Scotts Bluff National Monument
Designation: National Monument
Location: Nebraska
📘 Park Overview
Towering 800 feet above the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff has served as a landmark for peoples from Native Americans to emigrants on the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails to modern travelers. Rich with geological and paleontological history as well as human history, there is much to discover while exploring the 3,000 acres of Scotts Bluff National Monument.
🌤 Weather Information
Summers at Scotts Bluff are generally dry and high temperatures are usually in the 80's and 90's, although they can reach above 100 on occasion. Hikers are strongly advised to carry water. Winter daytime temperatures are usually in the 40's or low 50's, with overnight lows below freezing and, on occasion, below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Although it can be windy any time of the year, spring is the windiest season.
🚗 Directions
Visitors traveling east-west on Interstate 80 can exit at Kimball, Nebraska and drive 45 miles north on Nebraska Highway 71. Follow National Park Service signs three miles west of Gering, Nebraska to Old Oregon Trail Road. Turn west onto Old Oregon Trail Road and follow it approximately 2 miles to the monument visitor center on the right. Visitors travelling along the North Platte River using US Highway 26 or Nebraska Highway 92, should follow the National Park Service signs.
Images
Thousands of covered wagons rolled by Eagle Rock in the mid nineteenth century.
Credit: NPS Photo / Wesley Gant
Scotts Bluff as seen from the north side of the North Platte River
Credit: NPS/Brian Poffenberger
A hot air balloon is seen at the east entrance to Scotts Bluff National Monument.
Credit: NPS/Eric Grunwald
Early morning is a great time to explore Scotts Bluff National Monument.
Credit: NPS/Eric Grunwald
An inversion creates the feeling of walking on the clouds at the summit of Scotts Bluff.
Credit: NPS/Robert Wagner
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
No entrance fees listed.
Entrance Passes
No entrance passes listed.
3-Day Weather Forecast
Wednesday, Feb 11
Sunny
High: 63.3°F | Low: 22.6°F
Humidity: 57%
Wind: 15.4 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.5
Sunrise: 06:55 AM
Sunset: 05:23 PM
Moon: Waning Crescent (36%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 32.1°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Thursday, Feb 12
Overcast
High: 50.2°F | Low: 22.8°F
Humidity: 75%
Wind: 8.3 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.5
Sunrise: 06:54 AM
Sunset: 05:24 PM
Moon: Waning Crescent (28%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 32°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Friday, Feb 13
Mist
High: 56.5°F | Low: 25.7°F
Humidity: 78%
Wind: 12.3 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 0.5
Sunrise: 06:52 AM
Sunset: 05:25 PM
Moon: Waning Crescent (19%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 32.9°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Park Alerts
Park Events
Family Nature Club
Family Nature Club is designed for children and their grown-ups as an opportunity to spend time in nature, regardless of the season, to play interactive & engaging games together, and to learn about Western Nebraska’s unique wildlife and landscape.
Every month will feature a new nature topic. Family Nature Club is intended for children and their grownups. Each family group will receive an Exploration Kit to use during the series to explore the natural world around them at home. Family Nature Club will be outside the entire time unless otherwise noted. Please dress comfortably for the weather and bring snacks/water as needed.
Family Nature Club is presented by educators with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Nebraska Programs.
Location: Family Nature Club will be gathering at the Scotts Bluff National Monument, 190276 Old Oregon Trail, Gering, NE 69341
Date: Jan 10, 2026 12:00am to Jan 10, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Family Nature Club
Family Nature Club is designed for children and their grown-ups as an opportunity to spend time in nature, regardless of the season, to play interactive & engaging games together, and to learn about Western Nebraska’s unique wildlife and landscape.
Every month will feature a new nature topic. Family Nature Club is intended for children and their grownups. Each family group will receive an Exploration Kit to use during the series to explore the natural world around them at home. Family Nature Club will be outside the entire time unless otherwise noted. Please dress comfortably for the weather and bring snacks/water as needed.
Family Nature Club is presented by educators with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Nebraska Programs.
Location: Family Nature Club will be gathering at the Scotts Bluff National Monument, 190276 Old Oregon Trail, Gering, NE 69341
Date: Feb 7, 2026 12:00am to Feb 7, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Great Backyard Bird Count
Attention all bird lovers & birders of all abilities! Fly over to the Scotts Bluff National Monument Visitor Center to learn about, observe, count, and celebrate our western Nebraska winter birds as part of the 29th Annual Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC).
There will be a brief presentation on how to participate in this free and fun global event, as well as provide tips, tricks, and resources for identifying local winter birds. After the talk, participants are welcome to stay for a short, easy birding walk to observe winter birds around the visitor center.
Binoculars will be available to borrow. Please join us for a morning of connecting with birds, nature, and each other.
The GBBC is a community science project hosted annually by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society, and Bird Canada.
Location: Meet at the Scotts Bluff National Monument Visitor Center at 190276 Old Oregon Trail in Gering, NE.
Date: Feb 14, 2026 12:00am to Feb 14, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Family Nature Club
Family Nature Club is designed for children and their grown-ups as an opportunity to spend time in nature, regardless of the season, to play interactive & engaging games together, and to learn about Western Nebraska’s unique wildlife and landscape.
Every month will feature a new nature topic. Family Nature Club is intended for children and their grownups. Each family group will receive an Exploration Kit to use during the series to explore the natural world around them at home. Family Nature Club will be outside the entire time unless otherwise noted. Please dress comfortably for the weather and bring snacks/water as needed.
Family Nature Club is presented by educators with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Nebraska Programs.
Location: Family Nature Club will be gathering at the Scotts Bluff National Monument, 190276 Old Oregon Trail, Gering, NE 69341
Date: Mar 14, 2026 12:00am to Mar 14, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Family Nature Club
Family Nature Club is designed for children and their grown-ups as an opportunity to spend time in nature, regardless of the season, to play interactive & engaging games together, and to learn about Western Nebraska’s unique wildlife and landscape.
Every month will feature a new nature topic. Family Nature Club is intended for children and their grownups. Each family group will receive an Exploration Kit to use during the series to explore the natural world around them at home. Family Nature Club will be outside the entire time unless otherwise noted. Please dress comfortably for the weather and bring snacks/water as needed.
Family Nature Club is presented by educators with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Nebraska Programs.
Location: Family Nature Club will be gathering at the Scotts Bluff National Monument, 190276 Old Oregon Trail, Gering, NE 69341
Date: Apr 18, 2026 12:00am to Apr 18, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Family Nature Club
Family Nature Club is designed for children and their grown-ups as an opportunity to spend time in nature, regardless of the season, to play interactive & engaging games together, and to learn about Western Nebraska’s unique wildlife and landscape.
Every month will feature a new nature topic. Family Nature Club is intended for children and their grownups. Each family group will receive an Exploration Kit to use during the series to explore the natural world around them at home. Family Nature Club will be outside the entire time unless otherwise noted. Please dress comfortably for the weather and bring snacks/water as needed.
Family Nature Club is presented by educators with Bird Conservancy of the Rockies - Nebraska Programs.
Location: Family Nature Club will be gathering at the Scotts Bluff National Monument, 190276 Old Oregon Trail, Gering, NE 69341
Date: May 16, 2026 12:00am to May 16, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
📍 Physical Address:
190276 Old Oregon Trail
Gering, NE 69341
🏤 Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 27
Gering, NE 69341
📞 Voice Phone: 3084369700
📞 Fax Phone: 3084367611
✉️ Email: scbl_ranger_activities@nps.gov