 85th annual event includes a fun run, duck race, prize drawings, parade and more. (308) 879-4332.

Potter Events


Point of Rocks Motel & Campground, 8175 US Hwy 30, 2 1/2 mi. E. Potter

308-879-4400 9 1-50


M&S Campground & Trailer Park, 1325 Front St, Potter I-80 Exit 38

308-879-4224 Year Round RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 6 trailers. Call for rates

Point of Rocks Motel & Campground, 8175 US Hwy 30, Potter

308-879-4400 May-NovRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 24 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets. Camping: 10 tents.

Call for rates


Prairie Pines Golf Course, 402 Prairie Pine Dr, Potter 308-879-4469 9, public Under 15


LodgepoleOld Settlers’ Days is the big event of

the year for Lodgepole. A free barbecue, mud volleyball tournament, parade and street dance are just a few of the events that take place during the Labor Day weekend celebration.

Sullivan Hills is located just north of Lodgepole and features 640 acres of beautiful rolling hills and trees. You will find wildlife running free, ponds for fishing, hiking, paddle boating and kay-aking. Campers from all over Nebraska enjoy the peaceful location. The Lodgepole Depot Museum, on the cor-ner of McCall Street & Bates Boulevard, displays horse buggies, antique furni-ture, pony express items and historical clothing inside the an old train depot. Open by appointment, (308) 483-5353.

DaltonEvery direction is covered when it

comes to enjoyment in Dalton. At South Park there are picnic areas, playground equipment and a basketball court. North Park has plenty of shade and also the Prairie Schooner Museum. An authentic log cabin is part of the history preserved in this community along Highway 385.

GurleyWith only six miles separating them,

it makes sense for Dalton and Gurley to join together for their annual Christmas Lighting Contest each December. Other events here have a seasonal ring. Two miles east of Gurley, Fanny’s Fruit Farm celebrates the bounty of summer with a pick your own raspberry harvest. Their pumpkin patch brings fun to fall with

18 varieties of pumpkins, barrel trains, a corn maze, goat barn, haunted evening tours and more. (308) 249-2266.

Lemoyne The unincorporated community of

Lemoyne, near where Lonergan Creek flows into Lake McConaughy, had its all-time high population of 90 people back in 1960.

There were just a few souls less than that in the most recent census. The origi-nal community of Lemoyne was flooded when the reservoir was filled in 1941. In dry years old foundations of its buildings are sometimes exposed. The relocated community is holding its own today. With sandy beaches, boat docks, recre-ational facilities, fuel, bait, food, resorts, lodging and storage available nearby, little Lemoyne is a relaxing place to be.


Admiral’s Cove Resort, 999 Lemoyne Rd, Lemoyne. Lake McConaughy Gate 6. www.admiralscoveresort.com

308-355-2102 23 Restaurant on premises, pets allowed 1-75+

North Shore Lodge, 5 North Shore Rd, Lemoyne. Hwy 92 near Lake McConaughy. www.northshorelodge.net

308-355-2222 21 Restaurant on premises, pets allowed 51-75+

Mesa View Lodge, 1290 Hwy 92 W., Lemoyne. Lake McConaughy. www.homesatlakemac.com

308-355-5000888-568-7620


Vogl’s Lodge and Lure, 721 Hwy 92 W., Lake McConaughy. www.voglslodgeandlure.com

308-355-2321 12 Pets allowed 51-75+


Admiral’s Cove Resort, 999 Lemoyne Rd, Lemoynewww.admiralscoveresort.com

308-355-2102 May-Sep 3RV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 5 trailers. Rest Facilities: Showers, flush toilets. Camping: unlimited tents. Cabin Rentals: 25.

15

North Shore Lodge, Lake McConaughy Gate 5, Lemoynewww.northshorelodge.net

308-355-2222 May-OctRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 23 trailers. Rest Facilities: Showers, flush and pit toilets. Cabin Rentals: 18.

Call for rates

CHEYENNE & KEITH COUNTIES WILD WEST • 47

Nebraska Tourism

Nebraska Tourism

Ogallala Ogallala was the “Gomorrah of the cat-

tle trail,” wrote Andy Adams, a trail driver who first saw the community in 1875. In the 1870s and 1880s, Ogallala was the end of the trail as cowboys drove herds of longhorns up from Texas to be shipped east on the Union Pacific Railroad. After several long, hard months in the saddle, cowboys were ready for a rip-roaring good time when they reached town.

Visitors to Nebraska’s “Cowboy Capital” can enjoy Wild West entertain-ment at Front Street. The Crystal Palace Review and Shoot Out is Nebraska’s lon-gest-running summer theater, a musical comedy family show where dance hall girls kick up their heels and shots ring out. Adjacent attractions are the Front Street Steakhouse and the Cowboy Museum, a free museum that includes a jail, barbershop, funeral parlor and authentic cowboy and Native American artifacts. (308) 284-6000.

The renowned Petrified Wood Gallery has a newly expanded gallery at 481 E. First St. It features the petri-fied wood art of twin brothers Howard

and Harvey Kenfield, as well as fossils, gemstones, geodes, Western sculpture and Native American artifacts collected locally. (308) 284-9996.

The Mansion on the Hill was Ogallala’s finest home when it was built in 1887. It is open Memorial Day through mid-Septem-ber as a Victorian period residence museum. It is at the corner of Spruce and 10th streets.

Three blocks west of the mansion on 10th Street is the original Ogallala cemetery, long known as Boot Hill for the cowboys who were “buried with their boots on.”

Seventeen miles northeast of town, Haythorn Land & Cattle Co. is a fifth-generation ranch offering wagon rides and chuck wagon dinners. They pre-pare and ship mesquite-smoked meats and homemade butter fudge across the nation. (308) 355-4000.

What the old-time cowboys needed, but didn’t have, was a really big lake in which to cool off. Eight miles north-east of Ogallala, Lake McConaughy is Nebraska’s largest reservoir. At full capac-ity, McConaughy is four miles wide, 22 miles long and 142 feet deep at the dam with more than 100 miles of shoreline.

What is 22 miles long, 142 feet deep and more than 100 miles around? It’s Nebraska’s largest reservoir – Lake McConaughy. Fishing, sailing, swimming, diving, water skiing and relaxing on white sand beaches are a few of the popular activities to be enjoyed here.

Howard and Harvey Kenfield’s art, as well as work from other artists, is displayed at the Petrified Wood Gallery in Ogallala.

KEITH COUNTY WILD WEST • 49

When irrigation season is in full swing, miles of white sand beaches provide the perfect perch for a summer vacation.

Just below Kingsley Dam is Lake Ogallala. It covers half a square mile and offers excellent fishing for rainbow trout and yellow perch. It is also a good backup destination if wind curtails water sports on the big lake.

South of Ogallala, at Meadowlark Hill, one might expect to see birds. What people

come here to see, and smell, are lilacs in full bloom. More than 40 years in the making, Max and Darlene Peterson’s passion has grown to fill 14 acres with the flower, and it’s the world’s largest private collection of lilacs. To see the flowers in full bloom, the best time to visit is mid-May. (308) 284-2524.

For more information about Ogallala and Lake McConaughy, contact the Ogallala/Keith County Chamber of Commerce. (800) 658-4390.

Eagle Viewing – Lake McConaughy/Lake OgallalaLate December through the first weekend of March. Water dis-charged from the Kingsley Hydro-plant creates open water on Lake Ogallala, attracting bald eagles. View from the heated facility below the dam. (800) 658-4390.

Keith County Events


Best Western Stagecoach Inn, 201 Stagecoach Trail, Ogallalawww.bestwesternnebraska.com

308-284-3656 100Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, outdoor & indoor pool, free continental breakfast, pets allowed

51-75

Comfort Inn, 110 Pony Express Rd, Ogallala www.choicehotels.com

308-284-4028 49 Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, free continental breakfast 51-75

Days Inn, 601 Stagecoach Trail, Ogallalawww.daysinn.com

308-284-6365 31 Wheelchair accessible, free continental breakfast, pets allowed 1-75+

Elms Motel, 717 W. First St, Ogallala 308-284-3404 12 1-75

Holiday Inn Express and South Platte Cabins & Kennels LLC, 501 Stagecoach Dr, OgallalaI-80 Exit 126 N. to service road, 1/4 mi. E.

308-284-2266888-922-3691

71 Wheelchair accessible, free continental breakfast, pets allowed 75+

Kingsley Lodge, 1510 N. Hwy 61, Ogallala 308-284-2775 17 Pets allowed 1-75

Lazy K Motel, 1501 E. 1st St, Ogallala N. of I-80 Exit 126 308-284-4056 19 1-50

Quality Inn, 201 Chuckwagon Rd, Ogallala I-80 Exit 126 N., www.choicehotels.com

308-284-3623 101Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, outdoor pool, free continental breakfast, pets allowed

75+

Pump & Pantry Motel, 730 E. 1st, OgallalaTurn right at the overpass, 5 blks

308-284-6119 15 Pets allowed 1-75

Rodeway Inn, 108 Prospector Dr, I-80 Exit 126, Ogallalawww.rodewayinn.com

308-284-2056 40 Free continental breakfast, pets allowed 1-50

Super 8 Motel, 500 E. A St S., I-80 Exit 126, Ogallalawww.super8.com



Cottonwood Grove, 1045 Keystone Roscoe Rd, Ogallala 308-284-2282 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 10 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets. Camping: 6 tents.

20-30

Country View Campground, 120 Rd E. 80, OgallalaI-80 Exit 126, S. 1/2 mi., left at John Deere. www.cvcampground.com

308-284-2415 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 50 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets. Camping: 12 tents.

27-30

Eagle Canyon Hideaway, 1086 Lakeview W. Rd, Brulewww.eagle-canyon.com

308-287-2673866-866-5253

Mar 1-Dec 30

RV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 21 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets. Camping: 16 tents. Cabin Rentals: 17

Call for rates

Lake McConaughy SRA, 1475 NE Hwy 61 N., 9 mi. N.E., Ogallala. www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov

308-284-8800 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 242 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush and pit toilets. Camping: Unlimited tents.

Call for rates

Lake Ogallala SRA, 1475 NE Hwy 61 N., Ogallala.10 mi. N., E. side of dam, www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov

308-284-8800 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 82 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush and pit toilets. Camping: Unlimited tents.

Call for rates

Sleepy Sunflower RV Park, 221 Rd E. 85, Ogallala. I-80 Exit 126 S. www.sleepysunflower.com

308-284-1300 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 48 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets. Camping: 10 tents.

23-26

Van’s Lake View Fishing Camp, Brule, 13 mi. N.W. of I-80 on US Hwy 26, #1 Lake View. www.vanslakeview.com.

308-284-4965May 1-Nov 1

RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 100 trailers. Rest Facilities: Showers, flush and pit toilets. Camping: 15 tents. Cabin Rentals: 2.

