Nebraska Badlands Trek
Traveling through Nebraska offers a wide range of outdoor adventures, and one of the most unique and breathtaking is the Nebraska Badlands Trek. The trek is a 14-mile round-trip journey that takes hikers through a stunning landscape of rugged badlands, canyons, and unique rock formations, offering breathtaking views of the Sandhills region. Located in north-central Nebraska, the trek begins and ends in the town of Ainsworth, and traverses the stunning scenic landscape of the Niobrara National Scenic River, which is situated on the eastern edge of the Sandhills region.
The trek itself begins at the Smith Falls State Park, located near the town of Valentine, and is centered around the unique geological formations found in this region. The most notable of these formations is the 'Twin Rock' formation, a massive rock outcropping consisting of two large stone pillars located on the rim of a deep canyon. Hikers will need to navigate this rough terrain, making this trek an ideal option for experienced hikers with good physical stamina.
As hikers traverse this breathtaking landscape, they will encounter a variety of rare and diverse plant life, many of which can be found in the Springville Sandhills State Wildlife Management Area, a large tract of public land located just north of the trek route. Hikers may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the region's wildlife, including a thriving deer population, wild turkeys, and a large assortment of waterfowl.
Another attractive feature of the trek is the excellent geological exposure found along its route. Geologists may be particularly drawn to this trek, which passes through numerous diverse geological strata. A particularly intriguing example of this geological variety can be seen at the Devils' Backbone, a nearby park featuring breathtaking fossil record from the Oligocene time period. Ammonites, mollusk shells and several important Cretaceous layers are available here.
For history buffs, the trek passes by remnants of a pioneer ranch house near Scars of Amenth, along a few miles of local abandoned ranching family by the creek of the Clear Creek arroya that was an area often traveled by settlers from the west Nebraska high plains during settlement. Also visible from the top hill along the top portion of road grade that enters Valley of Clear creek leading to Smith River from upriver from Smith Falls Trail area.
One other intriguing story about the region surrounds the infamous frontiersman and pioneer scout for the US. military Pawnee Bill Wild, but this hushed legend about Pawnees early American folk history. While no clear claims of Pawnee Bill visiting these grounds offer that one could find stories the creek bed from Clear creek could well be important trails potentially used by figures such as Wild.
Once the trek concludes, travelers may enjoy nearby attractions like Carhenge located in Alliance about 240 miles west of Ainsworth.
The large collection of interesting landscape elements discovered at this specific trek helps create this unique attraction within Traveling through Nebraska for travelers seeking diverse adventure. Combining the Nebraska Sandhills with good accessible hiking trails available can really appeal to just about anyone looking for full adventurous offerings. The land traversed does give you a true sense of some of one American original authentic frontiers explored by early pioneers & Native American nomads following water, trails from areas that actually used these valleys where human societies learned to survive.
The trek itself begins at the Smith Falls State Park, located near the town of Valentine, and is centered around the unique geological formations found in this region. The most notable of these formations is the 'Twin Rock' formation, a massive rock outcropping consisting of two large stone pillars located on the rim of a deep canyon. Hikers will need to navigate this rough terrain, making this trek an ideal option for experienced hikers with good physical stamina.
As hikers traverse this breathtaking landscape, they will encounter a variety of rare and diverse plant life, many of which can be found in the Springville Sandhills State Wildlife Management Area, a large tract of public land located just north of the trek route. Hikers may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the region's wildlife, including a thriving deer population, wild turkeys, and a large assortment of waterfowl.
Another attractive feature of the trek is the excellent geological exposure found along its route. Geologists may be particularly drawn to this trek, which passes through numerous diverse geological strata. A particularly intriguing example of this geological variety can be seen at the Devils' Backbone, a nearby park featuring breathtaking fossil record from the Oligocene time period. Ammonites, mollusk shells and several important Cretaceous layers are available here.
For history buffs, the trek passes by remnants of a pioneer ranch house near Scars of Amenth, along a few miles of local abandoned ranching family by the creek of the Clear Creek arroya that was an area often traveled by settlers from the west Nebraska high plains during settlement. Also visible from the top hill along the top portion of road grade that enters Valley of Clear creek leading to Smith River from upriver from Smith Falls Trail area.
One other intriguing story about the region surrounds the infamous frontiersman and pioneer scout for the US. military Pawnee Bill Wild, but this hushed legend about Pawnees early American folk history. While no clear claims of Pawnee Bill visiting these grounds offer that one could find stories the creek bed from Clear creek could well be important trails potentially used by figures such as Wild.
Once the trek concludes, travelers may enjoy nearby attractions like Carhenge located in Alliance about 240 miles west of Ainsworth.
The large collection of interesting landscape elements discovered at this specific trek helps create this unique attraction within Traveling through Nebraska for travelers seeking diverse adventure. Combining the Nebraska Sandhills with good accessible hiking trails available can really appeal to just about anyone looking for full adventurous offerings. The land traversed does give you a true sense of some of one American original authentic frontiers explored by early pioneers & Native American nomads following water, trails from areas that actually used these valleys where human societies learned to survive.
