Whenever you take a drive out on the country roads in Nebraska, you’re likely to see some beautiful scenery and even some interesting wildlife. But did you know the state has specially-designated scenic roads to help you get the most out of your road trip (or Sunday afternoon)? Here are eight of those particularly scenic drives to take in Nebraska next time you get a chance:
- 385 Gold Rush Scenic Byway
Ammodramus/Wikimedia
Ken Lund/Flickr Running through Nebraska from the Colorado state line to the South Dakota state line, the Gold Rush Scenic Byway (also known as Highway 385) runs through Sidney, Bridgeport, Alliance, and Chadron.
- Bridges to Buttes Byway
Erin Kinney/Flickr
Ben Schmitt/Flickr This 197-mile section of Highway 20 in northwestern Nebraska travels through Sioux, Dawes, Sheridan, and Cherry Counties.
- Heritage Highway
Frank DiBona/Flickr
John Carrel/Flickr Covering 238 miles of Highway 136, the scenic Heritage Highway runs through southeastern Nebraska from Brownville in the east to Edison in the west.
- Lewis & Clark Scenic Byway
Joel Nelson/Flickr
Joel Nelson/Flickr Travel in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark on this rather short 67-mile stretch of Highway 75. The byway follows the Missouri River from South Sioux City to Ft. Calhoun and features some spectacular foliage in the fall.
- Lincoln Highway Scenic & Historic Byway
Michael Sauers/Flickr
stpaulgirl/Flickr Unique in its scope - it’s the only scenic byway that crosses the entire state, east to west, along Highway 30 - Lincoln Highway is 400 miles of history and scenery. It was part of the very first continuous road between New York and San Francisco, and it passes through some of the state’s most treasured areas.
- Loup Rivers Scenic Byway
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr Taking its name from the North, Middle, and South Loup Rivers in the area, Loup Rivers Scenic Byway covers 150 miles of Highways 11 and 91 in central Nebraska.
- Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway
Visit Nebraska
Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway 12/Facebook Covering 231 miles of Highway 12 from South Sioux City to Valentine, this byway is said to follow in the tracks of famous historical outlaws and lawmen.
- Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway
Visit Nebraska
Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway Following Highway 2 for 272 miles through the gorgeous Sandhills region, this byway is second to none for nature-viewing opportunities. From Alliance in the west to Grand Island in the east, this scenic road is a can’t-miss for anyone seeking Nebraska’s natural beauty.
Whether you follow them all the way or just jump on for a few miles, these scenic drives always offer a memorable experience. Which is your favorite? Do you have any to add? What are your favorite scenic drives to take in Nebraska? Let us know in the comments.
Ammodramus/Wikimedia
Ken Lund/Flickr
Running through Nebraska from the Colorado state line to the South Dakota state line, the Gold Rush Scenic Byway (also known as Highway 385) runs through Sidney, Bridgeport, Alliance, and Chadron.
Erin Kinney/Flickr
Ben Schmitt/Flickr
This 197-mile section of Highway 20 in northwestern Nebraska travels through Sioux, Dawes, Sheridan, and Cherry Counties.
Frank DiBona/Flickr
John Carrel/Flickr
Covering 238 miles of Highway 136, the scenic Heritage Highway runs through southeastern Nebraska from Brownville in the east to Edison in the west.
Joel Nelson/Flickr
Travel in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark on this rather short 67-mile stretch of Highway 75. The byway follows the Missouri River from South Sioux City to Ft. Calhoun and features some spectacular foliage in the fall.
Michael Sauers/Flickr
stpaulgirl/Flickr
Unique in its scope - it’s the only scenic byway that crosses the entire state, east to west, along Highway 30 - Lincoln Highway is 400 miles of history and scenery. It was part of the very first continuous road between New York and San Francisco, and it passes through some of the state’s most treasured areas.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
Taking its name from the North, Middle, and South Loup Rivers in the area, Loup Rivers Scenic Byway covers 150 miles of Highways 11 and 91 in central Nebraska.
Visit Nebraska
Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway 12/Facebook
Covering 231 miles of Highway 12 from South Sioux City to Valentine, this byway is said to follow in the tracks of famous historical outlaws and lawmen.
Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway
Following Highway 2 for 272 miles through the gorgeous Sandhills region, this byway is second to none for nature-viewing opportunities. From Alliance in the west to Grand Island in the east, this scenic road is a can’t-miss for anyone seeking Nebraska’s natural beauty.
