Undeveloped Sections of the Cowboy Trail

Nebraska's Cowboy Trail is planned along a 321 mile railroad corridor, and at this point nearly 2/3 of that distance is developed.  The 30-mile section from Ainsworth to Arabia was most recently completed, resulting in a 195-mile stretch of trail from Norfolk to Valentine.  The remaining portion from Valentine west to Chadron is not yet built. 

In "developed" or "surfaced" sections, the old rail bed has either been paved, or covered with a firm-packed small gravel that is good for cycling.  For the gravel sections, a mountain bike, hybrid, or comfort bike is best.  Skinny-tire road bikes may have a hard time on this surface.  Hiking and horseback riding is possible on undeveloped sections, but may be difficult in places.  Since the undeveloped section is not officially open, any usage of undeveloped trail is at the user's own risk.

The maps on this website only show the western undeveloped section to Kilgore.  We will add the remaining sections to Chadron, when they are built.