HPF State HPs NE-Panorama Point

State Highpoints – Nebraska - 5,424-foot Panorama Point

Nebraska’s highest point and the 20th highest US state summit, 5,424-foot Panorama Point is located in southwest Nebraska. With only 29 feet of prominence, Panorama Point is an unranked point; it just happens to be the highest point in Nebraska. Even if it is unranked, Panorama Point carries another distincton. It is the closest State Summit to Denver, Colorado. Panorama Point is much closer to Denver than Colorado’s highpoint Mount Elbert. Thus, if you are in Denver, and desperate to reach a state highpoint, consider Panorama Point.

Road conditions permitting, you can drive to Panorama Point. Take exit 401 off of I-80 to Pine Bluffs, Wyoming, which is north of the Interstate. Turn north into Pine Bluffs, and turn right (east) onto 8th Street. Go 0.6 mile east on 8th Street to a T junction. Turn right (south) on Beech Street, and follow it under the interstate and up a hill, where Beach Street becomes renamed to Road 164. Follow Road 164 south for 9.7 miles, then turn left (east) onto Road 203 (good dirt), and follow Road 203 for 1.5 miles to an intersection. Go 2.0 miles east on Road 6, and turn right (south) onto Road 5. Go 2.0 miles south on Road 5, and turn right on a road that is signed for Panorama Point. Cross a cattle guard, and follow the Panorama Point Road for 1.2 miles to the highpoint marker. You can drive right to the marker, so just get out and pose for your summit photo. This highpoint is wheelchair accessible, but keep an eye open, since there may be bison grazing in the area. The highpoint is on private ranch land, so please respect the owners wishes if they have closed the road.

An Extra Credit spot that is near this highpoint, is the tri-state marker for Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska. It is a mile and a quarter west-southwest from the highpoint. This is a walkable distance, but unfortunately, there may be a huge bison fence that will stop you. You can drive around and reach the tri-state marker. Also the highpoint of the Nebraska state line is 0.4 mile south of the highpoint.

Nebraska – HPF projects on Panorama Point

2018 - Amount of HPF financial assistance: $10,900

The dirt lane leading to Panorama Point became rutted in inclement weather, and the landowners asked visitors to refrain from driving around the mud puddles. The Highpointers Foundation provided funds for several loads of gravel to help resolve this problem and this work is still in progress. In the summer of 2016, the Foundation commited to enabling the 1.2 mile access road to be completely bladed, and the dozen low spots filled with gravel and recycled crushed concrete. This should reduce the annual snow and mud closure days from over 40 to less than 10. In 2018, the road repairs were completed to the summit.

The Foundation also provided funds for several signs along the gravel county roads leading to the highpoint. These signs assist visitors in their travel to the highpoint and, for safety, warn of the bison herd in the area. The signage also indicates proper conservation of the access roads and asks visitors to respect the owner’s request for a nominal donation upon arrival. It is too dangerous for visitors to walk the last mile to Panorama Point if the bison herd is in the pasture near the highpoint, so the Foundation is working with the landowners to make improvements to the cattle guard encountered en route to Panorama Point. Bison can jump a single cattle guard, and a double cattle guard is needed. To completely resolve this issue, the Foundation is negotiating for a tall bison fence around the access road and the highpoint. In 2014, the Foundation placed a plaque and bench at Panorama Point. The bench faces southwest so vistors can enjoy the view of the distant mountains.

It takes a double-wide cattle guard to stop bison	The first mile of the road has been improved.
After a mile, the road turns north. Note the puddle.	The old sign at the turn. Note the bison.
The NE highpoint area with new gravel. The highpoint monument still needs work ->

	Lidy Van Schie on the NE summit area bench.