Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area

What a beautiful place. Rustic camping - but so what? Lol
9 years ago (21-10-2017)

This place is the best trail system in western Nebraska in my opinion. Very quiet, beautiful and plenty of trails to explore. Worth a day trip.
9 years ago (31-08-2017)

Great place to spend a little time. Lots of good information about the local ecosystem, friendly staff and great displays.
9 years ago (26-08-2017)

Bring your earplugs for the gunfire... Visually, this is an incredibly beautiful place. And it was once a very quiet/peaceful/nature one too. That’s until the geniuses at Nebraska Game & Parks decide to install an ugly, noisy, multi-station “shooting range” in this once-beautiful park. Now, most times it’s pleasant enough for visitors to want to find a little peace and quiet and enjoy some nature, you’ll be treated instead to loud volleys of gunfire echoing through the the Wildcat Hills (including nearby public land parcels Buffalo Creek and Montz Ranch). The Nature Center was expanded at the same time as the “shooting range” was installed, which is fortunate, since that is likely the only place you’ll see much “nature” amidst the noise. The “shooting range” is only several hundred *feet* from the Nature Center, so have fun enjoying the “natural” noise as you take in the views. Big ugly berms block views from the park road…presumably to prevent stray gunfire from hitting vehicles. Thinking of enjoying some nice peaceful camping? The prevailing winds and sound-amplifying effects of the hills means you’ll be “enjoying” the gunfire from the park’s designated camping areas. So put on some noise-canceling headphones, maybe with an app that plays some real “natural” sounds, and enjoy the views. Or keep driving and spend your tourist dollars on a place where the interests of a few (but very noisy) “shooters” don’t outweigh those of the many.
9 years ago (15-03-2017)

A quick stop to get the Nebraska 150th passport stamped, but a definite place to come back to.
9 years ago (11-09-2017)