12-28


West Wind Golf Club, 359 Rd E. 85, Ogallala, 1 1/2 mi. E. of I-80 Exit 126

308-284-4358 18, public Over 30


Keystone East of Kingsley Dam, Keystone is

home to a most unique church. Built in 1908, the Little Church of Keystone is the result of cooperation and ingenuity. The town was too small for two churches, so this one was built as a combined Cath-olic/Protestant church. It has a Catholic altar at one end and a Protestant altar at the other. Reversible pews face either way. (800) 658-4390.

Paxton Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse began

as a bar in downtown Paxton. Through the years, owner Ole Herstedt deco-rated it with more than 200 big game trophies. (308) 239-4500.

Brule Nine miles west of Ogallala is the

community of Brule. It was founded in 1886 on the site of a former Brule Sioux encampment.

Big Springs Heading west from Ogallala on I-80,

you’ll come to Big Springs. The first and largest robbery of a Union Pacific train happened here in 1877. Texas outlaw Sam Bass and five companions made off with $60,000 in gold and currency. Some say that part of the loot, a stash of $20 gold pieces, is still buried nearby. A historical marker at Eiker Park, on the west side of town, tells the story of the famous robbery.

The town is named for a natural spring. From the town’s founding through 1950, the spring supplied water for Union Pa-cific steam locomotives. Today, walking trails at Eiker Park lead to the spring.

The Phelps Hotel was built in 1885 to house railroad workers staying in Big Springs between shifts. It is open for tours by appointment. (308) 889-3625. Western Nebraska is sod house country. The Wa-terman Sod House is among the last of them still standing five miles north of Big Springs on Day Road. For more informa-tion, contact the Big Springs Chamber of Commerce. (308) 889-3681.

Chappell Travelers see grain elevators aplenty

along I-80, but none with a paint job like the Farmers Elevator in Chappell. An American flag measuring 52 feet by 100 feet is painted on its south side. The curves of the silos make the flag look like it’s wav-ing. Chappell is a convenient stop for trav-elers looking for golf, camping or fishing. The nine-hole Chappell Golf Course. Chappell Lake is just north of the inter-change and offers fishing, native grasses, wildflowers and public rest rooms.

The Sudman-Neumann Heritage House at Fifth and Vincent streets is re-stored to its 1911 glory and filled with pe-riod furniture and open 2-4 p.m. Sundays, or call (308) 874-3441 for an appointment.

You won’t find Rembrandt paintings in Chappell, but the reproductions at the Chappell Memorial Art Gallery are so good that they were long thought to be Rembrandt originals. The gallery is part of the Chappell Public Library, 289 Babcock. Call Chappell Tourist Informa-tion at (308) 874-2401.


Days Inn, 851 Paxton Elsie Rd, 1-80 Exit 145, Paxton 308-239-4510 34Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, free continental breakfast, pets allowed

1-75


The Beach House, Lake McConaughy, Keystonewww.lakemacbeachhouse.com 308-762-2892 Luxury townhomes with lake views, rooms with shared and private bath 75+


Riverside Campground, 1000 S. State St, I-80 Exit 117, Brule 308-287-2474800-809-2921

Apr 1-Oct 30

RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 45 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets.

15+

The Lodge, 851 Paxton Elise Rd, I-80 Exit 145, Paxton 308-239-4510Year

RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 12 trailers. Camping: 12 tents.

20


Bayside Golf Club, 865 Lakeview W. Rd. Brule 308-284-4358 18, public 15-30

KEITH, DEUEL & KIMBALL COUNTIES WILD WEST • 51

Kimball Ranch Rodeo – KimballJune 11. Competitors from Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming and Kansas compete in individual and team rodeo events to ride broncs, milk wild cows, load trailers and brand cattle. Vendors will keep everyone fed and a beer garden will flow, too. See real cowboys show the skills they use everyday in Western Nebraska. (308) 241-1760.

Bushnell Day – BushnellAug. 20. Take a break from the summer heat and find a shady spot from which to watch the parade. Visit the craft fair, sample a variety of delicious foods, try your luck at prize-winning raffles and much more in this tiny Western community. (308) 360-0756.

Farmer’s Day – KimballSept. 23-25. Kimball honors those who grow our food with this flavorful smorgasbord of fun. Last year’s event had 2,000 burgers grilling and this year will be even better. There’s a pie auction and bake sale, best salsa contest, garden tractor pull, parade, silent auction and more in honor of the American farmer. www.kimballbannercountychamber.com.

Deuel, Kimball and Banner County Events

Kimball Kimball began as a railroad con-

struction camp. Because of large herds of pronghorn in the area, the railroad called the new station Antelope, and the new village, Antelopeville. In 1885,

the growing settlement was renamed for railroad executive Thomas Kimball.

Kimball’s history is displayed down-town at the Plains Historical Museum.

After oil was discovered in Kimball County in 1950, Kimball became known as the “Oil Capital of Nebraska.” It soon

had another title – “Missile Center, U.S.A.” The area’s first Atlas missile site was completed in 1961. Today, some 200 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missiles are housed in the tri-state area.

For an insider’s look at missile silos, visitors can tour the home of Don and


Motel 6, 111 Circle Rd, I-80 Exit 107, Big Springs 308-889-3671 62 Indoor pool, pets allowed 1-75


Creekside RV Park, N. of I-80 Exit 85, Chappell308-874-2267888-871-2267

Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 28 trailers. Rest Facilities: shower, flush toilets Camping: Unlimited tents.

12-25

HQH Stables & Campground, 1625 Rd 203, Big Springs www.a-chordpublishing.com

877-241-8653 RV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 6 trailers. Riding area available.

10-20

McGreer Camper Park, 693 Rd 209, Big Springs www.mcgreercamperpark.com

308-889-5093Apr-

Oct 31RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 28 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets Camping: 8 tents.

25-30

The Bunkhouse RV Park & Stables, 30914 Rd 2, 3 mi. S. of I-80 Exit 107, 1/2 mi. E. , Big Springs

308-464-1224 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 2 trailers. Cabin Rentals: 1.

Call for rates


Chappell Golf Course, US Hwy 385, Chappell 308-874-2729 9, public Under 15


Phelps Hotel, 401 Pine St, Big Springs 308-889-3580 Historic hotel built in 1885, rooms with shared and private bath 51-75+

The Bunkhouse B&B and Stables, 30914 Cty Rd 2, Big Springs. www.cowboybunkhouse.com

308-464-1224Rooms with private and shared bath, full breakfast, full kitchen. 2 full RV hookups & horse stables

51-75


Charlene Zwonitzer south of Kimball. The Zwonitzers purchased and con-verted a silo into their 15,000-square-foot home. (308) 235-2708.

Kimball bills itself as the “High Point of Nebraska.” The elevation of Panorama Point is 5,424 feet. It is easily walked to. The Kimball County Tourism offers tongue-in-cheek certificates to those who reach the summit. Call (308) 241-0573. Nearby, the

Tri-State Marker shows the spot where Nebraska, Wyoming and Colorado meet.

Oliver Reservoir Recreation Area has a 270-acre lake for fishing and boat-ing, and sandy beaches. (308) 254-2377.

Four Winds Golf Course is two miles east of town. The 18-hole green fee is good for as many holes you can play in a day. (308) 235-4241. For more information on Kimball, con-tact Kimball Area Tourism. (308) 241-0573.

HarrisburgTurning north from Kimball, State

Highway 71 will take you past the little village of Harrisburg.

The Banner County Museum is an 11-building complex that includes a 19th-century log schoolhouse, sod house, log cabin, 1910 barn, pioneer church and the old Banner County Bank. (308) 436-4514.


1st Interstate Inn, 1704 S. County Rd. 41, Kimball www.1stinns.com


Days Inn, 611 E. 3rd St., Kimball. www.daysinn.com 308-235-4671 30Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, free continental breakfast, pets allowed

51-75+

Motel Kimball, 1017 E. 3rd St, Kimball. E. US Hwy 30 308-235-4606 16 Wheelchair accessible, pets allowed 1-50

Sleep 4 Less, 600 W. US Hwy 30, Kimball. I-80 Exit 22 308-235-4878 25 Pets allowed 1-75

Super 8 Motel, 1701 S. County Rd. 41, Kimball. I-80 Exit 20 308-235-4888 57 Wheelchair accessible, free continental breakfast, pets allowed 1-75+


Oliver Reservoir Recreation Area, 8 mi. W. on US Hwy 30, Kimball. 270 acres of water and 917 acres of land

308-254-2377 Year RoundRV Amenities: water, room for 75 trailers. Rest Facilities: pit toilets Camping: 100 tents.

No fee


Four Winds, E. US Hwy 30, Kimball 308-235-4241 18 holes, public 15-30

Bobbi and Steve Olson

Sandhills RC&D

Adventures on horseback have taken place in Western Nebraska since long before we were a state. With plenty of land available for riding your trusty steed or mare, there’s no need to be a tenderfoot.

The Samuel McKelvie National Forest, Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest, the Pine Ridge Ranger District, Fort Robinson State Park, Chadron State Park and other public lands combined offer access to hundreds of thousands of scenic land from which to enjoy your horseback hobby.

Private businesses provide oppor-tunities to horse lovers, too. Some rent horses, others provide facilities for yours.

Double R Guest Ranch north of Mullen is a century-old family ranch. Rent one of their horses or bring your own. (866) 217-2042. Our Heritage Guest Ranch north of Crawford and near Toadstool Geologic Park provides riding lessons and indoor stalls. Eagle Canyon Hideaway offers facilities for your horses and an 8-mile tour by Lake McConaughy.

Horseback riders have the opportunity to connect to the long history of rugged Western Nebraska in a way that most other travelers never will. Enjoy the ride.

Visit www.WestNebraska.com for a list of area outfitters and lands open to horseback riding.

Saddle up

You’ve seen them from the road – those round water tanks at the base of a windmill with horses and cattle gath-ered around them taking a drink. That’s a good use for them but it’s not much fun. That’s where tanking comes in.

Tanking is climbing into one of those round wonders with your friends and maybe a cooler of drinks and float-ing downstream.

There’s no need for any paddling. Let Mother Nature do the work. With the exception of possibly dragging your tank to deeper flows a time or two, there’s not much effort involved.

Tanking is a great way to get close to nature. Tankers have reported floating by deer, swans, eagles, turtles, otters and other wildlife. The large, flat-bottomed craft are stable and provide plenty of room. So stable and spacious in fact that you can stay totally dry during a float if you like – depending on how rowdy

your fellow travelers are, that is.Sandhills Motel and Canoe Rental

in Mullen has been in the tanking business since about the time the first adventurer hit the water in a re-pur-posed tank. They put their tankers out on the Middle Loup River – one of the most constant flowing streams in the world. This full service outfitter pro-vides lodging and transportation for a complete tanking experience. They rent kayaks and canoes, too.

Niobrara Riverview Retreats and Little Outlaw Outfitters, both near Valentine, also rent tanks to river adven-turers. The Niobrara River is known far and wide by kayakers and canoeists. Tanking the Niobrara River continues to grow in popularity. The float is a slower and less strenuous experience from a tank, leav-ing more time to soak up the scenery.

Isn’t it time to cross tanking off of your bucket list of outdoor aquatic adventures?

