Cowboy Trail — Nebraska
The Cowboy Trail is the longest rails-to-trails conversion in the United States, stretching 317 miles across northern Nebraska from Norfolk (Madison County) to Chadron (Dawes County). Built on the former Chicago & North Western Railway corridor, the trail follows the Niobrara River valley through the heart of the Nebraska Sandhills.
Trail Overview
- Length: 317 miles total (Norfolk to Chadron)
- Surfaced: 187 miles Norfolk to Valentine — crushed limestone, open to hikers and cyclists
- Unsurfaced: Valentine to Chadron — native surface, equestrian and hiking
- Gordon to Rushville: 15 miles surfaced
- Uses: Hiking, biking, equestrian
Counties Crossed
Madison · Antelope · Pierce · Wayne · Stanton · Holt · Keya Paha · Brown · Rock · Cherry · Sheridan · Dawes
Key Towns
Norfolk · Neligh · O’Neill · Atkinson · Ainsworth · Valentine · Gordon · Rushville · Chadron
Corridor Guide
For a town-by-town guide, see the Cowboy Trail Corridor page.
Cameras Along the Route
Madison · Holt · Cherry · Sheridan · Dawes
Find Nearby Services
Lodging · Dining · Fuel & Services · Outdoor Recreation
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