Your 4 season, family fun, Nebraska Sandhills adventure awaits!
Arthur Bowring Ranch
The turn of the century Bowring Ranch is a cowboy’s, antique, and history lover’s dream located in Merriman, NE. Arthur and Eve Bowring preserved the dream of the pioneers who came out to settle the land and could find nothing to build their homes. They turned to what the Sandhills had in abundance...sod.
The real working ranch was donated by Eve after her husband Arthur passed away. It is now owned and operated by the Nebraska State Game and Parks Commission.
All the trimmings are at the ranch, including a replica soddie, the ranch home complete with crystal and silver service used for special dinners. There are also bone dishes, cloisonne’, cranberry glass, bohemian glass, RS Prussia, Flow Blue, Depression glass, Haviland china, and majolica to name a few.
No matter what time of year you visit the Bowring Ranch, leave yourself time to tour the entire park, including the out buildings, gardens, barn, bunkhouse, greenhouse as well as the Hereford cattle. The Visitor Center showcases ranching, homesteading, wildlife, and geology, as they relate to the Sandhills.
During the summer season - Memorial Day through Labor Day, the park is open from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. with tours given from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Off season, the ranch is open during the week, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sod House Sunday is held every June with fun, games, and rodeo events. Check the Schedule of Events for the date.
The Arthur Bowring Ranch is decorated for Christmas after December 1, with Christmas at the Bowring held on Saturday in December - another date to check on the Schedule of Events. You won't want to miss the fine beef dinner and excellent entertainment. Tickets are always limited, call 308-684-3428 to get yours. Last year Santa made an appearance....will he be here this year? Come and find out!
Tour times can vary, but run approximately two hours. You will need a park permit to enter the Bowring Ranch, located north off Highway 20, on Highway 61, one and a half miles north and two miles east of Merriman. Stop out and get a taste of a real working ranch in the Sandhills.
To contact the Bowring Ranch, call 308-684-3428. To find out more about the history of the Arthur Bowring Sandhills Ranch State Historical Park, go to: