This national monument is in Nebraska. We went off the beaten path between Yellowstone and Mount Rushmore and were so glad we did.

There is a series of large rock formations in the middle of flat land that used to be used by native Americans and people on the Oregon Trail (and others) before there was GPS.

There is one rock where a roadway has been built to the top with two hiking trails. The views were gorgeous from up there. And it was amazing that we could just drive up!!!

The museum was a fascinating portrait of brave people who headed into the unknown in order to improve the lives of their families. When you see how they had to work out where the valleys and passes were and how to get around the Badlands where wagons could not pass, it is easier to understand how the Donner party could have starved to death.

Since far fewer people go to Scott's Bluff than other national monuments, we had very kind rangers giving us personalized attention. One even walked out quite a ways with us to take our picture (his idea).

It was a wonderful place of beauty and history.