2015 Sandhills and Scenic Rivers

Scenic Rivers
GETTING STARTED
Youll find sand and hills on

almost every continent, but
youll only find the Sandhills
in Nebraska. Drive on through
this area of grass-stabilized
sand dunes and your jaw may
drop down to Kansas as these
towering grassy hills resemble
endless waves rolling in from
the sea. Running through its
northern shores is the precious
Niobrara River, a bucket-list float
for anyone who has ever put a
paddle to water, and recognized
as one of the 10 best canoeing
rivers in the United States.
Hills become tidal waves
of hand-planted trees at the
Nebraska National Forest
near Halsey and Thedford.
Romantics and rodeo queens
love Valentine. Look for Dobbys
Frontier town, and the halfburied corpses of old cars at
Carhenge, both at Alliance.
Heavenly cattle ranches and
pristine lakes beautify this
region of more than 19,000
square miles of Sandhills and
Scenic Rivers Country.
With plenty of parking available, Carhenge is one

of Nebraskas most visited attractions.
70
JOURNEY TO WESTERN NEBRASKA 2015
CHERRY COUNTY
SANDHILLS & SCENIC BYWAYS 71
SANDHILLS & SCENIC RIVERS
Sandhills and
Alliance Hemingford
Hyannis Ashby Mullen
Tryon Arthur Seneca
Thedford Halsey
Merriman Nenzel
Cody Valentine
9
12 14 13
17
Snake
River
10
11
1
North Loup
River
WELCOME CENTERS/
REST AREAS
Middle
Loup
River
2 3 4
7
15
16
Dismal
River
Alan J. Bartels
The Central Park Fountain in Alliance has provided relief from hot Sandhills summers since 1935. It was renovated in 2007 and is on the National
Register of Historic Places. Equipped with halogen lights, the fountain complements the starry Sandhills night sky in the evenings.
Alliance
Alliance has a long lineage of agriculture, business, industry and railroading.

Rogues, rascals and visionaries have colored the towns history and distinguished
the community. Alliance has grown
from a frontier town in the American
West to 9,000 residents and a variety of
72
businesses, amenities and attractions.

Located at the intersection of Highways
2 and Highway 385, Alliance is the largest city for 50 miles in any direction.
Two-and-a-half miles north of Alliance on Highway 87, Carhenge is perhaps the strangest attraction in Nebraska.
The full-scale replica of Englands famous
Stonehenge is built entirely from old cars.
Local resident Jim Reinders got the idea

in 1982 when his family gathered at the
family farm after his father died. They
decided to build a tribute to his father
and gathered five years later to begin.
Carhenge is built from 38 cars, painted
gray. Some are half-buried, others are
welded together, and some jut from the
ground at odd angles mimicking the
present semi-ruined configuration of
Stonehenge.
In recent years, more automobile
sculptures have been added. Just a short
walk from Carhenge fun, quirky pieces
include Spawning Salmon (a car that
looks like giant salmon bursting from the
ground); and The Fourd Seasons (representing the four stages of wheat grown
in the area). Admission to the grounds is
free, and theres a small visitor center and
gift shop where you can smash a penny for
your own Carhenge souvenir.
Back in town, displays at the
19,000-square-foot Knight Museum
and Sandhills Center span many aspects
of western life, including an extensive
display of Native American artifacts, railroad memorabilia from the 1880s to the
present, military history from the cavalry
era to Alliances World War II air base,
homestead and ranch life, and the array
of ethnic cultures that shaped the area.
Attractions
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Alliance has grown from a frontier town in the

American West to 9,000 residents and a variety
of amenities and attractions.
The museums research center houses
the largest collection of genealogy material in the region. Volunteers are available
for one-on-one assistance in perusing
the thousands of records available. To get
there, turn north on Yellowstone Avenue
from highways 385 and 2. The museum
is at 908 Yellowstone. (308) 762-2384.
The Carnegie Arts Center is a gallery
featuring local and regional artists, gifts
and a sculpture garden. This center hosts
renowned art shows such as installations
of original Rembrandt and Albrecht
Durer prints. It is housed in a historic
1911 building at 204 W. Fourth St. Open

10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1-4
p.m. Sunday. Closed holidays. (308) 7624571.
Dobbys Frontier Town, 320 E. 25th
St., is a historic village with buildings
from the 1890s through Prohibition. All
are filled with period furnishings. Buildings include a general store and meat
market, a mortuary (complete with a
glass-topped coffin), a log cabin built
by the areas first black homesteader, an
early gas station, a replica 1880s post
office, a Chinese laundry, a saloon, a
BOX BUTTE COUNTY
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Box Butte Reservoir

Carnegie Arts Center
Knight Museum and
Sandhills Center
Carhenge
Dobbys Frontier Town
Nebraska Veterans Cemetery
Sandhills Movie Drive-In
Crescent Lake National
Wildlife Refuge
Arthur Bowring
Sandhills Ranch
State Historical Park
Merritt Reservoir
Valentine National
Wildlife Refuge
Niobrara National Scenic River
Smith Falls State Park
Fort Niobrara National
Wildlife Refuge
Canoeing, tubing, kayaking
Nebraska National Forest
Bessey Ranger District
Samuel R. McKelvie
National Forest
15
bootleggers cabin and a bordello. Call

ahead for hours. (308) 762-4321.
With 140 acres of public space, Alliance is proud of its extensive park system. Central Park is the citys oldest,
and its Central Park Fountain is on the
National Register of Historic Places.
Other Alliance parks include Laing Lake
and Bower Park, and there are also several mini-parks throughout the city. The
Central Park Fountain is in operation
Memorial Day weekend through Oct. 1.

