If you’ve ever thought something like, “It’s just corn out there in Nebraska,” we’re gonna enjoy telling you how wrong you are. Beneath its wide skies and quiet prairies lies a rugged and surprising variety of landscapes with trails galore. Whether you’re winding through ponderosa pine forests, trekking past otherworldly rock formations, or standing atop towering limestone bluffs, the Cornhusker State delivers big on adventure. From quick day hikes to multi-day treks, these five standout trails showcase the natural diversity that makes Nebraska a hidden gem for hikers of all kinds.
Scotts Bluff National Monument
When you see the imposing formations of Scotts Bluff rise improbably out of the surrounding plains, you might get the impression they were hurled from the Rockies by some long-forgotten giant. The real answer involves less lore and more limestone, but the monument’s recent history is pretty interesting too: The towering formations have been important markers for both Native cultures and Western emigrants. Hike the moderately challenging 3.2-mile Saddle Rock Trail for a close-up view of the namesake bluff (including a tunnel through the rock) and sweeping views of the surrounding formations, towns, and plains.
Extend your adventure: Not done hiking? Hit the Turkey Run Trail in nearby Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area.
Pine Ridge Trail
This trail will knock the whole “Nebraska is flat” notion right out of your head, one vertical foot at a time. Located in the Nebraska National Forest, the Pine Ridge Trail has more than 4,500 vertical feet over its roughly 40 miles. The rollercoaster of an elevation profile travels through ponderosa pine forests, over creek beds and streams, up and down steep canyons, across scenic ridgelines and grasslands, and through some sections of wildfire regrowth. The trail’s length, scenery, and difficulty make for a great three-day backpacking trip. Shorter sojourns can be enjoyed from several access points.
Fun fact: The Pine Ridge is a 100-mile-long escarpment of sandstone bluffs and the main geologic feature of northwest Nebraska.
Toadstool Geologic Park
It’s fair if the moonlike hills and hoodoos of Toadstool Geologic Park don’t fit your vision of Nebraska; they probably don’t fit your vision of Earth, either. Trek through the heart of the namesake toadstools and other unique badlands formations by setting out on the one-mile Toadstool Loop. It’s a short but unforgettable look at the amazing work of time and erosion, and it may even reveal a fossil or two. You’ll also have an option to add on the three-mile (one-way) Bison Trail, which winds through badlands and canyons before opening into the wide expanse of the Oglala National Grassland.
Fun fact: The Bison Trail takes its name from the Bison antiquus, an extinct form of modern bison whose fossils can be seen at the park’s Hudson-Meng Research and Education Center.
Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
An oasis of woods and wildlife just south of Omaha, Fontenelle Forest is home to 17 miles of easy and moderate hiking trails. The trails are marked out in short segments, most of which are less than a mile. This allows lovers of adventure and/or paper maps to choose their mileage by combining segments through wetlands, past waterfalls, over ridgetops, and along the Missouri River. A $15 day fee helps support area conservation efforts, like the raptor conservation and education program.
Extend your adventure: Your day pass also grants access to the Neale Woods Nature Reserve, north of Omaha.
Schramm Park State Recreation Area
Dedicated peak baggers might think of Schramm Park as more of a walk than a hike, but when you retreat to this shady Shangri-La on a hot summer day, you won’t care. Enjoy a peaceful stroll through the canopied woods on the bluffs of the Platte River, choosing between a 1.5- or three-mile loop and adding the short River View Trail. The longer loop is especially cool, featuring a unique suspension bridge that travels over a leafy creekbed canyon. The park is popular with local runners thanks to the gentle terrain and shady trails.
Extend your adventure: The Schramm Education Center has aquariums and exhibits with more than 60 species of freshwater fish, invertebrates, reptiles, and amphibians found in Nebraska.
The mission of Visit Nebraska is to expand Nebraska’s dynamic and diverse travel industry making it more viable by creating awareness, attracting increased visitors which results in greater tourism revenue and economic gain throughout the state. To learn more, go to VisitNebraska.com.
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