Trooper Trail

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Nebraska National Forest. The largest human-planted forest in the US. Photo by Bkell.

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Soldier Creek Wilderness was created by an act of Congress in 1986 and is managed by the U.S. Forest Service. It covers an area of 7,794 acres within the Pine Ridge section of the Nebraska National Forest bordering Fort Robinson State Park.

The region, which was originally established as a timber reservation for nearby Fort Robinson, was utilized by the U.S. Cavalry from the late 19th century through World War II for its excellent horse pastures along Soldier Creek. The area now provides habitat for elk, white-tailed deer, mule deer, turkeys, coyotes, bobcats, eagles, hawks, the threatened Bald eagle, and numerous other wildlife. Here the ponderosa pine-covered ridges of northwest Nebraska give way to grassy upland parks.

The Wilderness is recovering from a wildfire that destroyed about 90 percent of the pine trees in 1989, which is slowly rebounding. Several well-developed trails loop through the area. A series of trails pass two windmills that are still functioning, even though they are not maintained and are over 100 years old. A popular destination for horseback riding, the wilderness is the larger of the two federally-designated wilderness areas in Nebraska. Horse packers can saddle up at the Soldier Creek Trailhead corral.

Allowed Uses:

Other Activities

• Camping
• Fishing
• Wildlife viewing / observation

• Certified as an NRT
  Dec 12, 1979