After dark, it features a lights-and-water
display. Nearby, at 11th and Niobrara,
Sallows Conservatory and Arboretum
features tropical and sub-tropical plants.
Paths wind throughout the flowers of the
Sunken Gardens. North of town, Laing
Lake Park has ducks, geese and good
fishing from shoreline or pier. Railroad
buffs can stop at the corner of Laing
Lake Park and visit Locomotive 719 and
HOTELS & MOTELS
Phone
Rooms
Amenities
1st Interstate Inn, 1207 W. 3rd St, W. on Hwy 2 & US Hwy

385, Alliance
308-762-4040
42
Pets allowed
Alliance Hotel and Suites, 117 Cody Ave, 3rd & Cody Sts.,
Alliance
308-762-8000
60
Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, free continental breakfast
American Inn, 1419 W. 3rd St., Alliance
308-762-8300
39
Free continental breakfast, pets allowed
1-75
Holiday Inn Express, 1420 W. 3rd St., Alliance

www.hiexpress.com/alliancene
308-762-7600
60
51-75
Rainbow Motel, 614 W. 3rd St., Alliance
308-762-4980
13
Restaurant on premises, free continetal breakfast, pets allowed
1-50
Sunset Motel & RV Park, 1210 E. Hwy 2, Alliance

www.clicksunset.com
308-762-8660
20
Indoor pool, pets allowed
49-75
Amenities
Fees
Address and Email
CAMPGROUNDS Address and Email
Rate Range
1-50
51-75+
Phone
Open
J&C RV Park, 2491 S. US Hwy 385, Alliance
308-762-3860
Year Round
RV Amenities: Electricity, water, sewer, room for 13 trailers.
Call for
rates
Sunset RV Park, 1210 E. NE Hwy 2, Alliance

www.clicksunset.com
308-762-8660
800-767-8660
Year Round
RV Amenities: Electricity, water, sewer, room for 24 trailers. Rest

Facilities: Showers, flush toliets, indoor pool.
18-30
GOLF COURSES Address and Email

Sky View, 2613 Cty Rd 57
Phone
308-762-1446
Holes & Type Call for hours and tee times.

18, public
Rate Range
15-30
Alliance Events
Thunder on the Prairie
June 5-7. Classic cars cruise to the music of the

50s and 60s. Also poker run, barbecue and dance.
Located in Shady Park. (308) 762-2761.
Follow the Rails Art Trail
Date*******. Explore Nebraska art and natural

wonders along Highway 2, the Sandhills Journey
Scenic Byway. Art showings span the thoroughfare
from its beginnings in Central Nebraska and
culminate in Alliance. (308) 458-2232.
Summer Solstice Celebration
June 20-21. Carhenge, that quirky replica of

Englands renowned Stonehenge is famous in itself.
Any day of the year is a good time to visit, but on
summers longest day, people make the most of it by
gathering before dawn to watch the sun rise through
and over the circle of monolithic vehicles. Two days
of, music and fun. www.Carhenge.com.
Dobbys Fall Festival
Sept. ****. Quick draw competition, live music,

storytelling, bake sale, Dutch oven cooking, church
service and more. (308) 762-4321.
74
BOX BUTTE COUNTY
a vintage coal car. The park, bordered by

18th Street, Box Butte Avenue, Burnham
Drive and Emerson Avenue, also has two
miles of walking trails.
During World War II, Alliance was
home to the Alliance Air Base, a site
chosen for its proximity to the Sandhills, which were considered excellent
for parachute and ammunition training.
The 507th Parachute Infantry Regiment
trained here before landing in Normandy
hours before the D-Day invasion. As a
result, a large number of D-Day casualties were known personally to the people
of Alliance. Today, the former air base is
the Alliance Municipal Airport.
In 2010, in tribute to those gallant
heroes, Nebraska Veterans Cemetery
was opened at the former Alliance Army
Air Field on 20 acres once used as a troop
training field. These 20 acres rest near the
airport, which is east of Alliance, south
of Highway 2. (877) 402-7990.
The Sallows Military Museum, 1100
Niobrara St., features artifacts from the
air base and Box Butte County history
from all military branches. It is open 1-5
p.m. Monday-Saturday, and by appointment. (308) 762-2385 or (308) 762-2384.
Alliances downtown brick-lined
main street, Box Butte Avenue, is listed
on the National Register of Historic
Places and has an associated Historic
Main Street organization. There are
numerous shops, restaurants and other
businesses in the downtown district.
For more information please contact
the Alliance Visitors Bureau at (877)
269-8776 or the Alliance Chamber of
Commerce at (800) 738-0648.
www.VisitAlliance.com
Open
Volunteers put up Hemingfords Avenue of Flags on Independence Day and other holidays.
Hemingford
Hemingford is 18 miles northwest of

