Cowboy Trail (Open Segments):
Nebraska
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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.
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Reviews: [2 trail ratings]
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Services on the Cowboy Trail
By trailhub on March 04, 2010
To answer Pat's question in the May 2009 review below: you'll find fewer B&B/hotel options along the Cowboy Trail as compared to the Katy Trail. However, there are more camping options, if that works for you. Bike rentals are few and far between. Try this website for a list of Cowboy Trail businesses and trip planning tools: www.bikeCowboyTrail.com
Cowboy Trail
By twirlymaker on October 24, 2009
Started riding the Cowboy Trail for 13 days, Sep 14’09 late evening from Ta Ha Zouka Park, on Concrete for 1.7 Miles, then Chet surface to Black Bridge where I met a rider who said Johnny Carson played on this Bridge when he was growing up. Trail in good shape to Emmet then it rained and trail was soft for several days. The Trail east of Bassett was the poorest section that I rode, soft & rough from horses. The new section from Ainsworth past Johnstown is in the best shape. I did not ride all of that section, there were signs up “THIS SECTION OF THE TRAIL NOT OPEN TO PUBLIC” .Checked with District II, Bassett Office & was told trail was still under construction. However the trail parallels Hwy 20 to Johnstown and looked complete.
South out of Valentine is a great scenic ride across the 0.25 mile long RR Bridge with a parking area south of the Bridge.N42.83443 W100.51797
The trail is over grown N42.80412 W100.48942 and not good for 3 wheel cycles 2.7 south of Bridge parking.
Parked at Arabia N42.83443 W100.51797 then rode 3 miles north into the sand hills.
Trail parking also available at Johnstown, N42.57060 W100.05776 site of O’ Pioneers CBS Movie, visit the “L-Bow Room Saloon” for local History.
The bad part of the Trail is, that at least 3 places the Bollards are to close together to get a 36” wide cycle through, does not meet “ADA” Standards. I was able to by pass most except for the 3 post one, on the east side of the Pine Creek Bridge at Long Pine. One flat tire at Valentine.
Great Camping facilities in many of the towns. Completed 292.5 miles round trip.
Many Turkeys, Deer, Squirrels and Birds. Noel Keller 14 -29 Sep, 09
Trail info
By josephine on May 09, 2009
I'm looking for walking info of this trail. Miles between accomodations etc. Walked the Katy last year and stayed in B&B and small hotels. Found it easy to rent a bike to cover longer distances between accomodations also, easy to get transportation to get my pack transfered ahead. Is this all possible on the Cowboy Trail? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks Pat
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