Most people don’t think of Nebraska as a hiking destination, but the truth is that there are lots of beautiful trails here. They range from flat and simple to rocky and challenging. The hikes below will lead you to some of the most unforgettable destinations in the state.
- Bison Trail, near Crawford
flickr/Walt Hubis
AllTrails/Jack Tatsch This spectacular trail takes you between Hudson-Meng Bison Bonebed and Toadstool Geologic Park. It’s a moderate three-mile (one-way) walk that takes you through Oglala National Grasslands and some of Nebraska’s most impressive landscapes.
- Fort Falls Trail, Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, near Valentine
TripAdvisor/jackie77
TripAdvisor/TranzorZ1985 This short but moderately challenging .75-mile hike takes you on a scenic loop through somewhat uneven terrain. You’ll walk along the Niobrara River and see Fort Falls, one of Nebraska’s most picturesque waterfalls.
- Indian Cave Trails, Indian Cave State Park, near Shubert
AllTrails/Christina Anderson
AllTrails/Mike & Marva smith
AllTrails/Zach Myers There are miles and miles of beautiful hiking trails in this state park. One of the most popular is the trail that leads through rolling wooded hills to the cave for which the park is named. (You can also reach the cave directly from the parking lot via a flight of wooden stairs.)Other favorite trails include one which takes you to the majestic Missouri River Valley overlook and another which leads to the ghost town of St. Deroin.
- Agate Fossil Beds Trail, near Harrison
flickr/Erin Kinney
AllTrails/Jerry Griffis The Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is one of the loveliest places in Western Nebraska, with rolling grasslands and beautiful rocky formations jutting up toward the sky. The 2.7-mile paved trail is very easy and features places to rest along the way. You’ll see plenty of wildflowers and likely some scampering wildlife.
- Ash Hollow Trail, Ash Hollow State Historical Park, near Lewellen
AllTrails/Kevin Neilsen
AllTrails/Kevin Neilsen This historic area was a favorite stop-off along the westward pioneer trails. Today the canyons are just as beautiful as they were back then. This easy half-mile trail will lift your spirits and remind you just how lovely our state really is.
- Daemonelix Trail, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, near Harrison
TripAdvisor/Naughty-Cougar
TripAdvisor/slncolo There are a couple of trails to choose from in Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, and this short trail takes you past some of the site’s most impressive fossils.
- Scotts Bluff National Monument Trails, near Gering
AllTrails/Deborah Teller
AllTrails/Jean-Claude Linossi There are a few trails you can take to see the monument and the view from the top. You can take a shuttle one way or the other to cut down on the length and difficulty of your hike.
- Smith Falls Trails, Smith Falls State Park, near Valentine
AllTrails/Kimberly Powell
AllTrails/Kimberly Powell The first part of this lovely trail will take you through a field, over a historic bridge, across a wooden boardwalk, and right up to Nebraska’s tallest waterfall. It’s a spectacular hike on its own, but you can continue on after that through even more beautiful scenery.
How many of these lovely trails have you hiked? Tell us about your favorite in the comments!
flickr/Walt Hubis
AllTrails/Jack Tatsch
This spectacular trail takes you between Hudson-Meng Bison Bonebed and Toadstool Geologic Park. It’s a moderate three-mile (one-way) walk that takes you through Oglala National Grasslands and some of Nebraska’s most impressive landscapes.
TripAdvisor/jackie77
TripAdvisor/TranzorZ1985
This short but moderately challenging .75-mile hike takes you on a scenic loop through somewhat uneven terrain. You’ll walk along the Niobrara River and see Fort Falls, one of Nebraska’s most picturesque waterfalls.
AllTrails/Christina Anderson
AllTrails/Mike & Marva smith
AllTrails/Zach Myers
There are miles and miles of beautiful hiking trails in this state park. One of the most popular is the trail that leads through rolling wooded hills to the cave for which the park is named. (You can also reach the cave directly from the parking lot via a flight of wooden stairs.)Other favorite trails include one which takes you to the majestic Missouri River Valley overlook and another which leads to the ghost town of St. Deroin.
flickr/Erin Kinney
AllTrails/Jerry Griffis
The Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is one of the loveliest places in Western Nebraska, with rolling grasslands and beautiful rocky formations jutting up toward the sky. The 2.7-mile paved trail is very easy and features places to rest along the way. You’ll see plenty of wildflowers and likely some scampering wildlife.
AllTrails/Kevin Neilsen
This historic area was a favorite stop-off along the westward pioneer trails. Today the canyons are just as beautiful as they were back then. This easy half-mile trail will lift your spirits and remind you just how lovely our state really is.
TripAdvisor/Naughty-Cougar
TripAdvisor/slncolo
There are a couple of trails to choose from in Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, and this short trail takes you past some of the site’s most impressive fossils.
AllTrails/Deborah Teller
AllTrails/Jean-Claude Linossi
There are a few trails you can take to see the monument and the view from the top. You can take a shuttle one way or the other to cut down on the length and difficulty of your hike.
AllTrails/Kimberly Powell
The first part of this lovely trail will take you through a field, over a historic bridge, across a wooden boardwalk, and right up to Nebraska’s tallest waterfall. It’s a spectacular hike on its own, but you can continue on after that through even more beautiful scenery.
Hungry after your hike? Here are 10 under-the-radar restaurants that you’re sure to love.
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