Courthouse & Jail Rock

An iconic American landmark! Thousands of our ancestors moving west for a new life passed these soaring rock structures. It's as eye-popping now as it appeared in the 1800s.

I would recommend going this way and along hwy 88 .maybe more scenic than 92 and 26. Free parking and short hikes.

had a lot of fun climbing! great view! didn't make it all the way to the top because the kids were a bit too small, but overall we had a great time!

Nice location, not to far out, you can drive pretty much to the bottom and just walk around, nice place to picnic with the family

I grew up in Scottsbluff/Gering area & I always enjoyed Courthouse & Jailhouse rocks, but I had no idea you could drive right up to them. I always saw them from afar. Wow! 😄

We were there for sunrise and it was beautiful - quiet and peaceful too.

Beautiful place to visit 😊 😍

Primitive but absolutely stunning!!

Great place to visit n beautiful scenery

Very cool geological features with parking right by the paths that lead you right up to the rocks. Dirt road up to them and I paved dirt walking paths. The paths are steep!

There’s room for a medium sized (at most) towed trailer/camper to turn around as long as there is not others in the lot.

Great stop along the old Oregon Trail. You can climb up for great views.

Very interesting rock formations that were the first landmarks seen by settlers after crossing the Great Plains on the Oregon, California, and Mormon Trails. There is a narrow dirt road that goes to the base where you can take short hikes to get up close.

Beautiful pair of rocky bluffs marking the beginning of the wildcat hills. These land marks were a meeting area for native tribes for centuries before becoming famous landmarks on the overland trails. I imagine the smells of sweet grass and sage, sounds of the birds chirping and wind meandering between the bluffs, and the view of grass, cactus, and sage brush has little changed since pioneers wrote about these landmarks in there diaries. During a recent archeological dig there, we found bison bones from a time when they roamed the great Plains by the millions.

Another interesting landmark in the Nebraska Panhandle.

Another great landmark along the Oregon Trail. Take the time to visit if you pass by. Dusty road to the base and very little room to turn around. Delicate environment as well, so respect it.

This is written during Covid and our purpose for the visit is the golf course invited the public to walk the grounds and your dog was invited. We went to help ourselves and see if we couldn't spend a few dollars at consessions to help fund the opportunity resulting in a win win for both. The day we went was sunny, warm and still meaning no wind. The staff was happy to engage pointed at the pink flag markers to show us the path and consessions were open but all prepackaged goods no made to order lunch.

Though Chimney Rock is more well-known, these two monuments are the first that travelers see on their way west. Chimney Rock is 14-miles further. Surrounded by wildflowers and sagebrush, these sandstone monoliths-in-tandem are also just as picturesque as Chimney Rock. They are well worth a stop if you are traveling along the Oregon Trail.

The larger of the two, on the western side, is Courthouse Rock. It has also been compared to a castle and to the U.S. Capitol Building. Jail Rock, on the east, must be put into perspective as being named during the time when one-room jailhouses were common in the west, as it is significantly smaller than Courthouse. They are easy to get to by car and you’re not committed to a lengthy hike to enjoy them.

Cool place to visit

These are pretty cool, and you can drive up quite close to them via a gravel road (unlike Chimney Rock) so they can be a nice short stop if you're in a hurry, too.

Amazing up close experience. You're able to go right up to them and the view of the valley floor from there is breathtaking. Worth the few minutes it took to get here.