Among the various national monuments in the United States, Scotts Bluff National Monument is arguably one of the lesser known. In fact, if you took a random street poll, chances are most people would have never heard of it. Located in rural Nebraska, it only attracts about 100,000 visitors annually. To put that into perspective, the Statue of Liberty (which is a national monument) and Mount Rushmore, see around 4 million and 2 million visitors per year, respectively. Truthfully, it’s a shame that Scotts Bluff National Monument remains so elusive to people’s knowledge base, as its significance is quite remarkable – it’s a key landmark on the historic Oregon Trail.

Named after Hiram Scott, a clerk for the Rocky Mountain Fur Company who died near the bluff in 1828, and located just outside the small towns of Gering and Scotts Bluff in rural, western Nebraska, Scotts Bluff National Monument comprises several key features. These include the towering 800-foot “Scotts Bluff,” a smaller adjacent bluff called “South Bluff,” and the North Platte River. Visitors can access the summit via Scotts Bluff Summit Road, which offers breathtaking views, or visit the Visitor Center, which provides informative exhibits and a short film about the land’s discovery and preservation.

Of course, the coup de grâce and star of the show – is the Oregon Trail. Scotts Bluff was a significant landmark for travelers on the Oregon Trail and Pony Express routes, and it could even be seen from the Mormon Trail. Between 1843 and 1869, over 250,000 westward immigrants passed by Scotts Bluff on the Oregon Trail, making it the second-most referenced landmark in the diaries and journals of early westward bound pioneers. The now-named Oregon Trail Pathway is a very easy, walkable trail that takes you past three covered wagon displays, transporting you back to the mid-1800s and allowing you to imagine what the early pioneers saw and experienced. Once you step off the pavement and onto the dirt, you’re officially standing on the Oregon Trail.

There are four hiking and walking trails available at Scotts Bluff National Monument:

• North Overlook Trail: A 0.5-mile paved trail that leads from the summit parking lot to the highest point on the bluff at 4,659 feet (1,420 m) above sea level, offering stunning views of the North Platte River Valley.
• South Overlook Trail: This 0.4-mile paved trail also starts from the summit parking lot and heads south, providing views of the visitor center and Mitchell Pass.
• Saddle Rock Trail: A more rigorous 1.6-mile trail that climbs 435 feet (133 m) in elevation, beginning at the visitor center and ending at the summit parking lot.
• Oregon Trail Pathway: The best one and my personal favorite, this 0.5-mile partially paved trail passes several covered wagon displays and culminates in Mitchell Pass.

There is also a 1.2-mile bike path that runs from the visitor center to the eastern boundary of the park, which is not accessible to hikers.

The nearly 4 miles of trails are open year-round, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset. While pets are allowed on all trails, they must be kept on a leash at all times. Be aware that summer months can get very hot, and prairie rattlesnakes are common in the area. While they can often be spotted on the trail, they may be hidden in the surrounding grassland, so it’s best for both people and pets to remain on the designated trails.

I highly recommend driving up Scotts Bluff Summit Road, which is open daily from 9am to 4pm. Built in the 1930s, this 1.6-mile scenic drive is the oldest concrete road in Nebraska. It winds along the side of Scotts Bluff, ending at the summit parking lot, passing through the only three vehicular tunnels in the entire state of Nebraska. The road is quite curvy and narrow, so it’s best to drive slowly and with caution. Note that trailers are prohibited and vehicles longer than 25 feet or higher than 11’7″ are also prohibited, so be sure to unhitch any trailers or campers at the visitor center parking lot. Also, please note, Summit Road may close during inclement weather or rock falls.

At the top, both the North Overlook Trail and South Overlook Trail begin. We hiked the North Overlook Trail, which was a simple hike that my 7-year-old did easily and offered breathtaking, panoramic views of the vast Nebraskan landscape. It truly put into perspective the enormity of the surrounding area and provided a small glimpse into what the early pioneers must have seen and experienced on their epic journey westward along the Oregon Trail.

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Overall, Scotts Bluff National Monument is a perfect and quick road trip stop, which is exactly what we made of it. We visited from 2pm to 3:15pm, which was enough time to see and enjoy the area. We walked along the Oregon Trail Pathway and North Overlook Trail, drove up Summit Road, took in the seemingly infinite panoramic views, visited the small museum in the Visitor Center, and watched the short 14-minute educational video – all within that hour and 15 minutes. Of course, if you want to hike the other trails, your visit will take longer. However, if you’re pressed for time like we were, I highly recommend following our itinerary. While Scotts Bluff National Monument is located in a less-visited part of the United States, one that isn’t a premier travel destination for many, please don’t miss the opportunity to visit and walk along THE Oregon Trail – especially if you ever find yourself passing through western Nebraska!

P.S. Just a heads up, the largest and closest airport to Scotts Bluff National Monument is Denver International Airport, located approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes to the south. It’s really rural!