Cowboy Trail Forum

Just spent a weekend trying to ride this thing and did most of our miles on U.S. 20 instead. The trail was in poor condition from farm equipment, animals, and too much water. In places, we were riding in tire ruts because of the overgrowth. If the trail was dry, we were banged around on the wash-boarding and tire ruts. If it was wet, we were sinking in, hardly moving, and looking to see if our tires were flat or if it was just the soggy trail causing that sensation. We are experienced cyclists riding gravel bikes with tubeless 700x38 or 700x40 tires and were extremely disappointed. We’d been looking forward to the trip since January. The only thing that saved the trip was the fact that we had a driver who could pick us up and take us down the road a ways to try again and again. The only decent part of the whole trail was from Battle Creek to Norfolk – and that part was completely beautiful in addition to being well-maintained.

On another note, the people in the towns were completely wonderful and welcoming. They were sad with us that the trail was so unrideable, and tried very hard to give us suggestions for where to start on it, or other things to see while we were in the area.

From reading the other comment threads on here, it looks like we hit a bad time to be out there – heavy snows this winter seem to be the cause of all the standing water and soggy trail conditions, but the heavy equipment ruts are likely a common trail condition. With so many other choices of beautiful trails in this country, I see no reason to return to the Cowboy Trail.

I'm sorry to hear about your poor experience on the Cowboy Trail. I have forwarded your comments to the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. I will be out there this weekend and will take pictures and record locations of the damaged sections.

Thanks Alex. I will be looking into this as well. Contact me if you need anything.

We just backapcked the trail from Norfolk to Clearwater and it is in great shape. It's too bad the rest of the trail is being neglected. Hopefully they can work on it this summer.

Backpacking Cowboy Trail

On Friday morning 4/27, we began our hiking trip from Norfolk to Clearwater with 80 pounds of equipment split between the two of us. We started out at the trailhead in Ta Ha Zouka Park just south of Norfolk. We left at 8:00 am and hiked until we reached Battle Creek around 12:00 pm. We had a quick lunch and left Battle Creek around 12:20 pm to head towards Meadow Grove. The section from Norfolk to Meadow Grove was pretty scenic with grass meadows and picturesque alleys of trees. The trail also follow the Elkhorn River for quite a ways too. In this section, we came across various different animals such as: cardinals, blue jays, garter snake, bullfrogs, deer, and many more. The trail was clear from Norfolk to Meadow Grove. There was a tree down about a mile east of Meadow Grove, but there is a enough room to go around it.

From Meadow Grove to Tilden was the roughest part of the trip due to the lack of trees. There wasn't as much shade to take advantage of when we were looking for a break. We reached Tilden around 6:00 pm. After hiking 22 miles it was refreshing to finally get to the Tilden Campground. That was about as far as was humanly possible without being severely fatigued. The Tilden Campground has a really nice setup with a heated bathroom, a shower, and water hydrants to drink from. This is the best place to stop along the 1st part of the trail.

The next morning we awoke to near freezing temperatures, so that heated bathroom was a god send. We had a hearty breakfast and resumed the hike at 10:30am to head towards Neligh which was 13 miles away. Neligh was the next spot on the trail that has camping. Oakdale and Clearwater do not have campgrounds.

Just outside of Oakdale there is a nice grove of trees where you can take a break. Once in town there is a picnic table next to the gas station Mr. S.'s that you can rest at as well.

From Oakdale to Neligh was another part of the trail that was really scenic. Just outside of Oakdale the trail veers off into the wilderness away from the highway. In this little stretch there were lots of new critters to see. Many turtles, ducks, and beavers were spotted. The Elkhorn River runs right through this section as well which added to the vista.

Once we were to Neligh, we decided to make camp at the Riverside Park Campground around 5:00pm. It is a really nice campground right along the trail, but just be aware that you can not have open fires at this campsite. There are restrooms and a shower.

The following morning we left around 9:00 am to Clearwater. The landscape on this part of the trail starts to change into more of a grassland area. This trail follows the highway up until about halfway to Clearwater, where it veers off back into the countryside. A little past halfway to Clearwater our journey ends as the trail was closed and detoured onto the highway. From there our ride came and got us and we were driven back to Norfolk.