Alliance and features year-round holiday events, including the Harvest Moon
Festival in October and the Avenue of
Flags. Hemingford displays more than
200 American flags along its streets during various holidays, such as July 4th
weekend, Flag Day, Memorial Day, Veterans Day and others. Each historic flag
once draped the casket of a veteran from
the area, some of whom served in conflicts dating back to the Civil War.
In early August, Hemingford is home
to the Box Butte County Fair. During
the Christmas season, Hemingford displays its Christmas Diorama. The drivethru diorama, depicting scenes painted
on wood panels, stretches nearly three
football fields in length.
Box Butte Reservoir, a 1,600-acre lake
and recreational area, is 10 miles north of

town. It offers excellent fishing, boating,
swimming, windsurfing and sailing, and
is part of a state recreation area with picnic areas, hiking and primitive camping.
For more information contact the
Hemingford Chamber of Commerce.
(308) 487-3300.
Hemingford Events
Hyannis
Harvest Moon
Fall Festival
Oct. 17. Join in this autumn bash

featuring Pumpkin Chunkin,
Spud Gun Contest, a scarecrow
competition, Outhouse Races,
and Cornshucking Relay. www.
hemingfordevents.com.
Hyannis is home of the annual Windmill Days celebration each June. Look
for the windmill in the center of Main
Street and youre in the right place to
partake in the festivities. The Grant
County Museum at the county courthouse, 105 E. Harrison, displays area
history and oddities such as props from
John Waynes stunt man and a worldHOTELS & MOTELS
UNIQUE LODGING Address and Email
Phone
Amenities
Rate Range
Address and Email
Double JT & Hyannis Hotel, 1025 Main Ave., Hyannis
Patriot Inn B&B, 851 Cty Rd 71, Hemingford. www.bbc.

net/~patriotinn
308-487-1776
Rooms with private bath, continental breakfast.
51-75
The Cottage, 405 Shoshone Ave., Hemingford

www.visitboxbutte.com
308-487-5272
Rooms with shared bath, private cottage with full kitchen, laundry facilities
51-75
Open
Amenities
Fees
RV Amenities: Electricity, water, room for 64 trailers. Rest Facilities:

Pit toilets. Camping: 60 tents
6-12 & NE
Park Permit
RV Amenities: Electricity, water, sewer. Rest Facilities: Showers, pit

and flush toilets. Camping: Avaliable
20-40
Phone
Box Butte Reservoir SRA, 9 1/2 mi. N., Hemingford. On

the Niobrara River. www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov
308-665-2900
Shared Outdoors, 130 Old Dunlap Rd., Hemingford

sharedoutdoors.com
308-487-3426

Hemingford Golf Course, Fremont St
76
Phone
308-487-3639
Year Round

9, public
Rate Range
Under 15

Whisperin Angel Inn, 101 S. Manderson Ave., Hyannis
class barbed wire collection. Open 1-4

p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, or by appointment. (308) 458-2371. Golfers can shoot
nine holes at Pelican Beach Golf Course.
Open to the public. (308) 458-2579.
Ashby
The village of Ashby is big on creativity. Ashby Fun Day brings the regional
Phone
Rooms
308-458-2332
11
Phone
308-458-2300
community together each June for a

day of fun and games, barbecue, music,
dancing and more. (308) 577-6766. Just
passing by? Cross the tracks and find
a treat at the old soda fountain cafe on
Main St. There are no sundaes or malts
at CaLindas Pot Shop and Art Gallery,
but you can shop owner Linda Lacys
creations of clay and canvas. Never made
pottery of your own? Stop in and throw
your own pot. (308) 577-6766.
Amenities
Rate Range
Restaurant on premises.
Amenities
51-75
Rate Range
Rooms with shared bath, full breakfast, historic bed and breakfast.
Phone
Open
Ranchland Motel Campground, 305 E. Hwy 2, Hyannis
308-458-2264
Year Round
RV Amenities: Electricity, water, sewer.
Simpsons Trailer Court, 316 Morton St., Hyannis
308-458-2354
Year Round
RV Amenities: Electricity, water, sewer, room for 6 trailers. Camping:

Unlimited tents

Pelican Beach Golf Club, 2 1/4 mi. E. on Hwy 2, Hyannis
Phone
308-458-2579
Amenities
Fees

9, public
BOX BUTTE & GRANT COUNTIES
Call for
rate
Rate Range
Under 15
For a hot time in the middle of winter take a cool trip

with the Polar Bear Tank Race at Mullen.
Mullen
West of Thedford on Highway 2, Mullen sits at the geographic heart of the

