8 Most Breathtaking Towns In Nebraska
The midwestern US state of Nebraska, known as the "Cornhusker State," is notable for its iconic pioneer history and friendly, welcoming residents. However, another huge draw of this state is its natural beauty. Nebraska is mostly made up of wide open prairies, but it is also home to marshy wetlands, ancient pine forests, and the unique, striking images of Sandhills, towering sand dunes protruding from otherwise flat grasslands. From Bayard to Gering, discover the most breathtaking towns in the state.
Bayard
The small city of Bayard, with only 1,000 residents, is a farming community in western Nebraska. It is most notable for being the closest town to the Chimney Rock Historic Site. This 300-foot-tall rock formation, which resembles a church spire or a thin tower, was once a crucial navigation landmark for many westward travelers. It has been recorded as a significant marker for migrants following the Mormon Trail, California Trail, and the infamous Oregon Trail.
Bayard is also the site of the Chimney Rock Museum, where you can learn more about the history of Chimney Rock, as well as the emigration paths, American expansion, and other topics like the Gold Rush. Another educational attraction in town, the Bayard Depot Museum, is focused on local history, with exhibits on former residents, as well as the non-functioning Burlington Railroad Depot, where the museum now resides.
Gering
A slightly bigger city in the western Nebraska Panhandle, Gering is a truly peaceful place where small-town charm meets stunning outdoor scenery. Like Bayard, Gering was an important stop along the various westward migratory trails, and its claim to fame, the Scotts Bluff National Monument, much like Chimney Rock, was a natural landmark for trail navigation. If you want to learn more about the city of Gering's connection to pioneer history, the Legacy of the Plains Museum is a great place to do so.
Scotts Bluff is a concentration of geological land formations of sandstone and clay, resembling massive rock walls ascending up from the plains. They are a striking vision, and the Monument Valley Pathway, a network of trails and scenic byways that runs through the North Platte River Valley in Nebraska, has a trailhead only five minutes from downtown Gering. Using these trails, visitors can get up close and personal with the unique bluffs.
Another wonderful place to hike, camp, and view wildlife near Gering is the Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area. This preservation area has a variety of animal and plant life unique to the valley, like wild turkeys, mule deer, and bobcats. The hiking trails are very beautiful, winding through pine forests and leading to primitive campsites, a nature center, and even a shooting range.
Mullen
The tiny village of Mullen, which is also the only census-designated town in Hooker County, is a little dot on the map of Nebraska with only 400 residents. It is a place worth visiting, despite being so small, because it is one of the few towns in the Sandhills. For the best views of these epic dunes, visit the Scott Lookout Tower at the end of its namesake Scott Lookout National Recreation Trail, which is only a few minutes' drive from Mullen.
Another preserve run by the National Park Service, also near Mullen, is the Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge. This is a great place to take a self-guided tour in your vehicle and witness rare wildlife in their natural habitat, including hawks, burrowing owls and pronghorn, among many others. The park also has two maintained walking trails, plus over 20 small lakes and ponds throughout, which do permit non-motorized boating and fishing.
Valentine
Also near the Sandhills, the charming city of Valentine is further north than Mullen and is near the National Scenic Niobrara River. The river is a hub for nature enthusiasts, not just because it provides breathtaking sights, but also because it is a perfect place for activities like canoeing, fishing, and hiking through the surrounding wetlands, which are a unique landscape in that part of Nebraska. The Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, which runs along the river, is a great place for carefully viewing the diverse species that live there, particularly bison.
The area around Valentine is also renowned for its beautiful waterfalls, many of which are within Smith Falls State Park. The park's namesake, Smith Falls, is the tallest waterfall in Nebraska at over 70 feet tall, and the trail used to access the falls even has a wheelchair-accessible path, which is not something you find often in the area. Smith Falls descends into the Niobrara River and is a popular spot for watersports like canoeing and kayaking. Plus, it is a great end spot for tubing trips.
Louisville
A small town in a coveted central location between the major cities of Omaha and Lincoln, the area around Louisville is not only convenient but also breathtaking. Not to be confused with the North Platte River, Louisville is beside the Platte River, which is a prime place for activities like fishing and boating. The river's surrounding wilderness area, Platte River State Park, brings a huge number of tourists every year to the Louisville area, especially during warmer months.
Platte River State Park has a lodge with a restaurant, cabins with electricity, and even a splash pad. If you are going there to connect with nature alone, the park's immaculate trail system can certainly provide that, with trails available for hiking, biking, and even horseback riding. A couple of these paths end in observation towers, from which you can see awe-inspiring views of the Platte River Basin. If you would specifically like to swim, the nearby Louisville State Recreation Area might be better suited for that, with its five sandpit lakes, playground, and even a floating obstacle course!
Ashland
Also centrally located near Lincoln, the eastern Nebraska city of Ashland is well known for its small-town feel combined with great attractions. Within city limits, you can find Cellar 426 Winery, a modern winery in a unique elevated location that provides panoramic views of the surrounding prairies. Also in Ashland is the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park, another popular spot with visitors. It is a self-guided drive through a park that allows for up-close viewing of the native wildlife, plus a Wildlife Education Center.
For equally beautiful environments, the Eugene T. Mahoney State Park and the Fontenelle Forest are fantastic options for exploration, just a short drive away from Ashland. The latter has a boardwalk with lovely river views, plus other various hiking paths as well, including one that leads through an area where non-releasable birds of prey who have been rehabilitated reside. The former is a massive state park that includes lots of acreage of wild landscapes, surrounding more commercialized areas like a swimming pool, treetop rope obstacle course, and a playground, making it a perfect place for young families and older nature lovers alike.
Ponca
On the western bank of the mighty Missouri River is the quaint town of Ponca, the ancestral home of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska from whom it gets its name. This town is in a truly breathtaking area, not just because of the majestic river views, but also because of its namesake, Ponca State Park.
This park has many attractions within it, including the iconic Old Oak Tree, which is the perfect name for this incredible tree that is estimated to be almost 400 years old. Several trails within Ponca State Park lead to this tree, because its imposing height and colorful history make it a centerpiece of the park.
If you are on a trail within this state park and it does not lead to the Old Oak, chances are good that it will end instead at the Tri-State Overlook, the source of some of the best views in the park. From here, you can take in scenes of the rushing Missouri River and the contrasting landscapes of three border states at once: Nebraska, Iowa, and South Dakota.
Ogallala
The western city of Ogallala has a long and colorful history and is known for many things, including being a crucial stop on another infamous westward expansion trail, the Pony Express Trail. Ogallala was also a stop along the famous Transcontinental Railroad.
A great place to learn about the rich pioneer history of this town is at the Front Street Cowboy Museum right downtown, or even going to the Boot Hill Cemetary, an extremely old cemetery where many notorious cowboys have been laid to rest over the last couple centuries. If you are just here for the views of course, this town certainly has that too.
An attraction in the city that will take your breath away all on its own is the Petrified Wood Art Gallery, a unique local art gallery showcasing Native American art, natural history exhibits and modern pieces as well. If you just want to get outside, the outskirts of Ogallala is stunning as well, as the town is flanked by two lakes, Lake Ogallala and Lake McConaughy, the latter of which is the largest lake in the state of Nebraska.
People who love to explore outdoor attractions and partake in recreation in the wilderness have great reason to be drawn to Nebraska. From the jaw-dropping Sandhills, to the Platte River and McConaughy Lake, to the gorgeous Ponca and Eugene T. Mahoney State Parks, you will take in breathtaking sights every way you look. Here, you can swim, hike, fish, hunt, and ride horses in stunning landscapes beyond your imagination, all in one friendly Midwestern state!
