Nebraska has a reputation as a flat, featureless expanse of dry prairie. It's a reputation that simply isn't fair. Although the word "flat" is often quite fitting – the entirety of Nebraska is, broadly speaking, part of the Great Plains – the state is anything but featureless. From the rich Missouri River Valley that forms Nebraska's eastern border to the rugged buttes and mesas farther west, there's a lot to see and explore in the Cornhusker State.
Prairies and Grasslands
Even though Nebraska is often classified entirely as a part of the Great Plains, true prairies and grasslands are actually quite rare, and increasingly so. The tallgrass prairies that once spanned 170 million acres across North America have been reduced to isolated pockets. One section of restored tallgrass prairie, covering about 100 acres, is protected within the bounds of Homestead National Monument in southeastern Nebraska. This restored prairie provides crucial habitat for a wide range of birds and other animals, and offers excellent hiking and bird watching opportunities. A much smaller section of prairie, known as the Lincoln Creek Prairie and Trail, is located about an hour and a half away in Aurora. This 16-acre parcel is home to the headquarters of the Prairie Plains Resource Institute, an organization that operates prairie preserves throughout the state.
The Missouri River Valley
The lowest point in Nebraska lies along the Missouri River, the second-longest river in America and the waterway that forms the border between Nebraska and the neighboring states of South Dakota, Iowa and Kansas. The Missouri River supports a rich, diverse ecosystem with an abundance of forests, prairies and wetlands cradled in the valley that surrounds it. The Missouri River Valley also provides limitless options for outdoor recreation. Two segments along the South Dakota state line totaling about 100 miles are managed by the National Park Service as Missouri National Recreational River, and include numerous fishing spots, scenic overlooks, picnic areas, campgrounds, boat launch points and hiking trails. Maps are available through the National Park Service.
Encompassing roughly 19,300 square miles, the Nebraska Sandhills is an enormous region dominated by sweeping grass-covered sand dunes, many of them up to 400 feet high and 20 miles long. It's the largest sand dune formation in the Western Hemisphere, and it is absolutely mesmerizing in its vastness. Nebraska Highway 2 cuts a path more than 250 miles through the heart of the Sandhills from Grand Island to Alliance, offering endless views and access to a wide range of attractions. Highlights include the Stuhr Museum of the Prairie Pioneer in Grand Island, Nebraska National Forest near Halsey and Dobby’s Frontier Town, a recreated Wild West frontier town in Alliance. Much of the Nebraska Sandhills are used for grazing cattle, and ranches are abundant here as well. Some, like the Double R Ranch near Mullen and the Verde Valley Guest Ranch near Hyannis, offer accommodations and a real-life ranching experience for guests.
Buttes, Bluffs and Mesas
Toward the western end of Nebraska, an area often referred to as the Panhandle, the terrain becomes considerably stranger and more rugged. Arid prairies give way to craggy bluffs, table-like mesas, rocky pillars and stark buttes that loom across the landscape. One of the best places to view these geologic formations is Scotts Bluff National Monument, which spans 3,000 acres and includes many miles of hiking trails that traverse all manner of terrain. The monument's namesake, Scotts Bluff, towers 800 feet above the North Platte River. Other highlights include the butte known as Dome Rock and the spire-like Chimney Rock.
Nebraska's Highest Point
From Nebraska's lowest point of 840 feet along the Missouri River, the terrain rises gradually to 5,424 feet in the extreme western end of the state. The most surprising thing about this increase is that it occurs so gradually as to be barely noticeable. All the same, the highest point in Nebraska lies in Kimball County, where it is aptly known as Panorama Point. Don't expect a mountaintop. Panorama Point is more like a gentle rise surrounded by an endless, but slightly lower, flat expanse, which creates a truly incredible view that stretches across the landscape for many miles. A stone marker marks the spot, which is located on private property just outside of Bushnell. A small fee is required for access. Tri-State Corner – the spot where Nebraska, Colorado and Wyoming meet – is just a few minutes' drive away.
- National Park Service: Homestead National Monument - Prairies and Grasslands
- Prairie Plains Resource Institute: Lincoln Creek Prairie and Trail
- Encyclopedia Brittanica: Missouri River
- National Park Service: Missouri National Recreational River - Things To Do
- National Park Service: Missouri National Recreational River - Maps
- University of Nebraska-Lincoln: The Nebraska Sandhills
- Visit Nebraska: Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway
- National Park Service: Scotts Bluff National Monument - Geographic Landforms
- Kimball - High Point of Nebraska: Panorama Point
- Worldatlas: Nebraska
- eReferenceDesk: Nebraska Geography: The Land
Richard Corrigan has been a full-time freelance writer since 2009, and has always considered himself lucky to be able to combine his passion for travel with his love of writing. His work has appeared online on USA TODAY Travel, LIVESTRONG.com, AZCentral and 10Best.com.