Nebraska’s 4 Most Remote Spots and How to Safely Get There

Nebraska lies in the heart of America’s Great Plains. Known for its agriculture and rolling grasslands, the Cornhusker State contains surprising beauty and a chance to escape into nature. Let’s dive into the four most remote spots in Nebraska.

1. Smith Falls State Park

Cherry County is often regarded as the most remote county in Nebraska. It is located in the northern portion of the state and borders South Dakota. Despite the fact that Cherry County is larger than the state of Connecticut in area, it has a population of only 5,455 as of the 2020 U.S. census.

Though it is remote, Cherry County features a few worthwhile destinations. The area contains Smith Falls State Park and contains plenty of natural beauty thanks to its rolling hills and nearby mountains. The state park is home to the largest waterfall in the state, Smith Falls, at 70 feet high.

How to Get There

Smith Falls State Park is about 12 miles east-northeast of Valentine, NE. You can reach the park via Nebraska’s Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway (Highway 12). Once you reach the park, it is a short hike to reach the historic bridge across the Niobrara River. There you can view Smith Falls.

2. Panorama Point

Panorama Point is the highest natural point in Nebraska. It is located on the High Point Bison Ranch in southwestern Nebraska. Though Panorama Point technically lies on private property, the owners allow visitors as long as they are careful of the roaming bison and pay the $1 entrance fee.

As a remote location, there isn’t actually a lot to see at Panorama Point. Visitors can sign the visitor register and view the stone monument denoting Panorama Points’ elevation of 5,424 feet (1,653 m). Though Panorama Point is quite secluded, the area offers scenic hiking trails and picturesque views of the vast plains. To the west, the Rocky Mountains can be seen in the distance.

How to Get There

Panorama Point is located in Kimball, NE. You can reach the High Point Welcome Center via I-80, Exit 20. Be sure to drive carefully and keep your distance from the roaming buffalo.

3. Monowi

Monowi is a small unincorporated village in Boyd County, NE — and when we say small we mean small. In fact, according to a 2021 article from Eater, 87-year-old Elisie Eiler has been Monowi’s only inhabitant since the death of her husband Rudy in 2004.

Monowi began as a farming, ranching, and railroad town in 1902. By the 1930s it had reached a population of 123 people. However, the modernization of farming, as well as the closure of the area’s railroad caused residents to leave the village, seeking work elsewhere.

Today, Eiler runs this one-horse town all by herself. She serves as Monowi’s mayor, secretary, and clerk — signing and filing paperwork from the state for water, road repairs, and the electricity that keeps Monowi’s three street lamps lit. Eiler even runs the Monowi Tavern restaurant and bar, stocking the kitchen thanks to a wholesale food supplier 60 miles away.

How to Get There

Located in central Nebraska, Monowi lies within a 535-square-mile county with a population of just 2,000. You can reach the village on Nebraska’s State Highway 12. Monowi is surrounded by dirt roads and farmland, miles away from big-box stores and other amenities, but its dirt roads are still drivable.

4. Nebraska Sand Hills

The Sand Hills are widely considered to be the most remote location in the state of Nebraska. Located in north-central Nebraska, the Sand Hills are a region of sand dunes stabilized by the mixed-grass prairie. The Sand Hills are a designated National Natural Landmark and stretch almost 20,000 square miles.

According to the University of Lincoln-Nebraska, the dunes rise as high as 400 feet and as long as 20 miles in some places. Although the Nebraska Sand Hills are primarily made up of dry grassland, the area also contains a number of lakes and wetlands.

The Sand Hills also consist of unique vegetation. Approximately 720 species of plants are believed to grow throughout the area. The region’s beauty makes the Sand Hills a sought-after destination for scenic drives, horseback riding, and hiking.

How to Get There

Visitors can reach the Nebraska Sand Hills by car via the Nebraska Highway 2, also known as the Nebraska Sand Hills Journey Scenic Byway. The highway stretches 272 miles through the sand hills, from Grand Island to Alliance. See Visit Nebraska for more information.

Summary of Nebraska’s 4 Most Remote Spots

The photo featured at the top of this post is © marekuliasz/Shutterstock.com