North Platte, a city of 23,000 in western Nebraska, is home to the Bailey Yard. The railroad town is a hub for the Union Pacific, serving as a waypoint for freight moving east and west. The city lies at the confluence of the North Platte and South Platte rivers.
The community's greatest claim to fame is the North Platte Canteen, a volunteer organization that fed millions of soldiers who were traveling to the coasts before shipping off for battle in World War II. Today, the city remains a vibrant dot of culture in the rolling plains of the Midwest.
Visitors can enjoy the ongoing culinary renaissance in the city's historic Canteen District. There are museums dedicated to westward expansion and the frontier, railroad history, and natural sciences. If you're in North Platte in the spring, you can view 400,000 graceful and striking Sandhill Cranes who spend six weeks in the North Platte River Valley before continuing their migration to complete their nesting period.
The city itself is excellent for outdoor enthusiasts. You can kayak, canoe, and paddleboard the surrounding rivers, hike dozens of on- and off-road trails traversing the city and follow multiple mountain biking trails through the surrounding forests. The city embraces its railroad roots, active outdoor identity, and its most famous resident, Buffalo Bill Cody.
About four hours northwest of North Platte, Fort Robinson State Park is home to herds of bison and longhorn sheep, historic old west buildings, and interactive exhibits. The 22,000-acre park, which was a functioning fort from the days of the Wild West until World War II, now offers hiking, cycling, horseback riding, swimming, fishing, boating, and wilderness camping.
Niobrara State Park in northeastern Nebraska rests along the banks of the Missouri River. It's a secluded area with many RV campsites. You can enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, and boating. They host buffalo cookouts every Saturday throughout the summer with performances by cowboy poets and storytellers. Wildlife watchers may spot deer, wild turkey, beaver, muskrat, mink, and bald eagles throughout Niobrara.
Platte River State Park sits between Lincoln and Omaha in eastern Nebraska and has 48 full hookup sites for RVers. The park's stunning waterfall is its signature feature. You can hike, bike, canoe, kayak, and fish. In addition, the park offers archery and shooting ranges.
The upcoming NEBRASKAland Days is a 10-day celebration every June. The event takes place in North Platte and includes a PRCA rodeo, country concerts, a carnival, a parade, and the Miss Rodeo Nebraska Pageant.
This July, enjoy the Lincoln County Fair. The four-day event features 4-H exhibits, carnival games, food vendors, livestock shows, and dirt track events. Be sure to cheer on the competitors at the mutton busting, greased pig, and roping competitions.
North Platte Rail Days in August is a celebration of the city's railroad heritage. You can enjoy tours of the Union Pacific Railroad's Bailey Yard, the largest rail yard in the world. There are rides, games, model train shows, and live music.
Badlands National Park is geologically unique within the U.S. park system. Visitors can explore massive rock formations and view intact fossil beds. There are three scenic drives across different parts of the park that each take two hours, dazzling stargazing if you visit at night, hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding.
Nearby in South Dakota, Wind Cave National Park offers prime wildlife watching and long hiking trails. Its signature feature, Wind Cave, is one of the longest cave systems in the world. You can explore the caverns on one of three ranger-guided tours. Each has more than 150 stairs and is considered moderate to strenuous.
Four hours west of North Platte via I-76, Rocky Mountain National Park offers mountain peaks, alpine lakes, and rolling meadows. With over 260,000 acres, visitors can hike 355 miles of trails, drive two scenic routes, fish, wilderness camp, and horseback ride.
The Cody Park Railroad Museum in North Platte preserves the city's railroading history. Everything from antique steam engines to diesel locomotives and railcars is on display. Many of the exhibits are hands-on, allowing you to board and tour the equipment.
The 20th Century Veterans Memorial, just south of North Platte, is at the junction of the Eisenhower Memorial Interstate System and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Memorial Highway. The monument commemorates the men and women from all branches of the armed forces who defended the nation through five conflicts during the 20th century.
The Fort McPherson National Cemetery, established in 1873, is the oldest national cemetery in Nebraska. It's the final resting place for veterans from the Spanish American War, Indian Wars, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Persian Gulf War, and Iraq. Three Medal of Honor recipients from the Indian Wars and one who served in Vietnam are interred there.
There are abundant camping options both in and around North Platte. Holiday RV Park & Campground, just off I-80, has 100 pull-thru sites with full hookup. They are all grassy, and many have shade. The campground has full restroom and laundry facilities. Lincoln Highway RV Park, just west of downtown North Platte, is set in the forest, offering serenity despite its proximity to the city. All sites are full-hookup and offer both cable and Wi-Fi. There is fishing and swimming in the campground's lake as well as a propane filling station, laundry facility, and bar. A1 Sunset Mobile & RV Park offers city water, 50-amp electrical, a laundry room and mailbox rental.
Motorhomes are divided into Class A, B, and C vehicles. On average expect to pay $185 per night for Class A, $149 per night for Class B and $179 per night for Class C. Towable RVs include 5th Wheel, Travel Trailers, Popups, and Toy Hauler. On average, in North Platte, NE, the 5th Wheel trailer starts at $70 per night. Pricing for the Travel Trailer begins at $60 per night, and the Popup Trailer starts at $65 per night.
Do you need to be a certain age to rent an RV in North Platte?Yes. The minimum age is 25 to be eligible to get an RV Rental in North Platte from RVshare.
Does RVshare have emergency roadside assistance?Yes. Every RV rental booked through RVshare receives 24/7 emergency roadside assistance.
Does RVshare offer one way RV rentals in North Platte?Yes. Prior to renting any RV, check with the owner since not all will offer this particular option.
