Drive from Sioux City to Valentine

We are headed from Sioux City to Badlands National Park. Which is the best route? We are thinking of taking route 20 instead of heading north to 90. We will be traveling with kids and we like to take day hikes. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Drive from Sioux City to Valentine

You might consider taking highway 12 instead of hwy 20 to Valentine. There are no large towns along the way, but the scenery is beautiful. Niobrara State Park near Niobrara would be one possible stop. Smith Falls State Park between Springview and Valentine is beautiful. Waterfalls are not one of the first things that come to mind when you think of Nebraska! This one can be reached after a short walk and crossing a wonderful old bridge. Also, stop just before getting to Valentine at Ft. Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. Bison and elk should be plentiful. And although the fort is no longer there, there is another nice walk to a very pretty waterfall.

Drive from Sioux City to Valentine

Having travelled both 90 and route 20, I think route 20 is more scenic. Also route 20 parallels The Cowboy Trail which runs from Norfolk to Chadron, NE. I have not travelled route 12 but it sounds like an interesting alternative.

You might want to consider a side trip south of Naper, Ne to the White Horse Ranch. At the ranch, they have a guided tour of the museum, buildings, and white horses that are in the blood-line of the original herd. The only cost is a suggested donation. A campsite is available for campers or tents. I don%26#39;t know their hours, but their web site is carleyd@juno.com. Also, their is lots of room for hikes.

I%26#39;ve travelled routes 90, 20, and 12. 20 will get you there faster than 12, but 12 has scenery you won%26#39;t see from Highway 20. A couple of my favorite roadside stops include Smith Falls State Park (on 12) and Long Pine State Recreation Area (on 20). Long Pine especially seems like an oasis in the middle of the northern Sandhills. Keller Lakes (between 12 and 20 north of Ainsworth) is worth a stop too. If you travel west of Valentine on 20, enjoy the various creeks and rivers of the Upper Sandhills. The Snake River Falls are worth seeing, and if you can spare the time to camp one night, Steer Creek Campground south of Nenzel really gives the feel of being far away from civilization.

Thank you! I wish I had gotten your post before our trip but now you have given me an excuse to do route 12 again. We loved Nebraska and all of route 12 -- we did stop at Smith Falls State Park. We also fell in love with the Niobrara River and Niobrara State Park. We stayed in a cabin in the park that overlooked the river that is truly one of the most magnificent places I have ever been in my life.