The trail was clear and open all the way up unto that point. We averaged about 20 minutes a mile with 40 pounds on our backs. Definitely a good time and worth the trip.

Sounds like an awesome trip! I'm glad you had a good time, thanks for sharing.

Hi, we want to ride the trail this summer (2018) but don't want to bring our bikes with us on the plane. is there a reputable place we can hire mountain bikes from and return to them at the end of the trail? thanks

We have solid tire 7 speed Specialized Alibi Hybrid's for rent from Norfolk, as well as shuttle to Valentine. The bikes must be returned to Norfolk. Most park at the trail head, shuttle to Valentine, and ride back. nforkoutfitting.com

HI EVERYONE,
IF YOU HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE TRAIL PLEASE ADD YOUR COMMENTS OR BETTER YET SEND THEM TO KIRK NELSON ALSO. SEE BELOW.

Hello John
Thank you for your comments and suggestions regarding the Cowboy Trail. We appreciate you taking the time to correspond with us.

This is the first I have been asked to comment on issues you have presented to us so I apologize if you were not responded to in the past. We take our responsibilities very seriously regarding the management of the trail.

I will check the Cowboy Trail forum for issues we need to address regarding the trail surface and other concerns about which our trail users are writing. The 2018 season is just getting started for our trail personnel consequently there may have been locations on the trail that needed our attention early on which we are just now getting too.

We are very much aware of the benefit a well maintained trail is to our state and local economies thus we will do our best to manage the trail to insure our users enjoy their experience on the trail.

Have a great week.

Kirk L. Nelson
Assistant Division Administrator
Planning and Programming Division
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
P.O. Box 30370
Lincoln, NE 68503-0370
402-471-5513 office
402-430-9916 cell
Kirk.nelson@nebraska.gov

My wife and I have ridden the Katy. It has a fair amount of shade on the trail. There are few wide open areas. How much shaded riding can one expect on the Cowboy Trail? I see a lot of pics depicting wide open spaces.

You will be riding on the northern plains of Nebraska. You will not have near the shade as on The Katy Trail. There are stretches it is far and few shade trees (and some of them are small) between. We rode August 2017. Had some challenges with potholes and stickers, but it was a ride with the trip.

Well, we rode last Labor Day weekend from Valentine to Inman. Don't plan on any shade. Our first day ended up over 100 we started early had lunch at the El-Bow Room in Johnstown, and went to the Rodeo til about 4:30 (a local cowboy took us, those folks really were friendly), and then we finished up our ride to Ainsworth (50 miles, not a big ride for us, but with the difference in gravel, a bit). So, take lots of sunscreen!

None, zero, zip. Except in a rare spot or two.

Is the trail smooth enough for road bikes?
Is the average grade of the trail only 2% to 3%
as it is a former railroad route? I would like
to ride the Trail and camp along the way.

The trail is virtually flat. My kind of level. We rode Ranz recumbents and camped in city parks all along the trail. You will find holes in the trail to dodge and there are stickers though we did not get any flats. We aired up the front wheel on one bike at the start of each day towards the end of ride. The ride can be challenging but we enjoyed the ride and encourage you to try it. The Cowboy Trail has great potential, if folks will make use of it.

Thank you for the answer. We will be riding
ICE Adventure Recumbents. With the exception
of the stickers it sounds nice!

My sister ad I are planning to ride the Cowboy Trail in the beginning of October. Is this a good time to do this - weather wise? Also, are there any ma and pa motels along the trail - maybe 40 miles apart?

Check the listings on The Cowboy Trail for places to stay. The further west you go, less likely. October??? Could be taking a chance. Weather could be nice it snow could blow.

Wanting to ride this trail on horseback this summer. However, I see nothing helpful about camping facilities for horses, watering, grazing etc. Anyone have any advice?

Two of us are looking for others to share the Norfolk Outfitter shuttle on Apr 30 to help reduce the cost per person. If you are planning to shuttle that day let me or the outfitter know if you can share the shuttle.

