6 Of The Strangest Rock Formations You'll See In Nebraska
By Delana Lefevers|Published August 31, 2017
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Delana Lefevers
Author
As a lifelong Nebraskan, Delana loves discovering the many hidden treasures of her state. She has worked as a writer and editor since 2007. Delana's work has been featured on more than a dozen websites and in Nebraska Life Magazine.
We all know that Nebraska is one big, flat, boring cornfield, right? Nothing to see here but cows and a few really great places for fishing. So what if we told you there are some incredible rock formations in this “flat” state? That might seem a little strange, we suppose.
If you know where to look, you can find some truly breathtaking rock formations here, which will no doubt seem strangely out of place to those who have never really experienced Nebraska.
This formation is so synonymous with Nebraska that it graces our state quarter. It was a major landmark on the westward pioneer trails and today remains an important stop for tourists. Gazing up at this natural formation that seems to just shoot up from the surrounding landscape is a truly one-of-a-kind experience.
Geologically, the Wildcat Hills escarpment includes numbers 1, 3, and 6 on this list. But it's such an under-appreciated and diverse place that it deserves its very own mention. Look at those buttes and the canyons between them - who would have thought that this type of wild, natural beauty was hiding out in Nebraska?
Like Chimney Rock, Courthouse and Jail Rocks were prominent landmarks on the trails that various groups of pioneers took westward so many years ago. To the pioneers, these unexpected rock formations appeared to be primitive skyscrapers that were left over from an ancient civilization.
Pine Ridge is another long, sweeping escarpment which covers a lot of area in northwestern Nebraska, but even native Nebraskans are surprised when they see the diverse geology in this region. Some individual formations have names - like Coffee Mill Butte above - and many are known among local hikers, climbers, and outdoors enthusiasts as some of the most fascinating places to explore.
If you don't know about Toadstool Geologic Park yet, you clearly haven't been reading Only In Nebraska long enough. We love to promote this spectacular and totally unexpected area that's filled with some of the oddest, loveliest, and most alien rock formations in the state.
Before it was the Scotts Bluff National Monument, this huge rock formation was a glorious sight to pioneers. It provided a natural place to rest and refuel, then continue on through either Robidoux Pass or Mitchell Pass to the next leg of their journey.
Maybe these rock formations aren’t all that “strange” to those of us who have lived here our whole lives, but there are no doubt many non-Nebraskans who will have a hard time believing there are so many interesting geological wonders here. Share this article to show them how diverse our state really is!
