America's Scenic Byways

Bridges to Buttes Byway

200 miles - 4-6 hours, depending on how many points of interest you stop and see.

Extending from east of Valentine (junction of Highways 83 & 20) to the Wyoming border, the Bridges to Buttes Byway journeys through diverse topography and distinctive landscapes. From rolling Sandhills through the Pine Ridge and the Nebraska National Forest onto plateaus from which you can see the Black Hills and into neighboring states, you will experience the sites, solitude and vastness that early travelers and settlers felt as they first saw this region.

The eastern end of this byway conjures up memories of old western movies, the rolling prairie dotted with horses, cattle and genuine, conventional cowboys and cowgirls. If you listen closely, you can just hear the rhythmic beat of a Native American drum of ages past or experience the ceremonies taking place today and learn more about Native American culture and history throughout this region.

This byway also offers a number of sites featuring prehistoric fossils found in the panhandle of Nebraska. Here you can experience first-hand historical frontier military posts, extensive working ranches and an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities. The Bridges to Buttes Byway connects towns, large and small, that once served as stops for the railroad. Today you can experience these diverse landscapes up close on foot, bike or horse along sections of the Cowboy Trail.