The state also retains the ease ment rights to develop and maintain a rail with trail alongside the 74mile shortline operation. An aerial photo shows a section of the cowboy trail east of long pine in brown county that was washed out by historic flooding in march 2019. Aug 30, 2010 flood damage closes portion of nebraska s cowboy trail jun 17, 2010 nebraska officials say flooding has forced the closure of the cowboy recreation and nature trail from norfolk to oneill. May 29, 20 a ribbon cutting for the new cowboy trail bridge near norfolk is set for june 1 at 10. Walk, run or bike the trail its a beautiful way to take in the norfolk, nebraska area. A ribbon cutting for the new cowboy trail bridge near norfolk is set for june 1 at 10. The cowboy trail long pine to valentine nebraska bicycle.
Most notable for its elegant design, this 1930s bridge is the only one of its kind in the united states. The preferred route of the great american railtrail in nebraska weaves through the urban areas of omaha and lincoln, connecting these population centers to the western. In reality, the cowboy trail runs from valentine all the way to norfolk, 192 miles in all. The majority of the trail is in the heart of nebraska s sparsely populated cowboy country. The former railroad bridge southeast of valentine, nebraska is the jewel of the cowboy trail that stretches across northern nebraska. A fivemile section in valentine features a trailhead park, complete with a windmill and small pond, which is located on the corner of first and main streets. Dont miss the cowboy trail, nebraskas first state recreational trail. The cowboy trail is a very long trail in nebraska which extends from norfolk to chadron along an old railroad line. When complete, the trail will run from chadron to norfolk, a length of 321 miles 517 km. Trail map of the cowboy recreation and nature trail from tahazouka park norfolk to bridges to buttes bywayus 20 valentine. A surprisingly popular video about a littleused bridge. Bridge approaches were damaged at oneill and neligh. Thats where the western edge of the 196mile cowboy trail begins and a journey through nebraska by bike. The trail is recognized as a vital part of the great american rail trail, with spans the united states from coast to coast.
Fifteen bridges span the niobrara national scenic river in northcentral nebraska. It gives a great vantage point for the niobrara river and the amazing. Cowboy recreation and nature trail map tahazouka park. The trail ends on the west side of valentine but you can walk as far as your heart desires heading east. The cowboy trail is also part of the coasttocoast trail project, rails to trails. Nebraskas first official state recreational trail, the cowboy trail, extends west from milepost 83. At a whopping 219 miles, its already the third longest railtrail in the country. Valentine bridge on cowboy trail photo from yucca dune bicycle shop web site eastern nebraska. A users guide is the essential companion for anyone planning to hike, bike, or ride horseback on the cowboy recreation and nature trail, which currently extends from norfolk to valentine and will eventually stretch all the way to chadron. Nebraskas cowboy recreation and nature trail offers an authentic old west experience, small towns with genuine, friendly people and picturesque landscapes of the high plains and pristine prairie. Our favorite is the bridge crossing the scenic niobrara river. Also called cnw niobrara river bridge valentine cnw niobrara river bridge valentine cnw valentine high bridge cowboy trail niobrara river bridge. The bridge is now the main attraction of the famed cowboy trail. The trail is recognized as a vital part of the great american railtrail, with spans the united states from coast to coast.
The trestle bridge on the cowboy trail is the most. Another bridge at long pine stretches 595 feet long and stands 145 feet high over long pine creek. By ammodramus own work public domain, via wikimedia commons its the longest railstotrails conversion in the country, covering 321 miles between chadron and norfolk. Cowboy trail valentine 2020 all you need to know before. Designed by russian immigrant josef surkin, the cantilever truss is connected in the center with a single pin. Of these, five are on the national register of historic places. Cowboy trail bridge ribbon cutting near norfolk on june 1. The state of nebraska is planning to add onto the end of the trail even more. The cowboy trail is the longest abandoned railroad hiking. I rode from the niobrara lodge in valentine, ne east about 15 miles on the trail. During the 2010 elkhorn river flood, broken bridge collapsed as flood waters cut into the bank.
The trail runs through numerous communities, accommodates multiple uses, and provides an upclose look at the ecology of the. Ive been meaning to do a write up on a tour that we did ear. David murdock trail bridge over 84th street in lincoln. When complete, the trail will run from chadron to norfolk, a length of 321 miles 517 km, making it the longest railstotrails. The cowboy trail is the longest railtotrail conversion in progress in the united states, which includes a 148foot high bridge over the niobrara river at valentine. There are so many wonderful sights and sounds along the trail. Feb, 2019 the nebraska game and parks will handle the bidding and contracting work for the cowboy trail upgrades in the two counties, said dawes county travel board director kristina reeves.
