This stretch of the Oregon Trail road trip runs from Independence, Missouri through Kansas to North Platte, Nebraska. It covers roughly 585 miles of varied terrain: rolling Ozark foothills and forests give way to Kansas Flint Hills and wide-open plains of Nebraska’s Platte River valley. Historic highlights abound (Independence’s Trail Museum, Alcove Springs KS, Fort Kearny NE) and wildlife is plentiful (bird migrations in spring, pronghorn on the plains). Plan on 3–4 days to enjoy the scenery and attractions. For details on the entire Oregon Trail journey, see our complete Oregon Trail road trip overview.
Segment Overview
This segment begins in the trail’s original jump-off point at Independence, MO and ends in western Nebraska’s North Platte, crossing three states. Expect forests and river valleys near Kansas City, then Kansas farmland and the Flint Hills countryside. In Nebraska you’ll follow the Platte River valley across high prairie and sandhills. Spring brings lush grass and migrating sandhill cranes around Fort Kearny; summers are hot and winters windy with occasional snow. Roads here are mostly two-lane highways that stay open year-round, but cell coverage can be spotty outside towns (service is generally good along the interstates). The best travel window is late spring through fall to avoid winter storms.
| Total Distance | Estimated Drive Time | States |
|---|---|---|
| 585 miles | ~9 hours (driving only) | Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska |
| Primary Route(s) | Recommended Duration | Cell Service |
| US-24 W, K-99 N, I-80 W | 3–4 days | Good along major highways |
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Independence, MO to Fancy Creek SP, KS
Mileage: ~130 mi, ~2–3h driving.
Route: Start at Independence (MO). Explore the historic Independence Courthouse Square and the National Frontier Trails Museum (Oregon Trail exhibits) before heading west. Drive across the Missouri border (along US-24 or I-435) into Kansas. Roll through farmland toward Manhattan, KS. You could stop at scenic overlooks or historic Westport in Kansas City.
Afternoon: Continue toward Manhattan via US-24/K-177. In Kansas, you’ll soon enter the Flint Hills region – watch for rolling hills and pronghorn antelope.
Evening: Camp at Fancy Creek State Park Campground (Randolph, KS). This riverside campground on the Big Blue River has primitive and electric sites, vault toilets (no potable water), and a 6-mile bike/hike trail. After setting up camp, relax by the river or take a sunset hike on the wooded bluff trails.
Food/Resupply: Grocery stores in Independence or Kansas City before leaving, and again in Manhattan or Wamego if needed. Fancy Creek has a store near the entrance.
Day 2: Fancy Creek SP, KS to Fort Kearny SRA, NE
Mileage: ~225 mi, ~4h driving.
Route: Head north from Manhattan on K-99/US-36 toward Marysville, KS. Pass through rolling pastures and farmland.
Morning: Stop at Alcove Springs Park (6 mi south of Marysville). Here you’ll find a limestone spring with a historic wagon swale and 1800s-era graffiti on the rocks from pioneers (including members of the Donner-Reed party). Continue north into Nebraska (via US-36 and local roads).
Lunch: Marysville, KS has basic services and cafes.
Afternoon: Drive into Nebraska’s Platte River valley. Stop at the Nebraska Pony Express/Union Pacific museum or viewpoint in Minden, or detour 10 mi for Nebraska’s Geographic Center marker near Cozad. As you approach Kearney, visit the Great Platte River Road Archway at I-80, an interactive history museum spanning the highway.
Late afternoon: Tour Fort Kearny State Historical Park (Kearney, NE) – a reconstructed 1848 Army fort with artifacts and walking trails. Then continue a few miles to the campground.
Camp: Stay at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area (Kearney, NE). This large park offers shady woods, lakes, and Platte River frontage, full-hookup RV sites and tent sites. It’s known for birding and the spring crane migration. After camp, enjoy fishing or a nature trail here.
Food/Resupply: Fuel at Marysville and Kearney; groceries available in Kearney. There’s a market by Kearney on the way from the fort.
Day 3: Fort Kearny SRA, NE to North Platte, NE
Mileage: ~80 mi, ~1–2h driving.
