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Travel + Leisure
5 days ago
- Travel + Leisure
America's Best Small Lake Town Has an Annual Rodeo, a Cowboy Museum, and a 22-Mile Lake
'Not Your Ordinary Town!' boasts a mural on East 1st and North Spruce, marking the entrance into downtown Ogallala, Nebraska. They're right: despite a population of 5,107 spread over barely five square miles, the 'Cowboy Capital of Nebraska' is brimming with history, culture, and Western flair. The town, which derives its name from the Oglala Sioux tribe, was originally a cattle drive stop along the Union Pacific Railroad. Today, it's a charming destination just minutes from not one, but two lakes. At Lake McConaughy—affectionately known to locals as 'Big Mac'—you'll find over 100 miles of soft white sand and clear waters that attract fishers, kayakers, and scuba divers. McConaughy's little sister to the east, Lake Ogallala, may not be as impressive in size, but its sedate, wind-protected waters and winter eagle-viewing facility have their own unique draw. Front Street, an Old West replica attraction in Ogallala featuring a steakhouse, cowboy museum and saloon. Admiral Cove Resort is a convenient, cozy stay that offers a range of lodging and entertainment options, plus a family-friendly restaurant with a Nebraska-inspired menu. Visitors could easily spend a whole day at Front Street: it combines a historic museum, shopping, dining, and entertainment all in one location. Lounge out on the beaches of Lake McConaughy, or if you're more adventurous, head out onto the water in a boat, kayak, or jetski. Eccentric Lamb Fiber Arts is a crafter's heaven and community hub, with fibers, tools, and classes for knitters, crocheters, weavers, and more. Stop by Second Chapter Brewing, located in a repurposed library building, for a bite and a pint of house-brewed Nebraskan beer. Ogallala's population swells during the summer thanks to Lake McConaughy, the largest reservoir in the state. It's known for trophy-sized fish, beach camping, and water sports—perfect for a summer getaway. The town also has plenty of family-friendly programming, including a weekly farmer's market, a rodeo, and a free summer concert series. 'We're growing—not only in population, but also culturally,' said Kate Wright, owner of Eccentric Lamb Fiber Arts, and a member of the Keith County Area Leadership Development Board Member. As it continues to flourish, Ogallala also has big plans for the future: Lake Mac Casino Resort, a casino complex that includes a horse racetrack, 180-room hotel, and event space, is expected to complete construction as soon as 2027, with a temporary casino slated to open in the meantime. Cabins at South Platte Cabins & Kennels overlook a private lake. Set conveniently on Lake McConaughy's shores, Kingsley Dam Resort consists of 11 rustic log cabins (each named after fish species commonly found in the lake) plus two modern cliff suites with stunning views, and an RV lot. There's also a store stocked with snacks, essentials, and souvenirs. Admiral's Cove Resort is located just across the lake from Ogallala, and has everything a lake-goer could need: on-site dining at Cove Restaurant & Lounge, kayak rentals, beach camping, a bait shop, a gas station, and live music. Accommodations vary from cozy rooms to entire houses, and several units allow pets. Close to the South Platte River is South Platte Cabins & Kennels, a quaint property with just six cabins. Each cabin features two queen beds, WiFi, TV, parking, and complimentary breakfast, plus three cabins have kennels, and dogs stay free. The Petrified Wood & Art Gallery showcases a collection of natural history artifacts from a pair of local collectors. Perhaps the most well-known institution in town, Front Street is where all the local action is, with a steakhouse, an admission-free cowboy museum, a general store, and a saloon, where local community members put on an 1870s Old West reenactment and revue. The summer show, now in its 60th season, is a popular attraction for locals and visitors alike. 