We have used route 26 from Ogalalla to I25 at least three times. In fact, we also use route 30 from Grand Island to get to Ogalalla. Route 30 parallels I80, is a good 2 lane road and is a much more relaxing drive than the Interstate. A bit slower, as it passes through a number of small towns with reduced speed limits. Along route 30 is North Platte, with the
Buffalo Bill State Historical Park and the
Golden Spike Tower at the Bailey Yard of the Union Pacific Railroad, the largest rail yard in the world. We stayed at the Holiday RV Park a couple of times in North Platte. A nice steakhouse just down the road.
In Ogalalla, we have stayed a couple of times at the Country View Campground. On the left, about 26 miles out of Ogalalla on route 26 is a parking area for Ash Hollow State Park. There is a reconstructed sod home there. This location is called Windlass Hill, where the immigrants on the Oregon trail lowered their wagons down a hillside with ropes. A nice paved trail there with interpretive signs to the top of the bluff with good views.
About 20 miles before getting to Scotts Bluff, route 26 passes
Chimney Rock. There is a new Visitor Center there.
Fort Laramie is a nice reconstruction with a lot of interesting history.
Along the entrance road to the fort is the Army Bridge, built in 1875 and still standing.
A short way beyond Fort Laramie is Guernsey, with the best preserved wagon ruts from the Oregon trail. Get off the paved trail and walk along the ruts to see more ruts. Neat feeling that you are walking where the immigrants walked 150 years ago.
About 2 miles from the ruts is Register Cliff, with immigrant names still visible carved in the rock.
