HomeNebraskaGering › Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area

4.6 ★★★★★ 445 Google reviews · Running trail in Gering, Nebraska · Posted hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Not reported
Distance
Not reported
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Posted hours

Confirmed from Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

ScenicHillyTrailhead parking

Hiking trails, a visitor center, picnic tables, and shooting range are offered at this park with bird-watching opportunities.

What runners say about Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (445 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

🏞️ beautiful scenery 14 mentions

“Took the scenic route from Sioux Falls thru Nebraska and spun a u-ey to check it out; I saw signs for scenic overlook of course had to get pics.”

Beautiful views and great hiking trails. $12 entrance fee. There are easy trails thru the meadows and medium trails thru the valleys and woods. Abundance of bird species flying around. Camping sites available with covered picnic tables. The gift shop was nice.

★★★★★ — Wendy , Jun 2023

Always a great time! All kinds of traits hike and fun to have. If you make it out while the nature center is open, there is amazing stuff to see and learn inside!

★★★★★ — D-Rock , Nov 2021

I wish we would have had more time to check out a couple trails at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area. Once we got our passport stamps, we wandered out to the balcony, and the views were magnificent. As always, the people at the desk were great and shared a story or two of the passporters who came before us.

★★★★★ — Chris , Jul 2024

Took the scenic route from Sioux Falls thru Nebraska and spun a u-ey to check it out; I saw signs for scenic overlook of course had to get pics. We had just bought a new shotgun about an hour earlier but the wife said absolutely not as soon as she saw that I saw the range signs. Overall a beautiful spot D

★★★★★ — Justin , May 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 445 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 22 mentions

“Took the scenic route from Sioux Falls thru Nebraska and spun a u-ey to check it out; I saw signs for scenic overlook of course had to get pics.”

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⛰️ Hills / elevation 3 mentions

“I wish we would have had more time to check out a couple trails at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

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Plan your run at Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area

The practical stuff

  • AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
  • DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
  • Websiteoutdoornebraska.gov
  • Phone+1 308-436-3777

Hours

Monday 8 am–5 pm
Tuesday 8 am–5 pm
Wednesday 8 am–5 pm
Thursday 8 am–5 pm
Friday 8 am–5 pm
Saturday 8 am–5 pm
Sunday 8 am–5 pm

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area

210615 NE-71, Gering, NE 69341

Get directions

Running trails near Gering

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

8.5 miles away

Riverside Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 384 reviews

Scottsbluff, NE

PavedScenicDog-friendly

Large park featuring walking trails, a playground, a campground and a small zoo.

10.1 miles away

Frank Park

4.3 ★★★★☆ 108 reviews

Scottsbluff, NE

ShadedDog-friendly

Clean park with a walking path and picnic tables that holds outdoor events.

11.6 miles away

All running trails in Gering, NE →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.