Things to Do in Nebraska

Last summer we ventured east through Nevada, northern Utah, and southern Wyoming to reach western Nebraska. We made plans to meet Shane’s dad for a few weeks to explore some of middle America together. It ended up being a long distance journey from southern California. But along the way we enjoyed the little desert towns throughout Nevada, checked out skateparks in Utah, and experienced beauty, weather and more skateparks while travelling through Wyoming. We got further east than we would have otherwise which gave us the opportunity to see and do things that we likely wouldn’t have. We had no idea what to expect and we were excited to find different things to do in Nebraska.

On our trip, we stuck to mostly the northwestern area of Nebraska and we were pleasantly surprised. Not often do people boast about their trip through Nebraska and it is seldom a top vacation destination. But during our time exploring Nebraska we found beautiful vast landscapes and a lot of opportunities to learn about the interesting history in the area. 

Thinking of visiting Nebraska? Have to pass through it on your way to some other destination? Take the time to check out some of these things to do in Nebraska! And feel free to use the links below to hop around within the article:

• Bayard City Park Camping
• Chimney Rock
• Scottsbluff National Monument Hiking
• Hiking and History at Agate Fossil Beds
• Fort Robinson:
  • Camping, Hiking, Longboarding and Historic Exhibits
• Exploring Toadstool Geologic Park

Bayard City Park

Our first night camping in Nebraska we stayed for free at Bayard City Park. Bayard City Park has 3 free camping spots in the nice quiet town of Bayard. The spots have both water and electric! The first two nights are free with free hookups and it costs $10 for each additional day. Since we are always boondocking, the hookups were quite a treat!

The park has a basketball court, tennis courts, picnic area, pavillion, city pool and a playground. During our stay (6/2018) there were no available restrooms. It was a surprisingly enjoyable and quiet stay for us. We were the only ones here on the first night, had one neighbor on the second night. 

One of the must see things to do in Nebraska, of course, is Chimney Rock. Luckily we were in the area so we took a short trip to Chimney Rock while we were camping in the Bayard area.

Chimney Rock National Historic Site

Location: Chimney Rock National Historic Site is located in western Nebraska in the town of Bayard.

Fees: $3 per person

Chimney Rock was a short drive from where we were camping at Bayard City Park. Chimney Rock was exactly what we expected. It was interesting to try to imagine what the pioneers thought as they were heading west and stumbled upon such a unique landform. There was a nice view of the Chimney Rock landmark from the visitor center. Outside, in addition to a view of the landmark, there is a tepee and a wagon on display.

There was also a nice museum explaining the historic importance of the landmark and its symbolism to the pioneers on the Oregon, Mormon and California Trails. There is a collection of artifacts from the days of the western migration as well as a short informative video.

Scottsbluff National Monument

Next up for our things to do in Nebraska: Scottsbluff National Monument

Location: Scottsbluff National Monument is in western Nebraska, southwest of the town of Scottsbluff.

Fees: According to the National Park Service website, there are no entrance fees or park passes required for visiting Scotts Bluff National Monument.

Scottsbluff National Monument is another prominent landmark in Nebraska. Jutting out of the prairie are the rugged badlands and towering bluffs. The bluffs are a beautiful contrast to the green grassy prairie. We found the scenery to be striking and the history interesting.

There are several options for exploring in Scottsbluff National Monument. There are easy to access overlooks as well as a few short hikes that max out at under 2 miles (one way). We drove to the summit parking lot and took in the views from the overlooks. Both of the overlooks were beautiful and had an impressive vista. 

From the parking lot at the summit there is the Saddle Rock Trail that descends from the summit parking lot to the Visitor Center area. The paved trail runs along the side of the bluff with many steep and dramatic cliff side views. At one point the trail takes you to the other side of the bluffs via a tunnel through the wall.

As the trail descends it passes by the walls that make up the bluffs of the monument. We really enjoyed seeing the walls up close and noticed lots of cool striations and textures!

Once back to the Visitor Center there are informative museum exhibits discussing the history of the area and the importance of the landmark to pioneers on routes such as the Oregon Trail. There is a short film on the Oregon Trail as well as a covered wagon on display.

Hiking and History at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

Location: Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is located in the northwest corner of Nebraska near Harrison.

Fees: According to the National Park Service website Agate Fossil Beds National Monument does not charge an entrance fee.

