Riding through Nebraska

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Dan from Evanston, IL on 5/22/2019 5:38:05 AM:

I was planning on doing the Cowboy Trail mid-June (going from Denver to Lincoln), but I've changed plans due to the flooding and trail closures/uncertainty. Does anyone have any thoughts on doing the Lincoln Highway instead? I would still like to do a Nebraska ride, but I'm not sure about alternatives. Thank you.

Alex from Lincoln on 5/22/2019 8:22:48 AM:

Hi Dan,

Here is a map for the current Cowboy Trail closures: https://maps.outdoornebraska.gov/Trails/

The trail is passable from Valentine to Norfolk but there are a number of detours needed to get around the closed sections.

If you are in search for some rail trail riding in NE, you can combine the Homestead and Chief Standing Bear Trail for some good mileage from Lincoln to Marysville, KS. It's a nice route with some neat historical stops along the way such as Homestead National Monument.

Or if you have the proper bike setup I'd highly recommend these routes listed on Bikepacking.com.

https://bikepacking.com/routes/oglala-loop-nebraska/

I have not ridden the Lincoln Highway before but have driven it. The highway traffic in some areas could posed a problem as there is not a shoulder in many sections.

Check out NDOT's bike map with traffic counts to see if you're up for that.

https://dot.nebraska.gov/media/7032/bicycle-map-side-2.pdf

Let me know if you have any more questions!

Alex

Biking Brian on 5/30/2019 7:10:50 AM:

If you do end up doing Lincoln Hwy, I rode it back in 2016 across Nebraska up to Scotts Bluff then down to Denver and most of that is nice wide shoulders, easy for biking. I have some videos in this playlist of my ride if you want a better look. Looking forward to riding the Cowboy Trail up through the Black Hills in June this year. Safe Travels!

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiiY3ic6PtcLw7yJewYCOZt9D4dMo2F9H

-Brian

Lefty from Oklahoma City on 9/3/2019 8:53:09 AM:

Is this mainly a bike trail? Also, can you camp anywhere?

Alex from Lincoln on 9/3/2019 9:40:06 AM:

The cowboy trail is open to non-motorized uses. Most folks either hike or bike but it is also open for equestrian use (horses are to stay off the main trail surface except when crossing bridges. Camping is not allowed along the trail right of way but there are many towns along the trail that allow for camping in their city park.

3.138.102.163

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