Valley County: Nature, History and Unique Experiences

Valley County combines diverse nature experiences with regional history, creative culture and special excursion destinations. Those planning a trip with varied interests can choose between waterways, historic sites, museums, events and culinary discoveries. When searching for a vacation rental or holiday home, it is therefore worthwhile to first put together the experiences you want to include in your own trip.

Out and About on the Ord Hike/Bike Trail

The Ord Hike/Bike Trail offers a specific opportunity for outdoor activity. It begins at Auble's Pond in Bussell Park and leads to the arboretum of the Lower Loup Natural Resources District. The trail follows Dane Creek and crosses it on a metal bridge. This brings several different landscape impressions together in a single outing: the waterside starting point, the route along the creek and the destination in the arboretum.

The arboretum includes native and non-native trees and shrubs. Its eastern side also features a wetland and an observation station. Those who want to combine nature observation with an active route when planning their trip will find a clearly described starting point here. The specific length or duration of the trail is not fixed, so plan your outing according to your desired daily schedule and personal preferences.

River Landscape and Activities on the North Loup River

The North Loup River east of Ord is a groundwater-fed river with a sandy riverbed. At Anderson Island, the river is accessible and serves as a waterway for canoeing. This combination appeals to travelers who want to experience Valley County from a nature-oriented perspective. When choosing accommodation, it may therefore be decisive whether you want to focus on water-based experiences, walks, culture or a mix of different excursions.

The event calendar also has its own highlights. North Loup Popcorn Days is the longest continuously held festival in Nebraska. At the Birkel Circle Race Track in North Loup, the summer season runs from April to October; races take place on Saturday or Sunday afternoons. This information helps you distinguish a trip planned around specific dates from an independently planned tour of discovery.

History and Culture in Valley County

Fort Hartsuff near Elyria served as an infantry outpost on the Nebraska prairie from 1874 to 1881. The historic buildings are open to visitors from May through September and year-round by appointment; the park grounds are open daily. When planning, you can therefore distinguish between a visit during the regular season and a prearranged tour of the buildings.

In Ord, The Golden Husk stands on the town square. The historic theater gets its name from the corn-husk walls used for their acoustics. The Valley County Museum presents the history of Valley County through pictures, books, room arrangements and special collections. In the Valley County Creative District, the communities of Ord, Arcadia, North Loup and Elyria come together continuously to promote the creative offerings there.

Other special landmarks include the Evelyn-Sharp-Marker at Evelyn Sharp Airfield in Ord, Nebraska. Scratchtown Brewing Company provides a culinary highlight by brewing and serving a selection of locally produced craft beers.

The Right Accommodation Idea for Your Trip

A vacation rental in Valley County can serve as a base for a trip that combines active days on the Ord Hike/Bike Trail or North Loup River with history, culture and regional events. If you want to bring several interests together, focus your planning above all on the experiences that are most important for your trip. For a closer look at the local area, you can also visit Ord.

More pages for regional orientation: Sheridan County, Dundy County, Thomas County, Phelps County, Lincoln County, Adams County, Blaine.

For the higher-level travel overview: Nebraska.