NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/846037
10 NEBRASKAland • JULY 2017 By Justin Haag PHOTO BY ERIC FOWLER A s some travelers strive to get off the beaten path this summer, northwestern Nebraska has hundreds of miles of paths to help them do it. The Pine Ridge region, with about 300 square miles of public land, has a seemingly endless number of trails to explore the forests, buttes, badlands and grasslands that give this region its diverse appeal. The region has earned a recognition by numerous national publications for being a hidden jewel for horseback riders, mountain bikers and others looking for a backcountry experience. Whether trails enthusiasts enjoy exploring the countryside on rugged single-tracks, two-track pasture trails or gravel roads, they are sure to enjoy the opportunities of northwestern Nebraska. The trails within the Pine Ridge escarpment take visitors through ponderosa pine forests, high on rocky buttes to the cold-water streams in lower elevations. Both Fort Robinson State Park, with more than 100 miles of trails, and Chadron State Park, with another 33 1 ⁄2, offer trails for a variety of users. Mountain bike rentals and guided horseback rides are available at each location. In addition, the Pine Ridge Ranger District of the Nebraska National Forest has hundreds of miles of trails in Dawes County designated for both motorized and non-motorized recreational use. Another out of the ordinary experience awaits hikers and riders in the grasslands and badlands of northern Sioux County. The Hudson-Meng Trail leads visitors between two fascinating paleontology attractions on the remote Oglala National Grassland. The three- mile journey connects the Hudson-Meng Bison Kill and Toadstool Geologic Park. In 2015, an article in USA Today listed it as one of the 10 best trails in the nation for a memorable spring hike. With a grant from the Nebraska Tourism Commission, the Dawes County Travel Board has worked with local agencies and organizations to identify a series of trail complexes with convenient loops in the region. That map and many other materials for trails enthusiasts are available at the Northwest Nebraska Visitors Center on Highway 20 in Chadron. For those who want to do their scouting online, digital mapping resources are available. Maps of the region's public lands and trails can be found at maps.outdoornebraska. gov, www.fs.fed.us/visit/maps and DiscoverNWNebraska.com. ■ Dr. Jerry McLain rides a trail near The Cliffs Picnic Area southeast of Chadron. Travelogue PHOTO BY JEFF KURRUS While in the Pine Ridge While breaking from steps on the trails of Northwest Nebraska, take steps back in time at one of the many museums in the area. Crawford Historical Society Museum, Crawford Hudson-Meng Bison Bonebed, Crawford Museum of the Fur Trade, Chadron Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center and C.F. Coffee Gallery, Chadron State College Dawes County Historical Museum, Chadron Sioux County Historical Museum, Harrison Kristen O'Brien and Alex Helmbrecht enjoy the view on top of Red Cloud Buttes at Fort Robinson State Park. Northwestern Nebraska Trails