Five roads to view and photograph Chimney Rock Historic Site

Chimney Rock National Historic Site visitor center is open year round. You can view Chimney Rock from the parking lot, from CR 75 and from inside the visitor center. The visitor center has a patio in the back of the building especially designed to view Chimney Rock.If you drive into the Settlers Trading Post, you can view Chimney Rock along side a windmill. The Settlers Trading Post has camping and a gift shop that is open during tourist season. Chimney Rock looking southwest from CR 75, beside the Settler's Trading Post entrance. You can imagine the view of long ago when the travelers on the Oregon Trail came to this spot. View the list »
Various Views of Chimney Rock

Local Getaways newsletter

Chimney Rock National Historic Site, in Nebraska can be seen from miles around. If you've ever wondered "Where did they go to get that photograph of Chimney Rock?" then following list of roads and locations will be helpful.

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1. County Road 75 ( CR 75)

  • CR 75 off of Hwy 92 outside of Bayard NE., offers maybe possibilities, for viewing and photography.
  • The Settlers Trading Post, is a campground. You can see a windmill and Chimney Rock in the same scene.
  • Stop anywhere on CR 75 to get different perspective shots.
  • The Chimney Rock Visitor Center-you can get shots of Chimney Rock beside it or go into the visitor center to learn about Chimney Rock Historical Site.Once inside you can view and take photos from the fenced off area behind the center.

2. County Road 98 (CR 98)

  • Drive south on CR 75 past the Visitor Center, turn west onto CR 98. This is a dirt/gravel road and it leads to Chimney Rock Cemetery. This area has several key vantage points for viewing and getting a great shot.
  • Go into cemetery to view and take photos, with gravestones in the foreground.
  • Walk west from the cemetery, to the ravine and frame your shot
  • Walk north along the ravine and you can see a trail and Chimney Rock.
  • During the summer months, this location offers many sunflowers to enhance your shot and viewing pleasure.
chimney rock historical site
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3. County Road 100 (CR 100)

  • Go back to CR 75 and look for CR 100, you will be traveling north. CR 100 is before you get to Setter's Trading Post. CR 100 is dirt/gravel turn west.
  • There is very little traffic on this road so just pull to side of the road and imagine what it was like to come across area by wagon train. Nebraska skies are often very complementary for those interested in photographing Chimney Rock.
  • To keep power lines out of your shot, you can stop at the intersection of CR 73 and CR 100 there is a break in the fence line where you can get out of the vehicle, to get a cool shot.
  • Follow CR 73 to Hwy 92, you can stop on this road to get various shots/views. Look for an old homestead on the west side CR 73.

4. County Road X ( CR X)

  • From CR 73 Take Hwy 92 West until you reach CR X.
  • Drive just a small distance on CR X, stop about mid curve to get a great landscape shot.
  • Keep driving west on CR X, this road is dirt/gravel and is tree lined to the south. Look for an opening in the trees, park over to the side of road and get out of the vehicle. This will allow you to get the best view and photos of horses/cows in the pasture land in front of Chimney Rock.
  • Continue driving down CR X until you reach CR 36. CR 36 is a Dead End going south, however there is a place to turn around. I would recommend a long lens for this shot. It's a really pretty view of Chimney Rock and the area. This is a great location to sit and reflect on how the early settlers viewed the area.

5. Oregon Trail Road

  • Go north on CR 36, cross over Hwy 92 onto the Oregon Trail Road. This is also a dirt/gravel road.
  • Chimney Rock will be visible to the south of Oregon Trail Road. There are many areas along this road that provide pleasant scenes of Chimney Rock.
  • There are also numerous interesting trees to add spice to your photography and viewing.
  • If you like horses, there are a few grazing pastures on this route. Beautiful horses, grazing with Chimney Rock in the background, it’s a marvelous sight.

Depending on what type of camera and lens you have, the preceding locations should provide you with abundant opportunities to see and take breath taking shots of Chimney Rock.

If you are planning on staying in the area over night, sunset views of Chimney Rock are beautiful. Chimney Rock is lit up at night, so for the star gazer and night time loving photographer, CR 75 will be a delight.

