Photo: NPS Photo/Hunter Hendricks
The Homestead Act of 1862 transformed the world.
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Millions were invited to file claims including families, women, immigrants, and formerly enslaved people. Over 10 percent of the United States was homesteaded!
The land, long inhabited by indigenous cultures, changed forever. Homesteaders created settlements and farms, drove industrial advancement, and built our nation chasing the American Dream.
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Visitor Center
Homestead National Historical Park uses the Education Center to provide today's visitors the opportunity to meet their quest for further knowledge about homesteading…
8523 W State Hwy 4, Beatrice, NE (402) 223-3514 Directions
Facility
This National Park site houses the National Homesteading Museum. State-of-the-art exhibits present homesteading in an interactive setting. Such topics as the Act's…
24405 SW 75th Road, Beatrice, NE (402) 223-3514 Directions
Daily, Sunrise to Sunset · Trails and Grounds
Trails and park grounds are open from sunrise to sunset. Picnic areas are available at the Education Center and Heritage Center. There are a total of 3.0 miles of trails through the tallgrass prairie and woodland.
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| Thursday | Sunrise to Sunset |
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| Sunday | Sunrise to Sunset |
No entrance fees listed.
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Updated 3 hr ago
Flood Warning issued October 1 at 2:20AM CDT until October 6 at 12:24AM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
...The National Weather Service in Omaha/Valley has issued a Flood
Warning for the following rivers in Nebraska...
Big Blue River Near Seward affecting Seward County.
...Forecast flooding changed from Minor to Moderate severity and
increased in duration for the following rivers in Nebraska...
Big Blue River At Beatrice affecting Gage County.
* WHAT...Moderate flooding is forecast.
* WHERE...Big Blue River at Beatrice.
* WHEN...From this evening to late Monday night.
* IMPACTS...At 26.0 feet, State Highway 77 floods just south of the
gage. The right bank within town from Riverside Park to Chautauqua
Park floods streets and basements.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 1:45 AM CDT Thursday the stage was 6.1 feet.
- Bankfull stage is 16.0 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage this
evening to a crest of 27.0 feet Saturday morning. It will then
fall below flood stage Monday morning.
- Flood stage is 18.0 feet.
- Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of 27.4
feet on 03/26/1987.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Flood Warning issued October 1 at 8:58AM CDT until October 6 at 10:25AM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in
Nebraska...
Lincoln Creek Near Seward affecting Seward County.
Big Blue River Near Crete affecting Saline County.
Big Blue River Near Barneston affecting Gage County.
Big Blue River At Beatrice affecting Gage County.
Big Blue River Near Seward affecting Seward County.
Turkey Creek near De Witt affecting Gage and Saline Counties.
Little Blue River Near Fairbury affecting Jefferson County.
...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in
Nebraska...
West Fork Big Blue River Near Dorchester affecting Seward and
Saline Counties.
* WHAT...Moderate flooding is forecast.
* WHERE...Big Blue River at Beatrice.
* WHEN...From this afternoon to Tuesday morning.
* IMPACTS...At 26.0 feet, State Highway 77 floods just south of the
gage. The right bank within town from Riverside Park to Chautauqua
Park floods streets and basements.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 7:45 AM CDT Thursday the stage was 11.9 feet.
- Bankfull stage is 16.0 feet.
- Forecast...The river will rise above flood stage late this
afternoon to 19.1 feet just after midnight tonight. It will then
fall tomorrow morning. It will rise to 26.8 feet Saturday
evening. It will then fall below flood stage Monday afternoon.
- Flood stage is 18.0 feet.
- Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of 26.3
feet on 09/16/1941.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Flood Warning issued September 30 at 9:36PM CDT until October 3 at 7:00PM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
...The National Weather Service in Omaha/Valley has issued a Flood
Warning for the following rivers in Nebraska...
Turkey Creek Near Wilber affecting Saline County.
Turkey Creek near De Witt affecting Gage and Saline Counties.
Additional information is available at water.noaa.gov.
The next statement will be issued Thursday morning at 945 AM CDT.
* WHAT...Moderate flooding is forecast.