‘Tanks’ for the memories

Fun modes of travel abound in Western Nebraska. Faithful horses are used for work and for fun here. There’s little work involved in launching downstream with friends in a livestock tank.

Alliance • Hemingford Hyannis • Ashby • MullenTryon • Arthur • Seneca Thedford • Halsey Merriman • Nenzel Cody • Valentine

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GETTING STARTED You’ll find sand and hills on almost every continent, but you’ll only find the Sandhills in Nebraska. Drive on through this area of grass-stabilized sand dunes and your jaw may drop down to Kansas at these towering grassy hills resembling endless waves rolling in from the sea. Running through its northern shores is the Niobrara River, a bucket-list float for anyone who has ever put a paddle to water, and recognized as one of the 10 best canoeing rivers in the United States.

Hills become tidal waves of hand-planted trees at the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey and Thedford. Romantics and rodeo queens love Valentine. Look for Dobby’s Frontier Town, and the half-buried corpses of old cars at Carhenge, both at Alliance. Heavenly cattle ranches and pristine lakes beautify this region of more than 19,000 square miles of Sandhills and Scenic Rivers Country.

Waterfalls in Nebraska? You betcha. Float the Niobrara and see for yourself.

EXPLORESandhills and Scenic Rivers

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN NATURE


Alan J. Bartels

Knight Museum and Sandhills Center

Alliance Alliance has a long lineage of agriculture,

business, industry and railroading. Rogues, rascals and visionaries have colored the town’s history. Alliance has grown from a frontier town to 9,000 residents and a vari-ety of businesses, amenities and attractions. Located at the intersection of Highways 2 and 385, Alliance is the largest city for 50 miles in any direction. Two-and-a-half miles north of Alliance on Highway 87, Carhenge is perhaps the strangest attrac-tion in Nebraska. The full-scale replica

of England’s famous Stonehenge is built entirely from old cars. Local resident Jim Reinders got the idea in 1982 when his family gathered at the family farm after his father died. They decided to build a tribute to his father and gathered five years later to begin. Carhenge is built from 38 cars, painted gray. Some are half-buried, others are welded together, and some jut from the ground at odd angles, mimicking the pres-ent configuration of Stonehenge.

In recent years, more automobile sculp-tures have been added. Just a short walk

from Carhenge, fun and quirky pieces include “Spawning Salmon” (a car that looks like giant salmon bursting from the ground) and “The Ford Seasons” (repre-senting the four stages of wheat grown in the area). There is no admission charge, and there’s a small visitor center and gift shop where you can smash a penny for your own Carhenge souvenir.

Displays at the 19,000-square-foot Knight Museum and Sandhills Center span many aspects of western life, including an extensive display of Native American artifacts, railroad memorabilia, military history from the Indian Wars to Alliance’s World War II air base, home-stead and ranch life, and the various cul-tures who shaped the area.

The museum’s research center houses the largest collection of genealogy mate-rial in the region. Volunteers are available for one-on-one assistance in perusing the thousands of records. To get there, turn north on Yellowstone Avenue from high-ways 385 and 2. The museum is at 908 Yellowstone. (308) 762-2384.

The Carnegie Arts Center is a gallery featuring local and regional artists. This center hosts renowned art shows such as installations of original Rembrandt and Albrecht Durer prints. It is housed in a historic 1911 building at 204 W. Fourth

Carhenge, just north of Alliance, is one of Western Nebraska’s most popular and quirky attractions. With that said – there are no traffic jams – and there’s plenty of free parking. Below, the Knight Museum and Sandhills Center, also in Alliance, preserves the long, rich history of the area.

BOX BUTTE COUNTY SANDHILLS & SCENIC RIVERS • 57


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Box Butte ReservoirCarnegie Arts CenterKnight Museum and Sandhills CenterCarhengeDobby’s Frontier TownNebraska Veterans CemeterySandhills Movie Drive-InCrescent Lake National Wildlife RefugeArthur Bowring Sandhills RanchState Historical ParkMerritt Reservoir Valentine National Wildlife RefugeNiobrara National Scenic RiverSmith Falls State ParkFort Niobrara National Wildlife RefugeCanoeing, tubing, kayakingNebraska National Forest – Bessey Ranger DistrictSamuel R. McKelvie National Forest

Attractions

St. Open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday. Closed holidays. (308) 762-4571.

Dobby’s Frontier Town, 320 E. 25th St., is a historic village with buildings from the 1890s through Prohibition. Buildings include a general store and meat market, a mortuary (complete with a glass-topped coffin), a log cabin built by the area’s first black homesteader, an early gas station, a replica 1880s post office, a Chinese laundry, a saloon, a bootlegger’s cabin and a bordello. Call ahead for hours. (308) 762-4321.

With 140 acres of public space, Alliance is proud of its extensive park system. Central Park is the city’s oldest, and its Central Park Fountain is on the National Register of Historic Places. Other Alliance parks include Laing Lake and Bower Park, and there are several mini-parks throughout the city. The Central Park Fountain oper-ates Memorial Day weekend through Oct. 1. After dark, it features a lights-and-water dis-play. Nearby, at 11th and Niobrara, Sallows Conservatory and Arboretum features tropical and sub-tropical plants. Paths wind throughout the Sunken Gardens. Laing

Alliance has grown from a frontier town in the American West to 9,000 residents and a variety of amenities and attractions.



1st Interstate Inn, 1207 W. 3rd St, W. on Hwy 2 & US Hwy 385, Alliance

308-762-4040 42 Pets allowed 1-50

Alliance Hotel and Suites, 117 Cody Ave, 3rd & Cody Sts, Alliance

308-762-8000 60 Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, free continental breakfast 51-75+

American Inn, 1419 W. 3rd St, Alliance 308-762-8300 39 Free continental breakfast, pets allowed 1-75

Holiday Inn Express, 1420 W. 3rd St, Alliancewww.hiexpress.com/alliancene

308-762-7600 60 Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, free continental breakfast 51-75+

Rainbow Motel, 614 W. 3rd St, Alliance 308-762-4980 13 Restaurant on premises, free continental breakfast, pets allowed 1-50

Sunset Motel & RV Park, 1210 E. Hwy 2, Alliancewww.clicksunset.com

308-762-8660 20 Indoor pool, pets allowed 49-75


J&C RV Park, 2491 S. US Hwy 385, Alliance 308-762-3860 Year Round RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 13 trailers. Call for rates

Sunset RV Park, 1210 E. Hwy 2, Alliancewww.clicksunset.com

308-762-8660800-767-8660

Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 24 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets, indoor pool.

18-30


Sky View, 2613 Cty Rd 57, Alliance 308-762-1446 18, public 15-30


Grandma Lala’s Bed and Breakfast, 1232 Box Butte Ave,Alliance

308-762-2925 Four rooms with private bath, morning brunch included 75-110

BOX BUTTE COUNTY SANDHILLS & SCENIC RIVERS • 59

Thunder on the PrairieJune 3-5. Classic cars cruise to the music of the ‘50s and ‘60s. Also poker run, barbecue and dance. Located in Central Park. www.385cruisers.com (308) 762-2761.

Alliance Events

Alan J. Bartels

Lake Park has ducks, geese and good fish-ing from shoreline or pier. Railroad buffs can stop at the corner of Laing Lake Park and visit Locomotive 719 and a vintage coal car. The park, bordered by 18th Street, Box Butte Avenue, Burnham Drive and Emerson Avenue, also has two miles of walking trails.

During World War II, Alliance was home to the Alliance Air Base, a site chosen for its proximity to the Sandhills, which were considered excellent for parachute and ammunition training. The 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment trained here before land-ing in Normandy hours before the D-Day invasion. As a result, a large number of D-Day casualties were known personally to the people of Alliance. Today, the former air base is the Alliance Municipal Airport.

In 2010, in tribute to those gallant heroes, Nebraska Veterans Cemetery was opened at the former Alliance Army Air Field on 20 acres once used as a troop training field. These 20 acres rest near the airport, which is east of Alliance, south of Highway 2. (877) 402-7990.

The Sallows Military Museum, 1100 Niobrara St., features artifacts from the air base and Box Butte County history from all military branches. It is open 1-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and by appointment. (308) 762-2385 or (308) 762-2384.

Alliance’s downtown brick-lined main street, Box Butte Avenue, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has an associated Historic Main Street organization. There are numerous shops, restaurants and other businesses in the downtown district.

For more information please contact the Alliance Visitors’ Bureau at (877) 269-8776 or the Alliance Chamber of Commerce at (800) 738-0648. www.VisitAlliance.com

Hemingford Hemingford is 18 miles northwest of

Alliance and features year-round holi-day events, including the Harvest Moon Festival each October and the Avenue of Flags. Hemingford displays more than 200 American flags along its village streets during various holidays, such as July 4th weekend, Flag Day, Memorial Day, Veteran’s Day and others. Each his-toric flag once draped the casket of a vet-eran from the area, some of whom served in conflicts dating back to the Civil War.

In early August, Hemingford is home to the popular Box Butte County Fair. During the Christmas holiday season, Hemingford displays its Christmas Diorama. The drive-thru diorama, depicting scenes painted on wood panels, stretches nearly three football fields in length.

Box Butte Reservoir, a 1,600-acre lake

and recreational area, is 10 miles north of town. It offers excellent fishing, boating, swimming, windsurfing and sailing, and is part of a state recreation area with pic-nic areas, hiking and primitive camping.

For more information contact the Hemingford Chamber of Commerce. (308) 487-3300.

Harvest Moon Fall FestivalOct. 15. Join in this autumn bash featuring Pumpkin Chunkin, Spud Gun Contest, a scarecrow competition, Outhouse Races, and Cornshucking Relay. www.hemingfordevents.com.

Hemingford Events

Hemingford’s Avenue of Flags appears on Independence Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day, Flag Day and other holidays. Run entirely by volunteers, it draws patriots from a wide area.


Patriot Inn B&B, 851 Cty Rd 71, Hemingfordwww.bbc.net/~patriotinn

308-487-1776 Rooms with private bath, continental breakfast 51-75

The Cottage, 405 Shoshone Ave, Hemingfordwww.visitboxbutte.com

308-487-5272 Private cottage with full kitchen, rooms with shared bath, laundry facilities 51-75

Shared Outdoors Lodge, 130 Old Dunlap Rd, Hemingford. www.sharedoutdoors.com

308-487-3426Full-equipped lodge with full kitchen, fireplace, laundry facilities, WiFi, phone, satellite TV, 4 bedrooms able to sleep up to 12 people.

Call for rates


Box Butte Reservoir SRA, 9 1/2 mi. N., Hemingford. On the Niobrara River. www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov

308-665-2900 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 64 trailers. Rest Facilities: pit toilets. Camping: 60 tents.

6-12 & NEPark Permit

Shared Outdoors, 130 Old Dunlap Rd, Hemingfordwww.sharedoutdoors.com

308-487-3426RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer. Rest Facilities: Showers, pit and flush toilets. Camping: available.

