Cowboy Trail Forum

Are there any bus routes or shuttles to Valentine nebraska

Yes, I believe there Is a shuttle that runs from Norfolk to Valentine. Sorry, I don’t have details. ?? The Cowboy Trail!

Thier is a place out of Norfolk NE that does shuttles. here is their website. I have never used them but have had friends who used them for a float trip.

Hi folks! Full service Shuttle either way nforkoutfitting.com 402-316-0157 North Fork Outfitting on Facebook! Norfolk to Valentine shuttle is $401.25 tax included for up to 4 riders.(additional charge for larger groups)

Has anyone recently used Panda Transportation from Valentine to Norfolk?

I haven't but the guy that did this writeup on is Cowboy Trail trip claims he did - https://lethaltri.com/2018/07/03/biking-the-cowboy-trail/

There is also North Fork Outfitting in Norfolk that does shuttle service for the trail.

thanks Alex. My contact is 402-316-0157 or nforkoutfitting.com! North Fork Outfitting on Facebook!

Hey folks, North Fork Outfitting in beautiful Norfolk,NE offers a full service shuttle, as well as Specialized Rental bikes and gear! Call 402-316-0157 or visit nforkoutfitting.com for reservations. Weekends are booked thru June, weekday trips available.

We camped here in May 2021 - excellent campground! There is water, toilets, electricity, around 10 picnic tables + 1 awning to keep out of the rain.
Bathrooms are well stocked with TP, napkins and soap. There is a guest book in a mailbox as well as a small electrical area - they ask for donations to support the energy used.

Anyone want to join a bunch of folks pedaling the Trail early July (July 5, 6 and part of the 7th) 2021?
I am with a non-profit bicycle touring club (People Cycling) and a group of us (24) are going cross country next year from Seattle to NYC.
On July 4 we go from White River, SD to Valentine so we can pedal the Cowboy Trail.
The fifth of July we pedal from Valentine to Ainsworth (short day, but our overall average is 62~) then on July 6th we continue to O'Neill. Then the next day we will only be on the Trail for about 30-40 miles, because we depart south towards Albion (probably after Clearwater or Neligh).
Anyone who wants to pedal along with us for any of what I mention above let me know. We are using indoor lodging and have a luggage truck (no SAG). And we ALWAYS have an evening happy hour (as long as you are nice we will give you a free beer!).
Regards, Rick of Bicycle Habitat, NYC

Myself and friends would be interested in riding with you on July 7.

Please contact us to help plan this trip! Visit www.visitnorfolkne.com or call 402-371-2932. We'd love to help.

I'm planning a similar solo trip about that time. When do you plan to leave Seattle? I'm trying to ride as many rail trails as I can manage going across the country. It would be fun to ride with you for a bit.

I'm riding Seattle to DC (June thru Aug 2021). Looks like your group will be about a 2 weeks ahead of me as I anticipate riding thru Valentine on 7/19. Enjoy the ride!!

Just touching base - Rickonabike here and our x-c tour is set and we will be on the Cowboy Trail early July. Robin: love to have you join us (and any others as well) we are under the umbrella of People Cycling (dot org) a non-profit bicycling club. If you use my name at then tag on gmail dot com you can drop me an email. Or thru People Cycling

Watched a video of a couple who rode the Cowboy within the last year. Lots of spots they needed to walk their bikes because the limestone and some red stuff was so soft. Also they had to ride on Highway 20 as parts of the trail looked like they were not rideable (like tall grass and no trail). Is the trail a thru trail. Will the trail be hard-packed in September?

Greetings! There are some sections of the trail that still have damage from the 2019 flooding. The trail has been fixed with some temporary repairs to make it passable but some areas are a rough still. When the flood occurred, in addition to removing vast sections of the limestone surfacing, it deposited sand in many locations which makes the trail difficult to compact properly.

Here's a list of the main detours you will need to do this year.

- The Elkhorn river eroded around the the trail bridge over it between Oakdale and Neligh. Use the highway shoulder between Oakdale and Neligh for about 4 miles.

- Just west of Neligh there is a short stretch next to the Elkhorn river that has eroded into the trail right of way severely. You will be able to see some construction cones on the trail. You will need to ride on the adjacent highway shoulder for roughly 1/4 mile and then can jump back on the trail.

- Between Neligh and Clearwater there is a section of trail that is permanently closed due the Elkhorn river reclaiming the trail in this section. You will need to take 519th ave back to the highway and ride around on the highway for about 3 miles. You can take 517th ave and head south to get back on to the cowboy trail. There is a sign directing you to the highway when you should get off the trail. About a 2.5 mile detour for this one.

- The next closed spot is on the east edge of Long Pine. A large section of the trail embankment was washed out due to a culvert failure from the flood. To detour around, take 440th rd to the highway and then come back in to Long Pine and find the trail by the park on the main road, about 2.5 miles.


