This Underrated State Is Surprisingly Beautiful! (SUV Camping/Vanlife Adventures)

In this video I explore a "flyover state" that not too many people talk about. Turns out there's a lot to see and do there, and it's a beautiful place!
DATE FILMED: September 2020
► Adventure Know-How: adventureknowhow.com/
► The SUV RVing Website: suvrving.com/
► My online store (SUV camping/vandwelling/overlanding accessories & SUV RVing merch): KamchatkaGear.com
GPS COORDINATES, etc.
** Scotts Bluff National Monument: 41.836997, -103.700158
** The better Chimney Rock viewpoint (and trailhead): 41.699178, -103.341645
** Daemonelix Trailhead: 42.424917, -103.788162
** Belmont Tunnel: 42.556352, -103.355398
** Campsite: 42.645439, -103.261811
** Toadstool Geological Park: 42.857785, -103.584423
OTHER LINKS
** Gear I use: suvrving.com/gear
** SUV RVing the Book: amzn.to/2SUrtme (Affiliate link)
** The blog: suvrving.com
** The company I use for my web hosting: www.a2hosting.com?aid=5dd04ea50f139 (Affiliate link)
** Instagram: / suvrving
** My other KZbin channel: / tenkaraaddict
#roadtrip #camping #vanlife

[@jeffMinnesota952]

My Scotts Bluff story: about 1973, in my 1964 Ford pickup with little camper on back, got there after dark, looking for camping spot, thought followed signs, drove in the dark till it seemed the dirt road petered out, was afraid to back up as sloped down on both sides of the road, stayed right there on the road and went to sleep. Woke in the morning to find we were on a 4-wheeling trail that went steeply downhill in front of us, would have been disaster if we had gone another yard. In the morning light all was revealed, enjoyed the dramatic landscape. Always better to find your campsite before dark.

[@amierikke6225]

My home. Now everyone knows what they are missing on their fly overs! 🤣 It’s beautiful here. The western area you are showing is different than the eastern. But both are unique and beautiful. I love everything about pioneers. It’s amazing to me, the drive they had to get through all the hardships.

[@turkey4957]

Don’t glorify pioneers, they acted like they owned the land and stole it from the native Americans. They literally would select plots of land and just claim it as their own and the things you’re taught about colonists and natives trading peacefully was RARELY the case. The white man took this land by force. Many many Native American treaties with the American government were directly violated during colonialism and settler periods. Please learn real history not that sweetened up patriotic story you believe.

[@mdimp1468]

@@turkey4957 are you talking about the Israelis? I think so.

[@fatmanhikes]

Nice video but I wish you would have hiked that trail to the hole in the rock. Curiosity peaked.

[@SUVRVing]

Next time 👍

[@norsefalconer]

2nd that!

[@PaulSchortemeyer]

Piqued 🙂. Me as well!

[@OutdoorNomad]

The hole is a tunnel for the trail. The trail winds from the visitors center up to the top. They have a shuttle that will take you to the top so you can hike down.

[@tduffy5]

The large wagon at Scottsbluff was/is called a Conestoga Wagon. It was the Cadillac of "covered wagons". It was far too expensive for most. For history buffs heading north to South Dakota, be sure to stop at Fort/Camp Robinson, west of Crawford. It was the military hub for the Northern Plains Indian Wars. It is where Crazy Horse was killed, due to political intrigue with other Sioux Indians, including Red Cloud. The Fort is rebuilt. You can stay in a "hotel" room which are in one of the rebuilt sructures. Lots to see and there are horseback tours on the overlooking bluffs.

[@stevedietrich8936]

Tristan, Some things to consider doing on your next trip to this part of the world would be 1) Oregon Trail Ruts and Register Cliff near Guernsey, Wyoming 2) the wildlife loop road in Custer State Park 3) the South Dakota State Game Lodge in Custer State Park (served as the summer White House for President Coolidge) 4) Iron Mountain Road (US 16A) from Custer State Park to Mt. Rushmore, with 3 tunnels which frame Mt. Rushmore and 3 unique "Pigtail" bridges 5) Spearfish Canyon (US 14A from Cheyenne Crossing to Spearfish SD) 6) the Mikkelson Trail, a repurposed 110 mile long rail line, now a hiking trail, from Custer SD to Lead SD.

