Monument Valley Pathway
Free
HikingOutdoor
Overview
This expansive, multi-mile paved scenic trail system connects the historic communities of Scottsbluff and Gering, providing exceptional fitness and historic sightseeing opportunities. Winding safely past lush agricultural fields and running streams, the trail offers hikers and casual cyclists continuous, awe-inspiring panoramic vistas of the towering, ancient clay formations of Scotts Bluff National Monument standing tall against western skies.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1.5-3 hours
Best TimeBest utilized during the early mornings (6:00 AM to 8:00 AM) or late evenings (6:00 AM to 8:00 PM) from May to October. This fully paved multi-use pathway allows you to jog or bike with unobstructed, scenic views of the Scotts Bluff national monument formations.
Getting ThereA continuous paved trail connecting Gering and Scottsbluff. Drivers can park for free at the Gering Civic Center parking lot or the dedicated trailhead access points off South 13th Street to instantly step onto the pedestrian-and-bicycle infrastructure.
Travel Tips
- Spanning over 7 miles connecting three cities, the paved path narrows severely at the 10th Street Bridge crossing the North Platte River, legally requiring all cyclists to dismount and walk.
- The corridor transitions onto active residential street shoulders near Terry's Lake and demands crossing open, high-frequency Union Pacific rail tracks where strict rail alert vigilance is mandatory.
- The western terminus flanking the national monument offers zero canopy shade; intense afternoon thermal waves demand shifting long-distance road biking into a 06:00-08:00 morning slot.
Reviews
Positive
- A spectacular paved pedestrian and bicycle path that offers direct, majestic views of the Scotts Bluff National Monument's reddish-brown bluffs, delivering high visual impact.
- The entire trail is wide and flat, with perfect paving quality that ensures a smooth experience for morning jogs, mountain biking, or pushing wheelchairs and strollers.
- Completely free to access for the public and travelers, featuring clear accessible signage and convenient benches at key trail intersections and park connections.
- Far from the noise and congestion of downtown, it is filled with a warm neighborhood vibe, radiating pure wilderness peace during dawn and sunset.
Heads up
- The trail is mostly exposed with zero mature tree shade; walking under the blistering midday sun in July and August presents high risks of severe sunburn.
- Due to the open plains of western Nebraska, spring and autumn seasons frequently bring violent gales across the path, creating heavy resistance and lowering comfort.
- As the pathway extends near creeks, wetlands, and thick brush, summer evening mosquitoes and flying bugs run rampant, requiring strong insect repellent.
- Since the path is long and operates as an open-air public greenway, modern flush restrooms and public trash cans are sparsely distributed, causing slight inconvenience.