'It seems to sell out every night they're open,' Wright told Travel + Leisure . In the heart of the Western Trails Creative District, Ogallala's recently-recognized art district, sits Petrified Wood Gallery, which showcases fossils, gems, and Indigenous artifacts, along with petrified wood sculptures, music boxes, and other local artisan crafts. Its founders, twin brothers Howard and Harvey Kenfield, began collecting in the 1950s. On the beach at Lake McConaughy. Larry Holscher/Impact Images L. A. Holscher/Nebraska Tourism Lake McConaughy's sandy shores are perfect for a day on, or in, the water. Kayaking, fishing, jetskiing, and kite surfing are all popular activities, and there are plenty of spots to rent boats and gear nearby, such as Big Mac Marina and Ski Patrol. Can't get enough of the beach? Rent an RV or tent to camp out overnight on the sand. Over 340 species of birds have been spotted in the Lake McConaughy area, making it one of the top birding spots in the nation. Throughout the year, birdwatchers can find sandhill cranes, white pelicans, and even bald eagles. Ogallala is also perfect for walkers and bikers, with several trails and bike paths within the city itself, by Lake Ogallala, and in the nearby Ash Hollow State Historical Park. Kate Wright behind the counter at her Eccentric Lamb Fiber Arts yarn shop. Eccentric Lamb Fiber Arts Denver native Kate Wright was seeking a quieter, more affordable city with clean air and a tight-knit community—so in 2017, she moved to Ogallala, where she later opened Eccentric Lamb Fiber Arts. Now, she sells knitting accessories, teaches classes, and holds events for the town's creatives. Stop by to browse, or take a fiber art class in a unique type of fiber art, like Tunisian crochet or needle felting. The Tin Cactus is a boutique with clothing and accessories for women and children, or 'cactus cuties,' as the store calls them. The shop's selection is trendy and bohemian, featuring denim, knitwear, and plenty of florals. This small, old-school bookstore just downtown, is home to a range of both new and used books. Aside from the typical rotation of bestsellers and classics, Hoke's has a notable collection of graphic novels, children's books, religious works, and books authored by Nebraskans. Driftwood's hot honey fried chicken sandwich. A popular spot with locals, Open Range Grill is an unpretentious bar and grill serving up American classics like salads, fried chicken, and fried pickles. What they're really known for, though, is their grass-fed, local beef burgers and hearty portions—so make sure to come hungry. Driftwood, the buzziest spot in town, is a restaurant, bar, and arcade all in one. Visitors can enjoy their meals—including options like 'Lake Mac & Cheese,' the 'The Lonesome Dove' burger, and cuts of Nebraskan steak—alongside live music, house cocktails, and a wide selection of beers. For a morning pick-me-up or a midday meal, don't miss Slow Lane Coffee. The specialty drink menu changes weekly and features items like Dubai chocolate frappes and blueberry muffin lattes. Their lunch menu also rotates, so keep an eye on their Instagram or Facebook for updates. Wright also enjoys their 'wonderful' homemade pastries. Drinks at Second Chapter Brewing. Second Chapter Brewing isn't just a brewery—it's a community taproom and event space. Husband-and-wife owner duo Richard Gibson and Lisa Kraus repurposed Ogallala's old city library, but 'have really kept the story of the library alive,' according to Wright, who often holds 'sip and stitch' nights there. Head in to try a variety of beers, including seasonal and non-alcoholic options, all brewed in-house. A bald eagle flies over Lake McCounaghy at summer offers lake-friendly weather and annual attractions like the Keith County Fair, Ogallala Rodeo, and the Iron Horse Arts Festival, Ogallala is lively year-round. For nature lovers, winter provides the chance to glimpse majestic eagles soaring over the lakes from Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District's heated eagle-viewing facility—plus, Lake Ogallala will be prime for ice fishing, especially for trout. Fall brings walleye and bass close to shore in Lake McConaughy, along with the family-friendly Ogallala Indian Summer Rendezvous in September. A mural in Ogallala featuring cowboys and walleye. Ogallala is a popular summer destination for Coloradans, being just a three-hour drive from Denver. It's also a five-hour drive from Omaha, Nebraska's largest city. Travelers from afar can fly into Denver International Airport and either rent a car, or connect to the North Platte Regional Airport, then drive less than an hour to Ogallala. Once you're in Ogallala, a car is a must—while downtown may be walkable, Lake McConaughy is a 20-minute drive north.
