Scotts Bluff National Monument

城市概覽

History Scotts Bluff was an important landmark along the Oregon Trail. It was first seen by the Sioux Indian tribe who used the bluff to chase and hunt buffalo, but the first-known Euro-Americans to see the rising bluffs were a group of fur traders from Spain in the 1700s. The bluffs were given no title until 1828. A group of fur traders from St. Louis were traveling along the North Platte River. One of the men, Hiram Scott, caught a dreadful disease that could not be healed and had to be abandoned into the wild of western Nebraska for him to die. Eventually, he made it to Scotts Bluff from where they abandoned him and died at the base of the bluff. In 1828, the fur traders found his body in the vicinity and named the bluff "Scotts Bluff". In the 1840s-1870s, Scotts Bluff was passed through by three famous trails: Oregon Trail, California Trail, and the Pony Express. The pioneers passed here and mentioned many comments about it. They also camped there, and some of them tried to climb the bluff, but they found it impossible. They gave the other formations in the area a title also, such as South Bluff, Dome Rock, Eagle Rock, Saddle Rock, and the famous Mitchell Pass. In 1880-1890, the city of Gering was founded 4 miles east of the base of the bluff. In the 1900s, the city of Scottsbluff was founded at the north border of the North Platte River and five miles northeast of the bluffs. In 1919, there was a proposal for Scotts Bluff to become Scotts Bluff National Monument. The National Park Service (NPS) visited the bluffs to survey them. All they called it was "a big bump in the land," but people protested back and eventually convinced NPS to make it a national monument. A trail was built in the park about five years later, and it was nicknamed "the zig-zag trail" because of its zigs and zags around the bluff. Many picnic areas were added to the park, also. Then, came a proposal to build a paved road to the summit of the bluff. The proposal was accepted, and construct

如何抵達

Scotts Bluff National Monument is five miles southwest of the town of Scottsbluff, Nebraska and three miles west of Gering, Nebraska on SR 92.

當地交通

Private vehicles can be driven to the top of one of the bluffs. Or, you can hike up the Saddle Rock Trail. A free shuttle service is also offered during the summer months.

必看景點

Bluffs. These rocky formations tower a few hundred feet above the surrounding plains of the area. They were a landmark for westward-bound pioneers during the 1800s. 1 Mitchell Pass. The way pioneers used to pass through the bluff. (updated Jul 2020) Saddle Rock Trail. The trail is 1.6 miles long and takes you to the parts of the bluffs that the Summit Road cannot. Summit Road. The road that takes you to the summit of the bluffs. Overlooks. Trails that lead to overlooks to see the North Platte Valley in bird's eye view.

體驗活動

There are many things to do in the monument. The average time spent by a visitor is 1-2 hours.

購物

There is a gift shop in the Visitor Center or Oregon Trail Museum.

美食

There are many restaurants located in Scottsbluff and Gering.

飲品與夜生活

There may be water fountains in the Visitor Center.

住宿

Lodging There is a large choice of hotels in Gering and Scottsbluff.

Camping There is no camping allowed inside the borders of the monument.

Backcountry The 1.6-mile long Saddle Rock Trail and the 0.5-mile long Wagon Train Trail will take you to spectacular views of the monument and bluffs.

順遊推薦

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument 55 mi. N Chimney Rock National Historic Site 24 mi. SE Fort Laramie National Historic Site 34 mi. NW Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area 10 mi. S