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Wilderness

  • The Nebraska National Forests and Grasslands has one wilderness area and two recommended wilderness areas.
  • Congress designates wilderness areas in accordance with the Wilderness Act of 1964. Wilderness areas exist in lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the Park Service, and the Forest Service. Each agency manages wilderness differently.
  • The Wilderness Act allows grazing if established prior to designation of new wildernesses. Therefore, you may see domestic cattle in the Soldier Creek Wilder­ness while hiking or horseback riding-please do not disturb them.

Soldier Creek Wilderness

A small valley with scattered trees and a few snags in the Soldier Creek Wilderness.

Indian Creek Recommended Wilderness Area

A vista of a grassland with a hardwood tree in the foreground.

Red Shirt Recommended Wilderness Area

A picturesque valley surrounded by flat topped buttes with bright blue sky and white clouds.

Special Restrictions for Wilderness Areas

To preserve the wilderness experience and to reduce impacts on the land, these restrictions are in effect:

  1. Competitive contests, group demonstrations, cer­emonies, and similar events are not permitted.
  2. Recreational livestock are not allowed within 100 feet of streams except for watering and through travel.
  3. Certified weed-free forage products are required.
  4. Maximum party size within the wilderness is a combination of 25 people and recreational stock un­less with a special permit.
  5. Commercial outfitters and guides, with the neces­sary Forest Service permits, are limited to day-use only.
  6. Motorized equipment and equipment used for mechanical transport is prohibited. This includes the use of: motor vehicles, motorboats, motorized equipment, bicycles, hang gliders, wagons, carts, portage wheels, and the landing of aircraft including helicopters. Although camping and fishing are allowed with a proper permit, no roads or buildings are constructed and there is also no logging or mining, in compliance with the 1964 Wilderness Act. 

Last updated March 29th, 2025

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