Cowboy Trail Home
The Cowboy Trail of Nebraska
Cowboy Trail Map
Cowboy Trail Map

COVID-19: the Cowboy Trail IS OPEN, offering a safe and healthy option for recreation. However, business hours and closures are unpredictable and subject to change. If you are counting on a business to be open, call ahead to make sure.
About the Cowboy Trail
 
The Cowboy Trail currently runs 195 miles across northern Nebraska, following the old Chicago & Northwestern rail route from Norfolk in the east to Valentine in the west. The railroad called this the "Cowboy Line."
 
Ninety miles west of Valentine, a separate section of the Cowboy Trail is open between Gordon and Rushville. This 15 mile section is not connected to the rest of the trail, but it is technically part of the trail - just a separate piece, way out west.
 
Eventually the trail could extend from Valentine through Kilgore and on to Chadron, making it the world's longest rail-trail. However, development of that part of the trail is not yet underway.
Valentine Railroad Bridge in Valetine NE
Crossing the Niobrara River west of Valentine; Source: Jerry Penry, The Valentine Railroad Bridge

NETT Trail
Boonville
Please support our advertisers -
they help make this website possible
NETT Trail
Please support our advertisers -
they help make this website possible