Sandhills. For a region that is known
for its striking beauty, its appropriate, although surprising, that one of the
worlds best golf courses is here.
Sand Hills Golf Club is an 18-hole
private course designed by pro golfer Ben
Crenshaw and design partner Bill Coore.
Golf Digest ranks Sand Hills number one
in the Modern List.
To get to the course, go 12 miles south
of Mullen on Highway 97 to mile marker
HOTELS & MOTELS
55, then go west three miles. Visitors are

welcome at the clubhouse, but to golf,
players must either be members or sponsored guests.
The Nebraska Sandhills are also home
to the Dismal River Club, another
world-class private course. Designed by
Jack Nicklaus, the Dismal River Club
is links golf in its purest form: rugged,
windblown, hard and fast. The course
is located two miles south and 17 miles
Address and Email
Glidden Sandhills Motel, W. Hwy 2, Mullen

www.sandhillsmotel.com
19
Amenities
Rate Range
Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, outdoor ool ,

pets allowed
Amenities
75
Rate Range
308-546-2288
Fully-furnished 2-bedroom guest house. Sleeps 9.
Double R Guest Ranch LLC, 86091 Double R Dr. , Mullen

www.rrguestranch.com
308-546-2314
866-217-2042
Rooms with private and shared bath.Secluded furnished cabins, sleeps 16.
51-75+
Phone
Open
Fees
308-546-2206
888-278-6167
Year Round
Glidden Sandhills Campground, 507 S.W. 1st, Mullen

(W. Hwy 2) www.sandhillsmotel.com
Phone
Rooms
Carter Morris House, 102 NW 3rd St. , Mullen
78
Phone
308-546-2206
888-278-6167
southwest of Mullen. (308) 546-2900.

Mullen also has a fine public nine-hole
course on the west edge of town called
Mullen Golf Club. (308) 546-2446.
Experienced canoers and kayakers
can test their skills on the Dismal River
south of Mullen. The Dismal is a fastflowing, spring-fed river with plenty of
twists and sunken debris that make it a
natural obstacle course.
Along the trip, canoers and kayakers
Phone
Amenities
Facilities: Shower and flush toliets.
Dismal River Golf Course, 83040 Dismal River Trl, Mullen
308-546-2900
18, semi-private
Mullen Golf Course, 102 N. Veteran - W Hwy 2, Mullen
308-546-2446
9, public
MULLEN COUNTY
15
Rate Range
Over 30
15-30
are treated to a swim in a large spring

from which water and sand upswell from
the aquifer below.
People looking for a family-friendly
river trip can float or paddle down the
Middle Loup River just north of Mullen.
The Middle Loup also is spring-fed and
has relatively calm waters as it meanders
through wide, sloping Sandhills canyons.
Canoe and kayak rental is available for
both rivers. Stock tank rental is available
for the Middle Loup.
Both rivers have campsites and eventually flow along the north and south
sides of the Nebraska National Forest
toward Dunning, where they converge
into the Loup River. For more information on Mullen or the rivers, call (888)
278-6167.
Dismal River Outfitters is a big-game
hunting ranch with more than 50,000 acres
available for bison, elk, whitetail deer, mule
deer and turkey hunting. The ranch is 14
miles south of Mullen. (308) 546-0567.
Mullen Events
Sharp-tailed grouse and
prairie chicken viewing
Tryon
The museum of the McPherson

County Historical Society includes a historic bank, sod house and area artifacts.
Open by appointment. (308) 587-2376.
Arthur
Nebraska Tourism
With ample opportunities on both public and private

lands, the scenic and serene Nebraska Sandhills region is a camper and outdoorsmans paradise.
HOTELS & MOTELS
Phone
Rooms
Amenities
The Bunkhouse, South end of Main St, Arthur
308-764-2476
Pets allowed
Longhorn Motel, 480 NE Hwy 92, Tryon. Jct Hwys 92 &

97, Tryon
308-587-2345
Address and Email
March and April. Observe the

breeding displays of native birds.
(308) 546-2206.
About 40 miles west of Tryon on Highway 92, Arthur is the only town in Arthur
County. The ranching town boasts the
worlds smallest courthouse. The 26-by28-foot white frame building was built a
year after Arthur County seceded from
McPherson County in 1913. Though it still
stands, it was replaced with a larger courthouse in 1961.
The former Pilgrim Holiness Church is
one of the few places of worship ever made
from baled straw. The Mill Camp Log
Cabin in the city park was built by William
Buffalo Bill Cody when he and two of his
business partners owned a ranch here.
Rate Range
1-50
1-50
Seneca
On Main Street, Cattlemans Restaurant has served locals and travelers for
more than 20 years. Open Thursday-Sunday, (308) 639-3242. Also, the Northern
Plains Studio has Native American and
western art for viewing and for sale, by
appointment only. (308) 639-3227.
Polar Bear Tank Race
March 6-7. Competitors, some

more serious than others, float
the scenic Middle Loup River
for the best times and bragging
rights. (308) 546-2206.
Thedford
An overlook south of the town of Thedford provides a scenic view of the Dismal River Valley.
80
MULLEN & THOMAS COUNTY
Thedford is a crossroads community

along Highway 2, from which Highway
83 leads north to Valentine or south to
North Platte.
The Thedford Art Gallery, 509 Court
St., sells art, photography, sculptures and
pottery. Open 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, May 1-Dec. 30; open the rest of the
year 1-5 p.m. or by appointment. (308)
645-2396. Theres also the Yellow Calf
Studio, which shows and sells sculptures
by appointment. (308) 645-2537.
One block west of the art gallery, the
Thomas County Historical Museum
depicts Sandhills history, displaying arti-
facts used by settlers. (308) 645-2477 or