Agate Fossil Beds is another very historically rich area in western Nebraska. It should be on every list of things to do in Nebraska! There is history of the High Plains being home to Native Americans as well as the early explorers and settlers. But what really captured my attention was the bones and fossils found here of animals that I had never even heard of! This vast prairie is, according to the National Park Service, “one of the world’s most significant Miocene Epoch mammal sites” with bones and fossils of the early animals that roamed the area over 19 million years ago!   

The Visitor Center has a 12 minute video presentation to introduce you to the area and its history. There are also numerous true size replicas of the ancient animals that roamed in this area such as beardogs, giant pig-like animals, and animals similar to a gazelle-camel! This was all very captivating, as these are all animals I’d never knew existed and the evidence of their existence was right before my eyes! There are also replicas of bone beds which are fossilized bones and other remnants reserved in the sediment of the park. You can learn about and see the interesting mysterious spiraled fossilized burrows of the ancient land beavers too. The exhibits are very informative and interesting! 

There are two rooms in the visitor center filled with information about the Oglala Lakota as well as artifacts in what is known as the Cook Collection. This very unique collection of American Indian artifacts that was made possible by the friendship between the tribes and the rancher James Cook. 

Hiking Trails at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

After you get a feel for the history of this area and you get past the bafflement of the amazing wildlife that once thrived here, there are a couple of short trails that allow you to explore the area where all of this history happened. There are two main trails at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument:

Fossil Hills Trail

This is a 2.7 mile hike that loops around University and Carnegie Hills. Fossilized bones were discovered at both of these sites back in the 1880s. There are informative signs along the way and there is also a side trail option. There is a one mile trail that branches off to the restored homestead of Harold and Eleanor Cook who lived there in 1910. After 1914 the “bone cabin” was used to house the scientists while they worked the bone quarries. The fossils found in this area and the condition they were found in are among some of the best in the world. Keep in mind there is no shade in the trail.

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Daemonelix Trail

Daemonelix is an easy one mile trail. On the hike you can see fossilized burrows of the land beavers, called Daemonelix or Devil’s Corkscrews, showcased in glass. There are also ancient sand dunes and the trail climbs a small ridge presenting a beautiful view of the vast surrounding tableland landscape. There is also no shade on this trail.

I never would have guessed how interesting Nebraska and its natural history would be! It was pretty awesome being in a beautiful desolate environment learning about animals that seem to have been born in the imagination. If you’re in the area, stop at Agate Fossil Beds National Monument and walk among the fossils of ancient animals.

Fort Robinson: Camping, Hiking, Longboarding and Historic Exhibits

Location: Fort Robinson State Park is located in the northwest corner of Nebraska, west of the town of Crawford.

Cost: A Nebraska Park permit is required. There are annual and daily options. 

• Resident annual permit: $30; Resident daily permit: $6
• Non-Resident annual permit: $45; Non-resident daily permit: $8

Fort Robinson State Park has gorgeous scenery (yes, in Nebraska), unique lodging, nice camping facilities, offers many different ways to enjoy the park and most importantly, it is teeming with history. Close to Fort Robinson we also visited a few Native American memorial sites including the North Cheyenne Breakout Monument.

Fort Robinson has a rustic feel with old buildings dating from 1874-1909 that are available as rooms and cabins for lodging. You’ll also find the Fort Robinson Restaurant, several museums and historic exhibits as well as historic sites throughout the state park.

There are two nice shaded campground among the Cottonwoods as well as equestrian camping areas. There are primitive sites as well as sites with hook-ups. Nearby there are bathrooms, showers, a dump station, a pavillion, and a playground.

Things to do at Fort Robinson State Park

There are a large variety of things to do at Fort Robinson State Park. For instance, there are several museums, jeep tours, horseback riding, stagecoach rides, indoor and outdoor pool, lakes for canoeing/kayaking, nature tours, hiking trails, mountain biking trails, fishing, horse shoes, cook outs, and herds where you can view bison and longhorns. In the summer, take a swim at Lindeken Pool with an olympic sized indoor pool as well as an outdoor wading pool and sun deck. Nearby is the Post Playhouse where you can attend a musical. During the summer there is an activities center and a crafts center.

Although there is a summer camp kind of feel to Fort Robinson, it’s important to remember it wasn’t always so. There is an abundance of history here and much of it is on display around the grounds. The history behind the Fort has evolved from the 1879 Cheyenne Outbreak and the death of Crazy Horse to 1962 when it was established as a state park. There are educational buildings explaining and exhibiting how the fort was used as the Red Cloud Indian Agency, a cavalry remount station, then a  K-9 dog training center, POW camp and then beef research station. Some of the buildings at Fort Robinson State Park are used as exhibits, some being originals and some are rebuilt. Be sure to walk around, check out the buildings and familiarize yourself with the history of the Fort.

