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Celebrate 30 years of Nebraska's Cowboy Trail in 2025!

The Cowboy Trail is the nation’s longest rails-to-trail path, measuring 195 miles from Norfolk to Valentine.  Whether you want to partake in stunning scenery, bike, horseback ride, walk, or hit your morning jog on a spine-friendly path, the Cowboy Trail is right for you.  Note: Due to budget cuts, the trail is minimally maintained.

2025 marks the 30th year of the Cowboy Trail.  Multiple events are scheduled throughout the year.  Please visit the website for more information.  

Neligh, Nebraska truely is "Not too small to have it all." Neligh epitomizes the quality of life you expect to see in small town Nebraska, where the neighborly attitude is a way of life. At the same time, Neligh is the county seat and pulls from the region. This means you'll still have access to those 'must haves' without making the 30 mile hike to Norfolk. We have plenty of activities to keep your family busy. Take a look around and see if you'd like to join us, whether it be for good or just a visit.

Neligh, Nebraska is a fantastic community to either expand or start the business you’ve always dreamed of.  Neligh is positioned between two major and well maintained highways, NE 14 and U.S. 275.  Neligh has had the foresight to branch into power production.  We’ve installed a one-of-a-kind, in Nebraska, biodiesel generation plant.  Your business will never face brown or blackouts - our 6 megawatt power plant keeps the lights on.  Neligh is a regional tourism center with four museums, one of two drive-in theatres in Nebraska, six antique stores, and camping and fishing within in minutes of downtown.

Tourism will bring foot traffic to your business. Neligh has had the presence of mind to create an Economic Development Office to grow Neligh.  The Economic Development Office is a resource to help current businesses find the support they need and a contact point for those looking to start or expand in Neligh.  We offer incentives for those looking to expand and start their business.

Neligh is a great tourist attraction in Northeast Nebraska.  You can plan two whole days of fun within a few mile drive.  One possible trip might consist of a visit to Ash Falls Fossil Bed in the morning followed by some fishing at Grove Lake Wildlife Management Area and a look at their fish hatchery.  After a fun filled day up north you can relax and have an amazing supper at one of Neligh’s eateries but save room for popcorn at one of two remaining drive-ins in Nebraska. Indulge that nostalgic feeling at TK Drive-In Movie Theatre and enjoy two movies for the price of one.  After you and your family are tuckered out you can stay at one of our hotels or round out your one of a kind experience with camping in our first rate park.  The next morning you can visit Neligh’s four museums and get your shabby chic on by visiting our six antique shops.