(308) 645-2489.
Thedford Golf Course is a nine-hole
public course overlooking the Middle
Loup River. Cart rental available. (308)
645-2233.
Halsey
For the westbound traveler, Highway

2, the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway,
heads northwest from Grand Island,
passes the Nebraska National Forest at
Halsey, crosses the lake country of the
western Sandhills, then exits the region
near Alliance and turns north toward the
Pine Ridge. This byway is rated in the top
10 scenic routes in the United States and
is listed as one of the highways to drive in
1000 Places to See Before You Die.
The Bessey Ranger District of the
Nebraska National Forest covers more
than 90,000 acres, and is the largest handplanted forest in the world. It is a favorite place for camping, ATV-ing, horseback
riding, hiking and picnicking. Local volunteers have created a handicapped accessible Discovery Loup walking trail and are
renovating an arboretum of 59 tree species.
The rangers lookout tower offers a panoramic view of the surrounding forest and
hills. The forest is open year-round.
HOTELS & MOTELS
Alan J. Bartels
The fire tower at the Nebraska National Forest watches over a forest of fun near Halsey.
Thomas County
Events
Thomas County Fair
Thedford
July 24-27. Thedfords biggest

bash includes a parade, live
concerts, games for all, a fishing tournament and more. (308)
645-2646.
Loup 2 Loup Open Race

Halsey
Aug. 5-6. Seventeen mile car race

between Halsey and Purdum.
Also car shows and vendors.
(308) 533-2240.
Phone
Rooms
Halsey Frontier Inn, 503 Hwy 2, Halsey

www.halseyfrontierinn.com
308-533-2240
11
1-75
Arrowhead Lodge & Caf, 39293 Hwy 2, Thedford

Jct Hwy 2 & US Hwy 83
308-645-2246
19
Restaurant on premises, pets allowed
1-50
Roadside Inn, 39357 E. NE Hwy 2, Thedford.

www.roadsideinn.net
308-645-2284
42
Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, free continental

breakfast, pets allowed
51-75
Address and Email

Middle Loup River Ranch, 40203 NE Hwy 2, 10 mi. E.,
Thedford. www.middleloupriverranch.com
Phone
402-450-2268
Amenities
Rate Range
Amenities
Rate Range
Rooms with shared bath. Next to Nebraska National Forest.
75+
Phone
Open
Bessey Recreation Complex, Nebraska National Forest,

2 mi. W., Halsey www.fs.fed.us/rz/nebraska
308-533-2257
Year Round

Shower, pit and flush toliets. Camping: 13 tents
Halsey Frontier Inn Campground, 503 Hwy 2., Halsey

www.halseyfrontierinn.com
308-533-2240
Year Round

Facilities: Shower and flush toliets. Camping: 6 tents
15
Arrowhead Lodge & Caf, 39293 Hwy 2, Jct Hwy 2 & US

Hwy 83, Thedford. www.freewebs.com/arrowheadlodge
308-645-2246
Year Round

Facilities: Flush toliets. Camping: 4 tents
13-14
Roadside Inn Campground, 39357 E. Hwy 2, 1 mi. E. on

Hwy 2, Thedford. www.roadsideinn.net.
308-645-2284
800-373-1648
Year Round

Facilities: Shower and flush toliets. Camping: 6 tents
Call for
rates

Thedford Golf Course, 1 mi. S. on US Hwy 83, Thedford
82
Phone
308-645-2634
Amenities

9, public
Welcome to the Sandhills Pine Street Cabin

Leave the city
behind and
enjoy a trip to
the Middle Loup
River Valley.
Well provide
the facilities &
guides, you make
the memories!
Call for reservations

402-450-2268 308-645-2715
www.middleloupriverranch.com
5 miles west of Halsey 10 miles east of Thedford
A sportsmans retreat just one mile outside

Nebraska National Forest at Halsey. This cozy
cabin has all you need for your getaway. Cabin
is furnished with a fully equipped kitchen and
laundry on site. Parking space for your toys.
To book your reservation, call 308-533-2345
or email pinestreetcabin@yahoo.com
804 Pine St. Halsey
Fees
8-11
3 vehicle
Rate Range
Under 15
THOMAS COUNTY
Cherry County
Events
Heart City Bull Bash
Valentine
Feb. 14. The regions best bulls

are penned on Main Street for all
to see. Visit with area ranchers,
find treasures from vendors, and
explore downtown merchants in
the Old West holdout of Valentine on Valentines Day. (402)
376-3000.
Circle C Days Cody
May 23. Cody, whos motto is: A

town too tough to die, hosts this
fun day of camaraderie during
Memorial Day weekend. Stop by
for food or to watch the youth rodeo. Horseshoe tournament and
barbecue, too. (402) 425-3333.
Sod House Sunday

