Rate Scotts Bluff National Monument
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
Operating Hours & Seasons
Scotts Bluff National Monument
These hours are for the grounds and trails only. The hours for the Visitor Center and Summit Road are different.
Standard Hours
- Sunday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Monday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Tuesday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Wednesday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Thursday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Friday: Sunrise – Sunset
- Saturday: Sunrise – Sunset
Additional Information View More
- Summit Road – Christmas Day Closure:
- December 25 – December 25
- Summit Road – New Year’s Day Closure:
- January 1 – January 1
- Memorial Day – Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day:
- –
- Labor Day – Memorial Day
- –
Fees & Passes
Entrance Fees:
- $5.00 – Scotts Bluff Entrance Fee – Per vehicle
This fee covers 15 people in a personal vehicle for seven (7) days. Access to the visitor center/museum, trails and summit road during operating hours is included.
- $3.00 – Scotts Bluff Entrance Fee – Per Motorcycle
This fee covers up to two people on one motorcycle for seven days. It includes access to the visitor center/museum, trails and summit road during hours of operation.
- $3.00 – Scotts Bluff Entrance Fee – Per Person
This fee covers one person, over the age of 15 years old, who enters the park on foot or on a bicycle for seven days. It includes access to the visitor center/museum and trails during operating hours
Entrance Passes:
- $15.00 – Scotts Bluff Annual Pass
The Scotts Bluff Annual Pass is valid for one year from purchase. It covers the card holder and everyone in their personal vehicle if they drive in. It covers the cardholder and three adults (over 15 years of age) if they walk in. Two people may sign the card and share it.
About
This fee covers 15 people in a personal vehicle for seven (7) days. Access to the visitor center/museum, trails and summit road during operating hours is included.
This fee covers up to two people on one motorcycle for seven days. It includes access to the visitor center/museum, trails and summit road during hours of operation.
This fee covers one person, over the age of 15 years old, who enters the park on foot or on a bicycle for seven days. It includes access to the visitor center/museum and trails during operating hours
The Scotts Bluff Annual Pass is valid for one year from purchase. It covers the card holder and everyone in their personal vehicle if they drive in. It covers the cardholder and three adults (over 15 years of age) if they walk in. Two people may sign the card and share it.
A Landmark for Many Peoples
Towering 800 feet above the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff has served as a landmark for peoples from Native Americans to emigrants on the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails to modern travelers. Rich with geological and paleontological history as well as human history, there is much to discover while exploring the 3,000 acres of Scotts Bluff National Monument.
Directions
Visitors traveling east-west on Interstate 80 can exit at Kimball, Nebraska and drive 45 miles north on Highway 71. Follow National Park Service signs three miles west of Gering, Nebraska on Old Oregon Trail (State Highway 92 West). Visitors following Old Oregon Trail along the North Platte River using State Highway 26 or 92, should follow the National Park Service signs.
Visitor Centers
Scotts Bluff Visitor Center
Scotts Bluff visitor center and museum was built in 1935 and added to in 1938 and 1949. Exhibits and a 15-minute video give visitors a good background on the geology, paleontology and human presence at the bluffs.
Weather
Summers at Scotts Bluff are generally dry and high temperatures are usually in the 80’s and 90’s, although they can reach above 100 on occasion. Hikers are strongly advised to carry water. Winter daytime temperatures are usually in the 40’s or low 50’s, with overnight lows below freezing and, on occasion, below 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Although it can be windy any time of the year, spring is the windiest season.
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