Remove Ads
4.0
208 votes

Chimney Rock National Historic Site

9822 County Rd 75, Bayard, Nebraska 69334 USA

$
Budget
Open Now
Sat 9a-5p
  • Independent
  • Credit Cards
    Accepted
  • Wheelchair
    Accessible
  • Public
    Restrooms
  • Outdoor
    Seating
Add to Trip

Natural Wonder

Our Take

Chimney Rock is most famous for its role as a beacon for mid-19th century pioneers. Erosion and lightning strikes have taken a toll since then, but it still stands tall, a prominent sentry on the Great Plains.

Remove Ads

“A wonder of the West.”

Feel the awe and curiosity the pioneers experienced when they saw the most famous landmark on the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. The Ethel and Christopher J. Abbott Visitor Center houses museum exhibits, a hands-on opportunity to "pack your wagon," and a video presentation that tells the story of the great migration West. A large inventory of books on western and trail history is available for purchase at the Chimney Rock Visitor Center. Chimney Rock is a prominent geological rock formation in Morrill County in western Nebraska. Rising nearly 300 feet above the surrounding North Platte River valley, the peak of Chimney Rock is 4,226 feet above sea level. During the middle 19th century it served as a landmark along the Oregon Trail, the California Trail, and the Mormon Trail, which ran along the north side of the rock. It is visible for many miles from the east along U.S. Route 26. When emigrants reached Chimney Rock and Scotts Bluff, their journey was one-third over. But more challenging terrain lay ahead as water, firewood and supply depots became more scarce. Buffalo herds that initially were a dependable food source for the emigrants also thinned out due to excessive killing.

Read More >

Reviews

Add Review
Thanks!
Your Rating
1
2
3
4
5

Reviewed by
jorieoleary

  • 3 Reviews
  • 3 Helpful
September 01, 2019
Rated 5.0

We drove to the visitor center and paid admission ($3 per adult over 18, free for all under 18) and were admitted to the 15 minute video which was very informative! We drove the dirt road as far as it would take us to get a closer pic of the monument. Spent just under an hour. Worth the stop!

2 people found this review helpful

Reviewed by
Laura Simpson

  • 42 Reviews
  • 20 Helpful
July 13, 2019
Rated 4.0

This was a great stop in Bayard, NE. We enjoyed the museum and learning about this unique historic marker/site. The movie was well done as well. A little bit of history I had never heard about! Definitely worth the stop if you're in the area! You can not get up close to the site, as they don't want folks to climb on it, deface it, etc.

2 people found this review helpful
  • 1 Review
  • 1 Helpful
August 26, 2021
Rated 1.0

All Seniors should be aware there is no Senior or AARP discount at this site. Not worth the entrance fee and the people were very unfriendly.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
MargoRoberts

  • 1 Review
  • 1 Helpful
June 26, 2017
Rated 4.0

Having a National Park Pass is a definite plus. There's an information video about the earliest history recorded about the site.

1 person found this review helpful

Reviewed by
dmsander

  • 4 Reviews
  • 0 Helpful
October 05, 2024
Rated

The coordinates given are not accurate. They point you to a farmstead nearby.

But you will pass the actual museum and the road to get closer on your way to the bad location.

Was this helpful?

Reviewed by
TheLunaDog

  • 17 Reviews
  • 3 Helpful
August 08, 2021
Rated 4.0

There is a museum - entrance fee - which has a small exhibit and a short video. No trails. I recommend this as the middle stop on an Oregon Trail tour: Ash Hollow State Historical Site, Scott’s Bluff National Monument. On its own, since no trail, not so exciting

Was this helpful?

Be the first to add a review to the Chimney Rock National Historic Site.

Chimney Rock National Historic Site

9822 County Rd 75
Bayard, Nebraska
69334 USA
Remove Ads

Hours

Open now until 5:00 pm
  • Sun - Sat: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

Problem with this listing? Let us know.

Has RV parking changed? Let us know.

Remove Ads
  • Check
    Parking
  • Unknown
    Pets Allowed
  • Check
    Restrooms
  • Unknown
    Wifi
  • Check
    Wheelchair Accessible
  • Check
    Credit Cards Accepted
  • Check
    Outdoor Seating
See More Details (7)

Parking, Dining

Remove Ads

Nearby Hotels

Scottsbluff, Nebraska
FastBook
$$

Click to discover a
great deal!

Scottsbluff, Nebraska
FastBook

Click to discover a
great deal!

Scottsbluff, Nebraska
FastBook

Click to discover a
great deal!

Scottsbluff, Nebraska
FastBook

Click to discover a
great deal!

Scottsbluff, Nebraska
FastBook

Click to discover a
great deal!

Remove Ads

Related Trip Guides

  • Trip Guide
  • 1 Week

Road Trip Down US 83: The Road to Nowhere

  • 36 Places
  • 34:43
  • 1,869 mi
  • Trip Guide

The top things to do on a U.S. Route 20 road trip

  • 23 Places
  • 60:25
  • 3,576 mi
  • Trip Guide

The top things to do on an I-80 road trip

  • 35 Places
  • 53:41
  • 3,194 mi
Remove Ads
14002841