Ever heard of Scotts Bluff National Monument? Me neither, till we drove from Idaho to Iowa which means driving through Nebraska. On the edge of western Nebraska stands a bluff 800 feet over the valley floor. It has the name Me-a-pa-te which translates to “hill that is hard to go around”.
The bluff still exists because it has a 22 million year old cap rock which is protecting the older sandstone, volcanic ash and siltstone underneath it from the erosion which has flattened the surrounding area.
What to do
Don’t expect to spend an entire day here, it is more of a nice break from the car and a place to walk the dogs. The monument preserves 3000 acres of prairie habitat and unusual landforms. There are three trails and two overlooks, leashed dogs are allowed on all of them. Additionally, clean up bags are even provided at two of the trailheads. Two or more pet friendly trails give the park a 3 paw rating.
The Scotts Bluff website has a separate pet page with up to date regulations
Trails and overlooks
- Oregon Trail Pathway: short, mixed paved and dirt. It starts at the visitor center and ends where the artist William Henry Jackson camped in 1866. Sections are along the original pioneer road.
- Prairie View Trail: 1.2 miles, paved, open to bikes and foot traffic.
- Saddle Rock Trail: 1.6 miles up to the summit, paved strenuous, elevation change of 435 feet.
- North Overlook: 0.5 miles from the summit parking lot, paved and moderate
- South Overlook: 0.4 miles from the summit parking lot, paved and easy
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The summit can also be reached by car. RV’s and trailers are not allowed. Alternatively there is a shuttle service. Pets probably aren’t allowed on the shuttle. We were able to leave our trailer in the lower parking lot and drive up the road. If hiking the Saddle Rock Trail once is enough the shuttle can be ridden for a one-way trip or used to get up and down from the summit.
Nearby
- Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
- Fort Laramie National Historic Site
- Chimney Rock National Historic Site
Some RV parks can be found in Scottsbluff, Gering and Mitchell but otherwise camping is hard to find in the area.
