Welcome to Nebraska and You


Western Nebraska

Scotts Bluff National Monument - In 1828, a fur trapper by the name of Hiram Scott was wounded and deserted by his companions. He gained a certain immortality by making his way to a magnificent formation of bluffs along the North Platte River before succumbing to his wounds.

It was for Hiram Scott that Scotts Bluff National Monument, Scotts Bluff County, and the city of Scottsbluff have been named. This landmark on the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails is now home to an excellent museum of the trails along with an impressive collection of art from William Henry Jackson. Phone: (308) 436-4340 or Visit Scotts Bluff National Monument              Visit the Oregon Trail             

Chimney Rock was the most noted landmark in all the pioneer's diaries on the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails. The Ethel and Christopher J. Abbott Visitor Center houses museum exhibits, a hands-on opportunity to "pack your wagon," and a video presentation that tells the story of the great migration West. (308) 586-2581 Visit Chimney Rock

 

North Platte Valley Museum: Authentic sod house; Log House; period furniture; Indian and Fur Trade Exhibits; Restored 1919 Patriot Truck; Bull Boat; School Room; General Store; Cowboy exhibits; Clothing, tools, and furniture used by early settlers; Children's "HandsOn" corner; Horse Drawn Equipment; Military exhibits; And... Much More!

Phone: (308) 436-5411 Visit the North Platte Valley Museum

Wildlife World in the Wyo-braska Museum of Natural History - Located in a restored railroad depot, this collection of mounted zoological specimens will thrill  and amaze you. Over 650 animals from 7 continents in exciting dioramas. Featuring the Blauchiterium, the only authentic replica of its kind standing 19 ft tall and 30 ft long. Phone: (308)436-7104 Visit Wildlife World

Riverside Zoo - Riverside's 22 acre zoo features a diverse collection of both native and exotic wildlife exhibits. With over 300 animals, representing over 97 species, and providing an up close encounter in a lush park setting in Scottsbluff. Includes a family of Chimpanzees and a walk through aviary. Phone: (308) 630-6236 Visit the Riverside Zoo

 

 

Farm And Ranch Museum devoted to the preservation and interpretation of early methods of agriculture in the North Platte Valley. Displays of antique farm equipment from horse-drawn, to steam engines, to early tractors are on display. Phone: (308) 436-1989 Visit the
Farm And Ranch Museum

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Oregon Trail Wagon Train takes you back in time...Relive the days of 1850. Covered Wagon Vacations, Chuck wagon cookouts, canoeing, and much more.

Visit Oregon Trail Wagon Train

 

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument -Agate Fossil Beds and its surrounding prairie are preserved in a 3,000 acre national monument. Once part of "Captain" James H. Cook's Agate Springs Ranch, the nearby beds are an important source for 19.2 million year-old Miocene epoch mammal fossils. Cook's ranch also became a gathering place for Chief Red Cloud and other Oglala Lakota (Sioux) Indian people. The monument's Cook Collection of American Indian artifacts reflects years of gifts brought by the Indians during visits to the ranch from the 1880's through the early 1900's. Phone: (308) 668-2211 Visit Agate Fossil Beds  

 

Prairie Vine Winery - The idea of a winery in the Prairie of Western Nebraska was born in 2000 when several growers planted grapes in the North Platte Valley. Prairie Vine Vineyard has a large showroom and tasting area where you can enjoy the relaxing setting to taste the fine wines of Western Nebraska. The winery itself is over 2,100 square feet with a capacity of 6,000 gallons. Visit Prairie Vine Winery

 

The Great Escape Go Carts, Bumper-boats, Miniature Golf, Arcade, Train Rides.

Fun for the entire Family.

Highway 26 and Avenue "I" Scottsbluff Phone: (308) 220-4653

Visit the Great Escape

 

Spotted Tail Creek Trout Hatchery offers private fishing and camping on beautiful Spotted Tail Creek. This picturesque valley is the perfect location for a weekend or a week of camping and "pay per inch" fishing. No license required for the ponds, NE fishing license and stamp is required to fish the Creek. Located 5 Miles North of Mitchell on Hwy 29,  and 1/2 mile West (follow the signs) on County Road S-B.  Phone 800-77-TROUT for reservations.

West Nebraska Arts Center - 106 E. 16th, Scottsbluff   Phone: (308) 632-2226 Visit the Arts Center

Midwest Theater - built in 1946, this Grand Theater has been restored with lush velvet seats, beautiful carpeting, mirrors—an exciting place to attend movies and performances.  The Theater presentations film, live performances of music, theater, and art; and a space for community programs, and hosts a Film Festival in October in even numbered years.

