Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska

Complete Guide to Scotts Bluff National Monument in Nebraska, including the scenic drive, things to do, history, hours, directions, and so much more.

Scotts Bluff National Monument

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Scotts Bluff National Monument

Scotts Bluff National Monument is located in Western Nebraska near the border of Wyoming.

The park offers the opportunity to drive through the three auto tunnels in the entire state of Nebraska and learn about the Oregon Trail.

About Scotts Bluff National Monument

If you grew up in the 80s, you remember playing the Oregon Trail video game and trying not to die of dysentery. While visiting Scotts Bluff, you thankfully do not have to worry about dysentery, but you can learn what life was like for pioneers on the Oregon Trail.

You will learn about the Oregon Trail, California Trail, Mormon Trail across the United States, and Pony Express Trail.

Rising 800 feet above the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff has been a landmark for many people, including Native Americans, emigrants, and modern travelers.

This US National Monument preserves 3,000 acres of geological and paleontological history.

Is Scotts Bluff National Monument worth visiting?

Yes, This is a park that will most likely take you an average of an hour or two at most.

If you are a huge fan of the Oregon Trail, hike all three trails, or have a picnic you could spend longer than this in the park.

There is not a lot of shade if any on the trails if you plan to hike them. Please come prepared with water, sunglasses, and sunscreen at a minimum for hiking.

History of Scotts Bluff National Monument

The towering bluff of sandstone and volcanic ash, Scotts Bluff National Monument, has served as a natural guide for travelers on their way for thousands of years.

The imposing 800-foot promontory that towers over the North Platte River Valley, served as an important landmark for settlers as they made their way west.

Scotts Bluff served as a landmark for hundreds of thousands of emigrants traveling along the Oregon, California, and Mormon trails during America's period of westward expansion. The bluff also served as a landmark for those using the Pony Express.

Scotts Bluff National Monument preserves 3,000 acres of land, that includes historic trail routes, the famous Chimney Rock, and the site of Fort Mitchell. Scotts Bluff serves as a memorial to the settlers who made their way west.

Why is the Bluff Called Scotts Bluff?

The 800-foot promontory bears the name of a fur trader, Hiram Scott, who died close to the bluff in 1828. Scott has become a legend of the American west.

Hiram Scott was born in 1805 in Missouri. At the time of his death in 1828, Scott was employed as a clerk for the Rocky Mountain Fur Company.

Little is known about the legendary figure the bluffs are named after.

It is believed that Hiram Scott traveled to The Great Salt Lake region for the first trade meeting of fur traders that was held there in 1826. Two more meetings were held in the area in 1827 and 1828 which Scott attended.

Hundreds of fur traders and their caravans would meet in the Salt Lake region to trade with Native Nations tribes. The trade meetings were known as fur trading rendezvous. During the rendezvous, fur traders acquired beaver pelts in exchange for cloth, pots and pans, and knives.

It was on his way back from one of the rendezvous that Hiram Scott died. The story of how and why Scott died has become a legend. Various versions of the tale have been circulated for hundreds of years. The original tale is that, after falling gravely ill, Scott was abandoned by his traveling companions.

Scott was left to die on the banks of the Platte River. His skeletal remains were discovered the following spring, and the landmark became known as Scotts Bluff.

Over the years the story of Scotts death has been altered for dramatic effect, with tales of vicious attacks by a Native Nation tribe or a murder most foul.

Scotts Bluff as an Emigrant Landmark

Scotts Bluff National Monument was the second most referenced landmark by emigrants traveling the Oregon, California, and Mormon trails. An estimated 250,000 emigrants passed by Scotts Bluff between 1843 and 1869.

The bluff was visible from each, and several trail routes and a portion of the Oregon Trail, called The Robidoux Pass, cut through the area of Scotts Bluff.

The Robidoux Pass was used first by fur trappers and later by emigrants. Robidoux Trading Post was established to trade with the Native Nations tribes in the area. The trading post later served the emigrants using the pass.

The pass was not the best route through the area as it took travelers too far away from the North Platte River.

A new route, called Mitchells Pass, was opened in 1851, allowing travelers to go through a gap in the bluffs, close to the river. Mitchells Pass became the main route for travelers on the Oregon and California Trail.

Life on the Emigrant Trails was not easy for the pioneers and was often dangerous. The trail west took between four to six months.

Settlers heading west on the Oregon Trail set out from Independence Missouri, in early April. They made the journey with covered wagons loaded with the supplies they needed for the trek and their new life.

The emigrants would reach Scotts Bluff by June/July. Many emigrants died on the journey from exposure, outbreaks of diseases such as Cholera, and attacks from Native Nations tribes. Those who died along the way were often buried on the trails.

Chimney Rock

Chimney Rock is one of the most famous landmarks in the American West. The distinctive rock formation was the most referenced landmark by emigrants heading west.

It was first used by fur traders making their way to the Great Salt Lake rendezvous in 1827.

