• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Nebraska Birding Guide logo, a sandhill crane in front of a yellow sky

Nebraska Birding Guide

Nebraska Birding Guide

  • Home
  • Top birding sites
    • Explore map
    • Ecological regions
  • Notable birds
  • Peak opportunities
  • Resources
The reconstructed East Ranch at Rock Creek Station State Historical Park in Jefferson County was a stop on the Oregon Trail and a Pony Express Station in the mid-1800s.

Rock Creek Station State Historical Park

This state historical park is comprised of 393 acres of prairie hilltops, timber-studded creek bottoms, and rugged ravines. Over 6 miles of trails offer outstanding birding opportunities. Listen for Barred Owls calling in the woods, Louisiana Waterthrush along the creek, and Bell’s Vireo in the shrubs. The prairies host a variety of grassland species like the Grasshopper Sparrows, Dickcissels, and Lark Sparrows. Along the banks of the creek, watch for the acrobatic Northern Rough-winged Swallows foraging over the water. In the mid-1800s, the site was a stop along the Oregon-California Trail and a Pony Express Station. Visitors to the park can view reconstructed road ranches and deep wagon ruts along the historic trail.

Trail head at Rock Creek Station State Recreation Area.
Trail head at Rock Creek Station State Historical Park.

Where to go in the park

Begin at the signboard west of the Visitor Center parking lot, and follow the Natural Legacy Demonstration Site trail to the West Ranch. Along the trail are several educational signs about the wildlife and conservation management occurring at this site. From the historic wagon displays, you can cross the bridge to the East Ranch and longer hiking trails or you can loop back up to the Visitor Center. This trail offers great opportunities to see prairie, woodland, and wetland species, such as Dickcissel, Summer Tanager, and Louisiana Waterthrush during the spring migration and summer months. Stop by the visitor center for trail maps, historic exhibit, and to view hummingbirds at the feeders.

Visit Rock Creek Station State Historical Park
Barred Owl

Site’s notable birds

  • Louisiana Waterthrush
  • Summer Tanager
  • Barred Owl

Birds recently observed

  • View on eBird
Common birds
  • Turkey Vulture
  • Rose-breasted Grosbeak
  • Dickcissel
  • Brown Thrasher

Field checklist

  • Download printable list

Birdability

  • View accessibility details
Address

57426 710th Rd, Fairbury, NE 68352

Coordinates

(40.113457, -97.060644

Amenities

Visitor Center, Bathrooms, Picnic Area, Hiking Trails, Campground

Fee

State park entry permit

Contact

(402) 729-5777

Ecological region

Tallgrass prairie

Nearby community

Fairbury

Navigation

  • Home
  • Top birding sites
    • Explore map
    • Ecological regions
  • Notable birds
  • Peak opportunities
  • Resources

Find us

Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

2200 N. 33rd St.
Lincoln, NE 68503

Social

Find more watchable wildlife opportunities on our social.

  • Facebook

Copyright © 2025 · Nebraska Birding Guide · All Rights Reserved · All images copyrighted by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Powered by Mai Theme

Return to top