Lodging and trail closures on the Cowboy Trail

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Paula DeWald from Fort Wayne Indiana on 9/23/2024 12:42:32 PM:

So here I am again asking for some more help. I’ve been trying to figure out the best mileage ride and places to stay. It sure seems to me the the mileage differs a lot when watching Cowboy Trail videos and other information I’ve been gathering. I certainly would welcome suggestions. So far the best seems to be longer rides and staying in Valentine, Ainsworth, O’Neill and Norfolk or what I just said and throwing in an overnight stop in Neigh.

My other concern is the Rails to Trails website says there’s about 5 trail closures. Doesn’t seem like to long for detours but they also say the Niobrara Bridge is closed. For you wonderful bikers that live in Nebraska I’d welcome your help in figuring this out.

It would be nice to ride the trail the last week of October. I notice on the web that Bubba’s Pampered Peddlers is doing a ride in June over 5 days but doing shuttles back and forward for lodging. Thanks in advance for help and advice. Paula ?????

Dougt from Castana, Ia on 9/24/2024 9:34:26 AM:

Your overnights will work fine. I usually stay in Long Pine vs. Ainsworth, but there are a lot more amenities in Ainsworth.
Detours aren't a problem. 4 of them are right next to highway 20, there's a wide shoulder, and most drivers even move over more. Awesome drivers here! Detour on the east side of Long Pine can go either way. On the way to Valentine we usually go left on the gravel to avoid the sun in our and drivers eyes in the early eve, but it's usually both rough and soft(sandy soil). On the return we take the highway option and that's good. None of the detours have signs on the highway(apparently the DNR can't do that for liability reasons?) so you have to watch for the right gravel to turn on. The site can tell you the length of the detour.
Bring plenty of warm clothes. Last year we went in Oct. One morning was 28 degrees! Have a great ride! I always say that the Cowboy Trail is an adventure! Tailwinds!

Paula DeWald from Fort Wayne Indiana on 10/7/2024 11:52:54 AM:

Thank you Doug so much for all your help and info. We will be riding West to East Valentine to Ainsworth, Ainsworth to O’Neill, O’Neill to Neligh and Neligh to Norfolk We are getting pretty excited. Thanks for the info on the detours as well. We do have warm biking clothes. Looking forward to meeting the friendly folks of Nebraska along the way and riding the miles. We will be riding fat bikes with tubeless set up. Thanks again Paula

Cinda from Columbia, MO on 1/4/2026 4:40:45 PM:

We are considering the same agenda this summer. What lodging did you use in Neileigh?

Kurt Kincacher from Chadron, NE on 1/5/2026 1:09:02 PM:

The City park in Neligh is a good place to camp -- if you are camping. It is right on the trail and close to downtown. The Neligh Mill is a state historical park, and is a good place to tour.

Paula DeWald from Fort Wayne Indiana on 1/6/2026 9:12:00 AM:

We haven’t ridden the trail yet but are planning on riding it in September 2026. Our plan is to stay at Deluxe Motel in Neligh. There is also another place to stay at called West View Motel if you are not camping while riding the Cowboy Trail.

Cindy from Fort Worth on 1/14/2026 6:47:18 PM:

Hi,
I saw the postings of the detours from 2024. Has any of the issues causing the detours been fixed? I hope to ride this trail in the fall.

Chris from Helena,MT on 1/14/2026 9:08:40 PM:

I’m trying to tie down logistics for a ride from Valentine to Norfolk in either early June or any time in September. The segments and duration of several folks on this thread align with my general plan. I’d like to find a couple other riders to share a shuttle from Norfolk to Valentine or work out a way to handle shuttling vehicles ourselves. I’ll be driving a pickup and can take on 4 or 5 riders and bikes. I’m retired so pretty flexible on dates. Reply here or text me at 406-202-0003 if you’re interested in seeing what we can work out. Thanks!

Chris from Helena,MT on 1/15/2026 10:08:42 AM:

Cindy from Fort Worth on 1/26/2026 6:44:20 PM:

Hi Chris,

I ride with three other female friends. We're considering 3 different states/routes to ride. If we ride the Cowboy Trail, it'll more likely be an out and back. You're welcome to join us for whichever direction you like. I'll send you a text so we don't bog down this thread.

Kurt Kinbacher from CHADRON on 1/26/2026 7:26:32 PM:

I tried contacting the DeLuxe Motel in Neligh last summer before and during my ride on the trail. Their voice mail was always full. When I went through, I had already made other plans. I didn't look at the property, but you might contact them pretty far in advance to see if they are operating.

Dave from Sacramento on 1/27/2026 1:20:05 AM:

Cindy, what other trails are you considering? I ask because I have done the Katy Trail, Mickelson Trail and the Cowboy Trail, and the first two were MUCH better — like night and day. If you haven’t done either of those yet, you should consider them. I think you will have a lot more fun, and fewer thorns, detours or sections of trail that haven’t been maintained in years.

Cindy from Fort Worth on 1/27/2026 11:43:04 AM:

Hi Dave,

I have ridden the Mickelson Trail and the Katy Trail. The first trail was gorgeous and, at times, challenging. The Katy Trail was beautiful, flatter and longer. We're considering 4 connecting trails in Wisconsin, the Ohio to Erie Trail in Ohio and trails in the Des Moines, IO area. If you need other ideas of where to ride, we've ridden the Golden Spoke in Utah and parts of the Huckleberry Loop in Tucson, AZ.

GaryJames from Pittsburgh on 2/13/2026 8:56:07 PM:

Chris, I may ride the CT beginning July 1st, '26. I would begin in Chadron and ride 3 days to Norfolk. If I do the ride (50-50) I would be looking for a shuttle back to Chadron on July 4th. Probably not a good day for any shuttle service, most likely. But, I could move my start date to July 2nd. Gary

GaryJames from Pittsburgh on 2/13/2026 9:21:07 PM:

...I will be starting in Valentine, not Chadron. The mileage chart does not accurately show the distance between Chadron and Valentine. Google Maps showed me the actual distance and it was much longer than what is shown on the mileage chart.

Kurt Kinbacher from CHADRON on 2/13/2026 10:21:23 PM:

Hi Gary:
The Trail should be surfaced from Chadron to Gordon (50 miles) sometime in the summer, but it is ballast at the moment from Chadron to Rushville. After Gordon, use Highway 20 to Valentine, then it is all good (couple short detours) to Norfolk. I am not sure about shuttles all the way back to Chadron. Hope things work out. Its a good ride.

Chris from Helena,MT on 2/14/2026 11:02:10 AM:

Hey, Gary! Early July could be hot, but not out of the question. Rather than clog up the forum, shoot me a text to continue the conversation. 406-202-0003.

216.73.216.174

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