Chimney Rock was a welcome sight for the emigrants making the long trek to a new life. The landmark was a sign they were traveling in the right direction. Many emigrants climbed the rock to carve their names on it. Sadly, none of the carvings have survived.

Fort Mitchell

In 1864, the U.S Army built a small frontier fort along the North Platte River, called Fort Mitchell. The fort served to protect travelers on the Oregon and California Trails. In 1864 war broke out between the settlers and the Native Nations tribes who lived on the Great Plains.

The soldiers stationed at the small fort accompanied hundreds of travelers along the Oregon Trail. No more than 100 soldiers were stationed at Fort Mitchell at a time. The fort was abandoned like the other frontier forts. Nothing remains of the fort today, and its exact site is unknown.

Things to know before your visit to Scotts Bluff National Monument

Entrance fee

$0.00 - There is no entrance fee to visit the park.

Planning a National Park vacation? America the Beautiful/National Park Pass covers entrance fees for an entire year to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites.

The park pass covers everyone in the car for per vehicle sites and for up to 4 adults for per-person sites.

Buy on REI.com and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.

Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.

Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

Time Zone

Mountain Time Zone

Pets

Leashed pets are welcome on all paved trails and developed areas of the monument.

Cell Service

Cellular service and internet connectivity varies and depends on the cellular carrier.

Park Hours

The park is open from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Wi-Fi

No public WiFi is available within the park.

Insect Repellent

Insect repellent is always a great idea when outdoors, especially if you are around any body of water.

We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips.

Water Bottle

Make sure to bring your own water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.

Parking

Parking is available near the Visitor Center.

Food/Restaurants

There are no restaurants within the park.

Gas

There are no gas stations within the park.

Drones

Drones are not permitted within National Park Sites.

National Park Passport Stamps

National Park Passport stamps can be found in the visitor center.

Make sure to bring your National Park Passport Book with you or we like to pack these circle stickers so we don't have to bring our entire book with us.

Scotts Bluff NM is part of the 1997 Passport Stamp Set

Electric Vehicle Charging

There are 9 EV charging stations in Scottsbluff. The nearest charging station is near Nebraska Public Power District, 5 miles from the monument.

Rattlesnakes

There are multiple signs near the visitor center and along the trails warning visitors to keep an eye out for prairie rattlesnakes.

Restrooms

The bathrooms are located at the visitor center. There are no restrooms at the top of Scotts Bluff so you will want to plan accordingly.

Details about Scotts Bluff National Monument

Size - 3,000 acres

Check out how the park compares to other National Parks by Size.

Date Established

December 12, 1919 by President Woodrow Wilson

Visitation

In 2021, Scotts Bluff NM had 251,188 park visitors.

In 2020, Scotts Bluff NM had 228,141 park visitors.

In 2019, Scotts Bluff NM had 238,226 park visitors.

Learn more about the most visited and least visited National Parks in the US

National Park Address

190276 Old Oregon Trail

Gering, NE 69341

Latitude: 41.828573

Longitude: -103.707358

National Park Map

Where is Scotts Bluff National Monument?

Scotts Bluff National Monument is located 3 miles west of Gering, Nebraska.

Estimated distance from major cities nearby

Aurora, CO - 202 miles

Denver, CO - 200 miles

Colorado Springs, CO - 265 miles

Lincoln, NE - 400 miles

Omaha, NE - 460 miles

Wichita, KS - 555 miles

Kansas City, MO - 600 miles

Estimated Distance from nearby National Park

Wind Cave National Park - 170 miles

Badlands National Park - 185 miles

Rocky Mountain National Park - 200 miles

Grand Teton National Park - 425 miles

Great Sand Dunes National Park - 426 miles

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park - 443 miles

Yellowstone National Park - 477 miles

Where is the National Park Visitor Center?

The Visitor Center is located just steps away from the route of the Oregon, California, and Pony Express Trails.

Getting to Scotts Bluff National Monument

Closest Airports

Western Nebraska-Scottsbluff Regional Airport (10 miles)

International Airports

Denver International Airport (200 miles)

Regional Airports

Cheyenne Regional Airport (100 miles)

Laramie Regional Airport (150 miles)

Northern Colorado Regional Airport (170 miles)

North Platte-Lee Bird Regional Airport (180 miles)

McCook Ben Nelson Regional Airport (240 miles)

Eagle County Regional Airport (330 miles)

Driving Directions

Visitors traveling east-west on Interstate 80 can exit at Kimball, Nebraska and drive 45 miles north on Nebraska Highway 71.

Follow National Park Service signs three miles west of Gering, Nebraska to Old Oregon Trail Road.

Turn west onto Old Oregon Trail Road and follow it approximately 2 miles to the monument visitor center on the right.

Visitors travelling along the North Platte River using US Highway 26 or Nebraska Highway 92, should follow the National Park Service signs.

Best time to visit Scotts Bluff National Monument

The best time to visit Scotts Bluff National Monument is during the spring or summer months when temperatures are pleasant.

