You never know what you’ll find when you go the extra mile. So get off of the beaten path and come to Gering. It doesn’t matter if you’re looking for exceptional recreation opportunities, dedicated event hosts, or just a small town getaway, you’ll find it here in Gering.
Scotts Bluff National Monument is a must-see. Anyone interested in hiking, biking, camping, or nature will find unforgettable experiences in the Wildcat Hills just south of Downtown. If you prefer that your recreation be a little more refined, Monument Shadows golf course offers stunning views and a challenging course.
Combine all of those recreational opportunities with small-town charm and some of the best event spaces in the region, and you have a recipe for an exceptional experience no matter what brings you to Gering.
If you’re looking to host an event in Gering, planning an itinerary for your group tour or visiting Gering for any reason at all, contact us at the Gering Visitors Bureau and we’ll make sure we go the extra mile to make your visit a success.
A special community nestled in the beautiful North Platte Valley, rich in natural beauty and historical significance.
Gering is located on the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains. Long ago, with the dramatic upheaval of the mountain range and the powerful flooding of ancient waters, the North Platte Valley began to form. Over time, wind and water erosion continued to shape the landscape we see today.
A visit to the Wildcat Hills, just south of Gering, reveals the area’s aquatic past—layers of sediment and fossils of sea plants and marine animals tell the story of a time when this region was submerged. Standing in Gering today means standing where a mighty ancient river once flowed.
Long before European settlers arrived, Native American tribes thrived on the Great Plains. Early French explorers encountered Sioux Indians in what is now Gering. These nomadic people lived in tepees, which allowed them to move easily as they followed buffalo herds across the plains.
Buffalo were central to Native life, providing food, clothing, tools, and shelter. Nature was their guide, and children were raised to observe and learn from it. In their camps, responsibilities and resources were shared. When buffalo were plentiful, all ate well—when they were scarce, all endured hardship together.
French fur trappers and traders were among the first Europeans to explore this area. They developed friendships with local tribes and sought beavers, whose pelts were highly valued. Streams around Gering were once teeming with beavers, and the harvested hides were transported east and eventually to Europe to be made into hats and garments.
One notable figure was Hiram Scott, a young trapper for whom Scotts Bluff is named. Though the details of his death remain a mystery, it’s believed that his remains were discovered at the base of the bluff. Today, there are over 60 different legends that attempt to explain his fate.
Enticed by stories of Oregon’s rich, fertile lands, pioneers formed wagon trains in Independence, Missouri, embarking on the arduous 2,000-mile journey west. The Oregon Trail passed through what is now Gering.
Initially, the rugged terrain near Scotts Bluff forced wagons to detour far to the south. But with the surge of emigrants during the California Gold Rush in the 1850s, the more direct route through Mitchell Pass—just south of the bluff—became favored. This shorter path saved travelers an entire day’s journey.
In 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, allowing citizens over the age of 21 to claim 160 acres of land if they lived on it for five years and made improvements. However, Gering’s arid climate and less fertile soil made farming difficult, and many early homesteaders were unsuccessful.
To encourage settlement in more challenging areas, the Kincaid Act was later passed, offering 640 acres instead of 160. Many farms in the Gering region were established through this act. With little access to timber, settlers often constructed homes from sod or “Nebraska marble”—a colloquial term for the local stone.
Some of the early settlers who shaped the Gering community include Oscar Gardner, Asa B. Wood, Dr. Georgia Arbuckle Fix, E.P. Cromer, and Martin Gering, for whom the town is named.
In the early days, Gering looked much different. The main street of Gering used to be on M Street and was called Euclid Avenue. Almost every home had its own windmill and for those who did not have a windmill, a city well was located at 10th & M Street, near the current location of the Gering Civic Center.
Gering is today a very unique community with special qualities that no other community can claim. It is located at the base of Scotts Bluff National Monument and Dome Rock. The Oregon Trail, California Trail and Pony Express passed through where Gering is now located.
As history demonstrates, the pioneers of Gering were very determined and hard-working people. We, the future generation of Gering, have learned to appreciate their efforts. They have given us a foundation upon which to build and now we can take this knowledge of our heritage and apply it to the future.