• The Niobrara National Scenic river comes alive with color in the fall.

    Niobrara

    National Scenic River Nebraska

Wildflowers

Indian blanket

Indian blanket

NPS photo

Wildflowers add to the inherent beauty of the Niobrara National Scenic River valley. Because the valley is known as a major biological crossroads in the midwest, wildflowers are abundant along the lowland and upland slopes. Spring branch canyons with cool north-facing slopes provide excellent habitat for several species of plants including verbena, aster, prairie coneflower, beggar-ticks, sneezeweed, and Nuttall's sunflower. In addition to these common species, the Scenic River is home to several threatened and endangered species.


Sensitive, Threatened, or Endangered Species
The following is a list of wildflower species that are considered sensitive, threatened, or endangered within the Niobrara River valley. Some species receive protection at both the state and federal levels. For additional information please contact Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Natural Heritage Database at (402) 471-5419.

Western prairie-fringed orchid (Platanthera praeclara): Threatened
Blowout penstemon (Penstemon haydenii): Endangered

Did You Know?

Fog rises above the Niobrara River near Valentine, NE

The Niobrara River is the longest river in Nebraska (its total length is 535 miles and it begins in Wyoming). A segment of the middle Niobrara has been designated by Congress as a Wild and Scenic River. More...