Homestead National Historical Park
NE
About Homestead National Historical Park
The Homestead Act of 1862 transformed the world. Millions were invited to file claims including families, women, immigrants, and formerly enslaved people. Over 10 percent of the United States was homesteaded!
The land, long inhabited by indigenous cultures, changed forever. Homesteaders created settlements and farms, drove industrial advancement, and built our nation chasing the American Dream.
Things To Do
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Walk Nature Trails at Homestead
Homestead National Historical Park offers over three miles of trails through the sweeping tallgrass prairie and quiet bur oak woodland for hiking, cross-country skiing, and nature study. Trail maps are available from either visitor center.
Earn your Junior Ranger Badge or Not-so Junior Ranger Pin
Any kid who visits has the chance to be a Homestead Junior Ranger. While visiting the park, stop at the Visitor Center to pick up a booklet filled with both creative and informative activities. As you explore the Park, complete your booklet!
Research Family History
Research the digitized homestead and genealogical records at Homestead National Historical Park.
Follow the Quilt Discovery Experience
Follow the trail to learn more about quilt making and the history of quilts and how they truly are documents of history, reflecting who we were as a nation and a people. While some quilts were packed as treasures in trunks, others were kept close at hand for daily use. They served a variety of purposes not only on the trip west, but also once the pioneers arrived at their destination.
Watch Land of Dreams Film
Watch the 23-minute film Land of Dreams: Homesteading America
Discover More at the Homestead Education Center
The Homestead Education Center provides you the opportunity further your knowledge about homesteading through hands-on arts and crafts, living history demonstrations, real life science experiences, and exploring farm implements.
Available Activities
Weather
Homestead NHP's weather can vary quite a bit, even in a single day. In the summer, average daytime highs can exceed 80°F (27°C), only to drop 20 or more degrees when a thunderstorm rolls through. Winter lows fluctuate day to day and year to year, but average lows were measured at about 16°F (-9°C) for January and February over a 20-year period.
Wind is common throughout the year.
Getting There
The park is 4 miles west of Beatrice on State Highway 4. From the U.S.
77 and U.S. 136 intersection in downtown Beatrice take U.
S. 136 approximately 1.2 miles west.
Turn right onto Nebraska Highway 4 and follow the signs. After the road has curved west and you have traveled 4 miles, you will enter Homestead National Historical Park and see signs for the different buildings at the park.
Plan Your Visit
Let Roamze help you plan the perfect trip to Homestead National Historical Park with AI-powered itineraries.
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Trails and Grounds
Trails and park grounds are open from sunrise to sunset. Picnic areas are available at the Education Center and Heritage Center. There are a total of 3.0 miles of trails through the tallgrass prairie and woodland.
