Sightseeing
History BuffScotts Bluff Area
FreeVisitor bureau for the Scottsbluff and Gering area of the Nebraska Panhandle, home to Scotts Bluff National Monument and Chimney Rock.
Photo: Mike Tigas from Columbia, MO, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.
SightseeingHistory BuffIconic
Chimney Rock National Historic Site
9822 County Rd 75 · Bayard, NE
Why you should go…
Chimney Rock is a spire of Brule clay, volcanic ash and Arikaree sandstone whose peak stands 4,228 feet above sea level, high over the North Platte River valley. In the mid-1800s it was a landmark for travelers on the Oregon, California and Mormon trails, which ran along its north side. History Nebraska runs the site, and the visitor center has museum exhibits and a video about the pioneers and the westward migrations, plus a gift shop.
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Good to know
General sightseeing guidance
Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.
The forecast is part of the ticket
Haze, low cloud, and rain flatten a view. Clear-day visits are worth rearranging your plans for.
Golden hour sells out first
Sunset slots at observation decks and cruises are the first to go, so book those further ahead.
Dress a layer warmer
It is always breezier up high and out on the water than it feels at street level.
Timed entry is common
Plenty of landmarks release tickets in windows rather than at the door, so check before you walk over.
What's around here?
The closest stops to Chimney Rock National Historic Site, ordered by straight-line distance.
