Western Trails Scenic & Historic Nebraska Byway

06/06/2024

Driving livestock was a skill that emigrants on the California, Mormon, and Oregon trails quickly needed to learn and many would become competent after about a week into the journey. Frederick Piercy explains in his journal how emigrants steered their oxen while walking beside them.
"The teamster should drive with the teams to the right. When he cries ‘Gee,’ the team should go from him, and when ‘Haw,’ come towards him. When the teamster cries ‘Haw,’ it is usual with a lazy team to let them feel the whip over their necks, and when ‘Gee,’ over their backs. The consequence is that whenever a piece of rough or difficult road is encountered, the shouts and cries of ‘geeing’ and ‘hawing’ and the cracking of the whips are most terrific. ... When a slight movement to the right or left is required, the command to ‘gee’ and ‘haw’ is given in a very mild tone, but when there is danger of running against a rock, or getting a wheel locked in a tree, the command is sure to be given with the full volume of the teamster’s voice. During the first few days the teams and teamsters were constantly at variance." - June 9, 1853
We do not recommend attempting to steer an automobile in the manner described above.

NPS photo of a oxen driving course held at Legacy of the Plains Museum in Gering, Nebraska.
EG2

06/06/2024

Wanting some more information of sights and stops along the Western Trails Scenic and Historic Byway? Check out a community byway information center and see all the great family adventures awaiting you!

MORE TO SEE, MORE TO DO ALONG U.S. 26 & NE 92!

https://www.westerntrailsnebyway.com/

03/06/2024

Wild West Wednesdays at the Chimney Rock Trailhead Parking Lot!

Walk the Rocks, enjoy some food and brews, and enjoy learning about history with guest speakers!

June 5, July 3 & August 7 from 5pm - 8pm!

Talking about byway sunsets, a good opportunity for a Chimney Rock sunset as well! 🌅

01/06/2024

A Byway Sunset is the best kind of sunset! ☀️

This can be your view, too!

https://www.westerntrailsnebyway.com

02/03/2024

Take a moment to Ponder the Past while walking on the the new trails at Chimney Rock Near Bayard, NE.

https://www.nshsf.org/walk-to-rock/

28/07/2023

Welcome Charlie and Baby!

25/06/2023

Great family adventures are waiting for you along the Western Trails Scenic and Historic Byway!

Start planning your journey with a byway brochure.

VISIT https://www.westerntrailsnebyway.com/ to request one!

14/06/2023

The Pony Express Reride will be stopping at Scotts Bluff National Monument and Chimney Rock today! Attached is the schedule!

14/06/2023

The Ash Hollow Bioblitz is this Saturday, and it’s an ALL DAY event.

Come and go as you please, just remember a state park permit is required!

14/06/2023

Come out and view the classic cars! Preview of Saturday's Rock-n-Roll Classic Car Show.
Where: Gering Civic Center Parking Lot (1050 M Street-Gering)
When: Friday, June 16 2023 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Residents and visitors are invited to leisurely stroll around the Gering Civic Center parking lot on Friday afternoon. Be the first to see the spectacular vintage cars on display prior to Saturday's annual High Plains Auto Club Rock-n-Roll Classic Car Show. Public viewing of the cars on Friday afternoon is free.

12/06/2023

A visit to Ash Hollow State Historical Park is a “must” during your byway journey.

While you’re at the visitors center, grab a Junior Explorers activity booklet for the kiddos to enjoy while you explore the park!

08/06/2023

Ash Hollow is a treasure along the Western Trails Byway! There is plenty to experience at this historical park!

Exciting news - Ash Hollow will be opening a new permanent outdoor native prairie exhibit on June 10th!

Done in partnership with the UNL Extension Office in North Platte and the Growing Hope Program through the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, this ADA accessible exhibit will feature over 15 native northern plants species, their historical use and fun facts about our local plains vegetation.

📷: Tamara Cooper

14/05/2023

Have a look at the Western Trails Byway website and start planning your byway adventure today!

Follow the footsteps of the men and women who shaped the west along the Western Trails Scenic and Historic Byway.

13/05/2023

No Western Trails Byway visit is complete without experiencing the Crystal Palace R***e at Front Street Steakhouse in Ogallala

The 2023 show is underway. The show girls have arrived to prepare the Crystal Palace for another season. Last they heard the first herd of cattle will be arriving this week into town. Opening night is May 26th. See you there!

09/05/2023

A portion of the Western Trails Byway follows the Pony Express National Historic Trail!

Check out this unique opportunity to have a letter carried via horseback.

Send a Letter via Pony Express in the Re-Ride

Your letter will be carried on horseback by over 700 riders along the original 1,966 mile Pony Express Trail in just 10 days.

Pony Express Commemorative Letters highlight historical events, sites, and people of the Pony Express. Each envelope is hand-stamped with a special US Post Office cancellation. They are the Official Souvenir of the Annual Pony Express Re-Ride.

The picture is what last year's envelope and cancelation stamp looked like. This year's will include a California historical station.

The 2023 letter application form can be found athttp://nationalponyexpress.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/2023-XP-LETTER-APP.pdf

22/04/2023

We're in the waxing crescent moon phase and the walleye spawn is in full swing. Anglers have seen some success over the past week, but winds have been challenging. Winds today are out of the northwest and continue to be gusty. Water temperature has risen to the low 40s.