20-40


Hemingford Golf Course, Fremont St, Hemingford 308-487-3639 9, public Under 15

Hyannis Hyannis is home of the Windmill Days

celebration each June. Look for the wind-mill in the center of Main Street and you’re in the right place to partake in the festivities. The Grant County Museum at the county courthouse, 105 E. Harrison, displays area history and oddities such as props from John Wayne’s stunt man and a world-class barbed wire collection. Open 1-4 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, or by appointment.

(308) 458-2371. Golfers can shoot nine holes at Pelican Beach Golf Course. Open to the public. (308) 458-2579.

AshbyThe village of Ashby is big on creativity.

Just cross the tracks north of the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway (Highway 2) and find the most unique shop with Nebraska’s own “Pot Lady.” CaLinda’s Pot Shop & Art Gallery showcases owner/ artist Linda

Lacy’s one-of-a-kind western creations of clay and canvas. Experience throwing a pot of your own or create a family art event. The shop is open Mon-Fri from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (308) 458-8051. CaLinda’s Pot Shop & Art Gallery will host sev-eral artists during the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway’s Follow the Rails Art Trail, Oct. 14-16, 2016, when the entire village of Ashby will come alive with creativity. Call (308) 458-8051 for details.


Double JT & Hyannis Hotel, 1025 Main Ave, Hyannis 308-458-2332 11 Restaurant on premises 51-75

Ranchland Motel, 305 E Hwy 2, Hyannis 308-458-2264 6 51-75


Whisperin’ Angel Inn, 101 S. Manderson Ave., Hyannis 308-458-2300 Historic bed and breakfast, rooms with shared bath, full breakfast

Pelican Beach Cabin, 43863 E. Hwy 2, 1/1/2 mi E. on Hwy 2. Hyannis

308-458-2444Rooms with shared bath, sleeps 6, full kitchen, laundry facilities, bedroom loft, overlooks lake

75+


Ranchland Motel Campground, 305 E. Hwy 2, Hyannis 308-458-2264 RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer.

Simpson’s Trailer Court, 316 Morton St, Hyannis 308-458-2354 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 6 trailers. Camping: unlimited tents.

Call for rates


Pelican Beach Golf Club, 2 1/4 mi. E. on Hwy 2, Hyannis 308-458-2579 9, public Under 15

HOOKER COUNTY SANDHILLS & SCENIC RIVERS • 63

Nebraska Tourism

Mullen West of Thedford on Highway 2,

Mullen sits at the geographic heart of the Sandhills. For a region that is known for its striking beauty, it’s appropri-ate, although surprising, that one of the world’s best golf courses is here.

Sand Hills Golf Club is an 18-hole pri-vate golf course designed by pro golfer Ben Crenshaw and design partner Bill Coore. Golf Digest has ranked Sand Hills Golf Club number one in the Modern List.

To get to the course, go 12 miles south of Mullen on Highway 97 to mile marker 55, then go west three miles. Visitors are welcome at the clubhouse, but to golf, players must either be mem-bers or sponsored guests.

The Nebraska Sandhills are also home to the Dismal River Club, another world-class private course. Designed by Jack Nicklaus, the Dismal River Club is links golf in its purest form: rugged, windblown, hard and fast. The course is located two miles south and 17 miles

southwest of Mullen. (308) 546-2900. Mullen also has a fine public nine-hole course on the west edge of town called Mullen Golf Club. (308) 546-2446.

Experienced canoers and kayakers can test their skills on the Dismal River south of Mullen. The Dismal is a fast-flowing, spring-fed river with plenty of twists and sunken debris that make it a natural obstacle course. Along the trip, canoers and kayakers are treated to a swim in a large spring from which water and sand upswell from the aquifer below.

Cool fun rules at Mullen in March during the Polar Bear Tank Race, the annual fundraiser for the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway.


Glidden Sandhills Motel, W. Hwy 2, Mullenwww.sandhillsmotel.com

308-546-2206888-278-6167

19Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, outdoor pool, pets allowed

1-75


Carter Morris House, 102 NW 3rd St. , Mullen 308-546-2288 Fully-furnished 2-bedroom guest house, sleeps 9, laundry facilities 51-75+

Double R Guest Ranch LLC, 86091 Double R Dr, Mullenwww.rrguestranch.com

308-546-2314866-217-2042

Secluded furnished cabins, rooms with private and shared bath, sleeps 16 75+


Glidden Sandhills Campground, 507 S.W. 1st, Mullen (W. Hwy 2) www.sandhillsmotel.com

308-546-2206888-278-6167

Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 10 trailers. Rest Facilities: shower and flush toilets.

15


Dismal River Golf Course, 83040 Dismal River Trl, Mullen 308-546-2900 18, semi-private Over 30

Mullen Golf Course, 102 N. Veteran - W. Hwy 2, Mullen 308-546-2445 9, public 15-30


People looking for a family-friendly river trip can float or paddle down the Middle Loup River just north of Mullen. The Middle Loup also is spring-fed and has relatively calm waters as it meanders through wide, sloping Sandhills canyons. Canoe and kayak rental is available for both rivers. Stock tank rental is available for the Middle Loup.

The Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District lies between the two riv-ers and campsites are located adjacent to the rivers. The Dismal River converges into the Middle Loup River just east of Dunning. For more information on Mullen or the rivers, call (888) 278-6167.

Dismal River Outfitters is a big-game hunting ranch with more than 50,000 acres available for bison, elk, whitetail deer, mule deer and turkey hunting. The ranch is 14 miles south of Mullen. (308) 546-0567.

Sharp-tailed grouse and prairie chicken viewingMarch and April. Observe the breeding displays of native birds. (308) 546-2206.

Polar Bear Tank RaceMarch 4-5. Competitors, some much more serious than others, float the scenic Middle Loup River for the best times, but mostly for bragging rights. (308) 546-2206.

Mullen Events

HOOKER, LOGAN, CUSTER & THOMAS COUNTIES SANDHILLS & SCENIC RIVERS • 65


Nebraska Tourism

Tryon The museum of the McPherson County

Historical Society includes a historic bank, sod house and area artifacts. Open by appointment. (308) 587-2376.

Arthur About 40 miles west of Tryon on

Highway 92, Arthur is the only town in Arthur County. The ranching town boasts the world’s smallest courthouse. The 26-by-28-foot white frame building was built a year after Arthur County seceded from McPherson County in 1913.

The former Pilgrim Holiness Church is one of the few places of worship ever made from baled straw.

SenecaOn Main Street, Cattleman’s Restaurant

has served locals and travelers for more than 20 years. Open Thursday-Sunday, (308) 639-3242. Also, the Northern Plains Studio has Native American and western art for viewing and for sale, by appoint-ment only. (308) 639-3227.

Thedford Thedford is a crossroads community

along Highway 2, from which Highway 83 leads north to Valentine.

The Thedford Art Gallery, 509 Court St., sells art, photography, sculptures and pottery. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, May 1-Dec. 30; open the rest of the year 1-5 p.m. or by appointment. (308) 645-2396. There’s also the Yellow Calf Studio, which shows and sells sculp-tures by appointment. (308) 645-2537.

One block west of the art gallery, the Thomas County Historical Museum depicts Sandhills history, displaying arti-facts used by settlers. (308) 645-2477.

There’s a load of fun when Tami Swanson hitches her wagon and loads up friends in Arthur.

Scenic views are standard in the Sandhills and Scenic Rivers region.


The Bunkhouse, South end of Main St, Arthur 308-764-2476 4 Pets allowed 1-50

Longhorn Motel, 480 Hwy 92, Tryon. Jct Hwys 92 & 97, Tryon

308-587-2345 5 1-50


Augusta Wind, 1 mi. S. on US Hwy 83, Stapelton 308-636-2428 9, public Under 15


Arnold SRA, 1 mi. S. of Jct Hwys 40 & 92, Arnoldwww.arnoldne.org

308-848-2228 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, room for 20 trailers. Rest Facilities: pit toilets. Camping: 100+ tents.

15


Alan J. Bartels

Thedford Golf Course is a nine-hole public course overlooking the Middle Loup River. Cart rental available. (308) 645-2233.

Halsey For the westbound traveler, Highway

2, the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway, heads northwest from Grand Island, passes the Nebraska National Forest at Halsey, crosses the lake country of the western Sandhills, then exits the region near Alliance and turns north toward the Pine Ridge. This byway is rated in the top 10 scenic routes in the United States and is listed as one of the highways to drive in “1000 Places to See Before You Die.”

The Bessey Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest covers more than 90,000 acres, and is the largest hand-planted forest in the world. It is a favorite place for camping, ATV-ing, horseback riding, hiking and picnicking. Local vol-unteers have created a handicapped acces-sible Discovery Loup walking trail and are renovating an arboretum of 59 tree species. The rangers’ lookout tower offers a pan-oramic view of the surrounding forest and hills. The forest is open year-round.

Thomas County Fair - ThedfordJuly 28-31. Thedford’s biggest bash includes a parade, live concerts, games for all, a fishing tournament and more. (308) 645-2646.

Loup 2 Loup Open Race - HalseyAug. 10-11. Seventeen-mile car race between Halsey and Purdum. Car shows and vendors. (308) 533-2328.

Thomas County Events

Visitors are welcome to tour Scott Tower at the Nebraska National Forest near Halsey.


Halsey Frontier Inn, 503 Hwy 2, Halseywww.halseyfrontierinn.com

308-533-2240 11 Free continental breakfast, pets allowed 1-75

Arrowhead Lodge & Café, 39293 Hwy 2, ThedfordJct Hwy 2 & US Hwy 83


Roadside Inn, 39357 E. Hwy 2, Thedford www.roadsideinn.net

308-645-2284 42Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, free continental breakfast, pets allowed

51-75


Middle Loup River Ranch Guest House, 4 mi. W. of Halsey, Hwy 2; Mile Marker 221. www.middleloupriverranch.com

402-450-2268Two bedroom guest house, rooms with shared bath, sleeps 9, laundry, AC, sat TV, Wi-Fi, gas grill. Next to Nebraska National Forest.

75+

Pine Street Cabin, 804 Pine St., Halsey 308-533-2345 Furnished cabin with fully equipped kitchen, on-site laundry


Bessey Recreation Complex, Nebraska National Forest, 2 mi. W., Halsey www.fs.fed.us/rz/nebraska

308-533-2257 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 21 trailers. Rest Facilities: shower, pit and flush toilets. Camping: 13 tents

8-113 vehicle

Halsey Frontier Inn Campground, 503 Hwy 2, Halseywww.halseyfrontierinn.com

308-533-2240 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 6 trailers. Rest Facilities: Shower and flush toilets. Camping: 6 tents. Cabin Rental.

15

Belle’s Bunkhouse and Campground, 202 Main St, Halsey. Adjacent to Hwy 2, cabin adjacent to campground

308-539-1462 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 9 trailers. Camping: available. Cabin Rental: 1 (2 night minimum, $75+).

10-15

Arrowhead Lodge & Café, 39293 Hwy 2, Jct Hwy 2 & US Hwy 83, Thedford. www.freewebs.com/arrowheadlodge

308-645-2246 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 8 trailers. Camping: 2 tents

13-14

Roadside Inn Campground, 39357 E. Hwy 2, 1 mi. E. on Hwy 2, Thedford. www.roadsideinn.net.