This allows for optimal exploration of the area, as trails, overlooks, and other attractions can be enjoyed in their entirety, with plenty of time to take in all that the Monument has to offer.

Weather and Seasons

The hot weather is from June 8 to September 14, with an average daily high temperature above 80 degrees.

The coldest weather is from November 20 to February 27, with an average daily high temperature below 49 degrees.

The coldest month is December, with an average low of 17 degrees and a high of 41 degrees.

The snowiest weather usually occurs from November 21 to February 22, with at least an inch a month. The month with the most snow is March, with an average of 1.4 inches.

Best Things to do in Scotts Bluff National Monument

This is a park that will most likely take you an average of an hour or two at most.

If you are a huge fan of the Oregon Trail, hike all three trails, or have a picnic you could spend longer than this in the park.

There is not a lot of shade if any on the trails if you plan to hike them. Please come prepared with water, sunglasses, and sunscreen at a minimum for hiking.

Rattlesnakes – There are multiple signs near the visitor center and along the trails warning visitors to keep an eye out for prairie rattlesnakes.

Scenic Drive

Directly behind the visitor center is the entrance to the scenic drive to the top of Scotts Bluff. Trailers and large vehicles are prohibited from doing the drive.

The drive is 1.6 miles up to the scenic overlook. Along the way, you have the opportunity to drive through the three car tunnels in the entire state of Nebraska.

These tunnels and the road were built by CCC crews.

When you reach the top of Scotts Bluff you can normally see for miles out along the Nebraska plains. We happened to visit on a day that wildfire smoke had come in from the west diminishing the views a lot.

On a normal day, you can see all the way to Chimney Rock and beyond.

Junior Ranger Program

The Junior Ranger Program is a fantastic way to learn more about the park for all ages!

Cell Phone Auto Tour

There is a cell phone auto tour that helps explain some of the scenic sites and information on the Oregon Trail.

Oregon Trail Wagons

One of the highlights of a visit to Scotts Bluff NM is checking out the different pioneer covered wagons and recreation ox pulling them along the Oregon Trail.

There is a short paved trail near the visitor center that leads you along the Oregon Trail.

I will warn you that there are multiple signs advising you to keep an eye out for prairie rattlesnakes.

We did not see any rattlesnakes on our walk but I want you to be aware especially if you have small kids that run around and may not notice a snake.

Pony Express

There is a great Pony Express designation right next to the visitor center.

Hiking in Scotts Bluff National Monument

Always carry the 10 essentials for outdoor survival when exploring.

Saddle Rock Trail

The Saddle Rock Trail departs from the visitor center. The trail is 1.6 miles one way to the top of the bluff.

The Saddle Rock Trail is considered strenuous with an elevation change of 435 feet.

When the Summit Shuttle is running you can hike this trail one-way.

South Overlook Trail

The South Overlook Trail is a 1/8 mile trail that leads to great overlooks.

North Overlook Trail

The North Overlook Trail is a half-mile trail that leads you out along Scotts Bluff and offers amazing views.

There is very little shade on the trail so you will want to be prepared for bright sunshine.

How to beat the crowds in Scotts Bluff National Monument?

We did not experience any crowds during our visit. The scenic drive makes it easy to move around any groups.

Where to stay when visiting Scotts Bluff National Monument

There is no lodging in the park. The closest towns for lodging are in Scottsbluff, Nebraska.

We stayed in North Platte, Nebraska on our Midwest National Park Road trip

Monument Inn & Suites - Free continental breakfast, golfing on site, and laundry facilities are just a few of the amenities provided at Monument Inn & Suites. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with a gym and a business center.

Cobblestone Hotel & Suites - Gering/Scottsbluff - free self-serve breakfast, a grocery/convenience store, and laundry facilities at Cobblestone Hotel & Suites - Gering/Scottsbluff. In addition to a fireplace in the lobby and a bar, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Hotel 21 & Co. - laundry facilities, and an outdoor entertainment area are just a few of the amenities provided at Hotel 21 & Co.. Hit the jackpot at this hotel with amenities such as a VIP room, gaming table, and 15 slot machines. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with a bar and a conference center.

Hampton Inn & Suites Scottsbluff Conference Center - free breakfast, a free roundtrip airport shuttle, and dry cleaning/laundry services at Hampton Inn & Suites Scottsbluff Conference Center. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. In addition to a gym and a business center, guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Scottsbluff-Gering - free breakfast buffet, dry cleaning/laundry services, and a gym. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Stay connected with free in-room Wi-Fi, and guests can find other amenities such as a business center.

Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Scottsbluff - free breakfast, a grocery/convenience store, and a terrace at Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Scottsbluff. For some rest and relaxation, visit the hot tub. Free in-room Wi-Fi is available to all guests, along with dry cleaning/laundry services and a 24-hour gym.

Click on the map below to see current vacation rentals and lodging near the park.

Camping

There are no National Park Campgrounds within the park.

Nearby campground:

Riverside Campground (5 miles)

Peaceful Prairie Campsites (5 miles)

Captain Critters Country Campground (8 miles)

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