7 Off-The-Grid Nebraska Towns To Visit In 2025
An off-the-grid, unplugged getaway can be the perfect antidote to too much screen time and the busyness of modern life. Choose adventures, hiking, cabin life, or water sports, and set your own pace. Turn off the phone and the morning alarm and find your way to these charming Nebraska spots where nature is welcoming and the memories are what you take home. The road awaits, and so does your 2025 vacation.
Niobrara
With a name that means “running water,” Niobrara is sure to bring a connection to nature. Start your unplugged adventures with Niobrara State Park, where camping, swimming, hiking, and trail rides await. Take it easy as you float or kayak the Niobrara National Scenic River, where summer tubing is popular. Go back on the grid just a bit to explore the Ponca Museum and Library and learn about the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, and then get in a round of golf at one of the scenic courses nearby, like the Tatanka Golf Club.
Chadron
Chadron State Park is located in Nebraska’s Pine Ridge. It offers visitors the perfect landscape for hiking or mountain biking over 100 miles of trails. Camp on site or reserve one of the park’s cabins. This park has something for every taste, with paddle boat rentals available, a disc golf course, and even winter options like sledding and ice fishing. Hike the trail system at Cliffs Trailhead near Bordeaux Creek, which has something for all levels. Don’t miss an exploration of the town of Chadron and its Art Alley, with a growing collection of murals and public art.
Beatrice
Homestead National Historical Park offers visitors educational opportunities for all ages, including activities for children, and prairie trails to walk. For rails-to-trails enthusiasts, the Chief Standing Bear Trail starts in Beatrice and follows the former Union Pacific Railroad line for 37 miles, offering enough adventure for a return visit. Within the town, the Beatrice Hike and Bike Trails include more than 10 miles of options for easy strolls or a serious workout. Rockford Lake State Recreation Area features a 150-acre lake for swimming and boating, and it includes a shaded campground and more than 300 acres to explore.
Valentine
The town of Valentine is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise. It is home to Smith Falls, Nebraska’s highest waterfall, and the falls’ namesake, Smith Falls State Park, offering camping, hiking, and kayaking. The Cowboy Trail starts in Valentine and continues for 200 miles, with additions planned that will extend it to 320 miles. The crushed limestone trail runs along the former Chicago and Northwestern railroad. A former train trestle that crosses 150 feet above the Niobrara River is part of the experience. The Valentine National Wildlife Refuge offers postcard-worthy prairie views, and it is an important breeding ground for birds, with more than 270 species calling it home. The Refuge includes an observation deck for views to remember.
Ponca
A neighbor to Niobrara, the small town of Ponca is bordered by the Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway, which offers access to much more than a vacation’s worth of unplugged outdoor adventures. Visit the town’s Cook Blacksmith Shop & Historical Adams House Museum for a step back in time before you venture out to Ponca State Park, located on the Missouri River. The park includes a Tri-State Overlook for views of Nebraska and neighboring Iowa and South Dakota. Next to the park, the Highland Oaks Golf Course offers different outdoor fun for those wanting to relax or compete on the links.
Brule
Tiny Brule, Nebraska, packs in plenty of off-the-grid, memory-making fun. Lake McConaughy is more than 30,000 surface acres and is home to boating, fishing, kayaking, birdwatching, and more. Campgrounds abound, with spots like Eagle Canyon Hideaway offering log cabins, a playground, and fire pits for a chance to sit back and enjoy the stars. Nearby, Bayside Golf Club has more than just golf. It has cabin accommodations, a lakefront beach, and a restaurant open Memorial Day through Labor Day for those who want their getaway with a few amenities still available.
Harrison
Vistas and hiking are the stuff of the days and nights of Harrison. Start with the town itself and a walking tour of historic sites in this former railroad camp that is now billed as “Nebraska’s Top Town” since it sits at more than 4,800 feet above sea level. When you are ready to leave even the small town life behind, head to the Harrison area of Toadstool Geological Park, where a step back in time means a new era where fossils preserve extinct saber-toothed cats and more. Nearby, the Gilbert-Baker Wildlife Management Area can serve as a home base for primitive camping and true outdoor adventures.
From historic towns to isolated plains, lakeside lounging or even ice and snow sports, Nebraska’s off-the-grid options are plentiful. Take the road less traveled this year and explore small-town life and, if you are ready for adventure, the wild outdoor options nearby. An unplugged vacation can mean avoiding the crowds and choosing a unique itinerary, with time and space to create lasting memories and inspiration for the return to busy life.
