Scotts Bluff National Monument

Things To Do Near Scotts Bluff National Monument

Using an RV is a convenient way of visiting the Scotts Bluff National Monument because the site features spacious lots for parking. You can also drive a compact RV along the Summit Road that leads you to the bluff's top, enabling you to have sweeping views of the land below. If traveling with family, you can also bring a pet since the monument permits leashed animals on all the pathways. The park includes a bike-friendly trail that you can explore for added fun during your visit. 

Hiking Trails

• Oregon Trail Pathway

  The Oregon Trail Pathway starts west of the monument with a paved section that leads you to the eroded sections of the original course. You can see three covered wagon replicas along the way, giving you a look at the experience of past emigrants. Additionally, you can access the Jackson campsite via this trail for an adventurous time with friends. 

  Location

  Summit Road, across from the Scotts Bluff National Monument Visitor Center, Gering, NE 69341

  Length

  0.5 miles

  Intensity

  Moderate

• Saddle Rock

  Saddle Rock begins at the visitor center's parking lot and extends to the peak of Scotts Bluff, with the first 700 yards providing wheelchair-accessible pavement. You can enjoy beautiful views of prairie grasslands up to the bluff's base with a juniper ravine. The trail climbs rapidly from this point, allowing you to enjoy an excellent workout to the summit. 

  Location

  Scotts Bluff National Monument Visitor Center parking lot, Gering, NE 69341

  Length

  1.6 miles

  Intensity

  Strenuous

Sightseeing

• Riverside Discovery Center

  Riverside Discovery Center has on-site programs and animal visits that allow you to take kids to meet, interact, and learn about the animals on the zoo grounds. You can view various primates, large cats, bears, farm animals, and reptiles. Bird-watchers can enjoy seeing birds of prey and the macaws residing at the center.

  Location

  1600 S. Beltline Highway W., Scottsbluff, NE 69361

• Historic Haymarket District 

  This venue is comprised of several restaurants, shops, and farmers markets that you can visit for a relaxing stroll with friends. You can appreciate the creatively renovated and restored brick streets, clock, water tower, and brick warehouses that reflect late 19th-century architecture. The compact design and lively atmosphere make it easy and fun to navigate the district.

  Location

  335 N 8th Street B, Lincoln, NE 68508

Museums

• The William Henry Jackson Collection

  You can go to the visitor center at the monument to view William Henry Jackson's artwork, including paintings and drawings with valuable insights into American life during the Civil War. The site houses the world's most extensive collection of Jackson's work, helping you understand the sufferings of people in the past and their westward ventures searching for a national identity. This center is fully accessible and open throughout the year. 

  Location

  190276 Old Oregon Trail, Gering, NE 69341

• The Durham Museum

  The Durham Museum presents an exciting look at the region's history, and you can learn about Union Station where the museum sits. You can appreciate the station's intricate interior décor as you go around viewing the different historical and cultural displays. The museum also covers science and industry subjects, making it a welcoming venue for tourists of all age groups and interests. 

  Location

  801 S. 10th Street, Omaha, NE 68108

Nearby Shops and Restaurants

• Nebraska Shirt Co. 

  Commemorate your time in Nebraska with a state-themed souvenir. Not only does this store offer shirts for the whole family but also hats, mugs, and candles. Graphics include silhouettes of Nebraska as well as witty references to cows and beer.

  Location

  11 E. 16th St., Scottsbluff, NE 69361

• Julie's Antiques

  This store offers three floors of antiques, allowing you to peruse and find quality items. You can get a wide range of products, including furniture, jewelry, clothes, and glassware. Collectors can also get delicate collectible dishes to add to their assortments. 

  Location

  1513 10th Street, Gering, NE 69341

• Sweet V's

  Sweet V's offers a delicious menu for dessert lovers. Menu items include gourmet shave ice and coffee, ice cream, and dirty sodas. The location has breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials daily. You can calmly unwind with kids in the outdoor seating section that features a casual setting and Wi-Fi connectivity.

  Location

  1625 1st Avenue, Scottsbluff, NE 69361

• Traditions at Morrill

  This restaurant at Ohio State University provides an all-you-can-eat experience that makes it perfect after an exciting trip to the Scotts Bluff National Monument. It also has quick-bite options and takeaway services to cater to busier travelers. You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner at this site that also includes a salad bar.

  Location

  1900 Cannon Drive, Columbus, OH 43210

• Sandy's Burritos 

  Sandy's Burritos has breakfast, lunch, and dinner menus that can suit any travelers' itinerary. You can get takeaway orders to enhance time management during your trip around the Scotts Bluff National Monument. The restaurant presents various burrito dishes to suit everyone's palate. 

  Location

  2925 10th Street, Gering, NE 69341

How To Get To Scotts Bluff National Monument

To reach the Scotts Bluff National Monument from the Western Nebraska Regional Airport, take County Road 25 from the airport to Highland Road. Follow Highland Road and drive from NE-71 S/NE-92 S and Old Highway 92 to Gering. Turn right to the Scotts Bluff National Monument along the Old Oregon Trail. 

The visitor center operates daily throughout the year, with the Scotts Bluff summit accessible year-round at no charge. Note that the monument closes on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. 

Address

190276 Old Oregon Trail, Gering, NE 69341

Fee: Entry fee $0

Scotts Bluff National Monument offers everyone a chance to see the routes that Native Americans and emigrants followed and the marks they left behind. The site features multiple hiking pathways leading to the bluff's summit, delivering an adventurous opportunity to exercise while appreciating the beautiful and natural surroundings. Traveling to the monument in an RV is an excellent way of enjoying the park since you can bring family, friends, and pets to the welcoming trails. You can also access the grounds year-round, enabling you to drive conveniently to the bluff's top without weather restrictions.