[@Quid2005]

So glad that you got to Toadstool! My most favorite place! Got trapped by a rattlesnake in the sod hut when I stepped inside and the snake coiled up on the doorstep!

[@billzandrew5627]

I was going to reply that there were always warnings about rattlesnakes inside the building. In the summer it is really hot and I think the rattlers go in there to escape the heat.

[@bassomatic1871]

Thank-you for filming and narrating these strange and obscure places of historical interest. Love it!

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks!

[@mtkids3558]

We have 13 degrees, 4 foot snow drifts and wind. Helena Montana. Cars are about 20 mph on highway. Go south. Happy Snow day.

[@SUVRVing]

Lol sounds like fun! Thanks for watching

[@marilynthomson9564]

Another great video! You do such a fine job of pointing things out. I almost feel like I’ve been to Nebraska now, LOL!

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Marilyn! I'm glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@keithbrookshire]

Those wagons are the OG Van Life.

[@AnythingEverythingAshley]

Yessss!!! 👏👏👏 Nebraska is so underrated!!! Fort Robinson is my favorite place in the whole world. I wish I could live in western Nebraska.

[@LindaVHill]

As a relatively new subscriber to this channel I was happy to find this particular video because I just finished reading a terrific book called The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey by Rinker Buck. I think anyone interested in traveling off the beaten path, and meeting the challenges of doing so, would enjoy this highly readable and entertaining first hand take on the original "off roaders" - the pioneers.

[@TheRealJerseyJoe]

Very interesting. Last time I was in Nebraska I just drove across I 80 with the pedal pushed to the floor so I didn't manage to see any of this. Thanks for taking me along... next time I'll spend some time exploring the area, looks like I missed out !

[@SUVRVing]

It's definitely worth seeing! I really enjoyed it. Thanks Joe.

[@craiglenhard-rvrguyd]

That one large wagon of the three was a Conestoga Wagon. Its origins were in Lancaster County Pa. It had a curved floor to keep the freight centered and could haul up to 6 tons. It would be pulled by 4-6 horses typically. Its wheels were much larger in diameter and wider which helped to navigate the poor roads of the day. The Conestoga Wagon was the tractor trailer of its day.

[@escapeartist8581]

Thank you for showcasing the beauty of my home state. Ft. Robinson, near Toadstool park is a favorite destination of mine. Agate Fossil Bed's visitor center has an amazing museum, mostly related to Red Cloud, famous Native American Chief and his white friend that homesteaded there.

[@AnythingEverythingAshley]

Fort Robinson is my favorite place on the planet!!!!! I've been going there almost ever summer for more than 20 years!

[@escapeartist8581]

Visiting Ft Rob and the Black Hills keep me sane!

[@victoriamaaske7420]

So glad you visited here. I have been here and love this area as the start of the west.

[@victoriamaaske7420]

Drive the highway 3 from alliance, interesting views too.

[@SolzeyeJewels]

Scotts Bluff is amazing. The Handcarts were used by Mormons on their way to the Salt Lake Valley. There's quite a story about the last Handcart Company becoming stranded in the mountains and snowed in. Quite tragic but the dedication to save them by the Mormons already in Salt Lake is quite amazing.

[@markheller197]

Corn...Corn Palace...ah...your correct if you stay on the main thoroughfares there isn’t much to see. You much get lost and that’s when the fun starts. You take away what you bring... Thank You and stay safe

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks for watching, Mark!

[@AnnieGill7]

Enjoyed your trip “East”. Nice tour thanks Tristan!

[@reggiebald2830]

Spires, corkscrews & toadstools (just above the rhinoceros impressions), oh my; more than I'd experienced before in Nebraska. Thank you ~

[@boringoldguy796]

I always enjoy your adventure videos and commentary. My father was actually born in a sod hut on the plains of Nebraska about 20 outside of Scott’s Bluff in 1924. His mother’s side of the family homesteaded close to Chimney Rock. When I was a teenager we took a family vacation back to the area and while visiting Chimney Rock dad told us that the formation was shortened by an Army artillery battery using it for target practice during the 1800’s. I have a fledgling KZbin channel documenting some of my wanderings around the PNW. Anyone interested in checking it out can find me by searching #bagmanadventures. As always, thank you for sharing and keeping us entertained, Tristan!