308-645-2284800-373-1648

Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 10 trailers. Rest Facilities: flush toilets. Camping: 3 tents

18.50


Thedford Golf Course, 1 mi. S. on US Hwy 83, Thedford 308-645-2634 9, public Under 15

THOMAS COUNTY SANDHILLS & SCENIC RIVERS • 67

Valentine The “Heart City” is near the Niobrara

National Scenic River. Outfitters provide everything needed for fun floating. Much of the land adjacent to the river is privately owned. Please respect property rights.

Five miles east of Valentine on Highway 12, bison and elk roam Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. (402) 376-3789. Northeast on Highway 12, Smith Falls drops 70 feet. (402) 376-1306. Merritt Reservoir is home to lunkers. (402) 376-3320. Make a splash at Valentine Family Aquatic Center. (402) 376-8019.

Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest is a forest in grass. (308) 533-2257. The Valentine National Wildlife Refuge is 20

miles south of Valentine. (402) 376-3789.Valentine is home to The Prairie Club.

There are three golf courses, a lodge and restaurant. (888) 402-1101.

Valentine has another golf course, Frederick’s Peak, a new 10-hole public course. Set in scenic hills and designed by Tom Lehman, the course is scheduled to open summer 2016. (402) 376-2969.

For more information about Valentine-area attractions, contact the Valentine Visitor Center. (800) 658-4024.

Merriman The history of Sandhills ranch

life is displayed at Arthur Bowring

Ranch State Historical Park, north of Merriman. (308) 282-0730. Cottonwood Lake State Recreation Area is a half-mile east of Merriman and a half-mile south. Fishing, boating and camping are allowed. (308) 684-3428.

Nenzel and Cody Near Nenzel, the Nollette brothers

offer tastes of the Sandhills and their ranch-raised grapes from Niobrara Valley Vineyards. (402) 823-4131. The students of Cody-Kilgore High School helped build the strawbale Circle C Market and also operate it. (402) 823-4099.


Blue Moon Ridge B&B, 10 Blue Moon Ridge Rd., Valentine. www.bluemoonridgebb.com

402-376-8090 Rooms with private and shared bath. Continental breakfast. 90-110

Cody’s Country Cabin, US Hwy 20, Cody 402-823-4182 3-bedroom house, rent to one party at a time 1-50

Heartland Elk Guest Ranch, 114 Lake Shore Dr, Valentine 17 mi. E. on Hwy 12, 2 1/2 mi. S. www.heartlandelk.com

402-376-1124 Outdoor activities available 75+

Lord Ranch Resort, 17 mi. S. on US Hwy 83 to Mile Marker 9, 1 mi. E. on 16B Spur, Valentine

402-376-5984800-270-0181

Rooms with private bath. Cabins surround by the Sandhills. 75+

Niobrara River Ranch, 15 mi. E. on Hwy 12, S. 3/4 mi., Valentine

402-890-1245866-282-8677

Rustic handcrafted log cabins. 75+

Schlagel Creek Ranch, 5 mi. S. on US Hwy 20, 1 1/2 mi. W., Valentine. www.schlagelcreekranch.com

402-376-2679 Outdoor activities. Fall and spring hunting packages.


Comfort Inn, 101 Main St, Valentine www.civalentine.com


Econo Lodge & Suites, 340 E. US Hwy 20, Valentine www.duneslodge.com

402-376-3131 72 Wheelchair accessible, free continental breakfast, pets allowed 1-75+

Merritt Trading Post Resort, 26 mi. S. on Hwy 97, Valentine. www.merritttradingpost.com

402-376-3437 15 Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, pets allowed 75+

Motel Raine, 618 W. US Hwy 20, Valentinewww.sleepintheraine.com

402-376-2030800-999-3066

31 Restaurant on premises, indoor pool, free continental breakfast 1-75

Outback Motel, 217 S. Cherry St, Valentinewww.outback-motel.wix.com/valentine

402-376-1408 Free WiFi, microwave, refrigerator, cable TVCall for

rates

Super 8 Motel, 223 E. US Hwy 20. www.super8.com 402-376-1250 60 Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, free continental breakfast 51-75+

Trade Winds Motel, 1009 E. US Hwy 20, Valentinewww.tradewindslodge.com

402-376-1600 32 Free continental breakfast, pets allowed 51-75+

Valentine’s Niobrara Lodge, 803 E. US Hwy 20, Valentinewww.niobrarariverlodge.com

402-376-3000 877-376-3003

61 Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, pets allowed 75+


A&C Outfitters, 18 mi. E. on Hwy 12, 5 mi. S., 1 mi. E., Valentine.

402-376-2839 Apr-SepRV Amenities: electricity, water. Rest Facilities: shower, pit toilets. Call for

rates

Berry Bridge Resort, 13 mi. E. on Hwy 12, 3 mi. S. , Valentine. www.niobraracamping.com

402-376-3474May 15-Oct 15

RV Amenities: electricity, room for 8 trailers. Rest Facilities: shower, flush and pit toilets. Camping: 18 tents. Cabin Rentals: 4.

7

Cody City Park, One block north of Hwy 20, off Western Nebraska Ave, Cody

402-823-4118 Year Round RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer. Call for rates

Cottonwood Lake SRA, 1/2 mi. E., 1/2 mi. S., Merriman www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov

308-684-3428 Year RoundRV Amenities: water. Rest Facilities: pit toilets. Camping: unlimited tents.

4NE Park Permit

Fishberry Campground, HC 14 Box 1, 4 1/2 mi. N. on US Hwy 83., Valentine. www.fishberrycampground.com

402-376-1662866-376-1662

May 1-Nov 1

RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 22 trailers. Rest Facilities: Shower, flush toilets. Camping: 10 tents.

28

Fritz’s Island Campground, 7 1/2 mi. S.E. of Sparks. www.campniobrara.com

402-376-3791877-700-3791

May-OctRV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 20 trailers. Rest Facilities: Shower, flush and pit toilets. Camping: 60 tents.

6-27

Graham’s Camp, 5 mi. S. of Sparks. www.grahamoutfitters.com

402-376-3708800-322-3708

Apr 1-Nov 1

Rest Facilities: shower, pit toilets. Camping: 50 tents.6

Youth under 10 Free

Merritt Reservoir, 28 mi. SW on Hwy 97, Valentine www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov

402-376-3320 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 215 trailers. Rest Facilities: shower, flush and pit toilets. Cabin Rentals: available.

7-14NE Park Permit

Merritt Trading Post, 26 mi. SW on Hwy 97, Valentine www.merritttradingpost.com

402-376-3437 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 7 trailers. Rest Facilities: shower, flush toilets. Cabin Rentals: 15

14-22

Rock Barn Outfitters, Sparks, E. on Hwy 12 to Mile Marker 28, 5 mi S., 1 1/2 mi E. www.rockbarnoutfitters.com

402-376-1764800-335-6252

May 15-Sept 15

RV Amenities: water, room for 6 trailers. Rest Facilities: shower and pit toilets. Camping: 40 tents.

5

Rocky Ford Camp & Outfitters LLC, 13 mi. S. of Sparkswww.rockyfordoutfitters.com

402-376-1124800-497-3479

Apr 15-Sep 15

RV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 8 trailers. Rest Facilities: Shower, flush and pit toilets. Camping: 35 tents. Cabin Rentals: 5

3

Shady Spot RV Camp, 402 N. Main St, 1 blk N. of Jct US Hwy 20 & Hwy 61, Merriman

308-684-3330June 1-Sep 1

RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 6 trailers. 10

Smith Falls State Park, 3 mi. W., 4 mi. S. of Sparks. www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov

402-376-1306 Year RoundRV Amenities: water, room for 5. Rest Facilities: shower, flush and pit toilets. Camping: 25 tents.

4NE Park Permit

Sparks Store & RV Camp, 101 Main St, Sparks, 18 mi. E. of Valentine on NE Hwy 12. ww.drylandaquatics.com

402-376-3119800-337-3119

Apr-NovRV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 6 trailers. Rest Facilities: shower, flush and pit toilets. Camping: 30 tents Cabin Rentals: 2

Call for rates

Steer Creek Campground, Samuel R. McKelvie Nat’l Forest, 20 mi. S. of Nenzel

308-533-2257 Year Round Room for 23 trailers. Rest Facilities: Pit toilets. Camping: 23 tents 5

Sunny Brook Camp LLC, 11 mi. S.E. of Sparks.www.sunnybrookcamp.com

402-376-1887877-376-1887

Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 3 trailers. Rest Facilities: shower, flush and pit toilets. Camping: 20 tents. Cabin Rentals: 2.

Call for rates

Valentine City Park, N. Main St., along Minnechaduza Creek, Valentine

402-376-2323 May-Sep Rest Facilities: shower, flush toilets. Camping: 5 tents. 5

Village Park, 3rd & Main Sts, Wood Lake 402-967-3054 May-SepRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 2 trailers. Rest Facilities: flush toilets.

Donation

Wacky West Travel Park, 702 E. C St, Valentine402-376-1771866-376-1771

Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 31 trailers. Rest Facilities: shower, flush toilets. Camping: 10 tents

Call for rates


The Prairie Club, 109 S. Main St, Valentine. 888-402-1101 18, semi-private Over 30


Pine RidgeDISCOVER THE FRONTIER

EXPLORE THE

Harrison • CrawfordChadron • Hay Springs Rushville • Gordon

PIN

E RI

DG

E

Christopher Am

undson

GETTING STARTEDParadise in the Pine Ridge plays a symphony of sounds. Springs stream past white cliffs as deer dance in the thick grasslands, and songbirds sing with joy to the percussion of pedals pushing energetic cyclists on a daring ride over another bluff. Turkeys go wild when the bighorn sheep join the show, and the forest whispers in the gentle prairie wind that all creatures are welcome. There is plenty of room for humans, too.

History embraces this state’s northwest ridge, and the legends live on in this arc of uncommon beauty, 20 miles wide and 100 miles deep. It is a giant bedroom for fossils, epic railroad vistas, and the cowboys still ride off into the sunset. But they can’t wait to saddle up at dawn, because every morning is precious in Pine Ridge Country.

Rails, roads and pioneer trails weave through the Pine Ridge. The region’s rocki-ness and steep hills are the reason for its remoteness and scenic beauty.

DAWES COUNTY PINE RIDGE • 73

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Agate Fossil Beds Oglala National Grassland Toadstool Geologic Park Hudson-Meng Education & Research Center Fossil hunting Horseback riding Fort Robinson State Park High Plains Homestead Mountain biking Dawes County Historical Museum Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center Museum of the Fur Trade Metcalf Wildlife Management Area Tri-State Old Time Cowboy Museum Trailside Museum of Natural History

Attractions

15

Chadron Chadron is a city with a rollicking frontier

history including hardy fur traders, tough cowboys, Indians, ranchers, scholars and railroaders. The community lies between the Pine Ridge to the south and the High Plains that rise to the north and west.

