Places of Interest around Buffalo Hills Campground
CABELA'S World Famous Outfitter
Located only 45 minutes from Buffalo Hills Campground in Sidney
Nebraska. The showroom contains over 500 mounted wildlife displays,
along with anything you would want in sporting goods. A very
interesting store.
The Overland Trail Museum
Located on Highway 6, one mile west of Buffalo Hills Campground, the
Overland Trail commemorates the historic westward migration of gold
seekers and early pioneers.
The museum was named after the Overland Trail stage route that was a
branch of the Oregon Trail in Nebraska. The Overland Trail followed the
south bank of the South Platte River through northeastern Colorado. It
is said that the Overland Trail was the heaviest traveled road in
America, maybe even in the world between 1862 to 1868. The museum was
opened in 1936 in the original building, which was made of native rock
and designed after the early trading forts. In the past 65 years much
has been added, not only to the structure, but also to the collections,
which have been donated by local citizens.
Summit Springs BattlefieldThis is an historic place to visit.
Some say they can feel the spirits of the dead. Reminder, it is illegal
to pick up any artifacts (including arrow heads and lead balls) at this
site.
On July 11, 1869, Southern Cheyenne Chief Tall Bull along with Heavy
Furred Wolf, Pile of Bones, Lone Bear, Black Sun, White Rock, Big Gip,
Powder Face and 45 Cheyenne and Sioux men, women and children were
killed here during a battle with the U.S. Cavalry. The Indian camp
contained 84 lodges housing approximately 450 people. Even though the
battle took place in the middle of the afternoon it came as a complete
surprise to the Indians. Amazingly enough only one soldier was wounded
and one captive white woman was killed by Tall Bull during the whole
battle. Chief Tall Bull was killed north in a gully just east of the
camp. Another captive white woman, Mrs. Weichel, was wounded but
survived. After the battle all of the lodges were burned to the ground
along with everything else being destroyed. Over 400 horses and mules
were also captured. Buffalo Bill Cody was a participant in this battle
and later recreated it in his famous Wild West Show.
Pawnee National Grassland
The birding, the history and the literature (James Michener researched
here for information to write his book "Centennial!), the wildflower
walks, the geology expeditions, and quite simply, the extraordinary
beauty of this place add up to make the Pawnee National Grassland an
interesting destination in Colorado.
Located in northeastern Colorado, just fifty miles east of the Rockies,
it's deep within the Great Plains' rain shadow. Like all the grasslands
in North America it fell victim to the Dust Bowl of the 1930's, when
weeklong dingy clouds filled with grit rose nearly 30,000 feet high.
The climate here is characterized by low humidity, high winds and
recurring cycles of drought. The annual average rainfall is a mere
dozen inches per year; as such, the Pawnee is exclusively a shortgrass
prairie. And yet of all the grasslands, this is the one most teeming
with life.
NORTH STERLING RESERVOIR Majestic bluffs and expansive
views of the high plains greet visitors to North Sterling State Park.
This boater's paradise offers 3,000 acres of pristine waters, providing
an interesting array of coves and fingers to explore. Modern facilities
are located nearby and support a wide variety of recreational
activities available at North Sterling.
STERLING'S TREE SCULPTURES by Brad Rhea Stop and enjoy
Bradford Rhea's amazing "tree sculpture" creations! Visit local
favorites at Sterling Public Library or at NJC, then stop in at
Sterling and Merino High Schools to see our local mascots displayed at
their finest. You can now see bronze castings of the famous
"Skygrazers" in Columbine Park, and "Metamorphosis" at our visitor's
center. The community has welcomed these additions whole-heartedly, and
more outdoor bronzes are slated to follow. With a little advanced
planning you may even catch Brad in his Main Street, Merino Studio
where he does marvelous things with marble.
PAWNEE PIONEER TRAILS SCENIC AND HISTORIC BYWAY Sterling has
the pleasure of being located on the Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic and
Historic Byway. This marked route makes a beautiful drive that allows
you to experience the glory of Pawnee National Grasslands, as well as
the rich history of the communities in the area. This trip if you start
and end in Sterling can take half a day, just to drive. You may also
feel the need to stop to watch wildlife, explore the grasslands, or
learn more about our history. Full Color Byway information is available
at the Chamber or the Tourism Information Center here in Sterling. If
this land and way of life particularly interests you, arrangements can
be made for you to fully experience life on the Wagon Train, just as
the pioneers pushing west did. Three or four-day camping excursions are
taken all summer!
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