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Scotts Bluff National Monument

»Contact Information
»Getting There
»Weather
»Activities
A prominent natural landmark for emigrants on the Oregon Trail, Scotts Bluff, Mitchell Pass and the adjacent prairie lands are set aside in a 3,000 acre national monument. This site preserves the memory of the historic Oregon, California and Mormon Trails. The monument museum contains exhibits about the human and natural history of the area and also holds a unique collection of watercolor paintings by the frontier photographer and artist William Henry Jackson.


Contact Information

Scotts Bluff National Monument
PO Box 27
Gering, NE 69341-0027
308-436-4340 - Headquarters


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Getting There

By Plane
Commercial flights in and out of Western Nebraska Regional Airport at Scottsbluff.

By Car
DIRECTIONS: Visitors traveling east-west on Interstate 80 can exit at Kimball, Nebraska, and drive 45 miles north on Highway 71. Follow National Park Service signs 2 miles west of Gering, Nebraska, on State Highway 92.
Visitors following the old Oregon Trail along the North Platte River using State Highways 26 or 92, should follow National Park Service signs.

Getting Around
In Monument: Personal vehicles can be driven to the summit; or, a free shuttle service to the summit is offered during the summer.

Weather

Generally sunny, hot and dry in the summer. In late summer the weather is extremely variable with occasional afternoon thunderstorms. Windy and cold in winter. Wear comfortable clothing appropriate to season. Hats are useful against exposure to sun. Good walking shoes are recommended for use on hiking trails.


Activities

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.
thebackpacker.com If you want more information about backpacking and hiking, give thebackpacker.com a try. From backpacking gear reviews, hiking trail reviews and much more, it covers all aspects of wilderness travel.
  • Auto Touring
  • Biking
  • Educational Programs
  • Hiking
  • Bird Watching
  • Nature Walks

Recommended Activities
Visitor Center/Exhibits: The Oregon Trail Museum contains three rooms of historic, geological and William Henry Jackson exhibits.

Trails, Roads: Summit Road allows visitors to drive to the top of Scotts Bluff for a
spectacular view of the valley. The 1.6 mile Saddle Rock Trail leads hikers from the visitor center to the summit, and the .5 mile Oregon Trail Pathway leads from the visitor center to the remnants of the Oregon Trail.


 
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Find Hiking and Biking Trails
If you like to go hiking or biking, then don't forget to get a map and guidebook. Trails.com offers a great service that allows unlimited downloads of trail guides for a small monthly fee. They even have a 14 day free trial. Whether you are looking for day hikes, backpacking trails, mountain bike routes or just short nature stroll, they cover it all. So let Trails.com help plan your next outing.
RV Information
Are you planning on traveling with your RV? If you are, you should check out the Good Sam Club. The Good Sam Club offers discounts on camping, a free magazine subscription and great tips on traveling with your RV. You can also get a free no-obligation RV Insurance quote . Give them a look and enjoy your trip.
Gear Up For Your Trip
Once you have finished deciding where to go, it will be time to gear up. A great place for adventure travel gear is The National Geographic Store. They have all types of maps and guides to help finalize your vacation plans.