* WHERE...Turkey Creek near De Witt.
* WHEN...From late tonight to Saturday evening.
* IMPACTS...At 25.0 feet, Water begins to overtop Blueridge Drive and
likely many county roads along the river.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 8:45 PM CDT Wednesday the stage was 12.8 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage late
tonight to a crest of 25.8 feet tomorrow evening. It will then
fall below flood stage early Saturday afternoon.
- Flood stage is 23.5 feet.
- Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of 25.6
feet on 05/07/2007.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Flood Warning issued October 1 at 2:26AM CDT until October 3 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in
Nebraska...
Turkey Creek Near Wilber affecting Saline County.
Turkey Creek near De Witt affecting Saline and Gage Counties.
* WHAT...Moderate flooding is forecast.
* WHERE...Turkey Creek near De Witt.
* WHEN...From this morning to late Friday night.
* IMPACTS...At 25.0 feet, Water begins to overtop Blueridge Drive and
likely many county roads along the river.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 1:45 AM CDT Thursday the stage was 15.8 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage this
morning to a crest of 25.2 feet this evening. It will then fall
below flood stage late tomorrow evening.
- Flood stage is 23.5 feet.
- Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of 25.2
feet on 05/30/2013.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Flood Warning issued October 1 at 5:14AM CDT until October 3 at 4:00AM CDT by NWS Omaha/Valley NE
...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in
Nebraska...
Big Blue River Near Seward affecting Seward County.
Lincoln Creek Near Seward affecting Seward County.
Turkey Creek Near Wilber affecting Saline County.
...The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in
Nebraska...
West Fork Big Blue River Near Dorchester affecting Saline and
Seward Counties.
Turkey Creek near De Witt affecting Saline and Gage Counties.
Little Blue River Near Fairbury affecting Jefferson County.
* WHAT...Moderate flooding is forecast.
* WHERE...Turkey Creek near De Witt.
* WHEN...From this morning to late Friday night.
* IMPACTS...At 25.0 feet, Water begins to overtop Blueridge Drive and
likely many county roads along the river.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 4:45 AM CDT Thursday the stage was 18.9 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage this
morning to a crest of 25.2 feet this evening. It will then fall
below flood stage late tomorrow evening.
- Flood stage is 23.5 feet.
- Flood History...This crest compares to a previous crest of 25.2
feet on 05/30/2013.
- http://www.weather.gov/safety/flood
Homestead NHP's weather can vary quite a bit, even in a single day. In the summer, average daytime highs can exceed 80°F (27°C), only to drop 20 or more degrees when a thunderstorm rolls through. Winter lows fluctuate day to day and year to year, but average lows were measured at about 16°F (-9°C) for January and February over a 20-year period. Wind is common throughout the year.
Star Party Program at the Heritage Center
Family History Month Program
Walk with a Ranger events occur from March to November 2026 every first Wednesday of the month at 3 pm except in July. July's walk is scheduled for the second Wednesday of the month.
2026 dates are as follows:
Evening Program
Kids in Parks programs are recurring events that occur every second Saturday of the month at 10 am.
Themes for the 2026 calendar year are as follows:
2026 Ranger Programs start at 2 pm on Sundays.
Program dates are as follows:
Drop-in Volunteering opportunities occur one Friday a month from February to October 2026. Activities begin at 3 pm unless otherwise indicated.
Dates and themes are as follows:
Read with a Ranger events occur every third Saturday of the month at 10 am.
2026 dates are as follows:
Howling Homestead at the Heritage Center
2026 Ranger Programs start at 2 pm on Sundays.
Program dates are as follows:
The park is 4 miles west of Beatrice on State Highway 4. From the U.S. 77 and U.S. 136 intersection in downtown Beatrice take U.S. 136 approximately 1.2 miles west.
Turn right onto Nebraska Highway 4 and follow the signs. After the road has curved west and you have traveled 4 miles, you will enter Homestead National Historical Park and see signs for the different buildings at the park.
Mailing address: 8523 West State Highway 4, Beatrice, NE 68310
Ask about trails, fees, weather, events, or planning your visit.
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