Sometimes you need to take a drive to get away from everything and clear your mind. Lucky for you, you live in Nebraska – a place of exceptional beauty and some of the most scenic drives in the Great Plains. This “road to nowhere” drive actually can take you to some wonderful places, but it’s a perfect journey if you just want to get in the car and see some of Nebraska’s loveliest sights without necessarily getting out and walking around. It’ll take you around two and a half hours from start to finish. The link to the Google map is here if you would like turn-by-turn directions or need to change the route. We feel like this is easily one of the most scenic drives in Nebraska, and you’re sure to love it as much as we do!
This route follows 26 for the most part and switches to Scenic Highway 92 for a while. We’ll begin in Ogallala and end up at the Nebraska/Wyoming border in Henry. Or the other way around, if you’re so inclined.
1. Roll through the frontier town of Ogallala, once known as one of the roughest towns in the west. Today it’s calm and sweet as it pays tribute to its wild west roots.
4. Go through the tiny but picturesque town of Lewellen and feel right at home. If you need to stop for snacks or just want to enjoy some art, take a break and visit The Most Unlikely Place on Main Street.
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6. This is the point where the trip gets more visually interesting. You’ll catch a view of Courthouse and Jail Rocks as you drive by. If you want to take a little detour, follow the signs to get up close to the formations.
7. Not long after that, you’ll see Chimney Rock rising above the plains, just like the pioneers did. Again, there will be signs to guide you to the formation if you want to see it up close.
9. After taking a turn to the north, you’ll drive by the lovely Kiowa State Wildlife Management Area, a favorite spot for birdwatchers, before crossing the North Platte River.
(This picture of the North Platte was taken near Bridgeport, but it looks pretty similar over here.)
10. Take a short trip through the village of Morrill next. When you get about a mile outside of town, you’ll pass by the place where the Horse Creek Treaty was signed in 1851.
11. Last on our drive to nowhere in particular is the tiny village of Henry, right on the Nebraska/Wyoming border. There’s not a whole lot else to say about Henry, so be sure to wave at the 100 or so residents as you pass through or turn around to head home.
From here, you can continue on to an adventure in Wyoming or loop around to go back to where you started your journey. For a much longer western Nebraska drive that takes you through tons of incredible natural wonders, be sure to check out our epic western Nebraska natural wonders road trip. You can’t miss it!