Route: From Kearney, take I-80 west toward North Platte.
Morning: Optional visit to the Golden Spike Tower just north of town for train-watching at Union Pacific’s railyard. Continue west through the wide Platte River valley.
Midday: Pause in Lexington or Cozad (small towns with gas and snacks). Pass through grasslands and oil fields. In North Platte, tour the Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park – William “Buffalo Bill” Cody’s 19th-century mansion and barn along the river. Check out the Buffalo Bill Center for Westward Expansion if open.
Afternoon/Evening: Camp at Buffalo Bill State Recreation Area just east of North Platte. This riverfront park has wooded campsites, full hookups and is adjacent to the Buffalo Bill Ranch museum. Relax by the Platte River or attend a history talk at the museum.
Food/Resupply: North Platte has full services (grocery, restaurants, RV parks). Consider trying local steak or barbecue in town.
Campgrounds to Consider
- Blue Springs Lake Campground (Fleming Park, Independence, MO) – A heavily wooded lakefront park near the Kansas City metro. It’s a popular family spot with 230+ sites (many full-hookup), flush toilets and showers. Fish or boat on 720-acre Lake Jacomo during the day, then enjoy a peaceful wooded campground at night. Close proximity to Independence attractions (museum, town square) makes it a convenient first-night stop.
- Fancy Creek State Park Campground (Randolph, KS) – A scenic riverfront campground on the Big Blue River in Tuttle Creek State Park. It offers mostly primitive campsites with pit toilets (24 electric sites), picnic areas and a stocked lake. Hike or bike its 6-mile river trail and watch for river bends and forested bluffs. Favored by Oregon Trail travelers, the setting is quiet and natural (cell service is spotty).
- Rock Creek Station SRA (Fairbury, NE) – A remote, historic camping area built around the ruins of an 1850s trail station. It has only a few shaded sites (2 tent-only sites plus some 30A RV sites) and modern vault toilets. The highlight is the adjacent Rock Creek Station State Historical Park (wagon swells, restored buildings, museum) – it’s one of the few park campgrounds that sits right on a preserved Oregon/California Trail site. The rustic ambiance and prairie views here make it special.
- Fort Kearny State Recreation Area (Kearney, NE) – A large riverside park along the South Platte River, just east of Kearney. It offers shady tent sites and RV sites with electricity, modern restrooms and river swimming. The wooded campground feels spacious and secluded. It’s steps away from the Fort Kearny Historic Park and Sandhill Crane refuge; you may spot cranes, wild turkeys or rabbits while hiking the park’s prairie trails.
- Lake Maloney State Recreation Area (near North Platte, NE) – A quiet lake campground east of North Platte on a 1,900-acre reservoir. It has over 100 campsites (many water/electric) in a curving canyon shoreline setting. Amenities include boat ramps and fishing piers, and the water offers boating and trout fishing. Reviewers praise it as serene – it’s often nearly empty outside summer holidays. Cool off with a swim or just enjoy sunsets over the lake.
- Buffalo Bill State Recreation Area (North Platte, NE) – Nestled along the North Platte River just outside town, this campground has woods and river views. Most sites have electric hookups; vault toilets are available but no showers. It’s adjacent to the Buffalo Bill Ranch historic site, so you can walk from your tent to tour William Cody’s “mansion on the prairie”. The combination of riverfront camping and a famous Wild West museum make it a favorite for history buffs.
Activities & Attractions
Natural Highlights
Flint Hills Prairie – The Kansas portion traverses part of the Flint Hills, a rare tallgrass prairie. Look for vivid wildflower blooms (sunflowers, coneflowers) in summer and sweeping grassland vistas. In Nebraska the loop runs along the Platte River; explore riverside trails or the dunes and lakes of nearby state parks. Sandhills wildlife viewing: Fork-tailed flycatchers, bison herds in Tuttle Creek (KS) or pheasants and deer in central Nebraska are common. Watch for migrating sandhill cranes (Feb–March) near Kearney, where thousand-strong flocks perch on Platte River sandbars. Lake Maloney’s shoreline and the North Platte River itself are great spots for sunset photography and water recreation.
