Day Trip to Nebraska from Rapid City, South Dakota

Toadstool Geologic Park

• We’ve never been to another planet, but we felt like it! Toadstool Geologic Park located in the Oglala National Grasslands is free to enter, but use of the campground is $3/day or $15/night. The 1 mile Toadstool Park Trail loop begins at the campground and leads to the Bison Trail and Great Plains Trail.

Flyover Brewing Company

• Flyover Brewing Company is the first brewery in the Western Nebraska panhandle. A small menu features wings, wood fired pizzas, salads, and appetizers. Sample the nearly 10 beers on draft with a flight of 3, 4, or 5. We recommend the Black Betty Schwarzbier, a roasted, dark German lager.  

Chimney Rock

• Chimney Rock was the most famous landmark along the Oregon Trail, visible from Scotts Bluff 23 miles away. It has been noted in over 300 journals of those travelling West as reassurance they were headed in the right direction. For the best view of Chimney Rock, drive past the Visitor Center, turn right onto dirt Road 98, and in .5 miles arrive at the Scenic Overlook. We couldn’t find any roads accessing the bottom of Chimney Rock or hiking trails in the area.

Scotts Bluff National Monument

• Scotts Bluff National Monument was also an important landmark on the Oregon Trail diverting wagons to the South. The park is free to enter. Follow a paved road to the summit parking lot to access several hiking trails.
  • .5 mile trail to the North Overlook 
  • 1.6 mile Saddle Rock Trail, walk along the edge of Scotts Bluff accessed from the North Overlook trail
  • .8 mile trail to the South Overlook

• At the entrance to Scotts Bluff National Monument, across from the administrative building, wagons mark the Oregon Trail. The smaller wagons are replicas of those used by families while the larger wagons carried freight.

Brewery 719

• Named after the Steam Locomotive CB&Q 719, Brewing 719, pays homage to the railroad town of Alliance. We recommend Sum Beach Sour Ale with passion fruit and mango.

Carhenge

• Carhenge all started with an idea to bring an exact replica of the Stonehenge to the West. Nebraska is lacking in large boulders, but old cars similar to the size of the original rocks are plentiful. 38 old cars, a family reunion, and 6 days later, Carhenge was completed and dedicated as a memorial from a son to his father. 

Traveling Gingerbread Note: This day trip requires about 7.5 hours of driving to and from Rapid City, South Dakota.

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July 2020