Cowboy Trail
4.6(7)google
HikingOutdoor
Overview
The Cowboy Trail stands proudly as a spectacular, record-breaking recreation greenway stretching continuously for over 321 miles across the northern tier of Nebraska. Recognized globally as the absolute longest rail-to-trail conversion project in the entire United States, this fully cleared crushed-limestone path occupies the historic abandoned corridor of the Chicago and North Western Railroad. Walking, cycling, or horseback riding along the path leads travelers across hundreds of historic timber trestle bridges, including a breathtaking 148-foot-tall span over the Niobrara River valley.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration0.5-1 day
Best TimeIdeal in May or October for comfortable hiking and biking temperatures across the plains. Do not miss standing on the spectacular, 148-foot-high historic rail trestle bridge just outside Valentine between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM to photograph the sunset over the valley.
Getting ThereOne of America's longest rail-to-trail conversion paths. To access the most dramatic Valentine sector and its giant trestle bridge, park directly at the dedicated Cowboy Trail parking lot positioned just east of downtown Valentine off US Highway 20 (US-20 E).
Travel Tips
- The historic 148-foot-high Valentine Rail Bridge excludes all combustion vehicles and ATVs via heavy iron perimeter gates, restricting the corridor entirely to non-motorized travel.
- Rampant goathead burrs plague the gravel ballast, easily puncturing lightweight road bike tires; outfitting tubeless setups or heavy-duty thorn-resistant liners is non-negotiable.
- Spanning vast outback reaches with 20+ mile gaps between infrastructure hubs, cell service drops to zero, requiring single users to carry 3L of water and a functional satellite messenger.
Reviews
Positive
- America's premier and longest rails-to-trails historical conversion wonder! Spanning hundreds of miles across northern NE, its geographical core value is unmatched.
- The historic Niobrara River railroad bridge near Valentine—spanning a quarter-mile and towering 150 feet high—elevates its visual shock to an absolute peak.
- The trail surface utilizing crushed limestone is flat and smooth, utilizing gentle railway grades that are exceptionally friendly for long-distance cyclists and hikers.
- A soul-cleansing green corridor that escapes all commercial noise, flanked by endless sandhills and prairie birdsong, offering ultimate pristine raw peace.
Heads up
- Because the historic path is incredibly long, expansive segments running between remote farming hamlets lack a single mature tree to shade you from sun or wind.
- Certain crushed stone surfaces suffer from historical horse-hoof wear and rain erosion, leaving gravel loose in deep peripheral corners, testing fine bicycle tires.
- Modern amenities are sparsely distributed between town hubs; you can ride for 20 miles through unpeopled country without finding a single restroom or water spout.
- For casual driving families seeking a brief 30-minute stroll, walking the trail on foot without rented bicycles can feel repetitive, with the flat scenery looking dry.