April 2025 • Nebraskaland 23
completed in the United States, with nearly 9,000 more in
progress.
With the dirt work and sturdy bridge structures already
in place, old rail lines make ideal multi-use trails. Once the
steel, ties and ballast are removed, the trail is surfaced with
low-maintenance crushed limestone, and bridges are fitted
with wood decking and safety rails.
Alex Duryea, recreational trails manager for Game and
Parks, said the Cowboy Trail has become a special way for
people to experience a large portion of the state.
"And, best of all, it's free to do it," he said. "Just hop on and
go."
The Cowboy Trail, albeit desolate in places, features some
of the best aesthetics Nebraska has to offer. Beginning with
its trailhead at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park in Norfolk, it takes people
through the lush farmland of the Elkhorn Valley. Farther
west, it crosses the pristine trout waters of Long Pine Creek,
patches of wetlands and expansive grassland in the northern
Sandhills, and overlooks the mighty Niobrara River. Those
who travel the full distance get a sampling of at least five of
the state's specified Biologically Unique Landscapes while
going through more than 25 cities and villages along the way.
Much of the trail runs parallel to U.S. highways 275
and 20, the latter designated the Bridges to Buttes Scenic
Byway. That name provides a clue to some of the trail's most
impressive features.
More than 200 bridges on the trail have been converted
for recreational use. Southeast of Valentine, the bridge over
the Niobrara River is a quarter-mile long and 148 feet high.
Farther east, the 145-foot-tall bridge over Long Pine Creek
spans 595 feet.
Also attractive are the old rail line's series of ornate arched
culverts constructed of stone blocks. Perhaps the most
impressive, just west of Johnstown, is 32 feet wide and 232
feet long. Plum Creek flows through it.
Part of the trail's allure is the same thing that's credited for
slowing development: the sparse population along the route.
Food, lodging, gear and other amenities can be found in
the route's largest cities — Norfolk, Valentine, Ainsworth
and O'Neill. North Fork Outfitting in Norfolk caters to
Terri VanHouten of Long Pine
walks her dogs, Jasmine and
Harper, on a bridge over Long
Pine Creek on the Cowboy Trail in
Brown County.
ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND
