Chief Standing Bear TRAIL

Welcome!

Chief Standing Bear Trail is the result of a multiple-year rail-to-trail project that converted an abandoned railway line to a crushed limestone path for runners, walkers, and cyclists. The trail runs from Beatrice, Nebraska south and east to the Kansas state line and on to Marysville, Kansas in the valley of the Big Blue River. In Nebraska the trail roughly follows the path that Chief Standing Bear and his people took from their Oklahoma reservation to their ancestral homelands along the Niobrara River in northern Nebraska. The Homestead Conservation and Trails Association is a nonprofit entity charged with managing and maintaining the trail.

Click here for information on Beatrice's Sixth Annual Hoppy Half marathon, Half Relay, and 5k! September 21, 2024

Click here for information on the Homestead Cycling Tour trail ride September 14th, 2024!

Sunrise marks the beginning of a new day

Users of all ages appreciate the trail's surface

Why not enjoy the trail with a few friends today?

An old railway bridge with new life!

A few rules, to maximize trail enjoyment for everyone

Picnic shelter at Blue Springs Trailhead

Bike repair station, bike racks, and restroom at Blue Springs Trailhead

Restrooms, drinking fountain, bike rack, and picnic shelter at Holmesville Trailhead

Blue Springs Trailhead

Parking
Restrooms
Picnic shelter
Bicycle repair station
There is NOT currently drinking water available at this site; we are working on a solve! An attempt to drill a new well found no water available to 90ft.

Barneston Trailhead

Parking
Restrooms
Drinking water (in season)
Electrical outlets in picnic shelter
Bicycle repair station (*NEW!*)
Future campsites, RV hookups planned

Holmesville Trailhead

Parking
Restrooms
Drinking water (in season)
Picnic shelter
Bicycle repair station (*NEW!*)
plans in place to add electrical outlets to the picnic shelter

Bear Creek - maintained by the City of Beatrice

Park bench
Bicycle repair station (*NEW!*)
Map of Beatrice trail system **NEW!** (courtesy of Leadership Beatrice)

Beatrice 6th & Perkins Streets Trailhead - maintained by the City of Beatrice; now called Gage County Foundation Trail Depot

Parking
Restrooms **NEW!**
Drinking water **NEW!**
Picnic shelter
Bicycle repair station **NEW!**
Connection to Homestead Trail
Map of Beatrice trail system **NEW!** (courtesy of Leadership Beatrice)

Contact us with questions, report an issue, or submit pictures for the site at Homesteadtrails@gmail.com

Homestead Conservation and Trails Association

A 501(c) (3) nonprofit - 100% of donations made will go toward maintaining and improving the trail

Mailing Address:

HCTA

PO Box 183

Beatrice, NE 68310

Support the trail today! Donate via paypal Or credit/debit card using the qr code or click the link below.

Donate to Homestead Conservation Trails AssociationHelp support Homestead Conservation Trails Association by donating or sharing with your friends.

Useful Links:

Hike/Bike TrailThe City of Beatrice offers over ten (10) miles of community trails throughout the City suitable for biking, walking, or jogging. The City also maintains approximately three (3) miles east of Beatrice, and sixteen (16) miles of trails between Beatrice and Cortland, Nebraska. The trails are well-marked and groomed, and are frequented by residents and visitors alike. For maps of the trails, see below.

Beatrice Area Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Nebraska

Nebraska Trails FoundationYour gifts, both large and small, will help us to achieve our mission of developing multi-use trails around Nebraska resulting in healthier lives, natural green space corridors, and improved quality of life for all. The Nebraska Trails Foundation is a 501C(3) and all donations are tax deductible. Join us in making a difference in the wellness of our community through the expansion of our trails system.