Merriman
The former home of Nebraska

State Senator Eve Bowring hosts
this event with a church service,
team penning, tours and games.
(308) 684-3428.
Valentine
With 2,800 residents, Valentine is the

largest city on the eastern side of Sandhills
and Scenic Rivers Country.
The Heart City is near the Niobrara
National Scenic River. Each summer, tens
of thousands of visitors canoe, tube and
kayak here. The river winds through deep
canyons with high cliffs, pine-topped hills
and many waterfalls. Floats can last from
an hour to several days.
In town and along the river between
Valentine and Norden, youll find plenty
of outfitters, campgrounds and boat
launches. The Niobrara was designated
a National Scenic River by Congress in
1991; however, much of the land along
the river is privately owned. Please respect
property rights.
Five miles east of Valentine on Highway 12, Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge is home to bison, elk, and
more than 230 species of birds. The refuge includes a pine-dotted canyon with
nature trails and a favorite putting-in
spot for Niobrara River canoeists. A 3.5mile driving tour lets you view the herds
up close.
Fort Niobrara was active from 18791906 and was used as a cavalry remount
station until 1911. Fossils are displayed in
the visitor center. (402) 376-3789.
Continuing northeast on Highway 12,
Smith Falls State Park is 15 miles from
Valentine. Then head four miles south on
the marked county road. The spring-fed
falls, Nebraskas tallest, drop 70 feet and
flow to the Niobrara River.
This stretch of the Niobrara is where
eastern and western species of plants and
animals overlap. You dont have to be a
biologist to appreciate the natural diversity. (402) 376-1306.
The Cherry County Historical Society Museum is at the corner of Main
Street and Highway 20. (402) 376-2015.
84
Christopher Amundson
Out of the many waterfalls in Nebraska, Snake River

Falls is the largest waterfall. The land along the river
and around the waterfall is privately owned.
Centennial Hall is a museum in the
oldest standing high school building in
Nebraska. (402) 376-2418.
Valentine was once a shipping center for
Sandhills cattle being shipped to eastern
cities by train.
Today, the railroad is gone but the rail
bed is the Cowboy Trail. When completed
it will be the nations longest continuous
recreational trail, stretching 321 miles from
Norfolk to Chadron. The trail head at Valentine is downtown. (402) 376-2244.
For more big splashes, head to the ValPhone
entine Family Aquatic Center. (402) 3768019.

Merritt Reservoir State Recreation
Area is one of the top trophy fisheries in
the state. (402) 376-3320.
Only in Western Nebraska would you
find a national forest thats mostly grass.
Only 5,000 acres of Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest are wooded. (308)
533-2257.
The 72,000-acre Valentine National
Wildlife Refuge is 20 miles south of Valentine. Several refuge lakes are open for
Amenities
Rate Range
Blue Moon Ridge B&B, 10 Blue Moon Ridge Rd.,

Valentine. www.bluemoonridgebb.com
402-376-8090
Heartland Elk Guest Ranch, 114 Lake Shore Dr, Valentine.

17 mi. E. on Hwy 12, 2 1/2 mi. S. www.heartlandelk.com
402-376-1124
Lord Ranch Resort, 17 mi. S. on US Hwy 83 to Mile

Marker 9, 1 mi. E. on 16B Spur, Valentine.
402-376-5984
800-270-0181
Rooms with private bath. Cabins surround by the Sandhills.
75+
Niobrara River Ranch, 15 mi. E. on NE Hwy 12, S. 3/4 mi.,

Valentine.
402-890-1245
866-282-8677
Rustic handcrafted log cabins.
75+
Schlagel Creek Ranch, 5 mi. S. on US Hwy 20, 1 1/2 mi. W.,

Valentine.www.schlagelcreekranch.com
402-376-2679
Outdoor activities. Fall and spring hunting packages.
Rooms with private and shared bath. continental breakfast.
90-110
75+
CHERRY COUNTY
HOTELS & MOTELS
Address and Email
Comfort Inn, 101 Main St. www.civalentine.com
Phone
Rooms
402-376-3300
50
Amenities
Rate Range
Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, free continental breakfast,

pets allowed
75+
Dunes Lodge & Suites, 340 E. US Hwy 20. www.

duneslodge.com
402-376-3131
72
Wheelchair accessible, free continental breakfast, pets allowed
1-75+
Fountain Inn Motel, 237 S. Cherry St
402-376-2300
13
Wheelchair accessible, pets allowed
1-75
Merritt Trading Post Resort, 26 mi. S. on NE Hwy 97,

www.merritttradingpost.com
402-376-3437
15
Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, pets allowed
75+
Motel Raine, 618 W. US Hwy 20. www.sleepintheraine.com
402-376-2030
800-999-3066
31
1-75
Super 8 Motel, 223 E. US Hwy 20. www.super8.com
402-376-1250
60
51-75+
Trade Winds Motel, 1009 E. US Hwy 20, www.

tradewindslodge.com
402-376-1600
32
51-75+
Valentines Niobrara Lodge, 803 E. US Hwy 20,

www.niobrarariverlodge.com
402-376-3000
877-376-3003
61
Wheelchair accessible, restaurant on premises, pets allowed
Phone
Open
75+
Amenities
Fees
fishing. (402) 376-3789.