[@dougbourdo2589]

At about the time you were here, I was traveling west to east, having left northeast Colorado heading east via Nebraska, to WI. Because of the wild fires, there were numerous road closures and detours with little to no directions. It was night and the winds were just Howling. One of the roads I was made to follow was a country dirt road, a single lane wide. The roadbed was in a trough, with either side about twelve feet above the roadway. I have never seen anything like it other than rail lines traversing rolling hill territory. Besides that, soil was flying through the air akin to a Dirt Hurricane. It was unbelievable. This went on for miles. This went on for what seemed like for hours. Finally I reached the end of the dirt hurricane and entered west Iowa. Good Grief, it was incredible.

[@mikemanjo2458]

Great job on the video and info! Thanks for taking us along! I've never heard of those corkscrew burrows. Fascinating!

[@tquist61]

To be honest, I would have never thought to make Nebraska a travel destination - drove through it once on I-80, and the scenery was monotonous. It's great that you found some interesting things to see off the beaten track. Great video Tristan!

[@SUVRVing]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.

[@kimsargeant8126]

This is a great video. I drove across this state a couple of years ago on my trip further west. I agree there was some monotony, but I saw some lovely views, as well as Pronghorn, and what I assumed were prairie sunflowers.

[@jobabs]

You definitely need to get off I80 and explore. The Facebook group, Nebraska Through the Lens, is a great way to see Nebraska and maybe plan a vacation.

[@bertbirge3617]

Loved the video!! Thank you so much for sharing!!

[@georgematthews2877]

Springtime in the Nebraska sandhills is unique beyond comparison!!

[@OspreyFlyer]

Recently drove north through western Nebraska and later south through eastern Wyoming. I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed. Plan on going back.

[@johnrambo7630]

Plenty to see in that part of the country. Thank you for sharing your experience...your content is unique and fun!

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks John, I'm glad you enjoy it!

[@John-ve3gg]

Awesome it's great to see some of the places I've read about in some of the old history it's awesome thank you so much!

[@H.pylori]

In 1968 when I passed by Chimney Rock there was no information center and is was taller. At the top of Scott's Bluff there was a pipe sticking out of the ground that the park rangers said was put there many years before to measure the erosion. At that time there was about a foot and a half of pipe exposed. I was hopping to see the pipe in your video and see how much more erosion has taken place since 1968. Maybe the pipe is no longer there. They had the covered wagon exhibit that you saw. I was surprised at how small the wagons were compared to what we see in the movies. Great video.

[@kc195556]

I am awed by the amount of research you put into this trip. Many of the places I've seen you visit I have never had the chance to get to (though now on my to do list). I've lived in Nebraska and South Dakota and enjoyed this exploration of western Nebraska. Thanks for your perspective and commentary.

[@bntravelin2]

we did the same thing was going to spend a couple of days ....ended up spending 16 days. really enjoyed the state

[@samanthadodd8112]

I love ur videos. I messed my knee up on my last hike, so been grounded for a couple weeks. So glad u took us with u on this one.

[@hugosstudiosdenver]

Very cool ! I would have never thought NE had these kind of terrain ! Thanks Tristan !

[@cowboyscoffee]

Actually really loved your Nebraska adventure loved the rail road tunnel, looks like it would be a nice bike trail. Rails to Trails. Thanks again good viewing on a cold Saturday evening in Minnesota

[@garychristison5773]

I always considered Oklahoma the most underrated state. Thanks for showing me an area of Nebraska I didn't know about.

[@bearsden3505]

I drove through that National Monument a few years ago but I was on a tight schedulenand wasn't able to spend any time there. I really appreciated you sharingbthe really great places there!

[@pamelanickell3586]

The only two states I haven’t been to are Kansas and Nebraska. I finally researched awhile back things to do and several things you mentioned are on my list! So thank you!