Founded in 1921, Chadron State Park is Nebraska’s oldest state park, encom-passing nearly 1,000 acres of Pine Ridge wilderness. Located nine miles south of Chadron on Highway 385, the park offers trout fishing, camping, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching and horseback rid-ing. There are 22 two-bedroom, house-keeping cabins available April 15-Nov.

15. A swimming pool and sand volleyball courts elevate the fun at Chadron State Park, and there are mountain bikes and paddle boats for rent. The park also has an RV campground complete with 70 electri-cal hookups, showers, laundromat, dump station and playground. Primitive camp-ing also is available. Hike and bike trails spread in every direction and the park is open year-round. (308) 432-6167.

The Pine Ridge Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest is 52,000 acres of ponderosa pine and mixed grass prai-ries. Primitive camping is allowed. The Red Cloud Campground has picnic tables, fire grates and vault toilets; it is eight miles

south of Chadron on Highway 385.The forest has about 80 miles of marked

trails popular with mountain bikers, hik-ers and horseback riders. The area’s most popular trailheads include East Ash, West Ash, Soldier Creek, Coffee Mill, Spotted Tail, Roberts, Strong Canyon and Outrider. Roberts and Outrider trail-heads have horse corrals, a rider ramp and other amenities. Only certified nox-ious weed free animal feeds are allowed. Off-road vehicles must be equipped with spark arrestors to reduce wildfire danger. Pine Ridge trail maps are available at the Chadron Area Chamber of Commerce. Chadron State Park offers the National Forest/Oglala National Grassland map showing trails. (800) 603-2937.

The Pine Ridge National Recreation Area is a 6,600-acre parcel of land lim-ited to non-motorized recreation. There are horse corrals, a rider ramp, modern toilets, drinkable water via a hand pump, and picnic tables. Hiking, horseback rid-ing and mountain biking are allowed. The



recreation area and trailhead are con-nected by the scenic 3 Mile Loop.

The best entry point to the Pine Ridge National Recreation Area is from the Roberts trailhead, eight miles west of Chadron on Highway 20 to Eleson Road, then seven miles south to Bethel Road and then 1 1/2 miles east. There is a charge for overnight camping at Roberts trailhead but no charge for day use activities.

The Museum of the Fur Trade is located at the site of a trading post operated by the American Fur Company from 1837 to 1876. The building has been reconstructed on the original foundation. The museum’s three galleries go far beyond local history. They interpret the fur trade from the Arctic to the American Southwest, from early colonial days to the 20th century.

Exhibits trace the everyday lives of British, French and Spanish traders, voya-geurs, mountain men, buffalo hunters, and plains and woodland Indians. Among the museum’s artifacts are trade goods from the 18th and 19th centuries – such as “Northwest” muskets made for Native Americans (including one that belonged to the famous Shawnee chief, Tecumseh), trade silver, textiles, beads, costumes and paints. The museum is three miles east of Chadron on Highway 20. Open May 1-Oct. 31 or by appointment. (308) 432-3843.

In 1890, after the Wounded Knee Massacre in South Dakota, Gen. Nelson Miles commandeered a local hotel, the Chadron House, while investigating the incident. The luxury hotel was the town’s showplace. Today, it is restored to its for-mer glory and operating as the Olde Main Street Inn. The inn offers lodging, dining and includes the 77 Longbranch Saloon. 115 Main St. (308) 432-3380.

There’s another historic hotel in Chadron. When the Chadron-to-Chicago Horse Race kicked off in 1893, it did so with a shot fired by Chadron’s fire chief from a Colt revolver from the veranda of the Blaine Hotel.

The event began as a joke, but then gained momentum and came to frui-tion and garnered attention from around the world, putting Chadron on the map. Characters like notorious horse thief Doc Middleton, a race favorite among Chadron residents, and William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody were involved. Dishonesty and cheating were exposed before the winner

crossed the finish line 13 days later at the World’s Fair. Today’s Cowboy Trail covers part of the 1,000 mile race route.

The building is an apartment complex today. Owners Larry and Cindy Bagneschi won’t mind if you pose for a selfie or family photo on the doorstep where that famous raced launched from all those years ago at 159 Bordeaux St.

The Dawes County Historical Museum – five miles south of Chadron on Highway 385 – has an original log house and barn, a schoolhouse and a railroad caboose, in addition to pioneer artifacts. Open Memorial Day-Sept. 30. (308) 432-4999.

The Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center is dedicated to the study of Nebraska and High Plains culture, lit-erature and history. Located at Chadron State College, the center features museum and art exhibits, an archival library and a two-story atrium.

The center is named after Mari Sandoz (1896-1966), who is among Nebraska’s best-known authors. A High Plains native, Sandoz gained national prominence with her 1935 biography of her father, “Old Jules.” Sandoz wrote powerfully of Plains subjects such as Crazy Horse, the Cheyenne Outbreak, buffalo hunters and

Festival of QuiltsApril 22-24. Learn about quilts through programs and dem-onstrations. Quilt show and vendors. (308) 432-4401.

Fur Trade DaysJuly 7-10. Join the 40th annual celebration commemorating Western Nebraska’s fur trading heritage. Events range from a primitive buckskinner camp, historic presentations, Traders’ Market, parade and more. (308) 747-2193.

Dawes County FairJuly 29-Aug. 5. 4-H livestock shows and projects displayed, tractor pull, rodeos, Tough Truck contest, concert and more. Join us! (308) 432-3373.

Chadron Events

beaver trappers. (308) 432-6401.For more information about Chadron,

contact the Chadron Chamber of Commerce at (800) 603-2937.

The Museum of the Fur Trade at Chadron chronicles the industry that opened the continent.



Best Western West Hills Inn, 1100 W. 10th St, 1/2 mi. S. Jct US Hwys 20 & 385, Chadronwww.bestwesternnebraska.com

308-432-3305877-432-3305

67 Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, indoor pool, free continental breakfast, pets allowed

75+

Bunk House Motel, 901 E. 3rd St., Chadron www.bunkhousechadron.com

308-432-5591 21 Pets allowed 1-50

Grand Westerner Motel, 1050 W. US Hwy 20, Chadron www.chadron.com


Motel 6, 755 Microtel Dr, S. US Hwy 385 & 8th St Exit, Chadron

308-432-3000800-297-7410

43 Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, pets allowed 51-75

Super 8 Motel, 840 W. US Hwy 20, Chadron www.chadron.com

308-432-4471800-800-8000


51-75+

Westerner Motel, 300 Oak St, W. US Hwy 20, Chadronwww.chadron.com/business/westerner

308-432-5577800-947-0847

27 Restaurant on premises, pets allowed 1-50


Olde Main Street Inn, 115 Main St., Chadronwww.chadron.com/oldemain

308-432-3380Rustic country inn on National Register of Historic Places, rooms with private bath, full continental breakfast

1-75+

R Lazy J Country Hideaway, 1260 Bethel Rd, 7 mi. S. off Hwy 20, between Crawford and Chadron, rlazyj.com

308-665-2377308-430-0134

Private ranch house, 3 bedroom, 2 full baths, full kitchen, laundry. Great for families or individuals. Wildlife watching, star gazing, exploring encouraged

95+

Rocking Heart Elk Ranch, 1338 Table Rd, Chadronwww.elkplanet.com

308-432-4314 2-story log cabin, wheelchair accessible, full breakfast 51-75

Victorian Inn B&B, 307 Shelton St, Chadronwww.chadronvictorianinn.com

308-432-5696Built in 1910. High-speed Internet, grand piano, central AC. Rooms with shared bath, full continental breakfast

1-75

Shared Outdoors Lodge, 130 Old Dunlap Rd, Hemingford. www.sharedoutdoors.com

308-487-3426Full-equipped lodge with full kitchen, fireplace, laundry facilities, WiFi, phone, satellite TV, 4 bedrooms able to sleep up to 12 people.

Call for rates


Chadron State Park, 9 mi. S. on US Hwy 385, Chadron www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov.

308-432-6167 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, room for 70 trailers Rest Facilities: Showers, flush and pit toilets. Camping: 18 tents. Cabin Rentals: 22.

11-65 NE Park Permit

Eagle’s Rest RV Park, 1/4 mi. W. on US Hwy 20, Chadron 308-432-4349Elec. only

winterRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 48 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush toilets. Camping: 20 tents.

25

Red Cloud Campground, Nebraska National Forest, 8 mi. S. on US Hwy 385, Chadron. www.fs.fed.us/r2/nebraska

308-432-0300 Year Round RV Amenities: room for 6 trailers. Rest Facilities: Pit toilets, Camping: 7 tents.

5May-Nov

Roberts Trailhead Campground, Nebraska National Forest, 18 mi. S.W., www.fs.fed.us/r2/nebraska

308-432-0300 Year RoundRV Amenities: water. Rest Facilities: Pit toilets. Horse corrals available.

8 vehicleMay-Nov

Shared Outdoors, 130 Old Dunlap Rd, Hemingfordsharedoutdoors.com

308-487-3426RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer. Rest Facilities: Showers, pit and flush toilets. Camping: available.

20-40


Ridgeview Country Club, 16611 US Hwy 385, Chadron 308-432-4468 9 holes, semi-private Under 15


Harland Schuster

Nebraska Tourism

Crawford East of Harrison, Highway 20 crosses

High Plains country before the White River Valley appears, revealing the Pine Ridge.

Located in the heart of Pine Ridge Country, Crawford bills itself as the “Big Game Capital of Nebraska.”

Legend Buttes Golf Course was named Nebraska’s top nine-hole course by Nebraska Golfer magazine.

History abounds at Crawford. The Army scout known as “Little Bat” was killed on Main Street. Not far away, MJ’s Ranch House is said to be haunted. Crawford’s post office has a mural com-missioned by the government during the Great Depression. The Crawford Historical Museum chronicles this history and more at 341 Second St.

Fort Robinson State Park is three miles west of Crawford on Highway 20. It began in 1874 as a military camp at the Red Cloud Indian Agency. Now, the park is one of Nebraska’s most popular attractions.

Lakota warrior Crazy Horse surren-dered here in 1877. Two years later, the fort was involved with the Cheyenne Outbreak. Northern Cheyenne fled their Oklahoma reservation for their home-land, but were caught and imprisoned at Fort Robinson. One night in January 1879, under fire from troops, 130 Northern Cheyenne escaped. Sixty-four Cheyenne and 11 soldiers died in the fighting.

“Fort Rob” was home to African-American “Buffalo Soldiers” in the seg-regated military of the day. In the 20th

century, the fort was the world’s largest military remount depot, and in World War II included a K-9 corps training cen-ter and a German POW camp.

In addition to original buildings, some barracks have been reconstructed – includ-ing those of the Cheyenne and the Buffalo Soldiers. Visitors can enjoy cookouts, trail rides, hiking, and a summer repertory the-

ater at the Post Playhouse. There’s lodging in officers’ houses and camping at 100 sites with electricity and 25 non-electrical pads.

Fort Robinson is open mid-April through mid-November. A state park per-mit is required. (308) 665-2900.

