Northeast Nebraska
Visiting the Cowboy Trail
What to know, what to do, and where to stay nearby.
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The Cowboy Trail follows an old railroad line across northern Nebraska, 187 continuous miles from Norfolk to Valentine, linking 30 small towns along the way. It is wide, flat crushed limestone with wooden bridges over the water and farmland rolling out on both sides. Neligh sits at mile marker 34.8, and it is a nine minute walk or a three minute bike ride from the domes at Ferncrest Elkhorn River, so a sunrise ride is about as easy as it gets.
What to Do
Everything the Cowboy Trail has to offer
You can reach the trail from your dome. It is a nine minute walk or a three minute ride up Airport Road and over the bridge. There is no sidewalk on that stretch, but traffic is light, so just stay alert. In town, Riverside Park sits right on the trail beside the county fairgrounds, with parking, restrooms and showers, and no permit or entry fee to park there. Head east and the trail carries you through open farmland toward Oakdale. Head west and it follows the Elkhorn toward Clearwater.
Fuel up before you go at River Mill Coffee Co, a favorite with trail riders for specialty coffee and fresh baked goods, or grab something from Double H Bakery. Afterward, Sly's Family Bar and Grill on Main Street is the spot for a burger and a cold drink once you are off the bike.
The trail itself is the star. The surface is smooth crushed limestone with a grade under two percent, gentle enough for families and e-bikes and long enough for riders chasing big miles. Horseback riders are welcome on the mowed path that runs alongside. Wooden bridges carry you over the water, and the views stay wide open in every direction.
If you fall for the Cowboy Trail, its most famous stretch is waiting farther west near Valentine, where a quarter-mile trestle crosses the Niobrara River 148 feet above the water. It is a trip all its own, and a great reason to come back.
Why It's Worth the Trip
More than a pin on the map.
The Cowboy Trail is one of the largest rails-to-trails projects in the country, and in Neligh it runs right past downtown and along the river. A single morning can take you from your dome, past the old mill, through town for a coffee and out into open prairie with nothing but sky ahead. It is northeast Nebraska at bike speed: slow enough to notice everything, easy enough for anyone, and it starts a nine minute walk from where you are sleeping.
Seasonal Guide
Best time to visit the Cowboy Trail
Spring
Fields green up and cool mornings make for easy riding. The limestone can soften for a day after a heavy rain, so give it a little time to dry and you will have smooth miles ahead.
Summer
Long days and big skies. The trail is open and sunny, so ride early while the air is cool, bring plenty of water, and plan a stop in town for lunch.
Fall
The best season on the trail. A firm surface, crisp air, fewer bugs and color along the river. During firearm deer season, November 14 to 22, wear something bright since the trail passes neighboring farmland.
Winter
A season for bundled-up walks on still, sunny days. The trail is not groomed or plowed, so watch for ice on the wooden bridges and plan around the shorter daylight.
Frequently asked questions
Where to Stay
Stay at Ferncrest Elkhorn River
9 minute walk from the property
Most people ride the Cowboy Trail as a stop along the way. At Ferncrest Elkhorn River, it is a nine minute walk from your dome. Head out while the morning is still cool, come back for lunch, and go again at golden hour. In between, the barrel sauna, the cold plunge and a fire pit at your dome are waiting.