I just spoke to Tony at Outfitters. Tony is going to shuttle me and my bike April 30 from Norfolk to Valentine, then I'll cycle back to Norfolk. Will see you along the way!

HEY! I've been training to do a 1 day ride across the trail myself. I'd love to split the cost. I agree with starting in Valentine as its "downhill" mostly.

Heath, we have since changed our plans and a friend is picking us up to join us on another ride. Call Tony at North Fork Outfitters, 402-316-0157, as I think he has another guy shuttling to Valentine that day.

Hey Tim, please contact me or Mac about the shuttle on the 30th! Thanks...402-316-0157

Heath, get in touch with any of us about April 30th Shuttle to Valentine! Thanks

Hey guys I wont get out there for a few more weeks now thanks to work :( if you guys do it please let me know and make sure to Strava!!

Just learning about the Cowboy Trail. Wondering would I be able to travel this trail with my small 24 foot Winnebago RV?

If you mean finding places to park while riding a bicycle on trail, shouldn't have any problems. We drove a RoadTrek 200 Popular. Parked at a trail head, city park or RV park and rode west one day, east the next and leapfrogged the trail from Valentine to Norfolk. Many accommodating city parks. A couple nice RV parks and nice folks.

About how many miles are a good average on gravel/touring bike?

We rode August 2017 on Ranz recumbents with 1.50 tire size. Our best day was 40 miles. Most days varied 15-30. We rode on The Cowboy Trail except for a detour to highway for 3 miles because of bridge washout east of Clearwater and 1/4 mile in front of coop by Ainsworth(local advised of bad stickers along that section). Weather can slow you down. We got caught in a torrential downpour one day. A lot depends on the individual and conditions at the time .

Thanks for the information

Lisa and I averaged 50 miles per day. And that was probably 2/3 effort. The first day out of Valentine, we stopped in Johnstown at noon had lunch at the L'Bow Room and then went to the rodeo til 4 (it was 100 degrees that afternoon). When we got to Ainsworth we were 50 miles on the dot. And had an hour or so of riding time left if we'd have wanted to. I'd seen no problem with 50 miles and probably a 75 day if conditions were right. I rode my GT-105 with Clement USH gravel tires on it, and worked out well (I did put tire liners in prior to the trip.

I was looking into the possibility of biking and camping along the trail and I see some people saying a chunk of the trail was washed out some time ago. Has it been repaired?

We rode The Cowboy Trail in August 2017. A local in Clearwater said the bridge over The Elk Horn River, on the trail between Clearwater and Neleigh washed out about 2 miles out of town. Sure enough. The Trail was blocked off. We rode a short distance north to highway and rode about 2 or 3 miles before turning off to the south. There is no sign to indicate the turn. We did get back on the trail and it was a good ride the rest of the way to Neligh. This washed out in 2010, I think, so they are in no hurry to fix. Don't let this deter you from the ride.

Hi Cynthya. Boy oh boy a big thanks for your detailed update on that washout. I'm planning on walking the trail next month and that's really good to know...kinda suprised though...last trails I walked were the GAP & the C&O Canal trails...along them the business, community, city, countu, & state support is tremendous...a great walk. Again thanks.
Ed

Ed, Sounds exciting and walking you shouldn't have to worry about stickers and flat tires. ?? Be sure to check mileage between towns. Valentine to Wood lake would be a long day. No real good camping in that stretch. The rest of the trail is pretty accommodating. Post your experience. Always enjoy reading comments. Good trailing! Cynthya

Thanks!!! I push a stroller/cart so I don't have to worry too much...In shape i could possibly push (real need and big push) 100 miles or 7 - 8 days...with water being a real concern...but don't think I have to worry on this trail!

is the first week in october to late do the full ride from Norfolk to Valentine? What are the temps usually like? Thanks

I walk the french Camino last May it was 500 miles. I was wonder how this trail would be to walk. The map dosn't show the miles between town. Everyone walks with a back pack,with everything they need for the walk.

