Nebraska isn’t a state that comes to mind when one thinks of road trips and summer vacations. Just north of Colorado most of it is quite empty, with small towns, railroad depots, and large cattle ranches and feedlots. We spent a couple of days (and one night) in the western part of the state, arriving via Cheyenne, Wyoming. We stayed in Scottsbluff, visiting the National Monument in the morning and then stopping at Chimney Rock and Carhenge on the way to South Dakota.
Scottsbluff
Scottsbluff would be a flat Nebraska city without much to speak of if it weren’t for the massive sandstone mountain on its border. Scotts Bluff National Monument is a part of the California, Oregon, Mormon, and Pony Express trails. Used by countless generations of Native Americans and Settlers as a waypoint, it can be seen for a hundred miles on a clear day. We spent the morning on a few picturesque hikes along the ridges.
We stayed at a Marriott Fairfield Inn, which was clean and comfortable, visited a Walmart for road trip snacks, and ate at Culver’s. So as you can see, there is not much to see and you don’t need more than a day and overnight in this part of Nebraska.
Chimney Rock
An important landmark for both Native Americans and the pioneers, Chimney Rock National Historic Site stands in the middle of open grasslands. It makes one ponder the emptiness, and what it must have been like as a settler crossing this landscape. There is a trail out to Chimney Rock and a small visitor center. We didn’t walk out to the rock, as during the height of summer encounters with rattlesnakes are common.
Carhenge
Our last stop in western Nebraska was Carhenge, and it’s worth a quick visit. We had read about this place on the Roadtrippers app and had to see this roadside attraction. We were surprised by the size and uniqueness of this fun installation. Jim Reinders built Carhenge to the exact specification of Stonehenge in England out of old cars in 1987. The site is now operated by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department. The small gift shop, The Pit Stop, is run by friendly folk, and the bathroom is clean.
In Summary
Western Nebraska is the definition of rural America. Seeing areas like this makes one appreciate this wide-open country and the history along the open road.
