Rate Homestead National Monument of America
Learn and Explore
Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 275 million visitors every year. But our work doesn’t stop there.
We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close to home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.
Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.
Our Mission
The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I obtain a park entrance pass?
Only 118 of your 417 park sites charge entrance fees. You can obtain park entrance passes by visiting a park site that charges an entrance fee. Entrance fee sites have passes available; we recommend calling a park prior to your visit. (See the park search to locate a specific park.) There are a number of entrance passes available, including park-specific passes as well as passes that offer entrance to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites in addition to the national parks (Annual, Military, Senior, 4th Grade, Access, and Volunteer passes). Learn more about the America the Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
About this location:
National Monument of America
Operating Hours & Seasons
Heritage Center, Education Center, Palmer-Epard Cabin, Freeman School
Visitor Centers, Eastern National Stores, Historic Palmer-Epard Cabin, and Freeman One-Room School House.
Standard Hours
- Sunday:8:30 AM-5:00 PM
- Monday:8:30 AM-5:00 PM
- Tuesday:8:30 AM-5:00 PM
- Wednesday:8:30 AM-5:00 PM
- Thursday:8:30 AM-5:00 PM
- Friday:8:30 AM-5:00 PM
- Saturday:9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Trail System
The 3.0 miles of trails through the tallgrass prairie and woodland.
Standard Hours
- Sunday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Monday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Tuesday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Wednesday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Thursday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Friday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Saturday: Sunrise – Sunset
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $0.00 – ALL LOCATIONS
All trails, visitor centers, historic structures, ranger programs and events
About
FREE LAND was the cry!
With the promise of Free Land, the Homestead Act of 1862 enticed millions to cultivate the frontier. Families, immigrants, women, and freed slaves flooded 10 percent of the nation’s land to chase their American Dream. American Indian cultures and natural environments gave way to diverse settlement, agricultural success, and industrial advancement—building our nation and changing the land forever.
Directions
The park is 4 miles west of Beatrice on State Highway 4. From the U.S. 77 and U.S. 136 intersection in downtown Beatrice take U.S. 136 approximately 1.2 miles west. Turn right onto Nebraska Highway 4 and follow the signs.After the road has curved west and you have traveled 4 miles, you will enter Homestead National Monument and see signs for the different buildings at the park.
Visitor Centers
Heritage Center
This multipurpose facility, which houses the National Homesteading Museum, brings the epic homestead story to life for visitors of all ages and demonstrates the true scope and importance of the Homestead Act of 1862. State-of-the-art exhibits present homesteading in an interactive setting. Such topics as the Act’s influence on immigration, agriculture, industrialization, native tribes, the tallgrass prairie ecosystem and Federal land policies are presented in an educational and thought-provoking manner. Education Center
The Education Center at Homestead National Monument of America provides visitors the opportunity to meet their quest for further knowledge about homesteading through hands-on arts and crafts or living history demonstrations, real life science experiences, and distance learning. The Education Center also hosts many temporary exhibits and special programs. Ask the Ranger at the Education Center [or at the Heritage Center] about these opportunities.
Weather
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?textField1=40.26805750000045&textField2=-96.74696994099969#.Vk5FthH4-Uk
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