If you want to get out and summit something beautiful without a ton of effort, the Saddle Rock Trail at Scotts Bluff National Monument will grant you sweeping views of the surrounding areas. Bring plenty of water, your favorite hiking buddy, and something to take photos with, and enjoy a day out in the wild!

There are plenty of wonderful places to explore in the Scotts Bluff National Monument.
Melissa Sue / AllTrails
The Saddle Rock Trail offers something a little extra special. This wonderful, relatively easy trail takes you through the beautiful countryside before ascending to the summit of Scotts Bluff.
The entire trail is paved and extremely well maintained.
Ryan Junior / AllTrails
You will only run into one spot towards the end where you encounter four stairs. This is a good trail for a stroller, especially if you don’t mind lifting it up those last couple of steps before the end.
This trail is one of the most hiked trails in Nebraska.
Ryan Junior / AllTrails
In fact, Scotts Bluff National Monument is the most-visited tourist attraction in Nebraska, and it's easy to see why. With soaring sandstone bluffs and interesting flora and fauna around, this is a wonderful way to get up close and personal with some of Nebraska’s natural beauty.

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The entire trail is three miles, out and back.
Jon Minks / AllTrails
When the Summit Shuttle is running, you can also elect to do the trail only one way. This is an easy way to enjoy the trail without too much effort; you can choose to walk down the trail instead of climbing up to the summit.
The total elevation gain over the length of the trail is 435 feet.
Jon Minks / AllTrails
This is mostly at the end, and it’s only a short push through the steep area. The rest of the trail is flat to moderate elevation gain as you hike across the prairie.
After passing through the famous foot tunnel carved into the soft rock, you'll be stunned by the views on the other side.
Nikki Rodriguez / AllTrails
Gaze out at the land beneath your feet as you can see for miles in all directions. And keep your eyes peeled for the local wildlife. You might spot deer, hawks, golden eagles, and unique American kestrel. It’s a great place for bird watching.
Put this day hike on your to-do list for the next time you visit the Scotts Bluff National Monument.
Ryan Junior / AllTrails
The hike starts at the Visitor’s Center, and it is clearly marked. Bring plenty of water, sunglasses, and sunscreen, and have a wonderful day hiking this amazing natural wonder!

Have you ever hiked the Saddle Rock Trail? What did you think? Did you find it easy? Would you recommend it? Let us know in the comments below!

If you want to learn more about Scott’s Bluff National Monument, read about why it’s Nebraska’s top outdoor attraction.

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Scotts Bluff County, NE, USA