Located on Broadway in Scottsbluff, call (308) 632-4311 for shows and times.  Visit the Theater

 

Nile Theater in Mitchell - Restored 1950's era theater playing the latest movies. 1433 Center Avenue, Mitchell 308-623-2727

 Visit the Nile Theater

 

 

 

Five Rocks Amphitheater - An outdoor theater for all sorts of "happenings". Performances scheduled throughout the year. Thursday night movies all summer for $2. Fun, Family Oriented, Activities Phone: (308) 436-5096 

Visit Five Rocks

2005_0826Fri0015.JPG (617336 bytes)Highway 92 Raceway Park - Since 1968 has offered Friday night races all summer long. Located 4 miles East of Gering on Highway 92, it offers one of only two asphalt racetracks in the entire state of Nebraska. Phone: (308) 632-7154

 

Fillingham’s Exotic Animal Farm just east of Morrill offers guided tours where you can find out: What is an Oryx? Where do Muntjack live? What is a Zebu? What is a camel’s hump made of? How fast can an ostrich run? and many other fascinating facts about the animals are available on an hour-long trolley wagon tour. Phone: (308)623-1164

 

 

    

 

Lake Minatare State Recreation Area - One of the most popular and scenic recreation areas in Nebraska's Panhandle, Lake Minatare SRA encompasses 2,973 acres, including the 2,158-acre reservoir. Lake Minatare is 6 miles east and 8 miles north of Scottsbluff in the historic North Platte River Valley.  Minatare boasts excellent outdoor recreation opportunities, while irrigating thousands of acres in the lush North Platte Valley. Lake Minatare's landmark lighthouse was built entirely of native stone standing 55 feet tall and was intended to serve as a combination shelter house and observation tower. Phone: (308) 783-2911                    Visit Lake Minatare

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area Located 10 miles south of Gering on NE 71 , Wildcat Hills SRA, Wildcat Hills Nature Center and the Big Game Reserve are a picturesque blend of rugged rock buttes and pine covered canyons. Primarily geared for day use and picnic outings, Wildcat totals 935 acres (with 705 acres in the recreation area), overlooking the North Platte River Valley. Historic Scotts Bluff National Monument looms to the northwest. Phone: (308) 436-3777   Visit Wildcat Hills

Fort Robinson
Western Nebraska's premier state park, west of Crawford, has it all -- with more than 22,000 acres of exquisite Pine Ridge scenery, compelling old west history, exceptional lodging, loads of fun-time activities, scenic camping and the park's own buffalo and longhorn herds.

This historic outpost served from the days of the Indian Wars until after World War II. This was the site of the 1879 Cheyenne Outbreak and the death of famed Sioux Chief Crazy Horse. Over the years, the fort served the Red Cloud Indian Agency, as a cavalry remount station, K-9 dog training center, POW camp and beef research station.

The State Historical Society operates a museum and many restored or reconstructed exhibit buildings to interpret the Fort's history.

Visit the new exhibit The Clash of the Mammoths at the Trailside Museum of Natural History. A fossil find unlike any other in the world! The University of Nebraska operates the Trailside Museum which interprets the geology and natural history of the region.

The majestic beauty
of the Pine Ridge forms the backdrop for this great, get away from it all state park, 9 miles south of Chadron on U.S. 385. At an elevation of nearly 5,000 feet, the 972 acre park lies in the heart of the Nebraska National Forest and is dominated by ponderosa pines.

There are 22 two bedroom, housekeeping cabins available from mid April to mid November, plus a group camp/conference facility. Chadron boasts a top-notch modern campground with 70 pads all with 30 amp electrical hookups. Excellent hike-bike trails lace the park and adjoining Forest Service lands.

Attractions
The park offers a swimming pool, horseback trail rides, tennis and sand volleyball courts, craft center, snack bar, souvenirs, mountain bike rentals, paddle boats on the picturesque lagoon, fishing, hiking, evening programs, picnic tables, shelters (which can be reserved), water, dump station, showers and modern restrooms.

Walgren Lake
located 2 1/2 miles east and 2 1/2 miles south of Hay Springs on graveled roads, Walgren Lake is a scenic camping area that deserves attention.

A rock shelterhouse is available at Walgren Lake SRA on a first-come, first-served basis, and the area's 50-acre lake, which has a 5-mph speed limit, features a handicapped-accessible fishing pier and two boat ramps and boat docks.

Attractions
Mature, shady cottonwood trees are scattered throughout Walgren's 40 campsites, but no electricity is available. The lake contains black bullheads, bluegills, largemouth bass, walleyes, white crappies and yellow perch, but the heavy vegetation usually limits fishing in late summer.

 

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Distance to:

Ogallala/ Lake McConaughy Ogallala/ Lake McConaughy - 120 miles (2 hours)

Cabela's - Sidney - 73 Miles (1 hour 15 minutes)

Ft. Laramie, Wyoming - 60 miles (1 hour)

Ft. Robinson - 69 miles (1 hour 15 minutes)

Black Hills, South Dakota - 200 miles

Yellowstone Nat'l Park - 400 miles

Denver, Colorado - 200 miles (3 hours 30 minutes)

Omaha, Nebraska - 450 miles (6 hours 30 minutes)