Cowboy Trail (Open Segments):
Nebraska
Trail Map
  • Get Personalized Driving Directions!
  • Find Trail Side Shops with Google Search!
  • See Users’ Geocoded Photos!
  • Get a Print-Friendly Map and Get Outdoors!
Description:
The nation's longest rail-to-trail conversion and Nebraska's first state recreational trail, the historic Chicago and Northwestern Railroad right-a-way, now The Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail, passes through some of the Midwest's most dramatic natural landscapes. From its Norfolk trailhead, this rail-banked corridor runs west through the Elkhorn River Valley, where farmsteads, cropland and timber-covered riverbanks dot the landscape. West of O'Neill, ranching, hay and native prairie become the dominant feature. At Long Pine, the route enters the unique and renowned Sandhill country. These vast grass-covered dunes, the largest in the western hemisphere, border the trail enroute to western Nebraska. At Valentine, the Cowboy crosses over the Niobrara River Valley -- where five major ecological systems converge -- on a surreal quarter-mile trestle. The corridor enters Pine Ridge country, a southern extension of the Black Hills, as it nears its western terminus at Chadron. When complete, this hiking, biking and equestrian trail will stretch 321 miles across Nebraska, making it America's longest rail-trail. It will pass over 221 bridges and through 29 communities. Partnerships with these communities will provide trail users with camping, restroom and shower facilities. Although 250 miles of the trail are at various stages of development, only 47 miles are open for public use. By fall of 2000, an additional 14 miles are slated to be open. Future trail development depends heavily on federal funding.
... Click to read more
... Click to read more
... Click to read more
Reviews: [3 trail ratings]
[View all reviews for this trail]
[register/login to Submit a Review of this Trail]
Nice trail....but bridge is still out
By swinak in June, 2011
June 14th, 2011 Nice trail....but bridge is still out appx 4 miles from Ta-Ha Zouka park
Very nice
By demody in September, 2010
My wife and I drove up from Columbus to ride this trail and found it to an excellent ride. The recent flooding however has blocked off sections of the trail about 2.5 miles from the trailhead. Caution: check ahead to see if the trail has been cleared.

Cleveland Bike in Norfolk, NE is a an excellent source to check on the condition of the trail and if you need a bike, repairs or parts, then check them out [only an endorsement, I'm not associated with the store in any way].
Camping on the Cowboy trail.
By dohowe in September, 2010
We are new bikers and were returning from Montana and Canada with the motorhome and bikes. It was late and we stopped at Wood Lake looking for a city park to camp in. We made a donation to park the motorhome by the trail at their nice little park, usually it's free. There is a bathroom facility with flush toilets and sinks. It would be a great place to start a trip. They have a diner on rt20, the people are fantastic, friendly, and see the potential in having the trail go through their small community. I will come back to bike this trail, hats off to Nebraska, lovely scenery, wonderful people.
Browse Trails by Activity: