Discover Lincoln County

The landscape and the history of railroads and pioneers shape the area around North Platte. The area around North Platte lies at the confluence of the North Platte River and the South Platte River; rolling hills, valleys, and farmland define the surroundings. Every spring, beginning in mid-February, hundreds of thousands of Sandhill Cranes migrate to the Platte River Valley in Lincoln County. More than 600,000 cranes spend about six weeks each spring in the North Platte River Valley. If you’re interested in nature watching, you can take this seasonal rhythm into account when planning your trip. North Platte complements the landscape with museums, railroad experiences, and downtown attractions.

Discover and Experience History

The Lincoln County Historical Museum is dedicated to pioneer life, agriculture, and the North Platte Canteen. Visitor programs bring these topics to life through hands-on activities, including candle making, rope making, and hay baling, as well as a summer lecture series on history. Since program schedules may change, it’s a good idea to check dates in advance.

In downtown North Platte, the North Platte Area Children’s Museum is located in the historic Carnegie Library Building. It offers an interactive, hands-on play experience for children of all ages. Buffalo Bill’s story takes center stage at Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park, where his restored home and barn are preserved, along with an extensive collection of Cody memorabilia. Scout’s Rest Ranch in the park is designated a National Historic Landmark because William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody played a significant role in the emergence of the Wild West entertainment movement in the late 19th century.

Buffalo Bill’s Miniature Wild West Show is a highlight of the museum at Fort Cody. The show features more than 20,000 wooden figures hand-carved by Ernie and Virginia Palmquist. The exhibits at the Lincoln County Historical Museum, Buffalo Bill Ranch, and Fort Cody tell history in different ways: through regional topics, preserved buildings, and a miniature world.

Railroad History on Different Scales

The Golden Spike Tower offers a view of Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard, described as the world’s largest rail yard. About 10,000 railcars are sorted and routed there every 24 hours. At the Cody Park Railroad Museum, you can explore historic railroad cars, including a mail car and a caboose, along with memorabilia about railroad history. The museum also displays the world’s only publicly exhibited steam locomotive from the Challenger 3900 series; visitors can climb aboard and experience the locomotive engineer’s view.

North Platte’s origins are also tied to the railroad. In the fall of 1866, North Platte was laid out under the direction of General Grenville Dodge on a peninsula about three miles from the confluence of the North Platte River and the South Platte River. By the fall of 1867, the railroad had made North Platte a division point and built a roundhouse and other related facilities.

Local History, Art, and Downtown

The Historic Canteen District is North Platte’s downtown district, designated a Certified Creative District. Its features include brick-paved streets, illuminated streetscapes, and numerous locally owned restaurants, shops, and art galleries. The Prairie Arts Center is housed in the historic North Platte Post Office Building, built in 1913. Its central gallery features rotating exhibits throughout the year, and visitors can create their own artwork in classes and workshops.

For a taste of Nebraska-grown goods, the Original Farmer’s Market of North Platte offers fresh, locally grown produce. Together with the galleries and shops in the Historic Canteen District, it offers a different perspective on the town than the railroad museums, focusing on art, commerce, and products from the region.

Fort McPherson and Its History

Fort McPherson was built in 1863 to maintain peace along the western frontier between travelers on the Oregon Trail and Indigenous residents. During railroad construction, troops stationed there provided protection from attacks. The Fort McPherson National Cemetery was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 5, 2012. It is the final resting place of 63 Buffalo Soldiers of the 9th and 10th Cavalry and is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Check for possible special closures before visiting.

Trails, Water, and Outdoor Activities

The North Platte Trails Network includes scenic trails both off-road and alongside roads. According to their descriptions, they’re suitable for peaceful walks, challenging runs, and hikes in nature. North Platte also has more than 20 miles of biking trails. This gives you a choice of different outdoor activities without conflating the distinct trail offerings.

Lake Maloney is six miles south of North Platte and offers boating, fishing, water sports, camping, and family recreation. The lake has 56 Electric-Plus and 70 Basic campsites, coin-operated showers, a dump and fill station, drinking water, two boat ramps, and basic restrooms. Buffalo Bill State Recreation Area offers fishing, guided horseback rides, watercraft rentals, camping, and picnic areas. On the North Platte River, Dusty Trails offers trips by inner tube, kayak, canoe, or large swim ring. Dusty Trails also offers riding camps and recreational trail rides for riders of all ages and experience levels.

Annual Events to Plan Your Trip Around

NEBRASKAland Days brings ten days of PRCA rodeo, country concerts, and a parade to North Platte every June. North Platte Rail Days takes place annually in early August. Events include tours of Union Pacific’s Bailey Yard, activities for children, and a model railroad show. A motorcoach ride through the rail yard is the only opportunity of the year to experience Bailey Yard up close in this way. Check event dates and access details as you plan.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Stay

Whether you want to focus on spring crane migration, culture and railroad history, or water activities will shape the character of your travel days. Lake Maloney is six miles south of North Platte; this location helps you consider the lake as a separate excursion alongside North Platte’s attractions. Tailor your vacation rental search to the experiences that matter most for your stay.

Discover more destinations:Garfield County, Adams County, Seward County, Holt County, Cuming County, Wayne County, Scotts Bluff County

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