Northeast Nebraska
Visiting the Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway
What to know, what to do, and where to stay nearby.
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The Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway follows Nebraska Highway 12 for 231 miles across the top of the state, from South Sioux City to Valentine, tracing the Niobrara and Missouri river valleys. It takes its name from the 1880s, when outlaws like Doc Middleton and Kid Wade rode through this rugged river country. From Ferncrest Elkhorn River, the closest way on is at Niobrara, about 47 miles and 47 minutes north, and the drive west from there is one of the prettiest days in Nebraska.
What to Do
Everything the Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway has to offer
Head north from Neligh on Highway 14 and in about 47 minutes you will reach Niobrara, the closest point on the byway. The town has fewer than 400 residents and is the headquarters of the Ponca Tribe. From here the byway runs west through river country, and you can drive as much or as little of it as the day allows.
Right in Niobrara, Ohiya Casino and Resort is owned and operated by the Santee Sioux Nation, with gaming, dining and lodging. Just west of town, the Niobrara National Scenic River is the heart of the day, a stretch of bluffs and waterfalls made for fishing, paddling and floating. Give yourself time to pull over and look.
Keep going west and you will reach Monowi, the nation's smallest town, population one. Elsie Eiler is the sole resident and mayor, and she runs the Monowi Tavern, open Tuesday through Sunday, 9:00 to 9:00, and closed Mondays. Stop in, order something, and stay for the story. Farther west still, Smith Falls State Park is home to Nebraska's highest waterfall, with access to the Niobrara for fishing and water sports.
Point the car east from Niobrara instead and the byway runs to Crofton, the self-styled Best Little Town by a Dam Site, near Lewis and Clark Lake. Keya Paha County, up on the South Dakota border, adds Springview and Wood Lake for anyone with a longer day and a full tank.
Two easy ways to shape the day. Pair it with the fossils: Neligh to Ashfall Fossil Beds is 28 miles and 33 minutes, then north to Niobrara and the scenic river, and home down Highway 14. Or go straight to the byway: Neligh to Niobrara is 45.6 miles and about 47 minutes, with Monowi and the Monowi Tavern an easy run west, and you are back at camp by evening.
Why It's Worth the Trip
More than a pin on the map.
Highway 12 runs alongside two of the great rivers of the Midwest, through rolling hills, river bluffs and small towns full of character. It is a drive made for slowing down: pulling over for the view, stopping wherever looks interesting and taking the long way home. For Ferncrest guests, it is a beautiful day on the road with a fire pit waiting back at camp.
Seasonal Guide
Best time to visit the Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway
Spring
The rivers run high and the valleys turn green, and the waterfalls along the Niobrara are at their loudest. State park visitor centers open in early May.
Summer
Everything is open, from tubing and canoeing on the Niobrara to boats on Lewis and Clark Lake. Long evenings make the drive home part of the fun.
Fall
The best drive of the year. Color peaks in mid to late October, and the views from the river bluffs are some of the prettiest in Nebraska.
Winter
A peaceful season on the byway, with cabins open at the state parks and a groomed trail for cross-country skiing at Niobrara. Check road conditions on 511 before heading out, especially on windy days.
Frequently asked questions
Where to Stay
Stay at Ferncrest Elkhorn River
45.6 miles from the property
A day on the byway is best with a good place to come home to. Ferncrest Elkhorn River sits about 47 minutes south in Neligh, with ten domes among the cottonwoods and the Elkhorn along one edge. Spend the afternoon following the rivers, then settle in with the barrel sauna and a fire at your own dome.