The online trail map shows the closed sections in red where impassable flood damages exist.

https://maps.outdoornebraska.gov/Trails/

I recommend when riding the trail to use a gravel or mountain bike if possible. Something with a 40c+ tire width is best to help with the softer sections of the trail.

Seems like there is another trail closure according to the map, right outside of Valentine past the Niobrara bridge. Seems like a shame to miss the cool bridge view, so I might just ride over it and backtrack if needed along highway 20/83/Blue Star Memorial Highway.

2021 plan end to end and return -- Norfork to valentine--
Where is safe place to leave vehicle. This would be a--
My guess 8 or 10 day trip. Self supported, camping

When my son and I did a multi-day trip about 5 years ago, we left our car at Ta-Ha-Zouka Park, where the trail starts in Norfolk. Just call the park office in advance and let them know. Of course car break-ins can happen any time and anywhere, but this felt like a safe place when we used it.
https://bikecowboytrail.com/ta-ha-zouka-park.aspx

Another option - if you are spending a night in Norfolk at the start or end of your trip - many hotels would let you leave your car if you are spending money at their establishment. I don't know about specific ones in Norfolk, but you could call and ask a bunch of places if it seems like a good option to you.

Good luck, hope you have a great trip!

Nice clean rooms. Friendly staff will be staying again. Best price in town

Nice clean rooms. Friendly staff will be staying again. Best price in town

Does anyone know of someone who has walked the entire trail yet? I am planning on walking from Norfolk to Valentine and back starting next week. Just curious.

Yes—if you google it some newspaper articles about it come up.

Are you documenting your trip?

Anyone know, what is closest Amtrak station?

Lincoln, NE is about as close as you'd get to Norfolk, NE via Amtrak.

I am planning to ride from missouri to mt rushmore. Planning on using cowboy trail for part of trip. Any suggestions from folks who have ridden trail by horseback?

Where are you starting from in MO?

Leaving from Nevada, Mo

Hello!
Planning our first trip to Valentine, planning on staying at the Econolodge and wanted to leave our car at the motel and jump on the trail somewhere nearby - hard to tell from Maps where would be the easiest place? Any recommendations?

The trailhead in Valentine is right down the road from there. I would recommend starting there. Enjoy the trip!

https://goo.gl/maps/jrFCKGERp6N7pa168

What are the average temps and wind direction mid May. Also are the shuttles between Valentine and Norfolk running.

Mid 70's to mid 80's. But it can vary widely both directions day to day. Prevailing winds tend to hold up so West to East but it can certainly go both ways as well! Ha. Yes there is North Fork Outfitting in Norfolk. You will have to give Tony a call- (402) 316-0157

I am planning to ride from missouri to mt rushmore. Planning on using cowboy trail for part of trip. Any suggestions from folks who have ridden trail by horseback?

I am planning to ride from missouri to mt rushmore. Planning on using cowboy trail for part of trip. Any suggestions from folks who have ridden trail by horseback?

Hey Everyone -
We are planning to do the Cowboy Trail, starting in Valentine. Is there anywhere to park our car while we are out on the trail? Thanks for any help with this.

There is a parking lot by the trailhead in Valentine. Additionally I have left a vehicle at the city park on the north edge of town where I camped. There's a good sized hill to climb to get out of the park though.

Thank you, we would be leaving our car there for several nights, so not sure the trailhead would be a safe place. Any other suggestions? Thanks again.

I am getting back to running and need to map a 6.2 mile trek. I was going to head south out of Neligh on the Cowboy Trail, but recall awhile back there was a sign that the trail was closed just ahead of the golf course. Does anyone know this to still be the case, or could I run that way and back with no issues? Looking to go Neligh to Oakdale at best.

Thank you.

The bridge over the elkhorn river is still out between Neligh and Oakdale.

See the online map for details.

https://maps.outdoornebraska.gov/Trails/

A couple of friends of mine, and myself; are planning a trip/Odysee along the "Cowboy Trail" in early May of '21. - and was wondering about possible road construction along the trace? True this might seem last minute, but any help would be helpful? We are intent on starting in Norfork, and then head Wesy.
Until the next . . . .
Art Foley *KB)UWR)

Not sure about road construction near the trail. You would have to look at NDOT's website to find out. There are some sections of trail that are still damaged from the flood and are marked on the online trail map.

https://dot.nebraska.gov/projects/

https://maps.outdoornebraska.gov/Trails/

Hi all! I just learned of the Cowboy Trail and am excited to check it out sometime soon. With regards to the surface, is it ridable with a gravel bike or is it rougher and more appropriate to ride a mountain bike?

A gravel bike would be great. I recommend running a wider tire though and at a lower psi to make the ride more supple. The trail can have some rougher areas but it pretty smooth in most places.

Thank you Alex! I can't wait to get out there and ride it!

