Important landmark in noting the emigrants' progress to the West [Bayard NE] We didn't make it to the Visitor Center... they closed at 4:00p we were thinking they closed at 5:00p. I wanted to get my NP Passport book stamped but this landmark is managed by the Nebraska State Historical Society as part of a historic site and not the NPS so no stamps. Chimney Rock is visible for miles but we wanted to get close to it as much as we could. Anyway, we proceeded to return to our car when an employee came out from the building and said that we would be able to see Chimney Rock a little closer and pointed to the direction. We drove to another area called "Walk to the Rock" with lots of parking spaces. This was private property of the Nebraska State Historical Society Foundation (NSHSF). We were welcomed by a volunteer and gave us the lowdown on the "pathway rules" including "if you see a rattlesnake..." ¯\_('~')_/¯ There were four different trails. We took Trail A (1.05 mi) which was the longest of the 4 and the trail that took us closest to the rock. It was a pleasant hike... we didn't encounter any rattlesnakes or other dangerous species. We took lots of pics. The Chimney Rock is a significant landmark to emigrants as they progressed West on the Oregon Trail. Review #3502 read more

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Passing through Nebraska and since Chimney Rock is on their state's welcome sign we had to check it out. I educated myself at the visitor center and learned how this historic site served as a major 19th-century landmark for Oregon, California, and Mormon pioneers. Experiencing part of history is always on my road trip itinerary. This location offers a visitor center with interactive exhibits, walking trails, and panoramic views. Worth the stop if you are in the area. read more

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Super cool monument on the Oregon Trail. The lady at the desk in the visitor center was really nice and helpful. Trail around the rock was a fairly easy hike and took us a bit under an hour including stopping for photos. read more

Chimney Rock Visitors Center - Visitor Centers Near Me - Bayard, Nebraska

Not a lot to see. Beyond the actual rock itself. But that is pretty amazing in and of itself. There is a trail from the visitor center/museum to the upper parking lot. But no trail around the monument. Museum admission is $8 There is also a gift shop. read more

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Love this classic monument of the Oregon trail. The visitors center staff were very informative. Beautiful place and history...Definitely recommend this to the history buffs (worthwhile to see) if your in the area to cross off your bucket list, however their is little in the surrounding area. Just don't go to the museum as it isn't worth the $8.00 fee. Be on the lookout for rattlesnakes!!! During 1800's, Chimney Rock served as the most noted landmark along the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails. As the emigrants passed by this rock, most of them noted in their diaries or journals that they were glad to see that they are going the right direction and it spired to the heavens. read more

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"We may be floating on Tao, but there is nothing wrong with steering. If Tao is like a river, it is certainly good to know where the rocks are." ― Deng Ming-Dao, Everyday Tao: Living with Balance and Harmony One of the nicer visitors centers we encountered on our road trip across 'Merica. I really loved the setting with its incredible views of Chimney Rocky, fields of wild sunflowers and cool stuff to check-out surrounding the center itself. This is also as close as you can can get to the actual Chimney Rock itself, as the landmark is closed to hikers. -$3/adult entrance fee adults; children free; and NPS pass holders is $2 -Lots of educational stuff (i.e., films, literature, displays) -Clean restrooms -Free parking -Get your NPS Passport stamp here #GetStamped -Hours of operation M-Sun 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. -Friendly and knowledgeable docents Must-stop when in this corner or NE to see Chimney Rock. read more

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So glad we stopped in and paid to see the museum in addition to the view of Chimney Rock. Whether you are new to pioneer and Native American history, bringing young children, or well-versed in American history, the exhibit is interactive and informative. Accessibility: Automatic doors and spacious exhibit, outdoor lookout area, and lobby. As a physical therapist, the only area that may be challenging in a wheelchair could be the restroom entry, while wide enough for a wheelchair the women's restroom has 2 doors that are not automated with a narrow 5-7 ft hallway between. If you're driving by and want the photo-op, this exhibit is worth a stop! read more

Chimney Rock Visitors Center - Quote on the wall next to the telescope (?) where you can get a closer look at Chimney Rock. - Visitor Centers Near Me - Bayard, Nebraska

Scenic historic rock formation that is great for a short hike. Note that this monument is separate from the associated visitor center. The visitor center facilitates viewing from a distance (for a nominal fee). Hiking to the monument is free and can be (but shouldn't be) done at any time (not wise to go after dark). Access is from a dead end read about half a mile past the visitor center. There is no official (or maintained) trail, but there is a well worn path that starts at the end of the road. Rattlesnakes do frequent the area, as do spiky plants, so care and appropriate attire are recommended. read more

THIS IS NOT THE HIKE. This is a visitor center. We were fooled as when you drive up, you can see the rock and think maybe there's a trail pit back of the visitor center? Nope. It's strictly about the history and it costs 8$ per person! WTH lol. The hike is passed this place when you get to the t intersection, turn right. There's a coldesac parking type area. Hike is about .5 miles depending on where you exactly wanna go. And it's FREE. read more

The park (?) was closed which was fine as we only went there to get the attached picture for my wife so she could relive her childhood. Might have been a bit more exciting if we could go in but the visitor center was closed for construction so we took a side road to get a quick picture. read more

Chimney Rock Visitors Center - She died of dysentery. - Visitor Centers Near Me - Bayard, Nebraska

Great chance to experience some history and a great photo OP. Other than that it's a fun rock to look at. Beware the rattle snakes!!! read more

