These 12 Beautiful Photos Prove That Nebraska’s Sandhills Region Is Like No Other Place On Earth

In the north-central part of the Cornhusker State lies one of the most incredible regions in the U.S. The Nebraska Sandhills are grass-stabilized sand dunes that stretch across a large portion of the state. Once thought to be just a worthless desert in Nebraska, the Sandhills are now an important part of our state's economy. This region also happens to be one of the most enchantingly beautiful places in Nebraska you'll ever visit.

Although different people have different ideas about where the boundaries of the Nebraska Sandhills lie, this map is a good representation of the general area.

This unique region covers more than one-quarter of the state, but it's the most sparsely populated area in Nebraska.

You can travel through the hills for miles and miles without seeing another soul.

The sandy ground makes it very difficult to grow anything out here, which is why you'll see more ranches than farms in the region.

As you drive through this quiet slice of Nebraska desert, you can't help but feel a sense of peace and relaxation. There are no schedules out here, no pressing appointments - just one of the most remarkable areas in the country.

Several rivers snake their way through the Sandhills landscape, and the views from the river valleys are astounding. The thousands of lakes and ponds here support a vast array of fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Most people who aren't from Nebraska - and even some who are - are astonished by the rolling hills which can reach up to 330 feet in places.

The region features smaller hills in the east which gradually increase in height the further west you travel. The hills gently segue into the rising bluffs in western Nebraska.

This area was called a desert wasteland in the early days of European exploration. But in the 1870s, cattlemen began to raise their herds here.

They found it to be an ideal place to operate their ranches, and generations of Nebraskans have lived and worked out here. Current estimates say that more than 500,000 head of beef cattle are being raised in the Sandhills.

But the beautiful region isn't only important for the cattle industry. It's also the largest wetland ecosystem in the country.

Most of the land has never been plowed or otherwise disturbed by human hands. Up to 85% of the Sandhills land is untouched natural habitat.

The biodiversity of the Sandhills makes it a very special area. It's unlike any other place in the Great Plains.

While photos can show you the striking visual appeal of the Sandhills in Nebraska, nothing could ever compare to visiting the area yourself. The air is crisper and cleaner out here, and the feeling of solitude is profound. The hills are unlike any other place, and you're sure to fall in love when you visit!

One of the biggest surprises in the Nebraska Sandhills is the western hemisphere's largest hand-planted forest.