[@martinjcamp]

Thank You Tristan. You should be very proud of your fine works!

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Martin!

[@JohnGetchel]

Really enjoy your videos! I love how you seek out the wonderful history of our big beautiful country and share it with the world. I also appreciate that you include the location data so that I might visit them too.

[@luxuriousfir]

Always relaxing, fun and informative! Thank you!

[@patriciadickerson6628]

So nice to see the Plains states getting some love! I'm very curious for your next video of SD. That's my home state, left when I was 18, saw nothing of it when I lived there...my family wasn't very adventurous. :-) I've heard of these landmarks in Nebraska and will definitely try to visit them while making my next roadtrip to visit family.

[@adavell]

You always teach something new with the passion of a true storyteller, fascinating. Thank you!!!

[@bastiat2450]

Great video! No doubt underrated. When I went to Scotts Bluff it felt so out of place. Toad Stool seems more so. Reminds me of a spot in Grand Staircase. It's sad to think such a landmark as Chimney will disappear one day. Look forward to SD video. You'll love Black Elk Peak and the Black Hills.

[@marianfrances4959]

Very interesting! Love the chimney rock trail and the grasslands. Thank You!! 😉🇨🇦👍👌

[@jameswalker9002]

Nebraska is more interesting than I thought. I liked the view the arch at Scott's Bluff. It reminds me of the sculpture of Crazy Horse in progress in South Dakota. Thanks. 👍😁🙏

[@lisagunheimadams5134]

Yes, I’m surprised he didn’t explore that cool little arch! But interesting stuff - I loved those beaver corkscrews and rhino tracks. Makes me want to check it out. Thanks Tristan

[@SUVRVing]

I visit the Crazy Horse sculpture in either the next video or the one after that 😁

[@SUVRVing]

I had a lot I wanted to do that day, so some things (like the little hole in the rock) had to be cut, unfortunately. Thanks Lisa!

[@mikemanjo2458]

Wow! That Belmont Tunnel...cool!

[@gbro8822]

Thank you, great job.

[@Stevessphoto]

I've been to all these places, except Toadstool. Now I must go back to Nebraska again. Thanks for introducing me to another hidden spot.

[@mikesaunders4775]

Great film, the most I have ever seen of Nebraska. Some beautiful landscapes and rock formations.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks for watching, Mike!

[@aidenharmston402]

Very cool with those slabs on top of the hill.

[@SUVRVing]

Agreed. It was a neat place. Thanks AD!

[@UnlikelyHiker]

My son and I drove to western NE from NY to see the eclipse in 2017. We loved it! We were in Scott’s Bluff too. I never knew how beautiful NE could be.

[@theresat8379]

After having an extremely trying day and working on my computer with your video in the background, I heard "what a weird thing for a beaver to do" and couldn't stop laughing Thanks for that.

[@stout_tossme7541]

This was a great video. Nebraska has a great deal of history. Pioneer, Cattle, and more. We followed the Oregon Trail from Omaha into western Wyoming. I have ancestors that pulled hand carts and wagons

[@kellyjohnson3617]

My gramma was born in Nebraska and grew up as a homesteader in South Dakota in the black hills but in a sod house.

[@MaxZomboni]

Great views. I'd love to see you go back there when you have some more time and do some more hiking there. 😊

[@paisleydreamzzz]

cool sights, tfs. loved the rr tunnel.

[@OutdoorNomad]

The hole in the wall is a tunnel that the trail passes thru. The trail goes from the visitors center up to the top where you parked.

[@anybodyoutthere3208]

Wow! Really really enjoyed this. I’m reading a biography written by my neighbors aunt. It’s all about their many many years homesteading in SDakota. They constantly talk about the Sod House. Thanks so much for taking us along. I can’t wait to get there. Sooo excited for the SD video. 👍

[@SUVRVing]

Well you're in luck, because I've got several SD videos coming up. Thanks for watching!

[@charlesboetel1324]

Niobrara river, the dismal river, plus many more. Nebraska has more river miles than any other of the lower 48. Great paddling and fishing. Crazy weather so be aware when recreating. Galager(sic) canyon is an awesome state campground not far off of i 80, the locals swim off of tje boat ramp there, great place to fish , a no wake lake on a canal system.

