Traveling Through Nebraska's Trails And Byways: Nebraska Great Sandhills Journey Byway
The Nebraska Great Sandhills Journey Byway is a 272-mile scenic route that passes through the Sandhills region of Nebraska, offering a unique glimpse into the state's natural and cultural heritage. Located primarily in the north-central part of the state, this byway spans across Custer, Blaine, Cherry, Brown, Rock, Keya Paha, Holt, and Boyd counties, providing a rich tapestry of history, geology, and wildlife.
The Sandhills region, which covers nearly a quarter of the state, is characterized by rolling sand dunes, scenic badlands, and vast prairies, featuring numerous sandstone formations, deep canyons, and the largest privately owned ranches in the world. One notable example is the Spade Ranch, a 69,540-acre ranch established in 1880, which spans across several counties along the byway. The byway traverses the Great Sandhills region, showcasing its varied and diverse landscapes, from the Pine Ridge Escarpment to the Sandhills Cowboy Trail.
Established in 1993, the Nebraska Great Sandhills Journey Byway is one of the state's nine state scenic byways and the only one that traverses the Sandhills region. This byway follows Highway 2, a 351-mile stretch of road that spans across the state from Grand Island to Alliance. Travelers can explore charming small towns like Merna, Seneca, and Ainsworth, visit geological attractions such as the Scott's Bluff National Monument, or visit the Carhenge replica in Alliance.
The byway offers numerous recreational activities for outdoor enthusiasts, from hunting, fishing, and boating to hiking, camping, and horseback riding. Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge near Merna is one such site, hosting millions of sandhill cranes during their annual spring migration, offering birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts a spectacular display of natural beauty. Other popular attractions along the byway include the Ol' Red Cloud Museum and the Ainsworth National Wildlife Refuge.
Travelers on the Nebraska Great Sandhills Journey Byway have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of the region. Visit Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, home to a nature center and museum showcasing the region's indigenous cultures, or explore the Pahaska Teepee Resort in Ellsworth, just off the byway. In the summer, the annual Sandhills Roundup Rodeo in Seneca celebrates the Western heritage and cowboy traditions of the region.
In recent years, tourism has played an increasingly important role in the local economy of the Sandhills region, generating revenue from local businesses and supporting the preservation of the region's unique cultural and natural heritage. Organizations such as the Nebraska State Scenic Byways Commission and the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway Association have worked to promote the region's scenic attractions, from archaeological sites to historical sites and ecological preserves.
Travelers may find opportunities to explore surrounding areas, including the Custer National Forest in South Dakota and the Lake McConaughy Reservoir in southwestern Nebraska. This offers ample chances to connect with its rich geography and indigenous history.
From prehistoric sandstone rock art to pioneer-era cattle ranches, the Nebraska Great Sandhills Journey Byway is an adventure through America's storied past.
The Sandhills region, which covers nearly a quarter of the state, is characterized by rolling sand dunes, scenic badlands, and vast prairies, featuring numerous sandstone formations, deep canyons, and the largest privately owned ranches in the world. One notable example is the Spade Ranch, a 69,540-acre ranch established in 1880, which spans across several counties along the byway. The byway traverses the Great Sandhills region, showcasing its varied and diverse landscapes, from the Pine Ridge Escarpment to the Sandhills Cowboy Trail.
Established in 1993, the Nebraska Great Sandhills Journey Byway is one of the state's nine state scenic byways and the only one that traverses the Sandhills region. This byway follows Highway 2, a 351-mile stretch of road that spans across the state from Grand Island to Alliance. Travelers can explore charming small towns like Merna, Seneca, and Ainsworth, visit geological attractions such as the Scott's Bluff National Monument, or visit the Carhenge replica in Alliance.
The byway offers numerous recreational activities for outdoor enthusiasts, from hunting, fishing, and boating to hiking, camping, and horseback riding. Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge near Merna is one such site, hosting millions of sandhill cranes during their annual spring migration, offering birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts a spectacular display of natural beauty. Other popular attractions along the byway include the Ol' Red Cloud Museum and the Ainsworth National Wildlife Refuge.
Travelers on the Nebraska Great Sandhills Journey Byway have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the rich history and culture of the region. Visit Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, home to a nature center and museum showcasing the region's indigenous cultures, or explore the Pahaska Teepee Resort in Ellsworth, just off the byway. In the summer, the annual Sandhills Roundup Rodeo in Seneca celebrates the Western heritage and cowboy traditions of the region.
In recent years, tourism has played an increasingly important role in the local economy of the Sandhills region, generating revenue from local businesses and supporting the preservation of the region's unique cultural and natural heritage. Organizations such as the Nebraska State Scenic Byways Commission and the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway Association have worked to promote the region's scenic attractions, from archaeological sites to historical sites and ecological preserves.
Travelers may find opportunities to explore surrounding areas, including the Custer National Forest in South Dakota and the Lake McConaughy Reservoir in southwestern Nebraska. This offers ample chances to connect with its rich geography and indigenous history.
From prehistoric sandstone rock art to pioneer-era cattle ranches, the Nebraska Great Sandhills Journey Byway is an adventure through America's storied past.