Through artifacts and informative displays, Fort Robinson Museum traces fort history from the Indian Wars through the 1940s. (308) 665-2919. The Trailside Museum of

Natural History explores the area’s geology and natural history. Don’t miss the “Clash of the Mammoths.” A pair of bull mammoths locked tusks more than 10,000 years ago and died together. Their skeletons lie in display at the museum. (308) 665-2929.

Soldier Creek Wilderness was once part of the fort. Today, the 7,794-acre area has 15 miles of trails. Follow Soldier Creek Road at the entrance to Fort Robinson State Park. Peterson State Wildlife Management Area is near, south of Highway 20.

From Red Cloud Buttes, you see Crawford to the east, Fort Robinson to the south, and the Red Cloud Agency site to the southeast. Half a mile north-west is the site of the Treaty Tree, where in 1875 the U.S. government tried to buy the Black Hills from the Lakota.

Crow Butte is the site of an 1849 battle between Sioux and Crow Indians. For the best view, travel 2 ½ miles south of Crawford, down Highways 2 and 71, then four miles east to Ponderosa Wildlife Management Area. Songbirds, falcons, deer, turkeys and golden eagles are often seen.

Highway 2 leads north to Oglala National Grassland, home of pronghorn, turkey, mule deer and burrowing owls.

Toadstool Geologic Park is a strange landscape within the grassland. Sediment layers deposited by ancient volcanoes have eroded at different rates, leaving sandstone formations perched on clay stems. The park has a trail, picnic and camping areas and a reconstructed sod house. Go five miles north from Crawford on Highway 2, then

Experience the warmth of Native American culture during Western Nebraska events.

North of Crawford, Toadstool Geologic Park is part of the Nebraska Badlands, and is unlike any other landscape in Western Nebraska. Fossils of creatures from millions of years ago – giant land tortoises, oreodonts, prehistoric camels and other animals – protrude from the ground here.


10 miles northwest on Toadstool Road.There’s more mystery here. People

thought rancher Albert Meng had found sheep bones. He and friend Bill Hudson had scientists take a look. It turned out the bones belonged to more than 600 bison.

Nearly 50 years later, Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center is open to the public and the 10,000-year-old bones are still being studied.

Because of stone tools found here, many scientists believe Paleo-Indians killed the bison; others disagree. Further excavation may reveal answers or more questions. It is south of Toadstool Park. On Toadstool Road, turn on Sand Creek Road and go six miles. Open mid-May through September.

On the way, High Plains Homestead/Drifter Cookshack features “cowboy-sized” meals. Lodging is available, and there’s a blacksmith shop, antique store and Dirty Creek Saloon. (308) 665-2592.

The High Plains Homestead is one of many businesses of the Northwest Nebraska High Country group promot-ing local bed-and-breakfasts, cabins, guest ranches, cattle ranch vacations, “horse motels,” hunting, fishing, hiking, camping and fossil hunting. All members are located in and near the timbered Pine Ridge. nebraskahighcountry.com.

The 750-foot-long Belmont Tunnel is no longer used by trains. Railroad enthu-siasts watch trains climbing the 10-mile-long Crawford-to-Belmont grade. Look for the Belmont sign nine miles south of Crawford on Highway 2.

For more information about Crawford and vicinity, contact the Crawford Chamber of Commerce at (866) 665-1817.

25th Annual Ride the RidgeJune 18. See Fort Robinson by horseback on guided, free ad-ventures for all levels of riders. Morning and afternoon rides cover different trails and there’s a poker run, too. Morning riders can share donuts and coffee with the Trail Bosses and fellow riders. (402) 469-6289.

Crawford Events



Fort Robinson State Park, 3200 Highway 20, Crawford 308-665-2900 Restaurant on premises, indoor pool, pets allowed 50-245+

Hilltop Motel, 304 McPherson St, Hwy 2 & US Hwy 20, Crawford

308-665-1144800-504-1444


Town Line Motel, 3591 US Hwy 20, Hwy 2 & US Hwy 20, Crawford

308-665-1450800-903-1450

24 Wheelchair accessible, pets allowed 1-75+


Aunt Myrna’s Cabin, 1007 Bethel Rd, 5 mi. S. of US Hwy 20, 308-665-2343 Rooms with shared bath, full continental breakfast 51-75

Down Home Ranch Guest House, 12733 NE Hwy 2/71, Crawford. www.downhomeranchhouse.com

602-620-5755Rooms with shared bath, 4-bedroom, 2-bath ranch near canyons and rolling hills, sleeps 10

1-50

High Plains Homestead, 263 Sandcreek Rd, 16 mi. N., Crawford. www.highplainshomestead.com

308-665-2592 888-365-2592

Wheelchair accessible, rooms with private bath, full breakfast, cow town museum, lodging, horse corrals, hunting and fossil collecting, open mid-Apr thru mid-Nov

51-75

Johnson Ranch, 220 Lawrence Rd, Whitney, 5 mi. N. of Crawford on Hwy 2, 2 mi. E. www.onelazyj.com

308-665-3960Rooms with private bath, continental breakfast. Horse rental and boarding, and hunting

51-75

Our Heritage, 1041 Toadstool Rd, 16 mi. N.W. & 7 mi. N.W., Crawford. www.vacation-ranch.com

308-665-2810Wheelchair accessible, rooms with private and shared bath, full breakfast. Sleeps 15. Ranch activities, hiking & fossil hunting.

1-75

Ponderosa Ranch, 10 mi. southeast of Crawford.www.ponderosaranch.net

308-629-7733Private rustic cabin, full kitchen, BBQ, hunting, bird watching, star gazing. By reservation only.

75+

R Lazy J Country Hideaway, 1260 Bethel Rd, 7 mi. S. off Hwy 20, between Crawford and Chadron, rlazyj.com

308-665-2377308-430-0134

Private ranch house, 3 bedroom, 2 full baths, full kitchen, laundry. Great for families or individuals. Wildlife watching, star gazing, exploring encouraged

95+

Schoolhouse B&B, 1312 W. Ash Creek Rd., Crawford 308-665-1814Cozy schoolhouse with private bath, full breakfast, bird watching, star gazing, hunting.

51-75

Southside Cottage, 1107 Hospital Dr, Crawford 308-665-2309 Rooms with shared bath, 2-bedroom cottage 75+


Crawford City Park, First & Main St., Crawford www.crawfordnebraska.net

308-665-1462 Year Round RV Amenities: electricity, room for 2 trailers. Camping: 2 tents.

Fort Robinson State Park, 3200 W. US Hwy 20, Crawford. www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov

308-665-2900RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 103 trailers. Rest Facilities: showers, flush and pit toilets. Cabin rental: 34.

12-21100-cabin

Soldier Creek Wilderness Trailhead, 6 mi. N.W. of Fort Robinson State Park, Crawford

308-432-0300 Year Round RV Amenities: water. Rest Facilities: pit toilets. 8/vehicle

Southside Cottage and RV Park, 1105 Hospital Dr, Crawford. www.southsidecottage.com

308-665-2309Apr 1-Oct 31

RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, 4 trailers. Cabin Rental: 1. 15-17

Toadstool Geologic Park, Nebraska National Forest, 19 mi. N., www.fs.fed.us/r2/nebraska

308-432-0300 Room for 6 trailers. $5 camping, $3 use fee mid-May thru mid-Nov. 3-5, NE Park

Permit


Legend Buttes Golf Course, 3440 US Hwy 20, Crawford 1/2 mi. W. on US Hwy 20

308-665-2431 9, public Under 15


Whitney The community of Dawes City formed in

1885. When the railroad arrived but stayed north of the White River, the town of Earth Lodge formed. Buildings were moved to the new town, and it later became Whitney. Old Fort Useless was built nine miles from town to protect white settlers from hostile Indians but was never used. Aunt Myrna’s Cabin is a popular bed and breakfast five miles south of Whitney. (308) 665-2343.

Harrison Harrison bills itself as “Nebraska’s Top

Town.” It is inarguably closest to the state’s northwest corner.

The Sioux County Historical Museum tells the story of Sioux County from settle-ment through the 20th century. Open Memorial Day-Labor Day and during September by appointment (308) 668-2110.

For a scenic side trip, head north from town to Sowbelly Road, a byway that loops through Sowbelly Canyon to the north edge

of the Pine Ridge, then back up the breaks to the tablelands east of town on Pants Butte Road – about 12 miles through one of the most beautiful areas of the state.

In 1876, the 5th U.S. Cavalry fought a band of Cheyenne at what is known as Warbonnet Battlefield. William “Buffalo Bill” Cody is said to have killed Cheyenne warrior Yellow Hand during the fight. Go three miles east of Harrison on Highway 20, then 16 miles north on Pants Butte Road to a sharp right curve, then four miles east on Montrose Road. Monuments to the soldiers and to Yellow Hand are on a conical hill north of the church.

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is home to an important collection of Native American artifacts. Visitors can walk among the fossils of ancient animals, and can see the artifacts of 31 Native American tribes with ties to the area.

Rancher James H. Cook, who once owned this land, made friends among area tribes, who gave him gifts now part of the museum’s collection. Among the items is a

DAWES, SIOUX & SHERIDAN COUNTIES PINE RIDGE • 83


shirt belonging to Lakota chief Red Cloud. Located 22 miles south of Harrison or 34 miles north of Mitchell on Highway 29. (308) 668-2211.

For more information on Harrison, contact the Harrison Community Club at (308) 668-2466.

Gordon Cowboy memorabilia from the late

1800s through the present day is dis-played at the Tri-State Old Time Cowboy Museum at the Gordon City Park at Fourth and Oak streets.

The museum is open 1-5 p.m. daily, June 1-Sept. 15, and by appointment. (308) 282-0887.

The Scamahorn Museum is a restored 1880s church and houses local history exhibits and genealogical records. It is on west Fifth Street in Wayland Park. It is open 1-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday from Memorial Day-Labor Day. (308) 282-1737 or (308) 327-2917.

The Mari Sandoz Historical Marker is 30 miles south of Gordon on Highway 27. Follow the signs from there east to Mari’s Grave on the Sandoz homestead and see the still-producing fruit orchards planted by Jules Sandoz.

For more information about Gordon, contact the Gordon Tourist Information Center. (308) 282-0730.

Hay Springs Locals say a Loch Ness-style monster

lives in the waters of Walgren Lake. We can’t confirm that, but we do know that Walgren Lake State Recreation Area has camping, fishing and picnic areas. To find the lake, start at the junction of Highways 87 and 20. Go south 1.8 miles on Highway 87, then turn east for three miles, then go south one mile. To find the monster ... well, you’re on your own.

Wildlife abounds in the pine forest of Metcalf Wildlife Management Area. The area is closed to motorized vehicles, but hiking is allowed, as is camping at primi-tive sites. To find it, take Highway 20 to the east edge of Hay Springs and follow the county road seven miles north.

Two local landmarks have historical significance. The Beaver Wall escarp-ment is in the middle of the Spotted Tail

Gordon, in Sheridan County, is the home of the Nebraska High School Rodeo each summer.


