National Park Guide: Nebraska's Scotts Bluff

— -- Pioneers journeying westward in the 19th century looked to the 800-foot tall Scotts Bluff as a landmark.

The rock formation — jutting up over surrounding flatlands — was visible for several days of their trek through Nebraska. It served as a road map, indicating the end of the mundane travel and the start of a tougher mountain trail.

Today, an average of about 135,000 visitors go to Scotts Bluff National Monument yearly to get a taste of history, hike, picnic and travel to the lookout on top of the bluff.

Clint Hadden, 38, of Chicago, went to Scotts Bluff as part of his ongoing goal to see all of the national parks.

"It's a really stunning site," Hadden says. "It was very quiet. Take the trail up the side of the bluff, and you get to see the beautiful views of the prairie. The historical significance of the place really strikes you."

The park has replica wagons on the Oregon Trail and rangers clad in living history clothing from the 1840s to 1860s. Visitors can speak with rangers dressed as fur traders, Civilian Conservation Corps workers and immigrants. "It brings people back into that time frame," chief ranger Mark Davison says.

For many, Scotts Bluff is not their primary destination, but they pass it on their way to other places, much as pioneers did.

"This trail is what led to western migration," Davison says. "Everyone can relate their past to someone who came through the area to get to their final destination."

The monument preserves 3,000 acres filled with prairie, badlands, cliffs and wildlife. Scotts Bluff is the highest of five rock formations in the preserve. Those wishing to ascend to the top can take the guided Summit Shuttle for free. The bluff, made of sandstone, erodes slightly every day because of extreme temperature, wind, rain and ice.

Indoors, visitors can stop in the Oregon Trail Museum and Visitor Center to view the largest collection of drawings, paintings and photographs by William Henry Jackson, the first person to photograph the wonders of Yellowstone.

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About the park

Size: About 3,000 acres

Visitors: 128,811 in 2011

Established: 1919

History: Scotts Bluff is named after Hiram Scott, a fur trapper who is said to have died near the bluffs after he was abandoned by his comrades.

When visiting: Scotts Bluff National Monument 190276 Old Oregon Trail, Gering, Neb. 69341. Visitor information: 308-436-9700.

Of note: The Summit Road at Scotts Bluff is believed to be the oldest existing concrete road in Nebraska. There are three tunnels on the road, the only ones in Nebraska that vehicles can go through.