Is the road to Scotts Bluff Summit paved?
Usa, north-america
2.57 km
1,407 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, road trippers, listen up! You HAVE to add Scotts Bluff Summit Road to your Nebraska itinerary. This scenic little gem sits right on the western edge of the state in Scotts Bluff County.
First things first: yes, the road is paved, so you can leave the off-road tires at home. We're talking about Scotts Bluff Summit Road (aka Summit Road), a historical beauty built way back in the 30s. Fun fact: it's the oldest concrete road in Nebraska AND boasts the state's only three tunnels!
The road is a short but sweet 1.6 miles up to the summit, making it a super accessible adventure. Keep in mind, it's a bit on the narrow side with some tight curves, so oversized vehicles (longer than 25 feet or taller than 11'7") and trailers aren't allowed. Also, Mother Nature sometimes throws a curveball with weather closures or the occasional rock slide, so check ahead. In the summer, you can cruise up between 9 am and 5:30 pm, but you gotta be off the road by 6 pm.
Now, let's talk about the climb! It's a fairly steep 150-meter (almost 500 feet) ascent from the Old Oregon Trail (Highway 92), with an average gradient of around 6%. But trust me, the views are worth the effort! Once you're at the top, you'll find a spacious parking lot and panoramic vistas of the North Platte Valley, plus glimpses of Chimney Rock and Laramie Peak in the distance. Just be aware of the high risk of rock slides. Seriously, though, the views from up there are unreal!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 2.57 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,407 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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