[@oldboater]

Thanks again for taking me to Nebraska. I only went thru Nebraska a few years and it poured rain the entire trip, didn’t get to see anything.

[@chrisimming9454]

Very nice video. We visited in late July. Interesting there is no mention of the numerous signs advising of rattlesnakes at both Scottsbluff NM and Chimney Rock. Saw my first ever rattler stretched out on that nice green grass by the Scottsbluff NM buildings next to the trail out to the wagons. That convinced my wife we would proceed to the road to the top without visiting the wagon trail!

[@allmomomosthomebus3895]

Very cool Tristan. Thanks for opening my eyes to western Nebraska. I would not have thought to make it a destination before but it's on the list now. I found the rolling hills of farm land of Northeast Nebraska to be far more beautiful than I expected on the way back from Sioux Falls SD to my home in Pennsylvania about 4 years ago.

[@carolinacruzer1842]

I never thought about Nebraska! Adding it to my list!

[@gabriellechilton5902]

Thank you. Enjoy your channel. Great stuff to see, thanks to you.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Gabrielle!

[@lj-eden]

My grandmother lives in SW Nebraska and I (and my other family) don't see her very often unfortunately. I think this would be a great little "vacation" for me and my cousins to drive up and visit her and also have other things to do near the area. Thank you again for your amazing videos. I sub'd' not too long ago, but I have been binging all your videos

[@annied1863]

Thanks for taking us along on sightseeing things I will never see on person. It’s so much fun.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Annie!

[@annied1863]

@@SUVRVing your channel is so awesome. Thanks for responding to me. ☺️

[@mirkatu3249]

My grandfather's family lived in a sod house way back in the day, I don't know which state, but there is a photo of it in a book that one of my siblings has. My grandmother's family is from Nebraska,. The state never interested me, but now I really would like to go there because of this video. Thanks! :-)

[@mayinnlin1879]

Thank you for sharing! 👍😊

[@sandeedobberstine5591]

Cool video! Thanks for checking out Nebraska.

[@nakedholerat]

Love the opening shot! Keep keeping it real. 🕺🏻

[@TheDenisedrake]

Looking forward to seeing you visit the Dakotas. I've never been.

[@lilysgma2852]

Thank you for all the research, love your videos and live the little house on the prairie sod house.

[@bobross9623]

Very interesting stuff; although I've read about this part of Nebraska in history books, it was great to see these sights thru your lens. The trail to chimney rock was an unexpected highlight. Thanks!

[@SUVRVing]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.

[@jobabs]

My home state 🥰. The Northeast part of the state, where I am from, is beautiful, with its big old rolling hills.

[@WhereToLillian]

Fossilized beaver workings....very cool!

[@SUVRVing]

Right? Nature is amazing. Thanks for watching!

[@helenvwalker7919]

I live near to some badlands in Spain. I loved the sodhouse.

[@SUVRVing]

I thought that was great, too. Thanks Helen!

[@rosequattrone208]

Want to thank you for showing me places that I won't get to visit. So interesting and informative. Look forward to your videos..

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Rose!

[@joyinthenw2652]

Good grief! I lived grew up in NE and lived there for 36 years and thought I knew most everything about the state, but I just learned all kinds of interesting things from you. Well done!

[@kathleenmahoney6657]

I drove through Nebraska for the very first time in June on an emergency trip to Arizona and, while I didn't get to western Nebraska where you are, I too was pleasantly surprised by that state. It was far more interesting than I expected. I felt the same about Iowa and Kansas as well. Looking forward to going back there and seeing more of the sights and will definitely add your locations to my list. Thanks, Tristan!

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Kathleen! I'll eventually make it to Iowa and Kansas, but they weren't in the cards for this trip.

[@3milepilot596]

Those beaver tunnels were really interesting.

[@dixxebell]

Lots of cool finds...I went to Monument Rocks in KS...and it's quite an anomaly but def worth seeing...

