2021 Map of Horseshoe Bend

About this map

Thunder Basin National Grassland encompasses much of this landscape in Niobrara County, where the Cheyenne River carves a winding path through the northern terrain. A prominent geographic feature, the Horse Shoe Bend, marks a sharp meander in the river's course, surrounded by a complex network of ephemeral drainages including Coyote Cr and the various branches of Snyder Cr. The map reveals a land defined by its ranching infrastructure and section lines, with Zerbst Rd and Landis Draw providing some of the few named landmarks across the open range. This 2021 survey illustrates the modern management of these public lands, highlighting the intersection of natural hydrology and established township boundaries in a high-plains environment where water sources and topographic depressions dictate the character of the country.