It is a trail you could walk. If you check on The Cowboy Trail site you can find a mileage chart that gives distance between towns and services available.

Is tent camping allowed along the trail, or is that all private property.
I am planning on bike packing and not necessarily camping in town.
Thank you.

Many of these small towns have city parks and/or camping pads in the same park. Some of them have formal camp areas. I've been going back and forth on google maps and think with a little planning, camping out should be no problem every night.

My sister and I walked the Camino de Santiago, this is great news if we can safely hike the Cowboy...

Donna,
We saw and visited with 3 folks biking on the trail east of Valentine. Did not see many along the trail after that. As we got closer to Norfolk saw others, but still not heavily traveled at the time we were there, August 2017. We rode recumbents. Some challenges: some rough trail, weeds, stickers, BUT no flats! We made the trip and it was with the effort.

Cynthya

Here's an interesting event that's coming up this summer (June 2 2018):

The Cowboy Trail Pedal and Paddle 2018 Adventure Race: bike from Norfolk to Meadow Grove or Battle Creek along the Cowboy Trail, then return by kayak on the beautiful Elkhorn River! 17 mile race (Meadow Grove) or 10 mile leisure trip (Battle Creek)

Pre race meeting and Spaghetti Social in the Veranda at Divots Friday evening!

Details: https://www.nforkoutfitting.com/upcoming-events

Could you please send the link again. I could not get to it from the one sent. When googled, I could only get last years event.
Thanks!
Marna

The link above is correct. If it's not working for you, then you can try nforkoutfitting.com and click on the "Events" link. And if that doesn't work, you could try their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NorthForkOutfitting

Good luck and happy trails!

Hi all! I see that Marna has found our registration page...if anyone else has problems, you may call 402-316-0157 for info as well! nforkoutfitting.com

My wife and I came to Velentine for several days with plans to ride the Cowboy Trail...thinking it was a classic rail trail like the Mickelson or Katy. Sadly, it is not. The State of Nebraska has a possible gem and the Valentine bridge is worth the trip itself but the trail is a bummer. The gravel/chat is too deep and is not a great surface...you are in fear of washing out constantly. There are also many goat heads and other thorns. These could easily be managed with a little spraying and maintenance. However, the biggest drawback is that ATV and farmers/ranchers now us the trail as there personal highway. There is significant washboard starting 8 miles a South of Velentine...so bad we finally gave up our plan and returned to Valentine. The ATVs and farmers have even ripped out the barriers intended o prevent motorized vehicles. The state could do,ve this but otherwise this trail won't get much use. It's sad to see such a great idea, with considerable investment made so far, be such a disappointment for lack of a few things. Complain to the state...but don't waste your time on the Cowboy Trail at this time.

We rode a little bit east of there. Here is my blog post on the subject. Yes the trail could be a little better. It is such a great right of way it needs some community support but the area is so sparsely populated east of Valentine it is not likely to happen

https://travelreporter.wordpress.com/2017/05/30/the-cowboy-trail-and-sand-hills-nebraska/

I appreciate the heads up and I hope your disappointment along with the rest of us resonates to the community. It would be pleasing to be able to have both those who appreciate these trails so much and those who have adjoining land, work together for the common good.

I had just learned about the Cowboy Trail today so looked it up. As bicyclists as well as kayakers we were thinking it would be nice to ride the Cowboy and kayak the Niobrara. This thread is not encouraging.

Trail surface makes a big difference since we ride recumbent trikes and three wheels on a soft surface is a bit hard to push. And landowners showing and demonstrating disdain for the trail isn't encouraging.

I didn't experience any of the "locals" not wanting us there. Spoke with several ranchers and farmers all wanting to know where we were going how long etc. One rancher took us from the LBow Room in Johnstown to the Rodeo(that'd been our plan since the afternoon heat hit 100).

The trail is mostly well taken care of and you can hope out onto the highway anytime you want(with a few small exceptions),I have a blog here of our three day ride last Labor Day weekend, and some video at my YouTube channel with some idea of what the trail looks like.

We had a great time, and I encourage you to go (PS, my friend had Swchalbe Tires with puncture guard put on her bike and I had Teflon liners in my Clement XPLOR USH tires).

