Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska, United States
4.5 (627 reviews) Monday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Ranking #1 in Gering National Parks
Worth the short drive.
I definitely recommend visiting here if you're near. The short drive from I80 or from the routes north to the Black Hills are well worth it, and the park itself is beautiful and easy to enjoy. It's also free. You can see/do a lot in a relatively short amount of time. Super nice visitor center with great museum and very nice staff. The drive to the top on the narrow road provides ever changing views of the surrounding landscapes. At the top, there is a parking area with nice views and two short trails if you wish to stretch your legs: South View (1/8 mile), North View (1/2 mile). Both trails are paved with great views and info exhibits. You can also take the trail down to the visitor center from here (1.6 miles). Views from the top are spectacular. Look down on the town of Gering and follow in your mind the old Oregon Trail all the way to Chimney Rock over 20 miles away. We were here late in the day so the colors were awesome.
Address
190276 Old Oregon Trail Rd, Gering, NE 69341
Mobile
Website
http://www.nps.gov/scbl
Working hours
Monday : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday : 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Current local date and time now
Monday, May 06, 2024, 22:14
User Ratings
4.5 based on (627 reviews)
Reviews
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4Steve5863 5:00 PM Aug 29, 2020
Beauty and History
Pulling up in the early morning light of Autumn, I was struck by the surprising natural beauty of Mitchell Pass with Scotts Bluff on one side and Sentinel Rock on the other. Stopping and getting out, walking the historic grounds and seeing the sights, including the still visible Oregon Trail, it is difficult not to reflect upon the thousands of emigrants that passed through and what they were thinking when they saw the bluffs after many days passing through the nondescript great plains, the difficulties they must have endured and the promise of a better life in the west that drove them on. Be sure not to miss the best part of the monument, a drive or hike to the top of Scotts Bluff and walking the short, paved South and North Overlook Trails to get excellent bird’s eye views of the pass, surrounding bluffs, city of Scottsbluff, the North Platte River and valley, and the badlands between the river and Scotts Bluff that was the reason for the trail to depart its route along the river and detour through Mitchell Pass.
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4Ward D 5:00 PM Oct 15, 2020
Excellent place to see in Scott’s Bluff.
The staff manning the entrance booth was very helpful. The visit was free and the visitors center was closed when we visited. There were some porta-potties across from the visitors center at the bottom of the bluff. It appeared that you could walk from the visitors center up to the bluff or drive. We chose to drive. It was a relatively easy and quick drive that took about 10 minutes. There is a parking lot at the top for about 30 vehicles. From there you can see a great vista from the parking lot. If you are up to it there are 2 main trails to the north and south. The south is a paved path that is 1/8 mile. The north trail is ½ mile and has at several great views. I would highly recommend a visit to this site if you are in the area.