[@greathornedowl3644]

WOW, great video, (handsome man) love camping/carefree lifestyle - especially after having been pinned down with quarantine. Sod house, that is what Ingles family (little house on the prairie) would have lived in on the plains of Minnesota in the 1800s. Beautiful countryside, have done the Black Hills, Devils Tower, Little Big Horn trip. Went through Nebraska coming back from Montana/Wyoming, will have to stop next time.

[@jamesrichardson1326]

The wagon with the Oxen team is a "Conestoga" wagon

[@stout_tossme7541]

I was going to say the same thing. Fun fact, they were pulled by Ox, Mules, or Horses. They could carry up to 6 tons (back in the day that was a metric shit ton).

[@LindaVHill]

And the other wagon (after the handcart) looks like a version of the lighter and faster prairie schooner, which is what the pioneers used for the most part to make their overland migration. If you read Rinker Buck's excellent book The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey, you'll learn why the Conestoga was not a practical choice for that particular journey.

[@bkbland1626]

I hang out in the Sand Hills quite a bit and I think Nebraska is pretty excellent.

[@lobalopemountainlobster276]

Haha! We did this trip too! Agate Fossil Beds is awesome! Out of the way, but totally worth it

[@parkspursuit7515]

Nice video. I visited that area earlier this summer and checked out some of those some spots! Made a video for both the Scotts Bluff NM and and Toad Stool area. Very neat area. You're following a similar route to me apparently, as I headed North next as well, up into the Black Hills region, Custer State Park, then over to Badlands NP.

[@margaretterrebonne9596]

Nice! You do a great job.

[@SUVRVing]

Thanks Margaret!

[@larrydraper4451]

On my way from Texas to South Dakota last year my plans were to speed thru flat land Nebraska. Man was I ever wrong. I drove thru central Nebraska (Kearney) and it was beautiful. I owe the Corn Husker state a big apology. My planned trip next year has me going thru western Nebraska to visit Scotts Bluff NM. Thanks for the preview and looking forward to your visit to South Dakota, one of my favorite states. Don't forget Roosevelt NP in North Dakota where the bison outnumber the visitors.

[@charlieswearingen500]

Nebraska also has a man-made forest, the Nebraska National Forest. A few years back after the Great Depression, it was the largest man-made forest in the world. However, it has since been eclipsed by South Africa or China. I don't remember which is the largest now...

[@Mary-yu3sn]

Great video and i agree "tagging" the 2 show's creative art,hope they do more with it ,then tagging...

[@SUVRVing]

Agreed! Thanks Mary.

[@pianoish]

I lived in Nebraska for a couple years, it’s a really nice state.

[@bryanclark3739]

To bad you didn’t stop at Fort Robinson. September 5th is the anniversary of the death of Chief Crazy Horse at the fort. When I was there in 2019, school kids from the reservation came there to honor him. You also missed the Niobrara River, outside of Valentine, NE. home of Nebraska’s highest waterfall.

[@ffc303]

Western Nebraska is gorgeous!!!

[@SUVRVing]

It is indeed!

[@halabujioutdoors]

Early January this year, after 3 days of driving through Great Plains from NJ, first any significant elevation I noticed was Chimney Rock National Monument since Gateway Arch, St. Louis, MO. Unfortunately Chimney Rock was closed due to renovation, but stopped by at Scott's Bluff. Was able to drive up to its top. Snow covered landscape was refreshing and beautiful. 🗻🚙❄👍

[@SUVRVing]

And imagine how the pioneers would have felt seeing Chimney Rock! Glad to hear you were able to make it out there. Thanks for watching.

[@maggiesfarm7970]

I used to live in Lincoln, NE. I had no idea there were actual western looking ares in W. NE.

[@matthewsresilientways]

We just came through there, back to Kansas from Montana. We saw Chimney rock, but didn't know about those other spots. Drats. We did however, swing by the awesome Carhenge outside Alliance NE!

[@SUVRVing]

There's always next time, right? Carhenge looks fun! Thanks for watching.

[@DanyRivard]

Magnifique!

[@stucooper8159]

Very interesting 🙂

[@dkaiser1963]

You're so close to Car Henge in Alliance NE. You have to go.