Wildcat Hills Nature Center & Recreation Area

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area, Nature Center and Big Game Reserve encompass 1,094 acres of rugged rock buttes and pine-clad canyons south of Gering.  Geared primarily for day-use, the recreation area overlooks the North Platte River Valley and historic Scotts Bluff National Monument looms to the northwest.

The Wildcat Hills were formed from ancient river deposits of rock, sand and silt carried from the Rock Mountains following their uplift some 60 million years ago.  The escarpments, bluffs and nearby river valley have yielded some significant discoveries to paleontologists and archaeologists.  The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission acquired the initial trace in the picturesque Wildcat Hills escarpment in 1929 and the 705 acre recreation area in 1980.

The Nature Center is an educational facility, museum and interpretive center.  The center’s split-level design takes advantage of the hilltop location and the windows are deeply tinted so visitors can get close-up views of birds and other wildlife coming from the forest to use feeders and plantings along the building.  Observation decks surround the building for spectacular views and whatever time of the year, visitors will find a variety of wildlife including whitetail and mule deer, wild turkey, bobcats, coyotes, and others.

How to Get There:

Wildcat Hills Recreation and Nature Center are located 10 miles south of Gering via Nebraska Highway 71.

Hours:

The recreation area is open year-round.  Hours are 8 am to 4:30 pm daily April through September and from 8 am to 4:30 pm Monday through Friday the rest of the year.  A valid Nebraska park entry permit is required for all vehicles entering the area.  Annual and daily permits are available at the nature center, as are hunting and fishing permits and stamps.

Wildcat Hills SRA & Nature Center  

308-436-3777
www.outdoornebraska.com