Earlier this year, we brought you a natural wonders in Nebraska road trip that covered many of the spectacular natural treasures of western and north-central Nebraska. Now we’re back with another natural wonders road trip – this time, through eastern Nebraska and part of central Nebraska. We can’t squeeze all of Nebraska’s natural wonders into one (or even two!) road trips, but we think these are some of the most spectacular. We definitely recommend taking side trips and exploring new places along the way whenever possible.

Google Maps
Start out from any point you like and follow the route - or make your own path along country roads! Find the interactive map on Google Maps and re-route, add destinations, or remove destinations as needed.
1. Crane Trust, Wood River
Crane Trust Nature & Visitor Center, 9325 Alda Rd S, Wood River, NE 68883, USA
TripAdvisor/Jane K.
If you wait until March to take this trip and align it with the annual sandhill crane migration in Nebraska, you will experience one of the most incredible natural wonders in the entire country. But even if you can't make the migration, the Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center features walking trails that will take you over the lovely and historically significant Platte River. It's so beautifully peaceful here.

Learn all about this incredible migration from this video by our friends at Crane Trust:
2. Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, Denton
Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center, 11700 SW 100th St, Denton, NE 68339, USA
Facebook/Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center
Travel the many walking trails through 850 acres of beautiful tallgrass prairie and imagine what Nebraska must have looked like centuries ago. The incredible Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center in Denton is an experience like no other.
3. Lincoln Saline Wetland Nature Center (and the saline wetlands), Lincoln
Lincoln Saline Wetlands Nature Center, 570-598 W Industrial Lake Dr, Lincoln, NE 68528, USA
Visit Nebraska
It's amazing just how many people don't know about Nebraska's saline wetlands. This unique area is home to a diverse collection of plants and animals, and there are 14 different saline wetland areas to explore. Visit the nature center at the east end of Capitol Beach Lake for more information on the area. A wood chip trail at the center lets you walk around and explore on your own. Nearby you'll also find the Frank Shoemaker Marsh, which is also worth a gander.
4. Indian Cave State Park and the Missouri Valley, Shubert
Indian Cave State Park, 720 Road, Shubert, NE, USA
flickr/John Carrel
One of the most spectacular sights in eastern Nebraska is the Missouri Valley all decked out in its fall colors. There is no better vantage point than at the lookout at Indian Cave State Park. The cave with prehistoric petroglyphs and some fantastic hiking trails are other great reasons to add this spot to your trip.

Check out this delightful video tour of Indian Cave State Park:

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5. Wildlife Safari Park/Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park, Ashland
Facebook/Wildlife Safari Park
The park itself is obviously no natural wonder, but the animals inside certainly are. The four-mile drive-through park will show you native North American wildlife up close and personal, letting you get a little closer to nature. Interestingly, you can also camp at the Wildlife Safari Park!
6. Fontenelle Forest, Bellevue
Fontenelle Forest, 1111 Bellevue Blvd N, Bellevue, NE 68005, USA
Facebook/Fontenelle Forest
Explore the miles of walking trails and the stunning Great Marsh, all within a dense 1,400-acre forest. This is a birdwatcher's paradise, especially in the fall when huge clouds of migrating birds all but block out the sun - it's an intense experience. Fontenelle Forest is easily one of the most beautiful places in Nebraska. Check it out!