Los Angeles Times
01-08-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Citing lives at risk, train workers urge Union Pacific to allow trail to stunning waterfall
About ten times each day, giant freight trains pass along a narrow section of track along the Sacramento River in far northern California where engineers on the locomotives regularly tense up with stress. 'Every single time, it's a near miss' of a train hitting a person, said Ryan Snow, the California State Chairman of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen. 'Multiple near misses, every single run. My nightmare is that a family that isn't paying attention gets hit.' This particular stretch of track, which wends north from the town of Dunsmuir, is a renegade route for hikers to one of northern California's most enchanting natural sights, Mossbrae Falls. Fed from glaciers on Mount Shasta, the water pours out of lava tubes and down mossy cliffs, forming a verdant and ethereal cascade into a calm, shaded swimming hole. It appears magical. It is also inaccessible —unless visitors trespass more than a mile on on the tracks or wade across the river. Accidents have happened. Two people have been struck by trains in the last few years (although both survived.) In May a Southern California woman drowned after trying to reach the falls via the river. But the tourists keep coming. Drawn by Instagram and Tiktok, increasing numbers of people have taken to visiting the falls — nearly 30,000 according to a city study, the majority of them by trespassing up the train tracks. For years, outdoor enthusiasts in and around Dunsmuir have pushed Union Pacific Railroad, which owns the tracks, to work with the city to create a safe, accessible, legal path. But the effort has been dogged by delays. This week, the train workers union decided to enter the fray, issuing a press release decrying the slow progress and calling on Union Pacific to do more to make the long-held dream of a trail a reality. 'Each month that goes by without a real construction timeline, lives are put at risk,' Snow said in a statement. The statement also accused Union Pacific of 'slow-walking' the project, saying railroad officials have called for meeting after meeting, but has never produced a right-of-way commitment or a clear construction timeline. Many engineers, Snow said, are frustrated and feel the delay 'unfairly endangers both railroad personnel and the public.' In a statement, Union Pacific said that the railroad had 'approved the concept of a trail into Mossbrae Falls years ago, and we have been working with the City of Dunsmuir and the Mount Shasta Trail Association to find solutions that address everyone's safety concerns.' Earlier this summer, Dunsmuir city officials held a 'summit' with Union Pacific officials to tour the falls and talk about the proposed trail connection. City officials said the summit, which included representatives from local elected officials offices as well as railroad officials from Omaha and Denver, marked 'a new milestone in the slow but steady process.' A city press release noted that 'key Union Pacific officials had the opportunity to see the falls for the first time, recognizing the importance of building public access to this beautiful natural resource.' But some longtime trail advocates said they were not convinced that the dream is any closer. John Harch, a retired surgeon with the Mount Shasta Trail Assn. and has been working with others for years on public access, said he still didn't see evidence of concrete progress. 'Here we sit, as before, while people risk their lives to see the falls,' he wrote in an email. Snow said he hopes the public can put pressure on the parties to make concrete progress. 'We've been lucky that we haven't had any fatalities caused by a trespasser strike,' he said. 'The worst thing an engineer can do is hit somebody. It's stressful.' Meanwhile, he said, the route is only becoming more popular. 'It's in hiking magazines, and on the internet everywhere. It's attracting more and more people.' He added: 'I can't blame them. It's beautiful.'
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Yahoo
Grand Canyon Lodge destroyed by wildfire: Here's what we know at the moment
Wildfires have destroyed a historic hotel in the Grand Canyon, as well as prompted evacuations and air quality concerns in the area, officials said on Sunday, July 13. The historic Grand Canyon Lodge on the North Rim was consumed by one of two wildfires that were burning about 30 miles apart to the north of the Grand Canyon. The fires had grown to over 45,000 acres by July 13, according to state and federal fire officials. The Grand Canyon Lodge opened in 1937 and was the only hotel located inside the national park at the North Rim. "The Dragon Bravo Fire on the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park exhibited extreme and volatile fire behavior the evening of July 12, resulting in a 500-acre expansion," park officials said in a social media post on July 13. "Fire managers have confirmed the loss of the Grand Canyon Lodge and numerous historic cabins in the developed area." Here's what we know about the wildfires and the damage they have caused so far. The original North Rim lodge was built in part for the Union Pacific Railroad, which quickly reestablished a cafeteria and recreation hall after the 1932 fire, according to the National Park Service. The new lodge sat on the foundation of the former and used many of the original's materials, but was scaled back in its design, removing a second story and observation tower that were part of the original, according to the park service. Architect Gilber Stanely Underwood followed National Park Service guidelines that required buildings to represent their environment. The lodge was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987, according to the National Park Service. Grand Canyon National Park officials said preliminary assessments indicated that "between 50 to 80 structures" have been lost, including park service administrative buildings and visitor facilities. No injuries or loss of life have been reported, park service officials said, and all staff and residents were successfully evacuated before the fire's escalation. The inner canyon, including Phantom