Sand Hills, Nebraska
Gentle rivers meander along pine-studded canyons, towering waterfalls and a veritable ocean of prairie grasses alongside America's largest man-made forest, a wildlife refuge of gigantic proportions and cattle ranches that are better comprehended from the air than the ground. It's a wide-open landscape. A landscape that inspired Mari Sandoz to produce some of this country's finest fiction. A landscape you'll enjoy exploring by car or canoe.
Explore Sand Hills
Springview Murals
These murals displayed inside the Keya Paha County Courthouse were created by Shirley Nelson in 1984 and depict a view of main street Springview in its early years and an inspiring reflection of Keya Paha'
Springview, NE ArtsMerritt Fishing
Merritt Reservoir offers some of Nebraska's premiere fishing. It is a deep lake with excellent inflow from the Snake River and Boardman Creek, Consequently, the reservoir is well-insulated against excessive drawdown
, NE FishingScott Lookout Tower
You can see the trees and beautiful sand hills countryside for miles when you climb to the top of the Scott Lookout Tower. Visitors may view the sandhills scenery and tree plantations as well as learn about forest fire spotting techniques. The stairway to the observation deck is steep;
Thedford, NEScotia Chalk Building
The Scotia Chalk Building is a one-story structure located on the main street of Scotia. Erected in 1887
Scotia, NE Historic BuildingsJohnstown
In 1991, the village of Johnstown was the site of filming for the CBS Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, "O Pioneers!" Viewing the old fashioned main street with board sidewalk is a trip down memory lane with a unique "Old West" appearance.
Johnstown was established in 1882
Ainsworth, NE Historic TownsMiller Hotel - NHR
The Miller Hotel in Long Pine was originally built as a two-story frame house in 1895. It was converted to a hotel in 1914 when a ten-room wing was added. The hotel is historically significant for its association with the
Ainsworth, NE National RegisterNebraska National Forest
The Nebraska National Forest, located one mile west of Halsey and twenty minutes from Thedford along Highway 2 offers some of the most fabulous scenery in the state. It's been called a forest planted in the desert -- a ponderosa pine wilderness in the middle of the sandhills.
It'
Thedford, NE National ForestsPost Office Mural - NHR
The former Valentine United States Post Office, constructed in 1936-37, is a one-story, brick and limestone Modernistic style building. While the building retains a high degree of integrity, its national historical significance derives
Valentine, NE National RegisterKeller Park Camping
An ideal get-away-from-it-all spot for campers, as well, camping enthusiasts
, NE CampingCowboy Trail
By the late 1800s, the United States saw railroad tracks stretched, like a giant web, across its entirety, carrying cargo and travelers towards settlement in the West. Long silenced, abandoned, and almost forgotten, a hundred years later the rails are beginning to see travelers once again. They'
Valentine, NE RecreationThomas County Courthouse
Following the establishment of Thomas County, Thedford became the county seat in 1887, and a courthouse was built two years later. The courthouse served the county well until it was destroyed in a fire in 1920. After some delays a special election was held in 1923
Thedford, NE Historic Courthouses