I have ridden the Katy Trail 2x’s and enjoy the solitude. Hope they get this trail going

We rode the trail August 2017, on Ranz recumbents. The Trail surface was not ideal, but rideable. Some places were rough and weedy, but we rode from one end to the other and back, camping along the way in city parks. We met nice people. Yes, the trail could use some work, but give it a try. People need to get out and ride. Ride and share the experience and make the trail happen!

Allowing motorized vehicles on these trails is the kiss of death in attracting visitors. Thought about this trail because of its length but if motorized vehicles are using the trail I have no interest in it.

I've bicycled trails in CA, PA, WI, GA, MO, UT, AZ, WV, MD.

The Katy in MO is decent, many in WI are nice but the best is the GAP/C&O. It is very well maintained, offers great camping spots, many small towns, beautiful scenery along rivers and the only motorized vehicles are for maintenance.

It is also served by AMTRAK with walk-on service for bikes. Met visitors from other states and countries who have made the trip because of the trail's reputation. The small towns and businesses along the GAP/C&O are booming, restaurants-bike shops are expanding and so are housing options. Do it. I plan to do again with my sons as we did a couple of years ago.

Jack, Your thoughts are well taken. I am ready to bike the GAP. I have only done a small portion of The Katy. That was my first experience with rails-to-trails. I enjoyed it because it was flat and no traffic. When we rode The Cowboy, there was evidence of motorized traffic. On one occasion I looked back and saw an ATV coming up behind my husband. Another time I saw a rider approaching the trail and it was obvious they were used to accessing The Trail at that point. When they saw us coming,they quickly turned and went another direction. I am glad we rode The Cowboy Trail. It has great possibilities and I hope people read these comments and realize what an oppportunity for riders and the state of Nebraska this trail offers.

We are looking for anyone who wants to share the cost of the North Fork Outfitting shuttle on April 30th from Norfolk to Valentine. If you want to share the shuttle email me at macmail1252@gmail.com
Mac

We rode The Cowboy Trail August 2017. Some of the online comments were not positive. Some of the information we got before starting in Valentine were not too encouraging, but we started out anyway.

The bridge across the Niobrara River was totally awesome.

We met a father and son team from Germany on The Trail. We talked with some other folks who hosted a camper riding The Trail from Israel. How neat was that!

The Elbow Saloon in Johnstown serves up a great hamburger and the folks there were very friendly. One of the many highlights of the trip.

There were the chucks holes to look out for, weeds and sickers, but we enjoyed the ride. We meet some really great folks and ate some good food along the way.

Hopefully the trail will get finished to Chadron and we will be there to ride that as well.

You have a gem that folks should enjoy. Maybe a few though edges, but well worth the ride.

We spent time under the church awning, moved to the park on a rainy day this past August. The next day we found the grocery store. Wish we had been there the day before. Would have been a better place during all the rain and lightening. We picked up a snack and visited with the proprietor of the store. Nice folks!

We stocked up on groceries at the store. Very nice park with restroom and showers. We spent two days here. Met some other folks riding the trail also.

They have a very nice park and camp ground. We stayed 2 days. Visited their White Horse Museum. Very interesting. Nice folks!

Nice little pool hall here. Snacks and drinks on honor system. Visited with a nice local and found out this bit of information.

This information is a little past due. We rode this section of the trail in August of 2017, however, we rode through a 1/4 mile strip of green thistle weed. You could see a little bare ground, we picked up no stickers, but we were a little unsure. Didn't want to carry bikes across big ditch to highway and it was a ways back to intersection. Weeds are dead now, but new growth maybe coming along.

Big thorns on the trail about a half mile west of town. However, they are only on the trail in front of the agricultural supply business, about 500'. You can use the highway and bypass them. No other hazards noted between Ainsworth and Johnstown.

Amen to that. We were advised, by a local, to jump out on the highway at that point, as she had had multiple flats on her bike riding past that area. So glad she shared that information. Yes..the ride between Ainsworth and Lone Pine is a good one.