Scotts Bluff National Monument

Who out there is obsessed with the Oregon Trail? Anyone? Just me? The Oregon Trail was my favorite game when I was in elementary school. And I may have purchased the Oregon Trail board games when they came out. So I was super excited to see that some of the Nebraska National Park Service sites were part of the Oregon Trail. The poor weather and construction continued, so we didn’t see all that Scotts Bluff National Monument has to offer.

Address and Location

You’ll find Scotts Bluff National Monument off North Platte River off of Highway 26. The site doesn’t have a proper address, and you’ll see it right off the highway.

Cost

Exploring the bluffs is free.

What to do

Currently (winter 2020), the main Visitors’ Center is closed for renovation. The Visitors’ Center relocated temporarily to a trailer in the main parking lot. You won’t find too much inside, but they do have a small bookshop and the standard site video. From there, head out on the trails. The Oregon Trail Pathway actually passes through the original Oregon Trail, so you can walk where the original pioneers walked. We stopped and spoke to a costumed interpreter along this trail. The fog started to lift, and I was able to get some good photos of the wagon and the bluffs.

You can also drive the Summit Road to the top of the bluffs and explore the Overlook trails on the summit. Since the weather was still very foggy, we opted not to drive up there. The park also has a few other walking and biking trails for you to explore. After you stop at Scotts Bluff, take the time to visit Chimney Rock down the road.

Nebraska National Park Service sites: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument |  Scotts Bluff National Monument  |  Chimney Rock National Historic Site  |  Your guide to the Nebraska National Parks  |