Date: June 2, 2006
Author: John Mitchler
Distance: 0.1 miles one-way.
Difficulty: Easy walk.
Elevation gain: 10 feet.
Summit elevation: 1,330 feet.
Maps: Beatrice West (optional) USGS Quad, DeLorme p. 77.
Access/permits: Open / None required
Best months: Year-round.
Visitor Centers: Visitor Center under construction in 2006 adjacent to the highpoint
to replace the older one farther to the west.
Highpoint Description: Grassy hillside with a view west to the wooded creek and farmland.
Finding the trailhead:
From the west, take Exit 388 off I-80 in eastern Nebraska, and drive south on NE 103.
After 11.7 miles, turn right (west) on NE 33 and go 2 miles.
Then turn left (south) on NE 103 and proceed 23 miles before turning left (east) on NE 4,
and go 3,0 miles to the park entrance, passing the old entrance at 2.4 miles.
From the east, on the west side of Lincoln, NE, take Exit 397 off I-80 and proceed south
on US 77 for 39.5 miles. Then turn right (west) on US 136 and go 1.4 miles before turning right
and going 2.6 miles on NE 4 to the park entrance. The old park entrance is 0.6 miles farther west.
From the new park entrance, turn south toward the new Visitor Center.
Notice the rise along the fence line on the west side of the Visitor Center,
which has overlooks the highpoint and the terrain that slopes west toward the Cub Creek.
Key points along the hike:
0.0 parking lot
0.0 Visitor Center
0.0 fence line and highpoint
The hike:
From the new Visitor Center, walk west and pass around the Visitor Center.
Immediately west of the Visitor Center, come to a north-south fence line that marks
the former eastern boundary of the park. The highpoint is a rise along this fence,
a couple hundred feet south of the Freeman graves.
From the original Visitor Center, start walking from the east end of the building,
passing the Palmer-Epard cabin on your right (south).
Cross Cub Creek on an interesting bridge, and take the trail as it follows the creek
to the south toward the site of the brick house. Turn left (east) on the Farm Loop Trail,
and hike away from trees into grassland. Pass a DAR monument,
and watch for the Upland Prairie Loop Trail on your right (east).
Hike across grassland in a straight line southeast to the Freeman Graves.
You will ascend 30 feet to the graves near a north-south fence.
Turn right (south) and follow the fence to its highest point, in front of the new Visitor Center.
About the park: This park Commemorates the nation’s westward expansion by preserving the first homestead of the Homestead Act. The park features shaded creek woodlands, and open grasslands.
Camping and services:
No camping at the park. Full services available in Beatrice, Nebraska,
about 4.5 miles east of the park.