I road from Neligh to Norfolk July 2020. Most areas have well packed gravel that either bike would be fine. Their are a couple of spots with fresh gravel. In those places wider MTB tires would be beneficial.

Looking to ride across Nebraska and include the full length of the Cowboy Trail. A couple questions:

1. Better to ride West to East? Or East to West? For context, this would likely be in June.

2. I know the CT doesn't go across the entire state, so is there a road(s) that's best to ride on after the trails ends on both the West and East sides?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Hello,

I would ride the shoulder on HWY 20 going westbound from Valentine, I believe there are some small segments completed around Chadron you may want to jump back on to check out.

Going east from Norfolk you could take some small county roads to Stanton and then to Beemer (use google maps). Then after that the paved roads are pretty few and far between and pretty busy.

I would maybe have your phone charged up and do some gravel riding.. It also depends on what your terminus is on the east side.

Good Luck

Hello, Is the Cowboy Trail paved or gravel? And can you tell me in what town have a camp ground close to the trail.

Gina a short part of the eastern end of the trail in Norfolk is paved, but the vast majority of the trail is very small gravel.

As you can see in this map: https://bikecowboytrail.com/cowboy-trail-map.aspx
... there are long sections of the trail that run parallel to a highway. Some riders switch to highway shoulder for part of their ride for faster/smoother travel. But of course that's only for people who are comfortable riding on a highway shoulder.

As for camping, here is a trip planner showing all the camping locations that we know of along the trail:

https://bikecowboytrail.com/planner.aspx?scid=1&ecid=19&rt=0&rtid=1&svcs=|4|

Thinking of riding the trail in early October. Based on the wind during that time, is there advice on which direction to ride?

Since you live in Nebraska you are aware of the prevailing westerlies. They aren't a given though, and sometimes an eastern wind can be brutal. If you aren't tied into a specific time slot, it might be wise to get a 6-10 day forecast and go from there. Having said that, there are other reasons for going from west to east....namely elevation. Although you won't be fighting hills, there is a significant drop from Valentine to Norfolk. West to east is the direction my wife and I plan on going when we go.

In addition to what was said above - West to East if you have someone that can drop you off in Valentine and leave you a car in Norfolk. It's nice only having a 2 hour drive home vs a 5 hour drive after a trip on the Cowboy Trail.

We are planning to ride the Cowboy Trail this year and are wondering what month would be best time to ride.

The cowboy trail can be a great experience any time of the year but each season has their pros and cons. Planning for the weather you may experience is the key to having a good experience on the trail IMO. Nebraska's forecasted weather can vary greatly day to day at any time of the year.

Spring - higher potential for rain, but temps are generally pleasant.

Summer - can be windy, can get very hot/humid.

Fall - can get unpredictably cold overnight, rain, hail, snow possible.

Generally I enjoy spring and early fall the most but it helps being local to plan around the weather. If I were to pick, I think the best two months to try and hit the trail are May and September.

Does anyone know where the detours are that require riding on a highway?

https://maps.outdoornebraska.gov/trails

The Norfolk Area Visitors Bureau can help you plan your trip! Visit our website at www.visitnorfolkne.com or email info@visitnorfolkne.com for more information!

The detours are around Neligh. I road from Neligh to Norfolk last July. You can ride a couple of miles from Neligh before being moved to the road because a couple of bridges are out. You return to the trail at the eduge of Oakdale. I know thier is another bridge out by Clearwater but I didn't ride that section.

We are thinking to explore our neighboring state and would like to come ride the Cowboy Trail in Spring of 2021. It looks beautiful!

We have road bikes and need to be on pavement or hard compacted surface for most of ride. We go at mid leisure pace and average 30-50 miles per day. Is there a hard copy map we can order? Any suggestions for routes and schedules?
Thanks!
Ruth

We rode The Cowboy Trail in 2017 on Ranz recumbents with 1 1/2 tires. The only time we got off trail was for a detour near Clearwater and a short strip by coop at Ainsworth. A local said bad stickers there.

I'm not sure if there are maps.. other than what you can see when you look up The Cowboy Trail online. After the fact, I ordered a book, The Cowboy Trail off Amazon. It has some information and trail...but it is not recent...I liked it...I'm a book hound


It is a good ride from our perspective...they have had flood damage again since we rode, so there might be that to contend with.

I plan to ride the trail in 2021 as well. I'm making my own map using a Delorme Nebraska Detailed Topographic Map. Then add the symbols of what's available in the towns I'm interested in for refueling and camping purposes. You can find the symbols for each town on the route planner. Hope this helps!

Here's a link to Chuck Haney's article in October's Adventure Cyclist mag on a Valentine Loop ride. https://www.adventurecycling.org/sites/default/assets/resources/20200901_Nebraska_Haney.pdf It's a combination of road and trail riding that might suit your needs.

We can provide you with more information and help plan your trip! The Trailhead is located in Norfolk. Visit www.visitnorfolkne.com for more information.