Cultural & Historic Sites
Independence, MO – Begin at the trail’s trailhead: tour the National Frontier Trails Museum and stroll the Independence Courthouse Square, where pioneers outfitted for the Westward journey. The Minor Park bluffs (Missouri River crossing) show original wagon ruts. In Kansas, visit Alcove Springs Historic Park south of Marysville – an original spring and wagon campground with pioneer graffiti. In Nebraska, the reconstructed Fort Kearny State Historical Park offers self-guided tours of its 1848-era buildings and artifact exhibits. West of Kearney, Buffalo Bill Cody’s ranch (now a state historical park) lets you walk through his 1880s mansion and barn. For local flavor, stop in small towns (Marysville’s 1860s depot museum, Kearney’s Old West storefronts, North Platte’s railroad heritage), or see a play at the Covered Wagon Museum.
Outdoor Recreation
Hiking & Biking – Explore river trails and prairies in state parks. Fort Kearny SHP has loop trails with Platte River overlooks. Fancy Creek SP (KS) has a 6-mile multi-use trail through hills. Tuttle Creek State Park (by Fancy Creek) offers additional hiking around the reservoirs. Fishing & Boating – Cast for trout and bass on Lake Maloney or small lakes at Fort Kearny. Kayak or canoe the Big Blue River near Tuttle Creek. Birding & Wildlife – Scan wetlands and fields for waterfowl or hawks. Spring is peak for bird watching near Fort Kearny. Bicyclists can wheel across quiet backroads through Kansas farmland and flat Nebraska county roads. Horseback trail rides are also available at Buffalo Bill Ranch SRA for a fee.
Unique Stops
Cody Park Railroad Museum (North Platte) – A hands-on railroad museum featuring the only Challenger steam locomotive on public display. Nearby, the Golden Spike Tower offers panoramic views of the world’s largest rail yard (Union Pacific Bailey Yard). Great Platte River Archway (Kearney) – An indoor interpretive museum literally spanning I-80, telling the story of overland trails and railroads. Ash Hollow State Historical Park (off I-80 near Lewellen) – One of the oldest emigrant campsites on the trail, with hiking and scenic buttes (20 miles beyond this segment). Nebraska’s geographic center (at Cozad) – A roadside marker and picnic area to mark the point. For kids (or kids at heart): pause at any small-town historical museum (e.g. North Platte’s Buffalo Bill/Mare Barn, Lexington’s telephone museum), or even a roadside eatery for a hearty steak or pie in North Platte.
Travel Tips for This Segment
Fuel & Supplies: The longest gaps between towns are between Marysville, KS and Kearney, NE (~140 miles) and between Kearney and North Platte (~80 miles). Major stops with gas and groceries include Independence/Overland Park, Manhattan (KS), and Kearney (NE). Fill up before leaving these cities.
Road Conditions: Highways are good year-round – I-70, I-80, and US routes are well maintained. Watch for farm equipment slow-moving on two-lane roads. Spring winds can be fierce; always check weather if storms are forecast.
Cell Service: Coverage is strong in towns and along interstates, but expect dead zones in rural Kansas and western Nebraska between cell towers.
Wildlife & Safety: Keep a lookout for deer and pronghorn, especially at dawn/dusk on rural roads. In spring, cranes concentrate at Kearney Wildlife Refuge – traffic can be heavy during peak viewing season.
Fees & Reservations: Most parks along this route do not require a permit beyond standard camping fees. Fort Kearny and Alcove Springs have free parking; Buffalo Bill and Archway have admission fees. Campgrounds (especially Fancy Creek and Fort Kearny) can fill on summer weekends – reserve early if possible.
Photography & Time of Day: The wide-open landscapes are best at sunrise/sunset for warm light and long shadows. The wide valley near Fort Kearny makes for dramatic dusk colors on the Platte River.
Additional Segments & Resources
This segment is one portion of the full Oregon Trail road trip itinerary. Explore our other segment guides to continue west. For advanced trip planning and more campsite options, check out The Dyrt Pro and partner tools. Practice responsible travel by following Leave No Trace principles and respecting local regulations along the trail.
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