Chimney Rock
National Historic Site



Chimney Rock is one of the most well known landmarks in the state of Nebraska. For many years, the familiar silhouette graced the license plates of all Nebraskans. It was an awe inspiring site that greeted the weary pioneers traveling the Oregon and Mormon Trails of the mid 1800's.

This unique spire of rock stood as much as 150 feet taller during the great westward migrations. Wind, rain, snow and lightening have all served to shape  and slowly destroy this monument for many hundreds of years. Eventually, erosion will completely level the soft sandstone to the same level as the river valley. As the rock changes over the years it is recorded on film by literally thousands of people each month. Few travelers even today can resist the temptation to pull over and marvel at the beauty that nature has created.

Many pioneers noted Chimney Rock in their journals and many exaggerated both the height and width of it. Many others sketched it. Some even considered it the eighth wonder of the world.

Emigrant Joseph Hackney: "This is the most remarkable object that I ever saw, and if situated in the states would be visited by persons from all parts of the world."

Emigrant Elisha Perkins: "No conception can be formed of the magnitude of this grand work of nature til you stand at its base and look up. If a man does not feel like an insect, then I don't know when he should."

A visitor center and small museum are located just 1 mile south of US-26 just a short distance from the turn-off to Bayard. The visitor center hosts a variety of talks and programs during the summer months and many Sunday afternoons. A bookstore is well stocked with historic texts. The museum contains many artifacts from the historic trails. A well worn path allows more adventurous visitors to hike up to and around the rock. Prairie wildlife, wildflowers, rattle snakes and flora abound here.

Summer months also allow visitors a chance to re-live life on the trail and experience the sites and sounds of Western Nebraska up close. Oregon Trail Wagon Train is located across highway 26 and offers authentic western meals, wagon train rides, camp sites and plenty of historic folklore. Click here for more information.

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From a Distance

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Visitor Center

Pictures and Facts:

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Chimney Rock - June 2000

A lightning strike in 1993 knocked approx 15 feet of the chimney off during a violent thunderstorm.

Not all of the emigrants thought a lot of the rock. One traveler remarked that they camped "opposite the desolation of a chimney shaped rock - oh how I wish a tavern were near here"

The North Platte river is responsible for carving out all of the named rocks and formations near here - including Biscuit Rock and Courthouse and Jail rocks.

Several ponds and a wetland are found near Chimney Rock due to a number of natural springs.

Sunset is a favorite time of day to photograph the rock. Spring storms and lightening have made for spectacular photographs featured on many local postcards.