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Address: U.S. Highway 385, US-385, Chadron, NE, USAAddress: Bridges to Buttes Byway, Chadron, NE, USAAddress: US Highway 136, US Hwy 136, Beatrice, NE, USAAddress: US-75, Nebraska City, NE, USAAddress: Lincoln Hwy, Kearney, NE, USAAddress: Loup Rivers Scenic Byway, 330 S HWY 11, Burwell, NE 68823, USAAddress: NE-12, Crofton, NE, USAAddress: Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway, Broken Bow, NE 68822, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Scenic Drives to Take in Nebraska May 02, 2021 Tori Jane Where are the best country roads in Nebraska? Don’t let the rumors of Nebraska being “flat and boring” prevent you from exploring and learning the truth! Turns out, Nebraska is home to plenty of scenic drives and byways just waiting to be explored. Honestly, the best country roads in Nebraska are the ones that take you somewhere you’ve never been. They’re the ones that lead you to incredible streams, rivers, or valleys, and they’re the ones that take your breath away with every curve. You can find them just about anywhere - just start on a road you’ve never been on before, and go from there. What kind of Nebraska road trips can I take? Anything you can do anywhere else, you can do in Nebraska, and that includes unique road trips! No matter what you’re interested in - from country roads to waterfalls to wide-open prairies to more modern things like donuts and ghost towns, you’ll find a road trip involving it if you know where to look. We have some great suggestions, too! For example, here you’ll find a list of some of the coolest road trips you’ll find in this beautiful state, and here you’ll find some more. The possibilities are endless, so you’d better start planning. Where are some of the best scenic places in Nebraska? Oh, goodness, where do we start? Nebraska is a gorgeous state with plenty of natural wonders to admire; for example, there’s the world-famous Chimney Rock, an intriguing geological wonder from millennia past. Even though we’re not exactly known for having mountain ranges, you’ll still find some other interesting geological features, too, like the Courthouse and Jailhouse rocks near Bridgeport. We’ve got waterfalls to admire, too - for example, one of our favorites is the beautiful Stone Creek Falls, which are hidden inside Platte River State Park. If you know where to look, you’ll find many places that will simply take your breath away.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Scenic Drives to Take in Nebraska
May 02, 2021
Tori Jane
Where are the best country roads in Nebraska? Don’t let the rumors of Nebraska being “flat and boring” prevent you from exploring and learning the truth! Turns out, Nebraska is home to plenty of scenic drives and byways just waiting to be explored. Honestly, the best country roads in Nebraska are the ones that take you somewhere you’ve never been. They’re the ones that lead you to incredible streams, rivers, or valleys, and they’re the ones that take your breath away with every curve. You can find them just about anywhere - just start on a road you’ve never been on before, and go from there. What kind of Nebraska road trips can I take? Anything you can do anywhere else, you can do in Nebraska, and that includes unique road trips! No matter what you’re interested in - from country roads to waterfalls to wide-open prairies to more modern things like donuts and ghost towns, you’ll find a road trip involving it if you know where to look. We have some great suggestions, too! For example, here you’ll find a list of some of the coolest road trips you’ll find in this beautiful state, and here you’ll find some more. The possibilities are endless, so you’d better start planning. Where are some of the best scenic places in Nebraska? Oh, goodness, where do we start? Nebraska is a gorgeous state with plenty of natural wonders to admire; for example, there’s the world-famous Chimney Rock, an intriguing geological wonder from millennia past. Even though we’re not exactly known for having mountain ranges, you’ll still find some other interesting geological features, too, like the Courthouse and Jailhouse rocks near Bridgeport. We’ve got waterfalls to admire, too - for example, one of our favorites is the beautiful Stone Creek Falls, which are hidden inside Platte River State Park. If you know where to look, you’ll find many places that will simply take your breath away.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Don’t let the rumors of Nebraska being “flat and boring” prevent you from exploring and learning the truth! Turns out, Nebraska is home to plenty of scenic drives and byways just waiting to be explored. Honestly, the best country roads in Nebraska are the ones that take you somewhere you’ve never been. They’re the ones that lead you to incredible streams, rivers, or valleys, and they’re the ones that take your breath away with every curve. You can find them just about anywhere - just start on a road you’ve never been on before, and go from there.
What kind of Nebraska road trips can I take?
Anything you can do anywhere else, you can do in Nebraska, and that includes unique road trips! No matter what you’re interested in - from country roads to waterfalls to wide-open prairies to more modern things like donuts and ghost towns, you’ll find a road trip involving it if you know where to look. We have some great suggestions, too! For example, here you’ll find a list of some of the coolest road trips you’ll find in this beautiful state, and here you’ll find some more. The possibilities are endless, so you’d better start planning.
Where are some of the best scenic places in Nebraska?
Oh, goodness, where do we start? Nebraska is a gorgeous state with plenty of natural wonders to admire; for example, there’s the world-famous Chimney Rock, an intriguing geological wonder from millennia past. Even though we’re not exactly known for having mountain ranges, you’ll still find some other interesting geological features, too, like the Courthouse and Jailhouse rocks near Bridgeport. We’ve got waterfalls to admire, too - for example, one of our favorites is the beautiful Stone Creek Falls, which are hidden inside Platte River State Park. If you know where to look, you’ll find many places that will simply take your breath away.
