This Hike In Nebraska Will Give You An Unforgettable Experience

One of Nebraska’s best hiking trails is also one of the least-known. Like so many great things in Nebraska, it isn’t advertised or overt; it has to be discovered. Bison Trail links Toadstool Geologic Park with Hudson-Meng Bison Bonebed, both popular attractions in western Nebraska. The trail will take you over part of a protected grassland and through one of the most unique landscapes in the state.

A very important note of caution: this area is unique and fragile. It is susceptible to erosion by careless visitors. If you hike this trail, stay on the trail and do not pick up any fossils, rocks, or artifacts that you may find along the way. Don’t attempt to scale the rock formations.

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Although the Bison Trail isn't one of Nebraska's well-known trails, it did gain national recognition in 2015. USA Today named it among the top 10 trails in the country for a spring hike. The area is truly beautiful in spring, but you can hike the trail at any time of year.

TripAdvisor/Hudson-Meng Management

The Bison Trail starts out at the Hudson-Meng Bison Kill Research & Visitor Center. This is a fantastic place to spend an afternoon on its own, even if you don't plan to do the hike. It is an ongoing archaeological dig with many sights to satisfy those curious about Nebraska's far past.

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flickr/Walt Hubis

As you set out on the trail, you'll cross part of the Oglala National Grasslands. You will be treated to some of the most serene scenery and best birdwatching in the area. Mule deer and pronghorn deer frequent the area as well, so don't be surprised if you spot a few along the way.

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flickr/Nick Varvel

The trail then leads into Toadstool Geologic Park, an incredible landscape that rivals any you'll find in the Badlands. Read more about the park here. It is very likely that you will see fossils, fascinating rocks, and maybe even arrowheads along the trail. It is illegal to remove anything from this area, so be sure to take lots of pictures but leave everything as you found it.

flickr/Katatonic

The hike isn't the most difficult you'll encounter in Nebraska, but many hikers prefer to do a one-way trip, starting out at Toadstool or Hudson-Meng and catching up with their ride at the other end. Whether you decide to stop at the three mile one-way trip or loop back around to where you started, this is a hike that will stick with you long after you're done walking.

Part of the beauty of this trail is that it is not one of the state’s most popular; on the right day you can hike it without encountering another person outside of the attractions at the beginning and end. Cell phone reception can be spotty in the area, so for safety’s sake be sure to let someone know where you’ll be before you embark on this beautiful walk through some of Nebraska’s most breathtaking land.