Ranch, was closed, as were trails to the inner canyon, because a water treatment facility on the North Rim was damaged by fire and was leaking chlorine gas, park officials said. Chlorine gas is toxic and is heavier than air, meaning it could settle into the lower part of the canyon. Park officials said the gas leak prevented fire retardant from being dropped and forced firefighting personnel to evacuate. The North Rim will remain closed to all visitor access for the remainder of the 2025 season due to "continued active fire behavior and ongoing risks to personnel and infrastructure," park officials said July 13. Additionally, all inner canyon corridor trails, campgrounds, and associated areas are closed until further notice, including: North Kaibab Trail South Kaibab Trail Phantom Ranch Bright Angel Trail below Havasupai Gardens Park service officials said the fire is being managed with an "aggressive full suppression strategy." Officials said that fire managers began ordering retardant drops on the east side of the developed area, including the Roaring Springs drainage, as suppression efforts continue. Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Grand Canyon Lodge destroyed by volatile wildfire: What we know now
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Omaha elects first Black mayor, ousting Republican leadership of Nebraska's largest city
Omaha elected its first Black mayor, John Ewing Jr., ousting three-term Republican Mayor Jean Stothert in a race that is attracting attention far beyond city limits. Stothert conceded the race late Tuesday night, ending over a decade of Republican leadership in a blue-leaning area of an otherwise solidly red state of Nebraska. Though an officially nonpartisan race, the Democrat-Republican matchup took on heavily partisan tones at the tail end, acting as a possible bellwether for 2026 midterm elections. 'Tonight, we embark on a new chapter,' Ewing said in an acceptance speech Tuesday. 'I am deeply honored and humbled to stand before you today as your mayor-elect.' Stothert said in her concession speech Tuesday night she called Ewing to offer her congratulations. Ewing is Douglas County Treasurer and a former police officer, minister, and adjunct professor. He will become the first Black mayor of the state's largest city, which is home to nearly a quarter of all Nebraskans. Stothert was the first woman to lead Omaha upon her 2013 election to the office. In the last leg of the race, attacks between the two candidates deviated from concerns over traffic, crime, and other local policies to incorporate divisive national issues. Ewing criticized Stothert's support for President Donald Trump and turning the local race into a referendum on the national Republican platform. The Republican mayor responded with ads criticizing Ewing's for supporting transgender athletes and gender-affirming care for minors. More news: Trump announces 2 new holidays for WWI and WWII: Will you get those days off? The capital city itself is politically mixed, with more registered Democrats than Republicans. Several major national businesses operate out of Omaha, including Berkshire Hathaway and Union Pacific Railroad and TD Ameritrade. The city of Omaha and Douglas County make up the 2nd Congressional District, a small 'blue dot' on the map in a sea of red. It was an area of intense focus in the 2024 presidential election for this reason, giving Democrats a potential electoral vote in a predominately Republican state. Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Omaha, Nebraska mayoral election results: John Ewing Jr. elected
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Business
- USA Today
Omaha elects first Black mayor, ousting Republican leadership of Nebraska's largest city
Omaha elects first Black mayor, ousting Republican leadership of Nebraska's largest city Show Caption Hide Caption Disabled protesters removed from House committee hearing Disabled demonstrators protesting a Republican proposal to cut benefits were forced to leave a House committee hearing and arrested. Omaha elected its first Black mayor, John Ewing Jr., ousting three-term Republican Mayor Jean Stothert in a race that is attracting attention far beyond city limits. Stothert conceded the race late Tuesday night, ending over a decade of Republican leadership in a blue-leaning area of an otherwise solidly red state of Nebraska. Though an officially nonpartisan race, the Democrat-Republican matchup took on heavily partisan tones at the tail end, acting as a possible bellwether for 2026 midterm elections. 'Tonight, we embark on a new chapter,' Ewing said in an acceptance speech Tuesday. 'I am deeply honored and humbled to stand before you today as your mayor-elect.' Stothert said in her concession speech Tuesday night she called Ewing to offer her congratulations. Ewing is Douglas County Treasurer and a former police officer, minister, and adjunct professor. He will become the first Black mayor of the state's largest city, which is home to nearly a quarter of all Nebraskans. Stothert was the first woman to lead Omaha upon her 2013 election to the office. In the last leg of the race, attacks between the two candidates deviated from concerns over traffic, crime, and other local policies to incorporate divisive national issues. Ewing criticized Stothert's support for President Donald Trump and turning the local race into a referendum on the national Republican platform. The Republican mayor responded with ads criticizing Ewing's for supporting transgender athletes and gender-affirming care for minors. More news: Trump announces 2 new holidays for WWI and WWII: Will you get those days off? Political climate in Omaha The capital city itself is politically mixed, with more registered Democrats than Republicans. Several major national businesses operate out of Omaha, including Berkshire Hathaway and Union Pacific Railroad and TD Ameritrade. The city of Omaha and Douglas County make up the 2nd Congressional District, a small 'blue dot' on the map in a sea of red. It was an area of intense focus in the 2024 presidential election for this reason, giving Democrats a potential electoral vote in a predominately Republican state. Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@ and on X @KathrynPlmr.
