WILDCAT HILLS SRA - Nebraska State Park

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NGPCnews
October 26, 2009

Wildcat Hills SRA & Big Game Reserve encompass 761 acres of rugged rock buttes & pine-covered canyons, 10 miles S of Gering. It is also home to an extraordinary Nature-Visitor Center. The picnic a...

Wildcat Hills SRA & Big Game Reserve encompass 761 acres of rugged rock buttes & pine-covered canyons, 10 miles S of Gering. It is also home to an extraordinary Nature-Visitor Center.

The picnic area and game reserve were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Ad ministration (WPA) during the Depression era . Nearly all of the buildings and facilities on the area, with the exception of the new nature center, are built of native stone, quarried nearby. Wood for roofs, bridges and benches came from logs cut on the area. 3 stone shelters are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The larger group shelter has fireplaces in each end and can accommodate about 40 people comfortably. The two smaller shelters each have a picnic table and fireplace and are ideal for family outings. Picnic tables and fire grates are scattered throughout the area, and drinking water is available. Vault toilets are provided at two sites.

In October 1995 The new Wilcat Hills Nature Center was opened. The center's split-level design takes advantage of the hilltop location with little intrusion on the scenic site, and the building's windows are deeply tinted so visitors can closely observe birds and other wildlife coming from the forest to use feeders and plantings along the building's north side. Windows and observation decks extending along the building's north and east sides overlook the pine forest and the North Platte Valley and Scotts Bluff National Monument.

A reception and display room feature a 27-foot-tall artificial ponderosa pine tree extending from the center's lower level up through an opening to the ceiling of the top floor. The artificial tree holds a continually changing assortment of life-size mounts of species that live on or in the, Wildcat Hills forest, and a self-guided audio program will provide additional information about the display.

The center's classroom has computer modem hookups, an interactive bird identification computer system, a large screen monitor and a videocassette player. The center's classroom can accommodate about 60 students.

There is an interactive computer display featuring endangered species and neotropical birds. Many of the 350 species of neotropical birds, species that winter in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America, migrate through Nebraska. Using the computer's touch screen, visitors can learn about individual species and view maps of their migration routes extending as far south as the southern tip of South America. The computer's sound system reproduces the songs of birds common to Nebraska. The lower level also includes a live bee colony.

Primitive camping is allowed on several grassed parking areas and at smaller, near-level sites along the interior trail roads. The "summit" access road is not accessible for large RVs, vehicles towing larger camping trailers or boat trailers, since the turnaround is extremely sharp. That road entrance is well-marked. A playground with swings, teeter-totter and merry-go-round is located below several picnic sites on the east access road.

Hiking is a popular year-round activity. The primary trail is located below the large shelterhouse and is accessible to hikers of all ages and abilities. However, some of the side trails have steep grades. Lowlanders should bear in mind that elevations in the Hills" approach 5,000 feet in some areas and the altitude can affect breathing and stamina. Foot bridges, a rain shelter and add to the hiker's enjoyment. The interior access roads and part benches along the way of the foot trails provide excellent opportunities for crosscountry skiing when snow conditions are right.

The 310-acre game reserve holds a small herd of buffalo, elk and sometimes longhorn cattle. Visitors are not permitted within the fenced reserve. The best opportunity to view the bison and elk occurs during the early morning and evening hours along the boundary fence. The number of animals kept on the reserve is limited by grass conditions, and some may be moved to other locations from time to time to maintain herd quality. The Wildcat Hills buffalo herd provided the start for the bison now raised at Fort Robinson State Park. The game reserve is also home to a variety of other wildlife, including wild turkey, deer, bobcat and coyote.

Category: Education

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