Nebraska is definitely a great place for hiking, and those hikes can lead to some amazing destinations. But not everyone is able to take long, leisurely walks through fields and over streams. For those people, there are still plenty of natural wonders to see either from your car or after a short, easy walk.
- The scenic Missouri and Niobrara River Valleys
National Park Service This lush, lovely landscape is the perfect place to take a walk, but it’s almost as impressive from the car. The Lower Niobrara River Valley Driving Tour actually takes you along both the Missouri and Niobrara Rivers, winding through the countryside on gravel roads. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, and even if you can’t get out to explore, you’ll never forget this journey.
- Chimney Rock
Tripadvisor/ChessPlayer48 The 500-foot-tall spire in Bayard is probably the most recognizable Nebraska landmark, and you can see it from your car or from the visitors center parking lot.
- Blackbird Overlook
Yelp/Mark N.
Yelp/Mark N. Blackbird Overlook is on the Omaha Indian Reservation a few miles north of Decatur. It overlooks the beautiful Missouri River and provides especially spectacular views in the fall. It also happens to be the site of one of Nebraska’s most enduring folk tales.
- Wauneta’s Little Grand Canyon
Village of Wauneta Nebraska has its own little Grand Canyon in Wauneta, and you can view it from a scenic lookout spot right off of Route 6. You’ll only have to take a few steps to take in this unexpected splendor.
- Nebraska National Forest and Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest
By Bkell (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons Nebraska’s forests are not entirely a natural wonder - all of these trees were actually planted by hand! You can drive right through these beautiful wooded areas - Nebraska National forest is outside of Chadron and McKelvie Forest is located near Valentine.
- The annual sandhill crane migration
flickr/Overduebook This incredible natural spectacle is an experience everyone should have at least once. While it’s truly amazing to get out of the car and observe the birds a little more closely, you can also see the sandhill cranes from your car - or right outside of your car. They converge on an 80-mile length of the Platte in the Grand Island/Alda/Hastings/Kearney area, and there are plenty of places to pull over as long as you’re respectful of landowners and the birds.
- The Sandhills via the scenic byway
Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway We’ve made our love of the Sandhills pretty well known, and there’s a good reason we’re so smitten. Drive the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway for a view of the Sandhills scenery from your car.
- Scotts Bluff National Monument
TripAdvisor/Naughty-Cougar One of Nebraska’s most popular attractions doesn’t even require you to get out of your car. While you can hike if you want to, the huge rock formations are still impressive from the inside of your vehicle.
You don’t have to miss out on Nebraska’s beauty if you’re not up for a hike – these spots are all perfectly suited for those who need to stay put. If you’re up for a short and easy hike, this one leads to someplace unforgettable.
National Park Service
This lush, lovely landscape is the perfect place to take a walk, but it’s almost as impressive from the car. The Lower Niobrara River Valley Driving Tour actually takes you along both the Missouri and Niobrara Rivers, winding through the countryside on gravel roads. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking, and even if you can’t get out to explore, you’ll never forget this journey.
Tripadvisor/ChessPlayer48
The 500-foot-tall spire in Bayard is probably the most recognizable Nebraska landmark, and you can see it from your car or from the visitors center parking lot.
Yelp/Mark N.
Blackbird Overlook is on the Omaha Indian Reservation a few miles north of Decatur. It overlooks the beautiful Missouri River and provides especially spectacular views in the fall. It also happens to be the site of one of Nebraska’s most enduring folk tales.
Village of Wauneta
Nebraska has its own little Grand Canyon in Wauneta, and you can view it from a scenic lookout spot right off of Route 6. You’ll only have to take a few steps to take in this unexpected splendor.
By Bkell (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Nebraska’s forests are not entirely a natural wonder - all of these trees were actually planted by hand! You can drive right through these beautiful wooded areas - Nebraska National forest is outside of Chadron and McKelvie Forest is located near Valentine.
flickr/Overduebook
This incredible natural spectacle is an experience everyone should have at least once. While it’s truly amazing to get out of the car and observe the birds a little more closely, you can also see the sandhill cranes from your car - or right outside of your car. They converge on an 80-mile length of the Platte in the Grand Island/Alda/Hastings/Kearney area, and there are plenty of places to pull over as long as you’re respectful of landowners and the birds.
Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway
We’ve made our love of the Sandhills pretty well known, and there’s a good reason we’re so smitten. Drive the Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway for a view of the Sandhills scenery from your car.
TripAdvisor/Naughty-Cougar
One of Nebraska’s most popular attractions doesn’t even require you to get out of your car. While you can hike if you want to, the huge rock formations are still impressive from the inside of your vehicle.
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