Text from 1992 Revised Edition

Guide to the Area

Location of the Monument. Scotts Bluff National Monument adjoins the south bank of the North Platte River, in Scotts Bluff County, western Nebraska, 3 miles west of Gering via State Route 92, and 4 miles southwest of Scottsbluff which is on the north side of the river, on U. S. 26. The highway route on the north side of the North Platte River from Broadwater to the city of Scottsbluff in part parallels the course of the Mormon Trail. If you approach this historic landmark from the east, you can follow the classic Oregon Trail route to this point by driving up the North Platte Valley via U. S. 26 from Ogallala through Bridgeport (Courthouse Rock) to South Bayard (Chimney Rock) and State Route 92 from South Bayard to Gering.

Trans-Monument Road. The monument area is bisected from east to west by State Route 92, the principal approach being from the east through Gering. The Mitchell Pass route of the old Oregon Trail coming in from the east to the north of Dome Rock intersects this highway just south of the east entrance to Scotts Bluff National Monument. From this entrance to monument headquarters, the high way roughly follows the roadbed of the old Oregon Trail. Near monument headquarters, remains of the trail swing south of the highway before recrossing it to make the ascent through Mitchell Pass, which separates South Bluff from Scotts Bluff proper.

Mitchell Pass Area. At the crest of Mitchell Pass, State Route 92 continues westward through Mitchell Valley to the Wyoming State line. From the pass, the trough of the Oregon Trail makes an abrupt hairpin turn around the head of a ravine, then veers northward toward the North Platte River and the old crossing at the mouth of Horse Creek, near Lyman, Nebraska. In Mitchell Pass and for a few hundred yards west of the museum, the Oregon Trail trough is exceptionally well-defined, despite the passage of over 100 years since it was heavily traveled. The unusual depth of the old trail through this area is a result of the countless thousands of animals and wagons that had to pass single file through the Mitchell Pass bottleneck. A trail from the Mitchell Pass parking area leads to where William H. Jackson camped in 1866.

Visitor Center. The dominant building at the monument headquarters area, just east of Mitchell Pass, is the visitor center, which houses the Oregon Trail Museum and monument administrative offices. The museum exhibits feature the Oregon Trail and the emigrants who used it, geological formations, early Indian inhabitants of the Scotts Bluff area, and the works of William Henry Jackson, artist photographer.

Uniformed personnel are stationed at the visitor center throughout the year. A schedule of seasonal public services, including an orientation program, walks, talks, living history demonstrations, and evening programs throughout the summer months, is available at the visitor center.

Scotts Bluff Summit Road and Summit Area. During the 1930s, a paved road 1.7 miles in length, requiring three tunnel excavations, was built from the headquarters area to the summit to enhance visitor appreciation of the bluff's scenic and historic values. The road leads to a 50-car parking area on top. At the Summit Road entrance gate, adjoining the visitor center, cars are welcomed by a uniformed ranger. There is a fee collected here for use of the Summit Road, which is open daily except when weather conditions make driving hazardous.

The summit area covers several acres. Surfaced trails reach the principal overlooks. The main trail proceeds north from the area to the High Point of the bluff (4,649 feet above sea level), then meanders to the Observation Point above the north face of the bluff. At the foot of the bluff are the scenic badlands and the North Platte River, while the historic North Platte Valley stretches to the horizon east and west. Exhibits along the summit trail tell about the Oregon Trail and the geological formations of Scotts Bluff.

A trail south from the parking area will enable you to reach a point overlooking the Visitor Center, Mitchell Pass, and the beginning loop of the Summit Road. Beyond Dome Rock is Gering Valley, through which was the Robidoux Pass route of the Oregon Trail.

Saddle Rock Trail. A feature of the monument which affords extra scenic and inspirational benefit is a 1.6-mile-long trail extending from the summit to the headquarters area via a series of zig-zags and ledges, a foot tunnel, and "Scott's Spring." Not only does this trail afford superb scenic views of the bluff, it enables you to examine at close hand the successive rock strata that comprise the bluff, and to walk through varyingly vegetated slopes and fields. Descent of the bluff on foot by this trail is a popular activity. There are those who arrange to have someone in their party drive the car back down to the headquarters area, while others make the round trip by foot.

Badlands Area. The section between the steep bluff and the river is characterized by a tortuous labyrinth of steep-sided gullies known as "badlands." The badlands area is of historical interest since it was the impassability of this ground that forced the earliest emigrants on the trail to detour away from the river, first through Robidoux Pass, and later through Mitchell Pass. The badlands are also of exceptional geologic interest as an example of rapid erosion in soft rock beds of comparatively uniform composition.

Off-Trail Use. The area within the monument has few modern improvements. It is relatively unspoiled, with considerable scenic, geological, and botanical features. You are free to hike throughout the park, but no fires or camping are permitted. Because of the rugged terrain, rough clothing and stout footgear are recommended. Climbing within the monument is discouraged due to the unstable and historic nature of the sandstone cliffs.

Related Areas

Nearby Chimney Rock National Historic Site is preserved by cooperative agreement between the Department of the Interior, the Nebraska State Historical Society, and the City of Bayard, Nebr. Included in the National Park System are these other areas commemorating phases of early western history: Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, Mo.; Homestead National Monument, Nebr.; Fort Laramie National Monument, Wyo.; Grand Teton National Park, Wyo.; and Whitman National Monument, Wash.

Administration

Scotts Bluff National Monument was carved out of the public domain by Presidential proclamation on December 12, 1919, and contains approximately 3,000 acres. A superintendent, whose address is P.O. Box 427, Gering, Nebraska 69341, is in immediate charge.

Last Modified: Sat, Dec 9 2000 10:00:00 am PDT
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