Agency and old Camp Sheridan. Spotted Tail was a famous Lakota (Sioux) leader and a contemporary of Crazy Horse. From the top of Beaver Wall, you can see the buttes of Crawford 50 miles to the southwest and the outline of the Black Hills 75 miles to the northwest. To find it, go 10 miles north of Highway 20 on the county road at the west edge of Hay Springs. Sheridan Gates is the local name for two large buttes through which early settlers and military sol-diers passed. Wagon ruts are still visible. The buttes stand west of Beaver Wall.

For more information on Hay Springs, contact the Hay Springs Chamber of Commerce. (308) 638-7275.

Rushville The story of the aforementioned Camp

Sheridan and the Spotted Tail Agency can be found at the Sheridan County Historical Museum, along with exhibits showing frontier life.

The museum is at the junction of Highway 20 and Nelson Avenue. In nearby Hay Springs, two branch

museums, Heritage Center I and II, are in the 1884 Methodist Church in the 200 block of Baker Street, and in the building at Second and Main. The museums are open 1-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, Memorial Day-Labor Day, and by appointment. (308) 327-2374.

Smith Lake Wildlife Management Area has fishing, picnic areas and primi-tive camping. It is 27 miles south of Rushville on Highway 250.

For more information on Rushville, con-tact the Rushville Chamber of Commerce. (308) 327-2221.

Western Art Show & Sale – GordonAlways the second Friday and Saturday in December. See the works of many local artisans, including paint-ings and bronze sculptures, at this annual event inside Hinn’s Home Furnishings in Gordon. (308) 282-1609.

Friendly Festival – Hay SpringsAlways the last weekend of August. Hay Springs is known far and wide as a friendly town. Residents prove it each year with this friendly event that includes an ice cream social, golf tournament, free swimming, parade, lawn mower races and more. Friendly food vendors will sell Indian tacos, brats and hamburgers, and the local VFW will offer a large menu of meals. Friends you haven’t met invite you to join the friendly scene here in Hay Springs. (308) 638-7132.

Rushville Rancher Roundup – RushvilleLate October. Main Street in Rushville becomes a stage for bulls, heifers, steers and horses as ranch-ers display their best. There will also be homemade pie, a salsa contest and more. (308) 360-1995.

Sheridan County Events


Sage Motel, 398 E. US Hwy 20, Harrisonwww.sagemotelharrison.com



Harrison House Hotel, 115 Main St., Harrisonwww.harrisonhousehotel.net.

308-668-2166Restored historic hotel located in scenic Sioux County, rooms with shared bath, free continental breakfast

50-100

The Nest B&B Inn, 13 mi. N.E. of Harrison on Hat Creek Rd., www.restinthenest.com

308-432-4227 Fully furnished ranch home, sleeps 10, rooms with shared bath 75+


Corral Campground, 410 E. US Hwy 20, Harrisonwww.visitnorthwestnebraska.com

308-668-2441 Year Round RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 12 trailers.


Jefco Inn, 308 S. Cornell, W. US Hwy 20, Gordon 308-282-2935 22 Wheelchair accessible, free continental breakfast 1-75+

Western Sands Motel, 107 W. US Hwy 20, Gordon 308-282-1795 20 Wheelchair accessible, pets allowed 1-75

Antler’s Motel, 607 E. 2nd, Rushville 308-327-2444 20 Free continental breakfast, pets allowed 1-75

Nebraskaland Motel, 508 E. 2nd St, Rushville 308-327-2487 15 Pets allowed 1-75


Horse Thief Cave Ranch, 1711 550th Trail Rd, 15 mi. S.E., Gordon. www.horsethiefcave.com

308-282-1017 Rooms with shared bath, continental breakfast 1-75

Flying Heart Ranch LLC, 6473 440th Ln, Hay Springs. www.flyingheartranch.com

308-638-7426Rooms with shared bath, 3-bedroom, 2-bath cabin. Solitude, wildlife, hiking/biking trails

75+

Hay Springs Rentals, 213, 221 & 230 N. Post St & 339 N. Chambers St., Hay Springs, www.hayspringsrentals.com

308-638-4466Rooms with private and shared bath. 3-bed-room houses with kitchens and living rooms


Hamilton Park, E. US Hwy 20, Gordon. www.ci.gordon.ne.us 308-282-0837 Apr-Oct Room for 6 trailers.

Tomahawk Park, 200 W. US Hwy 20, Gordon. www.ci.gordon.ne.us.

308-282-0329 Apr-Oct RV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 15 trailers. Call for rates

Sunset RV Park, 110 S. Post St, Hay Springs 308-638-7275 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 9 trailers. Camping: 9 tents.

7-20

Walgren Lake SRA, 4 mi. E. on US Hwy 20, 3 mi. S. , Hay Springs

308-665-2900 Year RoundRV Amenities: water, room for 50 trailers. Camping: 50. Rest Facilities: Pit toilets.

6 & NEPark

Permit

Rushville Service Center, W. US Hwy 20., Rushville 308-327-2375 Year RoundRV Amenities: electricity, water, sewer, room for 6 trailers. Camping: 5 tents.

10


Gordon Golf and Country Club, 6535 210th Ln - 2nd & Willow Sts, Gordon

308-282-1146 9, semi-private Under 15

Sand Ridge, 3rd St & Golf Course Ln, Rushville 308-327-2966 9, public 15-30

FRIENDS OF WESTERN NEBRASKA • 87



AllianceAlliance Visitors Bureau orAlliance Chamber of Commerce305 Box Butte • Alliance, NE 69301800-738-0648 • 877-269-8776www.alliancechamber.com • www.visitalliance.com

ArthurArthur Chamber of CommercePO Box 68 • Arthur, NE 69121308-764-2238

BayardBayard City OfficePO Box 160 • Bayard, NE 69334308-586-1121 • [email protected]

Big SpringsBig Springs Chamber of Commerce101 E Second St • Big Springs, NE 69122308-889-3681 • [email protected]

BridgeportBridgeport Chamber of CommercePO Box 640 • Bridgeport, NE 69336308-262-1825 • [email protected]

ChadronChadron Chamber of Commerce706 W 3rd St • PO Box 646 • Chadron, NE 69337308-432-4401 • [email protected] • www.chadron.com

ChappellChappell Chamber of CommercePO Box 121 • Chappell, NE 69129308-874-2658 • www.chappellne.org

CrawfordCrawford Chamber of CommercePO Box 145 • Crawford, NE 69339308-665-1817 • [email protected]

GeringGering Convention and Visitors Bureau1050 M St • Gering, NE 69341308-436-6886 • [email protected] www.visitgering.com

Terrytown Village Office116 Terry Blvd • Gering, NE [email protected]

GordonGordon Chamber of CommercePO Box 160 • Gordon, NE 69343308-282-0730 • [email protected]

HalseyHalsey Frontier Inn305 Hwy 2 • PO Box 96 • Halsey, NE 69142308-533-2240 • [email protected]

HarrisonNorthwest Nebraska Travel and TourismHarrison, NE 69346308-432-4401

Hay SpringsHay Springs Chamber of CommercePO Box 158 • Hay Springs, NE 69347308-638-7273

HemingfordVillage of HemingfordPO Box 395 • Hemingford, NE 69348308-487-3465 • [email protected]

KimballKimball Area Tourism204 S. Kimball Blvd. • PO Box 299 • Kimball, NE 69145308-241-0573 • [email protected]

LewellenThe Most Unlikely Place205 Main Street • PO Box 135 • Lewellen, NE 69147308-778-9557 • [email protected]

LiscoLisco State Bank/Lisco OldtimersPO Box 105 • Lisco, NE 69148308-772-3226 • [email protected]

LodgepoleLodgepole Village OfficePO Box 266 • Lodgepole, NE 69149308-483-5353

MinatareVillage of MinatarePO Box 483 • Minatare, NE 69356308-783-1414

MitchellMitchell Chamber of CommercePO Box 72 • Mitchell, NE 69357308-623-1523 • [email protected]

MorrillMorrill Community Development GroupPO Box 363 • Morrill, NE 69358308-247-3132 • [email protected]

MullenSandhills Motel and Glidden Canoe Rental507 SW 1st • PO Box 368 • Mullen, NE 69152308-546-2206 • [email protected] www.gliddencanoerental.com

North PlatteNorth Platte/Lincoln County Visitors Bureau101 Halligan Dr. • North Platte, NE 69101800-955-4528 • www.VisitNorthPlatte.com

OgallalaKeith County Visitors Center119 East 2nd, Ogallala, NE 69153800-658-4390 • info@explorekeithcounty.comwww.ilovelakemac.comwww.explorekeithcounty.com

OshkoshOshkosh/Garden Co. Chamber of CommercePO Box 256 • Oshkosh, NE 69154308-772-3333 • www.ci.oshkosh.ne.us

PotterPotter Community Improvement Group3042 Road 77 • PO Box 106 • Potter, NE 69156308-879-4277 • www.potterne.com

ScottsbluffScottsbluff/Gering United Chamber of CommerceScotts Bluff County Tourism1517 Broadway, Suite 104 • Scottsbluff, NE 69361800-788-9475 • [email protected]

SidneyCheyenne County Tourism658 Glover Road • Sidney, NE 69162308-254-4030 • 866-545-4030 • [email protected] www.sidneycheyennecountytourism.com

SutherlandSutherland Chamber of CommercePO Box 81 • Sutherland, NE 69165308-386-4617 • villageorsutherland.com

ThedfordThomas County TourismPO Box 225 • Thedford, NE 69166308-645-2715 • 402-450-2268 • [email protected] www.tourthomascountynebraska.com

ValentineValentine Chamber of Commerce239 S Main St • PO Box 201 • Valentine, NE 69201402-376-2969 • [email protected] • www.visitvalentine.com

Tourism Contact InformationTRAVELING NEBRASKA’S WESTERN FRONTIER can be the adventure of a lifetime. All year-long, quality merchants, entertaining attractions and exciting events await those seeking to explore the West. If you need a little help planning your trail, the helpful folks below would be delighted to throw you a rope, or proudly tell you all about what makes their communities and the region such a special place to live, work and play in. Heck, we already know it’s a great place to visit, too.

Hwy 2 – Sandhills Journey Scenic BywayPO Box 225 • Thedford, NE 69166308-645-2715 or 402-450-2268www.sandhillsjourney.com

Hwy 20 – Bridges to Buttes BywayPO Box 201 • Valentine, NE 69201800-658-4024 • [email protected]

Hwy NE 26/US 92 – Western Trails Historic & Scenic BywayOgallala/Keith County Chamber418 N Spruce • Ogallala, NE 69153308-284-4066 • [email protected]

Gering Convention and Visitors Bureau1050 M St • Gering, NE 69341308-436-6886 • [email protected]

Hwy 385 – Gold Rush Byway658 Glover Rd • Sidney, NE 69162308-254-4030 • 866-545-4030www.sidneycheyennecountytourism.comcheycotour@aol.com

Byways Contacts

Nebraska Division of Travel & Tourism301 Centennial Mall South, 1st Floor • PO Box 98907Lincoln, NE 68509-8907 • 402-471-3796 • [email protected] • www.VisitNebraska.com

Journey 2016

Documents

Transcript of Journey 2016