Valentine also is home to The Prairie
Club. It offers two 18-hole courses and
one 10-hole course. Theres a lodge, restaurant, a pro shop and overnight accommodations. The Prairie Club is semi-private, with preference for lodging and tee
times going to members. (888) 402-1101.
Valentine has another golf course,
Deer Park Country Club, a public 9-hole
course located along the Minnechaduza
Creek on Highway 12. (402) 376-1271.
For more information about Valentine
and Valentine-area attractions, contact the
Valentine Visitor Center. (800) 658-4024.
Merriman
Phone
A&C Outfitters, 18 mi. E. on NE Hwy 12, 5 mi. S., 1 mi. E.,

Valentine.
402-376-2839
Apr-Sep
Berry Bridge Resort, 13 mi. E. on NE Hwy 12, 3 mi. S. ,

Valentine. www.niobraracamping.com
402-376-3474
May 15Oct 15
RV Amenities: Electricity, room for 8 trailers. Rest Facilities: Shower,

flush and pit toliets. Camping: 18 tents. Cabin Rentals: 4.
Fishberry Campground, HC 14 Box 1, 4 1/2 mi. N. on US

Hwy 83., Valentine. www.niobraracamping.com
402-376-1662
866-376-1662
May 1Nov 1

Facilities: Shower, flush toliets. Camping: 10 tents.
28
Fritzs Island Campground, 7 1/2 mi. S.E. of Sparks.

www.campniobrara.com
402-376-3791
877-700-3791
May-Oct
6-27
Grahams Camp, 5 mi. S. of Sparks.

www.grahamoutfitters.com
402-376-3708
800-322-3708
Apr 1Nov 1
Merritt Reservoir, 28 mi. SW on Hwy 97, Valentine

www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov.
402-376-3320
Year Round

Shower, flush and pit toliets. Cabin Rentals.
Merritt Trading Post, 26 mi. SW on Hwy 97, Valentine

www.merritttradingpost.com
402-376-3437
Year Round

Facilities: Shower, flush toliets. Cabin Rentals: 15
14-22
Riverside RV Park & Campground, 100 River Dr, 2 1/2

mi., Valentine. www.valentinecamp.com
402-376-2958
Apr 1-Oct

Facilities: Shower, flush and pit toliets. Camping: 20 tents. Cabin
Rentals: 4 (prices vary).
10-20
Rock Barn Outfitters, Sparks, E. on Hwy 12 to Mile Marker

28, 5 mi S., 1 1/2 mi E. www.rockbarnoutfitters.com
402-376-1764
800-335-6252
May 15Sept 15
RV Amenities: Water, room for 6 trailers. Rest Facilities: Flush and pit
toliets. Camping: 40 tents.
Rocky Ford Camp & Outfitters LLC, 13 mi. S. of

Sparks.
402-376-1124
800-497-3479
Apr 15Sep 15

Shower, flush and pit toliets. Camping: 35 tents. Cabin Rentals: 5
Smith Falls State Park, 3 mi. W., 4 mi. S. of Sparks.
402-376-1306
Year Round
RV Amenities: Water, room for 6. Rest Facilities: Shower, flush and

pit toliets. Camping: 25 tents.
4
NE Park
Permit
Sparks Store & RV Camp, 101 Main St, Sparks, 18 mi. E. of

Valentine on NE Hwy 12. ww.drylandaquatics.com
402-376-3119
800-337-3119
Apr-Nov

Shower, flush and pit toliets. Camping: 23 tents Cabin Rentals: 2
Call for
rates
Steer Creek Campground, Samuel R. McKelvie Natl

Forest, 20 mi. S. of Nenzel
308-533-2257
Year Round
Room for 23 trailers. Rest Facilities: Pit toliets. Camping: 23 tents
Sunny Brook Camp LLC, 11 mi. S.E. of Sparks.

www.sunnybrookcamp.com
402-376-1887
877-376-1887
Year Round

Shower, flush and pit toliets. Camping: 20 tents. Alcohol-free
campground. Cabin Rentals: 2.
Call for
rates
Valentine City Park, N. Main St., along Minnechaduza Creek,

Valentine
402-376-2323
May-Sep
Wacky West Travel Park, 702 E. C St.
402-376-1771
866-376-1771
Year Round
Phone
RV Amenities: Electricity, water. Rest Facilities: Shower, pit toliets.
Call for
rates

Shower, flush and pit toliets. Camping: 60 tents.
Rest Facilities: Shower, pit toliets. Camping: 50 tents.
Rest Facilities: Shower, flush toliets. Camping: 5 tents.