Learn all about this truly unique forest in Nebraska in this video:
7. Glacier Creek Preserve, Bennington
Glacier Creek Preserve, 14810 State St, Bennington, NE 68007, USA
UNO/Jeff Bierman
This restored tallgrass prairie lets you step back in time to a Nebraska that existed before European settlement. Woodlands and wetlands add interesting points as you walk through this pristine natural wonder. Glacier Creek Preserve promises a one-of-a-kind experience that will be a treat for all.
8. Ashfall Fossil Beds, Royal
Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park, 517th Ave, Royal, NE, USA
By Carl Malamud - Flickr: pcd0905_IMG0035 Photos obtained by the Internet Multicasting Service in 1994 by writing to tourism bueaus and asking them for photos we could upload to the Internet for anybody to use., CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=19776439
Step WAY back in time at this unique fossil site. Hundreds of animals died here some 12 million years ago following a massive supervolcano eruption in present-day Idaho. The animals were at a watering hole, and their fossils have been preserved in situ so that visitors can experience this awe-inspiring site. You can even watch the ongoing excavation! We think the Ashfall Fossil Beds is easily one of the coolest natural wonders in Nebraska.
9. Niobrara Valley Preserve, Johnstown
Niobrara Valley Preserve, 42269 Morel Road, Johnstown, NE 69214, USA
By National Park Service - National Park Service, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15230763
This enormous 56,000-acre nature preserve known as the Niobrara Valley Preserve stretches across Brown the border between and Keya Paha Counties. It has been called a "biological crossroads" thanks to the many types of ecosystems represented here. Stop in at the visitors center for some information or to book a bison-viewing tour. Hike the beautiful trails or take some time out of your travels to float down the Niobrara River for an afternoon.
10. Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District, Halsey
Nebraska National Forest, Bessey Ranger District, River Loop, Halsey, NE, USA
By Bkell (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
Part of the nation's largest hand-planted forest, the Bessey Ranger District provides endless opportunities for exploration and recreation. You can even camp here year-round, so immersing yourself in nature is still possible even in the colder months. The Nebraska National Forest is another unique destination that feels less like Nebraska and more like science fiction!

This trip will take you a little over 13 hours of driving time alone, so plan on spending at least a weekend exploring all of these places. There are so many more natural wonders (and tourist attractions) along the way that just wouldn’t fit into one map, so don’t limit yourself to these 10. Nebraska is a spectacular place – get out there and explore!

Did you miss our first natural wonders of Nebraska road trip? This Nebraska road trip is just as much fun as the one you just read about – we promise!

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More to Explore

Natural Wonders in Nebraska

Tori Jane | February 07, 2023
  1. What are some of the best natural wonders in NE? 

Believe it or not, Nebraska is a state filled with plenty of natural wonders and it simply never gets enough credit. Some of the best natural wonders in NE include ones like:  

  • Scotts Bluff National Monument: easily one of the most popular vacation destinations in Nebraska 
  • Chimney Rock National Historic Monument: we bet you didn’t expect to find a geological wonder here in Nebraska! 
  • Agate Fossil Beds National Monument: This is another excellent one for fans of rocks and minerals.  

 

Learn more about the most amazing natural wonders in NE.   

  1. Which Western Nebraska natural wonders should I add to my bucket list? 

Of the several handfuls of excellent options one has for Nebraska natural wonders, let’s say we’re a little strapped for time – which Western Nebraska wonders should we add to our bucket lists? That’s easy! Add these Nebraska natural wonders to your bucket list ASAP list for the ultimate adventure:  

  • Smith Falls State Park – yes, there is a such thing as waterfalls in Nebraska 
  • Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge – did someone say another waterfall?  
  • Pine Ridge – who says Nebraska is all flat? Definitely not Pine Ridge 
  • Toadstool Geological Park – yet another intriguing natural wonder of Nebraska 

 

Learn more about the fantastic natural wonders in Western Nebraska on this road trip.   

  1. What are some of the most beautiful natural wonders of Nebraska? 

As we said above, Nebraska doesn’t get nearly enough credit for its beauty. All too many folks call it a “flyover” state, and they’re simply wrong. There are numerous amazingly beautiful natural wonders of Nebraska, such as:  

  • Ponca State Park, which is famous for its borderline surreal natural beauty 
  • Indian Cave State Park might have some of the best fall colors in the nation 
  • Oglala National Grassland might be the “flat” people think of when they think of Nebraska, but trust us: it’s awe-inspiring.  

Learn more about the incredibly preserved grasslands and prairies in North Dakota.   

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