Homestead National Historical Park - National Park Directory

A historic cabin stands next to a concrete path that leads to a plow shaped visitor center

The Palmer Epard Cabin and Heritage Center at Sunset

An original one-room schoolhouse, the Freeman School preserves educational history and allows for visitors of all ages to walk into history.

The tallgrass prairie is yellow with goldenrod in full bloom.

The overlook from the picnic area at the Heritage Center showcases the beauty of the tallgrass prairie in late summer.

The tallgrass prairie spans to the Heritage Center on the horizon.

The oldest restored tallgrass prairie in the NPS spans to the Heritage Center.

The historic homestead cabin that can be found on the America the Beautiful Homestead Quarter, this cabin has been preserved in it's original condition for visitors to enter and see the inside of a historic structure.

Image of the Heritage Center building surrounded by prairie grass.

Thousands of visitors stop to view the oldest restored tallgrass prairie in the National Park Service from the Heritage Center back patio.

Image of a building taken from the parking lot at Homestead National Historical Park.

The Homestead Education Center holds historic farm implements from the vast archives and collections of the Park.

Photos: National Park Service

About Homestead National Historical Park

The Homestead Act of 1862 transformed the world. Millions were invited to file claims including families, women, immigrants, and formerly enslaved people. Over 10 percent of the United States was homesteaded! The land, long inhabited by indigenous cultures, changed forever. Homesteaders created settlements and farms, drove industrial advancement, and built our nation chasing the American Dream.

Plan a Visit

NPS DesignationNational Historical Park

Park State / Territory MembershipNebraska

Current Alerts0

Visitor Centers2

Campgrounds0

Things To Do9

Core visitor information on this page is sourced from the National Park Service. NPD proximity sections use NPS reference coordinates and straight-line distance. Local source bundle updated Sep 27, 2026. View the official NPS page.

Weather & Conditions

Homestead NHP's weather can vary quite a bit, even in a single day. In the summer, average daytime highs can exceed 80°F (27°C), only to drop 20 or more degrees when a thunderstorm rolls through. Winter lows fluctuate day to day and year to year, but average lows were measured…

NPS Reference Location

Park state / territory membership: Nebraska. This map uses the National Park Service reference coordinate. It may represent an administrative or reference point rather than a park entrance, trailhead, visitor center, or the nearest access point. Use the official NPS directions below when planning travel.

Operating Hours

Trails and park grounds are open from sunrise to sunset. Picnic areas are available at the Education Center and Heritage Center. There are a total of 3.0 miles of trails through the tallgrass prairie and woodland.

FridaySunrise to Sunset

MondaySunrise to Sunset

SaturdaySunrise to Sunset

SundaySunrise to Sunset

ThursdaySunrise to Sunset

TuesdaySunrise to Sunset

WednesdaySunrise to Sunset

Activities

Arts and CultureCompass and GPSGeocachingFoodPicnickingGuided ToursSelf-Guided Tours - WalkingHikingLiving HistoryJunior Ranger ProgramWildlife WatchingBirdwatchingPark FilmMuseum ExhibitsShopping

Getting There

The park is 4 miles west of Beatrice on State Highway 4. From the U.S. 77 and U.S. 136 intersection in downtown Beatrice take U.S. 136 approximately 1.2 miles west. Turn right onto Nebraska Highway 4 and follow the signs. After the road has curved west and you have traveled 4 miles, you will enter Homestead National Historical Park and see signs for the different buildings at the park.

View Official Directions

Contact & Address

The NPS-listed address may be an administrative office, visitor center, mailing/contact location, or other park facility rather than a park entrance.

NPS-Listed Address8523 West State Highway 4, Beatrice, NE, 68310

Phone4022233514

Emailhome_information@nps.gov

Topics & Themes

African American HeritageArtsBurial, Cemetery and GravesiteColonization and SettlementFarming and AgricultureIndustryImmigrationNative American HeritagePresidentsSchools and EducationScience, Technology and InnovationSocial MovementsCivil RightsWestward ExpansionHomesteadingAnimals

Things To Do

Walk Nature Trails at Homestead

Homestead National Historical Park offers over three miles of trails through the sweeping tallgrass prairie and quiet bur oak woodland for…

Earn your Junior Ranger Badge or Not-so Junior Ranger Pin

Any kid who visits has the chance to be a Homestead Junior Ranger. While visiting the park, stop at the…

Research Family History

Research the digitized homestead and genealogical records at Homestead National Historical Park.

Follow the Quilt Discovery Experience

Follow the trail to learn more about quilt making and the history of quilts and how they truly are documents…

Watch Land of Dreams Film

Watch the 23-minute film Land of Dreams: Homesteading America

Discover More at the Homestead Education Center

The Homestead Education Center provides you the opportunity further your knowledge about homesteading through hands-on arts and crafts, living history…