Facilities: Shower, flush toliets. Camping: 10 tents
Youth under
10 Free
Codys Country Cabin, US Hwy 20., Cody
Early settlers considered the Sandhills

an inhospitable desert, but they eventually realized that it makes excellent cattle
country. The history of Sandhills ranch
life is displayed at Arthur Bowring
Ranch State Historical Park, north of
Merriman. (308) 282-0730.
Cottonwood Lake State Recreation
Area is a half-mile east of Merriman and
a half-mile south. Fishing, boating and
camping are allowed. (308) 684-3428.
402-823-4182
Nenzel and Cody
Near Nenzel, the Nollette brothers offer

travelers a taste of the Sandhills and their
ranch-raised grapes from their Niobrara
Valley Vineyards. (402) 823-4131.
The students of Cody-Kilgore High
School helped build the strawbale Circle
C Market and also operate it. (402) 8234099.
Amenities
Rate Range
Rooms with private bath. 3-bedroom house. Rent to one party only.
Amenities
1-50
Phone
Open
Fees
Cottonwood Lake SRA, 1/2 mi. E., 1/2 mi. S., Merriman
www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov.
308-684-3428
Year Round
Shady Spot RV Camp, 402 N. Main St, 1 blk N. of Jct US

Hwy 20 & Hwy 61, Merriman
308-684-3330
June 1Sep 1
10
Village Park, 3rd & Main Sts. Wood Lake
402-967-3054
May-Sep
Donation
RV Amenities: Water. Rest Facilities: Pit toliets. Camping: Unlimited

tents.
4
NE Park
Permit
7-14
NE Park
Permit
5
Call for
rates
Rate Range
The Prairie Club, 109 S. Main St. Valentine.
888-402-1101
18, semi-private
Over 30
Deer Park Country Club, 3 mi. E. on NE Hwy 12,

Valentine.
402-376-1271
9 public
Under 15
CHERRY COUNTY

2015 Sandhills and Scenic Rivers

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Scenic Rivers

Youll find sand and hills on

With plenty of parking available, Carhenge is one

JOURNEY TO WESTERN NEBRASKA 2015

SANDHILLS & SCENIC BYWAYS 71

SANDHILLS & SCENIC RIVERS

Alliance has a long lineage of agriculture, business, industry and railroading.

JOURNEY TO WESTERN NEBRASKA 2015

businesses, amenities and attractions.

Local resident Jim Reinders got the idea

Alliance has grown from a frontier town in the

1911 building at 204 W. Fourth St. Open

BOX BUTTE COUNTY

Box Butte Reservoir

SANDHILLS & SCENIC BYWAYS 73

bootleggers cabin and a bordello. Call

Memorial Day weekend through Oct. 1.

HOTELS & MOTELS

1st Interstate Inn, 1207 W. 3rd St, W. on Hwy 2 & US Hwy

Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, free continental breakfast

American Inn, 1419 W. 3rd St., Alliance

Free continental breakfast, pets allowed

Holiday Inn Express, 1420 W. 3rd St., Alliance

Wheelchair accessible, indoor pool, free continental breakfast

Rainbow Motel, 614 W. 3rd St., Alliance

Restaurant on premises, free continetal breakfast, pets allowed

Sunset Motel & RV Park, 1210 E. Hwy 2, Alliance

Indoor pool, pets allowed

Address and Email

CAMPGROUNDS Address and Email

J&C RV Park, 2491 S. US Hwy 385, Alliance

RV Amenities: Electricity, water, sewer, room for 13 trailers.

Sunset RV Park, 1210 E. NE Hwy 2, Alliance

RV Amenities: Electricity, water, sewer, room for 24 trailers. Rest

GOLF COURSES Address and Email

Holes & Type Call for hours and tee times.

June 5-7. Classic cars cruise to the music of the

Follow the Rails Art Trail

Date*******. Explore Nebraska art and natural

Summer Solstice Celebration

June 20-21. Carhenge, that quirky replica of

Dobbys Fall Festival

Sept. ****. Quick draw competition, live music,

JOURNEY TO WESTERN NEBRASKA 2015

BOX BUTTE COUNTY

SANDHILLS & SCENIC BYWAYS 75

a vintage coal car. The park, bordered by

Hemingford is 18 miles northwest of

and recreational area, is 10 miles north of

Oct. 17. Join in this autumn bash

UNIQUE LODGING Address and Email

Address and Email

Double JT & Hyannis Hotel, 1025 Main Ave., Hyannis

Patriot Inn B&B, 851 Cty Rd 71, Hemingford. www.bbc.

Rooms with private bath, continental breakfast.

The Cottage, 405 Shoshone Ave., Hemingford

CAMPGROUNDS Address and Email

RV Amenities: Electricity, water, room for 64 trailers. Rest Facilities:

RV Amenities: Electricity, water, sewer. Rest Facilities: Showers, pit

CAMPGROUNDS Address and Email

Box Butte Reservoir SRA, 9 1/2 mi. N., Hemingford. On

Shared Outdoors, 130 Old Dunlap Rd., Hemingford

GOLF COURSES Address and Email

JOURNEY TO WESTERN NEBRASKA 2015