Chimney Rock Visitors Center - Visitor Centers Near Me - Bayard, Nebraska

An interesting landmark definitely can be spotted from far away. Stopped at the center first, there are interesting movies to watch and books if you have enough time. Unfortunately, we arrived right before the closing, so did a quick 5 min tour. Staff was very nice and quite knowledgeable. Due to lots of signs warning us about snakes all around the area of the visitor center we didn't attempt to approach closer to the rock itself. Two days before we climbed Independence Rock in Alcove, WY (and noticed plenty of rattlesnake skins), so we were content with observing it with our binoculars. read more

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Visited in Aug 2022. Wanted to get a NPS passport cancellation. Ladies behind the desk denied having any stamp from NPS available except for the rubber stamp outline of Chimney Rock. They said it was a STATE facility not federal despite it being listed on current NPS passport station location listing. Highly disappointed.. but still an interesting short stop read more

I'm a fan of this natural wonder! I've driven past it so many times on roadtrips for work but only stopped to show my husband. We decided not to pay to get into the museum and instead just took a ton of pictures. It's cool to see and doesn't take much time. It's a National Historic Monument so it deserves some recognition! read more

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Chimney Rock is a really unique and beautiful site. There are a couple downsides. 1. You can't get very close. At the closest you are still a 1/4 mile from the monument. 2. It is in the middle of nowhere and a very long drive. We came from Scottsbluff monument so it was a good 1, 2 punch. We did not go through the museum because it didn't seem worth the cost but the visitor center is very nice. Not a place you are going to spend a whole day and there is no hiking at all. read more

Chimney Rock Visitors Center - Chimney rock from closest viewpoint - Visitor Centers Near Me - Bayard, Nebraska

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Not much to see, but we're a family of lifelong Nebraskans so we had to right? The visitor's center is interesting and the staff is friendly. My kids really enjoyed loading up the wagon, seeing the teepee, and looking at chimney rock through binoculars. read more

Chimney Rock Visitors Center - Visitor Centers Near Me - Bayard, Nebraska

Amazing stop on the road. So much history to learn at this spot. A definite stop if you want to learn about the Oregon Trail. The gift shop and museum are nice as well. Just watch out for snakes. read more

Chimney Rock Visitors Center - View from in front of museum - Visitor Centers Near Me - Bayard, Nebraska

This is one of those places that you should probably stop at when you're road tripping, even if there isn't that much to see. We arrived too late in the afternoon to enter the visitors center, but if you keep driving past, there is a gravel road that gets you a better photo (but you can't get much closer). There's also a small pioneers cemetery there. If you're on an Oregon Trail road trip, you don't want to miss it (and Courthouse/Jail Rocks and Scotts Bluff are both near the same route). read more

This review is for the formation and NOT the museum. The idea of Chimney Rock is cool (especially if you played Oregon Trail as a kid), but its far too small and only slightly impressive. Overall, we were quite disappointed with it to be honest. Nearby Scotts Bluff is more impressive. If you are driving through the area, it's a quick stop. Otherwise, don't bother. read more

Learning about the Oregon Trail back in school was one thing. It's all stories until there is some context to attach to it. It may seem like just a rock formation but it was a landmark during the migration westward. After moving to Nebraska and living there for about 2 year, i knew had to see it. My chance finally came as I was moving out of Nebraska towards the southwest. The visitor center is about a half mile away from the rock. I would have liked to see it closer but after seeing the rattle snake signs, i decided not to venture into the tall grass on the other side of the wire fence. Don't bother paying to go inside the visitor center. Just walk around the building or stop on the road and take pictures. read more

We recently took our daughter on a quick tour of some Nebraska sites and this was one of them. She really enjoyed the museum and taking photos of Chimney Rock. I remember seeing it the first time as a kid and was pretty impressed. Of course you cannot get real close to Chimney Rock but that didn't bother us. Unfortunately some people expect more and complain about this park, I personally enjoyed the scenery and peace and quiet. Yes, it is not Mount Rushmore or other large scale parks, but this is very educational and we enjoy it. read more

I agree with those who say don't go out of your way- almost- but if you are an aficionado of the West, go out of your way .It's here pioneers began to know the Rockies existed.The Indians purportedly called it the elk penis .That I won't comment on.It is an interesting geological formation in part because it's in the midst of the plains.It's a hint of mountains to come.It's fascination is heightened by the, beware of rattlesnake, signs. read more

Visited here late in the day. Had a long tiring drive and was really looking forward to seeing this area and learning a bit of history. The tall blond older woman at the counter was snide and somewhat rude. When I asked about getting a closer view she quickly snapped I couldn't get any closer than here and gave me a cursory judgmental look and the added, "you certainly can't hike there." I was so steamed I couldn't enjoy the exhibit or film. When we left we found we could drive up 20" yards and take a dirt road to get a closer view. I really think this woman needs some customer service training. read more

A small museum, which costs $3 to get in, only to walk out the back door to look out at Chimney Rock. You get the same view from the parking lot. I was really expecting being able to get closer or have a trail that led to the landmark. Overall, it is a neat landmark for history buffs, but I think they could add more to the museum about the westward migration to make the drive out there more worthwhile. read more

Chimney Rock is a neat historic landmark, dating back to the Oregon Trail. It is worth the drive if you're in the Nebraska Panhandle. There are other things to do as well near there, so its not like it would be a wasted trip. I recommend people see it at least once. read more

My wife has taught the "Oregon Trail" for years and was looking forward to seeing Chimney Rock. What a disappointment to find you can't get up to it. The visitor center has to be about half a mile from Chimney Rock. We could have seen as much form the road and not paid the entry to the visitor center for nothing. The volunteer at the visitor center answered most of our questions with "I don't know . . . ." read more

Very nice site! We got our national parks passport book stamped and read about the site in the little visitor center/museum. We went in wintertime and were the only people there. There are signs warning for rattlesnakes!! Eeek! read more