Discover Roads Less traveled

They say it’s all about the journey, and in Northwest Nebraska that’s certainly true. Known for our wide-open spaces, Northwest Nebraska allows you to move beyond touristy destinations and embrace a slower pace of life.
 
As you seek out many of our destination attractions, enjoy the open spaces, the backcountry roads, and the lack of traffic jams – unless they’re the four-legged kind. If you’re looking for a unique journey, give our Roads Less Traveled trips a try.
 
Explore each of the road trips below and set out to create your own journey. For detailed driving directions, click on the MAP link to access our Google Maps driving routes, complete with notes of interest and photos. The road trips are a great way to spend the day, but also offer spots for hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, picnicking and more if you want to explore a little longer.

This is Northwest Nebraska and there’s
No Better Direction.

Northwest Nebraska Gravel Grinding Adventures

The journey doesn’t have to take place on four wheels. Gravel grinders know the joys of biking gravel roads, enjoying beautiful scenery, wildlife, and camaraderie with fellow cyclists. With more than 1,200 miles of gravel road, Northwest Nebraska provides plenty of new challenges for grinders. Get dusty and enjoy our Gravel Grinder Journeys!

Tips from a local Cyclist

By Kurt E. Kinbacher

Dawes and Sioux counties in Nebraska offer bicyclists many great gravel rides. They can be strung together into bike-packing trips, or riders can base themselves out of comfortable motels, B&Bs, or accommodations at either Fort Robinson State Park or Chadron State Park.

There are a couple of important ground rules to keep in mind as you plan. First, rather than “gravel,” the county roads might best be described as mixed-surface unpaved routes. Sometimes they are more the essence of gravel – the stuff some call dirt. Others are crushed white rock embedded in the local clay soil. There are occasional stretches of proper gravel. Do not ride any of these roads when they are sopping wet. The mud out here is called “gumbo,” and it does not matter how much tire clearance you have, you will get stuck. On the other hand, a light rain will tamp down the dust. Somedays you have to roll the dice to know what road conditions might be. Keep in mind that none of the routes are particularly flat.

Secondly, the closest bike shops are 100 miles away in Scottsbluff or Rapid City, so come prepared. Walmart in Chadron carries most sizes of tubes, green slime, and a few repair tools. The local bicycle community, however, is pretty accommodating and pretty easy to find should emergency repairs arise. Please know that this is goat head country, so look up “puncture vine” before you come out. These thorns are worst in the fall, but last year’s crop always shows up again when the roads are graded in the spring. If you are running tubeless, recharge your sealant. If you run tubes, consider adding slime as mechanical barriers do fail.

Thirdly, both counties do a great job keeping the roads open, but they do get rutted, and some are prone to washboarding. Most riders out here are running hard-pack mountain bike tires on their gravel rigs. I run 2.1 inch tires on my 650b setup and 2.3 inch on my 29er. But, as they say, “ride what you brung.” Hard-tail mountain bikes do well as do 700c wheels with some aggressive tread. Maybe go as wide as your frame allows.

Finally, the highways are ridable. Both US 20 and US 385 have ample shoulders, and I use stretches of them frequently. State Highway 2/71 out of Crawford and State Highway 29 out of Harrison do not have wide shoulders, but they carry far less traffic. Be sure to bring all the food and water you need for an entire ride as the only places to resupply are Chadron, Crawford, and Harrison.

Things to keep in mind

Our road trips take you through some of Nebraska’s most beautiful areas, but even though you’ll see plenty of ranch land, many of these areas remain as wild as they were during the frontier expansion. Many of our road trips are interchangeable for car or bike. However you travel, here are some tips to keep in mind.

-Road conditions vary. Much of your road trip will be across unpaved roads which can become difficult to pass after heavy rains. Four-wheel-drive is recommended, but not absolutely necessary if the weather has been dry.  

-Be sure to check the area weather forecast before embarking on your trip.  

-Depending on your provider, you may lose cell signal during certain legs of the road trip. Consider printing out the description of each trip and their accompanying maps, and bring along a compass, particularly if you plan on hiking. 

Though the views are excellent from your vehicle, we suggest you stop at points of interest to enjoy the other activities they offer. If you do, be respectful toward private property that may be along the route, and also respect nature. Please don’t litter or damage our natural areas. If you plan to fish or hunt, please be sure to have the proper licenses.  

–It’s possible you’ll have the chance to see several members of the region’s wildlife from elk to bald eagles. Keep in mind the area is also home to rattlesnakes and mountain lions. These animals tend to avoid confrontation, but can be dangerous if encountered. Visit these sites for tips on staying safe in their environment:  

Rattlesnakes in Nebraska

Mountain Lions in Nebraska

-Bring plenty of water, particularly if you plan to hike. Opportunities to refill water bottles may be few and far between during our road trips. We suggest you bring along more water than you’d think you need.  

-Bring appropriate gear. During our road trips you’ll have the opportunity to go birding, hike, fish, hunt, camp, take part in photography and more. Be sure to bring along gear appropriate to what you plan to take part in along the way. Make sure to pack navigation tools, proper clothing, illumination, first aid supplies appropriate snacks, and… 

-Bring sunscreen! Don’t forget this essential piece of personal protection.

-Looking for a spot to grab a bite to eat, check out our local dining opportunities here.

-Looking for a place to stop for the night, check out our local lodging opportunities here