One of my favorite of the museums was the Trailside Museum of Natural History. This museum is full of prehistoric and rare fossils from the area. One of the exhibits is called Clash of the Mammoths. It shows two mammoths whose tusks locked together in a battle during the Ice Age. They died locked in combat and you can see their fossils now at the Trailside Museum. There are also numerous scientific reconstructions of ancient animals that roamed in Nebraska over the last 40 million years.

Hiking Around Fort Robinson

Hiking at Fort Robinson feels very remote and the vast scenery is amazing. Some of the trails allow for elevation gain through the beautiful green prairies and lead to the eye catching bluffs that contrast with the prairie so well. There are also several hiking trails in the Pine Ridge section of Nebraska designated as Soldier Creek Wilderness. This wilderness area shares a border with Fort Robinson State Park.

While we were camping at Fort Robinson National Park, Shane got out the longboard and cruised around. He skated around the old historical buildings and barracks that are now used as lodges and a restaurant. Then he longboarded on Soldier Creek Road that paralleled the majestic bluffs. Just a short cruise but worth noting yet another option for ways to enjoy the state park. 

Overall Fort Robinson is a beautiful and peaceful place to spend some time. There are a lot of ways to spend your time here including getting outdoors and taking in the landscape. There are also many opportunities to learn about the ever-changing history of the area. At Fort Robinson you can both relax and take it all in or stay busy and partake in the numerous activities available. The scenery and atmosphere gives the impression of an earlier time.

Exploring Toadstool Geologic Park

Location: Toadstool Geologic Park is located Northwest of the town of Crawford in the Oglala National Grassland in northwestern Nebraska.

Fees: There is a $3/vehicle fee for day use between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Camping is also available here and costs $5.

Toadstool Geologic Park is a must see destination for more of Nebraska’s amazing geology rich in fossils and natural history. There are incredible rock formations and badlands here that beckon for you to walk among them.  

The park is named for the toadstool like formations that are created by the wind and water erosion of the clay and sandstone. There are also dramatic, steep and rugged badlands whose lovely light brown color just looks so right surrounded by the soft grassy green of the surrounding prairie. While we were here we climbed around and looked for fossils and fossilized prints of animals from way back to about 30 million years ago! 

Hiking Trails at Toadstool Geologic Park

The curiosity that the unique geologic formations provoke is answered with a self-guided tour pamphlet. There are correlating signs and information along a 1 mile hiking loop. The interpretive trail itself is short but very mentally and visually appealing! This is an amazing opportunity to learn and walk among such unique and historic geology.

There are two other hiking trails that begin from the campground. One of the trails is three miles one way. It leads to the Hudson-Meng Education and Research Center to a 10,000 year old massive bison bone bed that is currently being excavated. Another very interesting site to see and learn about while in the area. The third trail is a five mile loop that follows sections of both the interpretive trail and the Great Plains Trail. The trail starts by following a portion of the interpretive trail before joining the Great Plains Trail. Here it heads north through the badlands and grasslands while forming a loop.

Bonus: near the trailhead/campground area there is a reconstructed sod house. This is similar to what the prairie homesteaders lived in since there weren’t many trees around for making log cabins. 

Wow, the scenery, geology, history of Toadstool Geologic Park and the surrounding vast landscape make for an enthralling experience. Who ever said learning can’t be fun (and extremely beautiful and awesome)? 

Nebraska’s Pretty Cool!

We had a surprisingly enjoyable time travelling around western Nebraska. The landscape was much more scenic than we had imagined! We found a lot of cool things to do in Nebraska. And by the time we left we felt more educated about our own country’s history. We found that there was a very relaxed pace and the people that we encountered were friendly. It was a great place to switch things up and travel in a different way than we typically do. Next we’re crossing the border and checking out some of the adventures South Dakota has to offer!

In the meantime, check out some of our other favorite encounters with unique geology!

• Wind Caves
• Ashdown Gorge
• Mud Caves
• Joshua Tree
• Quartz Vein Wash

Thank you for reading our Things to Do in Nebraska article! Just having you on our blog makes our day. If you’re curious to see what our recent lineup of hand painted longboards looks like head over to the Lost Coast Longboarding shop! And with Fall in the air, check out our new long sleeve shirts. Like our t-shirts, they are all designed and screen printed by us!

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