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  • Chimney Rock looking southwest from CR 75, beside the Settler's Trading Post entrance. You can imagine the view of long ago when the travelers on the Oregon Trail came to this spot. 
  • If you drive into the Settlers Trading Post, you can view Chimney Rock along side a windmill. The Settlers Trading Post has camping and a gift shop that is open during tourist season. 
  • Chimney Rock National Historic Site visitor center is open year round. You can view Chimney Rock from the parking lot, from CR 75 and from inside the visitor center. The visitor center has a patio in the back of the building especially designed to view Chimney Rock.
  • After viewing Chimney Rock from the visitor center, you can drive south on CR 75. There is a T intersection on CR 98. Go west down this road for more places to view Chimney Rock. This road is sunflower lined during the spring and summer. 
  • Walk up the path to Chimney Rock Cemetery and you can view some of the early settlers grave sites. There are numerous places you can view and photograph Chimney Rock from within the cemetery.
  • This is one perspective shot that was taken inside of the Chimney Rock Cemetery. From here you can walk to a fence line, then walk west for another gorgeous view. 
  • While in the Chimney Rock Cemetery, walk south to the fence line. Walk along the fence line going west. Turn to the north to get this view of Chimney Rock. 
  • Continue walking west until you reach a ravine. Walk north until you reach the north side of the ravine and you can see a trail and Chimney Rock. In the summer this area is full of sun flowers as well as a variety of other wild flowers. 
  • When your done viewing and photographing Chimney Rock from the Chimney Rock Cemetery area, drive back down CR 98 and turn north on CR 75. You can view Chimney Rock from any place on this road.
  • Turn west down CR 100. This is a dirt/gravel road that is mostly used by the locals. You can get some interesting views of Chimney Rock here. To avoid the wires in your photo, you'll need to get out of your car and walk up to the fence line. 
  • Chimney Rock is visible on many roads. For the best view at this intersection, you will need to park on the side of the road. There is an opening in the fence line here for viewing and photographing. CR 100 is a dead end if you continue west. You can turn north down CR 73.
  • This is the fence opening at CR 100 and CR 73. You can frame Chimney Rock in between the fences, or walk up to the fence to get a unobstructed view. You can imagine what it would be like to travel by wagon train here. 
  • When you turn north on CR 73 you will see this old homestead off to your west. They sure picked out a pretty place for their farm. You can park on the road, get out look south and view Chimney Rock. 
  • From CR 73 turn west onto Hwy 92. Drive until you reach CR X. Stop just about mid curve and you can view Chimney Rock. Hwy 92 lines up with the Oregon trail. 
  • The summer storms pass through and if your lucky you can catch a rainbow view of Chimney Rock. This view is from CR X just down past the curve. Park your car as far to the right as possible and walk up to the fence line to get a shot like this. 
  • Drive a little farther down CR X. The south side of the road is tree lined. Look for an opening in the trees. Park your car far to the right as you can. Get out and walk up the fence line on the south side of the road. During the summer months horses graze here. There are cows and sometimes sheep in this area as well. A telephoto lens was used to capture this shot.
  • Continue to drive west on CR X until you reach CR 36. You can turn south even though this is a dead end road. There are places to turn around. You can view the expanse vistas that the early settlers saw. Turn around and drive north on CR 36 until you reach Hwy 92.
  • Cross over Hwy 92 and drive onto Oregon Trail Road. Chimney Rock can be viewed to your south. There are various places to stop, view and photograph Chimney Rock. 
  • This is one of the many views of Chimney Rock, from Oregon Trail Road. Horses graze in many pastures along side this road. You can usually see a coal train streaming across the landscape as well. 
  • Various expressive trees compliment the Chimney Rock view. Stand and enjoy the site and better yet get out our camera and save a memory. No matter what season you visit and travel the roads around Chimney Rock you will be rewarded with gorgeous views.
  • Chimney Rock at sunset is a sight to behold. This view is from CR 75. Chimney Rock is lit up at night so for the star gazers and night time photographers this area will not disappoint. 
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, Scottsbluff Travel Examiner

Judy is an award-winning photographer of nature, events and people. Through the years her love for photography has continued. She spent many years doing portrait photography and working in photo labs. Today Judy loves the digital world and takes pictures on a daily basis. Landscape, wildlife and...

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