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Welcome to Scotts Bluff National Monument!

Towering eight hundred feet above the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff has been a natural landmark for many peoples, and it served as the path marker for those on the Oregon, California, Mormon, and Pony Express Trails.

Scotts Bluff National Monument preserves 3,000 acres of unusual land formations which rise over the otherwise flat prairieland below.

 
Living history demonstration.  Summer 2006.

Things To Do

Visitors can hike the Saddle Rock Trail, drive to the summit, visit the Oregon Trail Museum and Visitor Center, and even relive life on the Oregon Trail during our special Living History program on weekends during the summer.
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Summit Road construction.  Photo taken 1935.

Monumental History

Scotts Bluff is unique among national parks as nearly all structures, roads, and trails were constructed in the 1930's primarily by the Civilian Conservation Corps.  Learn about how Scotts Bluff came to be.
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Photograph of William Henry Jackson in later life.

William Henry Jackson

William Henry Jackson is best known as a pioneering photographer who captured the first images of Yellowstone and the Teton; however, his efforts to document historical events did not end with his camera.
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View of the north face of Scotts Bluff.  This is the side most seen by citizens of the city of Scottsbluff.

Scientific Interest

Scotts Bluff's Presidential Proclamation states, "[it] has scientific interest from a geological standpoint." The north face of Scotts Bluff shows more geological history than any other place in Nebraska.
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Write to

P.O. Box 27
Gering, Nebraska 69341

Phone

Visitor Information
(308) 436-9700

Fax

(308) 436-7611

Climate

The national monument has a continental climate characterized by cool winters and hot summers with large variations from day to day. The elevation of the area provides a much lower humidity than eastern Nebraska.
Communities Surrounding Scotts Bluff National Monument
Note: The times listed below are approximate driving times to the park.
Gering, NE (4 min. ) Pop. 7,751
Scottsbluff, NE (9 min. ) Pop. 14,732
Melbeta, NE (14 min. ) Pop. 138
Mitchell, NE (15 min. ) Pop. 1,831
Minatare, NE (17 min. ) Pop. 810
McGrew, NE (21 min. ) Pop. 103
Morrill, NE (22 min. ) Pop. 957
Lyman, NE (31 min. ) Pop. 421
Harrisburg, NE (31 min. ) Pop. 75
Bayard, NE (31 min. ) Pop. 1,247
Torrington, WY (42 min. ) Pop. 5,776
Huntley, WY (43 min. ) Pop. 21
Bridgeport, NE (43 min. ) Pop. 1,594
Yoder, WY (56 min. ) Pop. 169
Angora, NE (57 min. )
Hawk Springs, WY (58 min. ) Pop. 69
Albin, WY (1 hr.  16 min. ) Pop. 120