Available Docks:
Divers Bay
Martin Bay Low Water
Lemoyne
Lake Ogallala (2)

📷: Platte Basin Timelapse

20/01/2023

Planning on visiting Scotts Bluff National Monument over the weekend? Please be aware that the Summit Road is extremely icy, and so will not open for vehicular travel. Monument hiking trails are currently covered with deep snow in many areas, making hiking difficult and potentially dangerous. This might be a good weekend to check out the exhibits in the visitor center and/or participate in the Junior Ranger Program. More information about the Junior Ranger program can be found at: https://www.nps.gov/scbl/learn/kidsyouth/beajuniorranger.htm

Image- Eagle Rock in the snow, as seen on January 20, 2023. NPS/Eric Grunwald.

04/01/2023

As we begin a new year, the Oshkosh Water Tower non-profit would like to say "thank you" to everyone who supported us in the past year. Whether you gave us a donation, purchased a brick, bought Tower merchandise, came to, or helped us set up the annual Independence Day Celebration or said a kind word about the Tower; we are so grateful. We want to say a special thank you to members of the Garden County Garden Club for their incredible work on the Tower Garden and planters. Thank you Garden County Tourism Committee and Garden County Centennial Committee for your generous support.

Thank you OPTK Networks for being in our corner from day one.

Jo Lynn Petty Blackwell, Meg Freeland, Mike Piva, Marilyn Erb (RIP), Susan Piva, Dee Dee Dunlap, Amy Bretz, Terri Jo Hahn, Andrea Lake and Jim Blackwell

31/12/2022

Not to be biased or anything but, we think this is an excellent New Years Goals list!

Visit https://www.westerntrailsnebyway.com/ and start making your summer 2023 travel plans!

06/11/2022

📷: Sharon Henderson

28/10/2022

👻

It's the spooky season, and what could be spookier than a graveyard? Did you know that some people refer to the Oregon Trail as the"world's longest graveyard"? Some historians estimate that there is an average of one grave every 200 feet on the Great Platte River Road section of the emigrant trails. Even though there are many graves along the trail, few of their locations are known, as emigrants rarely marked the locations of their loved ones' final resting places. One of the few clusters of known graves along the trail lies in Robidoux Pass, just west of the monument. Of the five graves located there, we only know the name of one of the graves' occupants: Fleming Dunn. The names of those buried in the others have been lost to time.

Image- A cluster of graves can be seen along the route of the Oregon/Califronia Trails at Robidoux Pass. NPS photo.

29/09/2022

If you know Lake Mac, you know how incredible it is - no matter the season, no matter the water level.

The leaves are turning, the crowds have departed, and it's the PERFECT time to come enjoy the beauty and solitude. Plan your fall getaway at www.ilovelakemac.com.

01/09/2022

If you've ever been to Scotts Bluff National Monument, you've likely driven on "Five Rocks Road" to get here. If you're a local, you may have attended an event or two at the "Five Rocks Amphitheater." Why are both a local road and amphitheater named "Five Rocks" you might ask. It's because there are five named rocks here at Scotts Bluff National Monument. The five named rocks are: Eagle Rock, Saddle Rock, Dome Rock, Crown Rock and Sentinel Rock. Many locals and frequent visitors have a favorite. What's your favorite of the Five Rocks of Scotts Bluff? For more information about the Five Rocks of Scotts Bluff, check out our website at: https://www.nps.gov/scbl/learn/historyculture/five-rocks.htm

Image- The Five Rocks of Scotts Bluff are labeled in an aerial view. NPS image.

12/08/2022

You may be familiar with the iconic sight of Chimney Rock, the unique formation located near present-day Bayard that acted as a landmark along the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails. You can visit the area today, but what exactly did the rock look like back during the times of the trail?

History Nebraska has some answers: https://bit.ly/3vvZW0B

10/08/2022

Event passes are $20 each.

08/08/2022

The Old West Balloon Fest is back in Western Nebraska for its eighth year.

Visit https://theoldwestballoonfest.com/ for a list of events and be sure to keep your eye on the sky around Scottsbluff, NE!

08/08/2022

"Just a few more feet!"

Geocaching enthusiasts rejoice! The Western Trails Byway is LOADED with hidden treasures just waiting to be logged.

Not familiar with geocaching? This could be the perfect opportunity to discover a fun and exciting hobby!

For a direct list to all the caches along the byway, click the link below
https://coord.info/BMBAXMT

04/08/2022

"Just a few more feet!"

Geocaching enthusiasts rejoice! The Western Trails Byway is LOADED with hidden treasures just waiting to be logged.

Not familiar with geocaching? This could be the perfect opportunity to discover a fun and exciting hobby!

For a direct list to all the caches along the byway, click the link below

https://coord.info/BMBAXMT

01/08/2022

Hello, August! 😎 See you soon at Lake Mac!

📷: thanks to Kimberly McCarty for sharing

25/07/2022

Follow the footsteps of the men and women who shaped the west along US Highway 26 and Nebraska Highway 92.