Scotts Bluff National Monument
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Scotts Bluff at a glance
- Best time
- April–May, September–October
- Trip length
- 1–2 days
- Don't miss
- Drive the Scotts Bluff Summit Road
- Nearby city
- Gering, NE
Explore this park
About Scotts Bluff National Monument
Towering 800 feet above the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff has served as a landmark for peoples from Native Americans to emigrants on the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails to modern travelers. Rich with geological and paleontological history as well as human history, there is much to discover while exploring the 3,000 acres of Scotts Bluff National Monument.
Weather Information
- Summer
at Scotts Bluff are generally dry and high temperatures are usually in the 80's and 90's, although they can reach above 100 on occasion.
- Winter
Down to 0°F
Hikers are strongly advised to carry water. Although it can be windy any time of the year, spring is the windiest season.
Operating Hours
Scotts Bluff National Monument is located in the Mountain Time Zone. These hours are for the grounds, picnic area, and trails only. The hours for the Visitor Center and Summit Road are different. See below for Summit Road and Visitor Center hours.
- MondaySunrise to Sunset
- TuesdaySunrise to Sunset
- WednesdaySunrise to Sunset
- ThursdaySunrise to Sunset
- FridaySunrise to Sunset
- SaturdaySunrise to Sunset
- SundaySunrise to Sunset
Scotts Bluff Summit Road
The Scotts Bluff Summit Road is a 1.6-mile drive to the summit of Scotts Bluff. Be aware that the road may close periodically due to weather conditions or rockslides. For the latest Summit Road conditions contact Scotts Bluff National Monument at (308) 436-9700. Entry by motorized vehicles during the fall/winter/spring seasons (September through late-May) is permitted from 9 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time.
- Monday9:00AM - 5:30PM
- Tuesday9:00AM - 5:30PM
- Wednesday9:00AM - 5:30PM
- Thursday9:00AM - 5:30PM
- Friday9:00AM - 5:30PM
- Saturday9:00AM - 5:30PM
- Sunday9:00AM - 5:30PM
Common questions
Planning Scotts Bluff National Monument
The summary above covers timing and highlights. These go deeper on reservations, crowds, and logistics.
Reservation rules vary by season and activity for Scotts Bluff. Check the Permits tab on this page and Recreation.gov before you travel — campground, tour, or backcountry permits may apply even without park-wide timed entry.
See Permits tab →
