Chimney Rock was more than a wonder of nature. It was also a significant landmark in measuring the emigrants' progress west. This natural feature was a "grand and splendid object" to emigrants who had never seen the geology of the American West.
A visit to the replica Conestoga wagon will give an idea about how freight was hauled to forts and scattered supply centers in the 1850s through the 1890s.
Courthouse and Jail Rocks are massive monoliths made of Brule clay and Gering sandstone. Over time, wind and water erosion slowly sculpted the rocks into their current courthouse or castle appearance. The rocks were first noted by Robert Stuart in 1812 and quickly became guiding landmarks for fur traders and emigrants.
Located on the Oregon Trail, legacy of the Plains Museum is a destination for people interested in stories of human and agricultural history in the North Platte Valley and High Plains. Fine new state-of-the-art and interactive exhibits.
Mitchell Pass marks the route of the Oregon/California Trails around Scotts Bluff starting in 1851. The Pony Express and Transcontinental Telegraph also traveled through Mitchell Pass.
The Murphy Wagon was used first by traders on the Santa Fe Trail. Later, emigrants adapted the Murphy wagon to haul their belongings to Oregon and California.
The Oregon Trail Pathway Trailhead is the starting point for a 1/2 mile long trail that leads from the Scotts Bluff National Monument Visitor Center Parking Lot to the site of William Henry Jackson's 1866 campsite. Along the way, visitors can explore replica wagons and learn what life on the Great Platte River Road was like for emigrants traveling to Oregon, California and Utah was like in the mid to late 1800s.
The West Trailhead of Scotts Bluff National Monument's Prairie View Trail. This trail is open to bicyclists and hikers and connects to the City of Gering's Monument Valley Pathway.
The final resting place of Mormon emigrant Rebecca Winters. Rebecca died of cholera on August 15, 1852. Her grave site was marked with a metal wagon wheel rim that was engraved “Rebecca Winters, Age 50.” The grave had been forgotten for years until 1899 when surveyors for the Burlington Northern Railroad rediscovered it.
The Saddle Rock Trail is the most popular hiking trail at Scotts Bluff National Monument. The trail leads 1.6 miles from the Scotts Bluff National Monument Visitor Center to the summit of Scotts Bluff. It is a 435 foot ascent featuring some of the best views in the state of Nebraska.
Scotts Bluff National Monument is named for an immense section of sandstone and clay bluffs that tower 800 feet above the North Platte River. This 3000 acre monument is managed by the National Park Service and has numerous amenities and things to do.
The bluffs of Scotts Bluff National Monument rise directly from the North Platte River, blocking wagon travel along the river's south bank. At first, emigrants had to take a detour south and use Robidoux Pass, a natural gateway, to get through the bluffs. This mostly stopped in 1850 when a new route was opened at Mitchell Pass.
This is the trailhead for the 1/2 mile long North Overlook Trail. This trail features wonderful views of the North Platte River, the badlands, and the cities of Gering and Scottsbluff.
