Scottsbluff (population ~14,436) is a friendly, small city built around dramatic sandstone bluffs, with excellent hiking, riverfront trails and a lively local scene—Scotts Bluff National Monument and nearby parks make weekend outdoor escapes and community events easy, so multi‑week contracts feel more like mini‑getaways than being stuck.
Gering sits directly adjacent, and within about 50–55 miles you’ve got Alliance (~53 miles) and Pine Bluffs, WY (~52 miles) for extra dining, services and weekend options.