Find 3 Bucket-List-Level Views in Nebraska Without Needing to Be an Expert Hiker

The Cornhusker State is blessed with gorgeous landscapes, from the Missouri and the Platte to the Panhandle, and everything in between. Some of them, however, take a little more effort to appreciate than others—and you may not have the time or wherewithal to make such an effort. Not to worry. There are also plenty of bucket-list-level views in Nebraska that you can enjoy without lacing up your hiking boots, as this trio of examples demonstrates.

1. Tristate Overlook, Ponca State Park - Ponca

As its name implies, the payoff for hiking the 0.7-mile Tristate Overlook Trail in Ponca State Park is sweeping views across the Missouri River of Iowa to the east and South Dakota to the north as you stand, feet firmly planted, in the Cornhusker State. The trail is short and manageable, making it an excellent choice for folks seeking a scenic payoff without a strenuous trek. The trail follows the contours of the grassy, rolling Loess Hills, passing in and out of native timber. The real magic happens when you reach the viewing platform. Perched high atop a bluff, you're treated to a sweeping view of the Missouri River valley below, as it curves through the landscape. It's my favorite view in eastern Nebraska (perhaps because, as a Hawkeye State native, I enjoy gazing upon my homeland).

2. North Overlook, Scotts Bluff National Monument - Gering

Reaching the North Overlook at Scotts Bluff National Monument requires almost no effort but offers a massive reward. After driving the winding Summit Road to the top of the bluff, you simply hop onto a 0.5-mile paved loop trail. It's a level, easy path that's accessible for just about anyone. The view from the edge is commanding. You stand 800 feet above the North Platte River, gazing out over a landscape that defined the American frontier. Directly below, you can see a maze of badlands—the eroded, pale ravines that forced pioneers to steer their wagons through nearby Mitchell Pass. Beyond, the landscape unfolds into the bottomlands of the river valley, where you'll see the twin cities of Gering and Scottsbluff in the distance. If you ask me, western Nebraska doesn't get more scenic.

3. Stone Creek Falls, Platte River State Park - Louisville

This scenic little waterfall looks more like something you'd stumble across in the Appalachians than in eastern Nebraska, but fortunately, it's located right here in Platte River State Park. Within the park, you can reach this gorgeous setting by any of several routes, but the easiest and most direct is the namesake Stone Creek Falls Trail, a 0.5-mile, out-and-back stroll through the woods.

This trio of views showcases some of the best panoramas in the Cornhusker State, and you don't even have to break a sweat to enjoy them. Do you have a favorite easy-to-reach scenic view in Nebraska? We'd love to hear about your favorites over on our Nomination page. Next time you're thinking about a Cornhusker State adventure, be sure to head on over to Only In Your State’s itinerary planner and see what it cooks up for you.