Stories from the nebraska cowboy trail posts facebook. Flood damage closes portion of nebraskas cowboy trail jun 17, 2010 nebraska officials say flooding has forced the closure of the cowboy recreation and nature trail from norfolk to oneill. Earlier this week, cranes could be seen holding the ends of 127,000pound prefabricated bridge. The nebraska game and parks commission reminds cowboy trail users to stay off closed bridges and other areas for their own safety. Perhaps the most iconic spot along the trail is the view from the old railroad trestle bridge just outside of valentine. Two other spans, the bryan bridge and the cowboy trail bridge lying just upstream of the western boundary of the scenic river, are also included in this narrative. Touring the cowboy trail valentine to norfolk, nebraska january 12th, 2016 adventures. Visit cowboy trail on your trip to valentine or united states. The cowboy trail long pine to valentine nebraska bicycle tour day 4. Highly recommend stopping and going for a short hike. It is a multiuse recreational trail suitable for bicycling, walking and horseback riding. With its sweeping, birds eye views of the impressive structure spanning a quarter mile and rising 148 feet above the water, the video has given the trail our full. The cowboy trail occupies the abandoned chicago and north western railway route across the nebraska outback. It gives a great vantage point for the niobrara river and the amazing scenery that surrounds it.
Stories from the nebraska cowboy trail, kearney, nebraska. Work continues on the cowboy trail bridge being put in place west of norfolk. The cowboy trail is the longest railtotrail conversion in the united states, which includes a 148foot high bridge over the niobrara river at valentine. East of valentine, the former railroad bridge a quartermile long and 148 feet high spans the niobrara river. Nebraskas cowboy recreation and nature trail rtcs trail. The river below reflecting the sun, the wind blowing, and the quite. In 2015, a short portion of this western extension just over 14 miles, stretches of. When complete, the trail will continue west another 126 miles to chadron. The trail allows for biking, horseback riding and hiking and spans from norfolk to valentine, passing through many small towns. The nebraska game and parks will handle the bidding and contracting work for the cowboy trail upgrades in the two counties, said dawes county travel board director kristina reeves. The cowboy trail is a rail trail in northern nebraska. This past june, aerial footage of the cowboy trails bridge over the niobrara river went viral, amassing more than 2 million views more than the population of the entire state. Spanning 321 miles, 192 miles which consist of improved limestone surface, the cowboy trail is the longest former stretch of railroad to be converted into a trail in the united states.
The cowboy trail is americas largest railstotrails conversion project, stretching an impressive 321 miles between chadron and norfolk. It occupies an abandoned chicago and north western railway corridor. The cowboy trail is adjacent to us highways 275 and 20. Nebraska s first official state recreational trail, the cowboy trail, extends west from milepost 83. The trail runs through numerous communities, accommodates multiple uses, and. Click any town name to highlight the distances for that town.
Cowboy recreation and nature trail nebraska trails traillink. Trail users should also be mindful that rough surfaces may exist even along open portions of the trail. The nntas work, along with cowboy trails west of sheridan county, will ensure that the trail is developed on the abandoned rail line from gordon to five miles east of chadron. Before doing research for this article, i thought valentines cowboy trail was a short route contained to the immediate valentine area. Stories from the nebraska cowboy trail home facebook. Adventurers, take out your bucket lists and write this one down. At a whopping 219 miles, its already the third longest railtrail in the country and yet has 100 more miles awaiting future development. At a whopping 219 miles, its already the third longest railtrail in the country and yet has 100 more miles awaiting future.
Cowboy trail nebraska game and parksnebraska game and. The majority of the trail is in the heart of nebraskas sparsely populated cowboy country. Bike touring the cowboy trail, valentine to norfolk nebraska. Another tall bridge to visit is across long pine creek at long. Elkhorn river bucks the cowboy trail nebraska news. Mar 14, 2018 dont miss the cowboy trail, nebraskas first state recreational trail. The cowboy trail bridge, formally known as broken bridge, spans 200 feet across the elkhorn river and is designed to look similar to the historic trestle railroad bridge that was washed out during the 2010 flood.
Its been pretty quiet here on the monkey wrench internet, but its been a good fall and winter, and we have been doing more than simply twiddling our thumbs. Cowboy recreation and nature trail nebraska trails. The railstotrails project stretches across northern nebraska. It was posted on the nebraska game and parks facebook page. The cowboy trail is part of the rails to trails program. At 140 feet above the scenic niobrara river and more than a quarter of a mile long, this bridge is the tallest railroad bridge built in nebraska. The great american railtrail crosses from iowa into nebraska on the iconic bob kerrey pedestrian bridgea 3,000foot cablesuspension structure over the missouri river. The cowboy trail, one of the countrys longest railtrails, stretches 189 miles between the nebraska towns of valentine and norfolk beginning at tahazouka park south of town. Walking out on the bridge is an exhilerating experience. The new cowboy bridge spans 200 feet and is designed to resemble the original trestle railroad bridge. The trestle bridge on the cowboy trail is the most beautiful. Ride over grand railroad bridges, take a plunge into the cool springfed long pine creek at long pine state recreation area or grab a milkshake at the historic range cafe and shoot some pool at the newport pool hall. Nebraskas cowboy trail offers an authentic old west experience with friendly small towns and sweeping views of the high plains and pristine prairie. The cowboys signature sites are its long bridges offering spectacular views.
An overview of nebraskas cowboy trail american trails. The bridge is part of the longest rail to trail conversions in the country. Oct 14, 2016 the cowboy trail occupies the abandoned chicago and north western railway route across the nebraska outback. Just south of valentine, where the niobrara skirts the city, the arched cantilever bryan bridge crosses the niobrara river. The scenery is wonderful and crossing the bridge over the niobrara itself was worth the trip.