Trip Ideas

If You Have An Afternoon:

Length of Time: Half Day/Through Traveler/Local Explorer

Weather: Clear and sunny
Location: Valentine, NE

Things to do:

In Town:
Niobrara NSR Visitor Center -- 20 mins -1 hour

• Prairie River Home Film - 20 min
• Junior Ranger Program - 30 min

Cherry County Tourism Office -- 20 mins

Heading East on Highway 12:
Fort Niobrara NWR -- 20 mins - 2 hours

• Visitor Center - 20 mins
• Fort Falls Hiking Trail, 0.9 miles - 1 hour
• Wildlife Scenic Drive - 30 mins
• Upper Scenic Overlook - 15 mins

Smith Falls State Park – 1 hour – If traveling on Hwy 12

South on Highway 97 or Heading west on Highway 20:

• Merritt Reservoir – 45 mins – If traveling 97 or W Hwy 20

Heading East on Highway 20:

• Historical Bryan Bridge – 15 mins – If traveling Hwy 20/83
• Cowboy Trail Parking/Trailhead – 15 mins – If traveling Hwy 20/83

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Camping under the stars.

NPS/Argentine Productions

If You Have A Day:
Length of Time: One day, spring/summer/fall

Weather: clear and sunny
Location: Valentine, NE
Accommodations: Outfitters and Campground list, Hotels list, and Restaurants list.

Things to do:

Niobrara NSR Visitor Center - 20 mins - 1 hour

• Prairie River Home Film - 20 min
• Junior Ranger Program - 30 min

Fort Niobrara NWR -- 20 mins - 2 hours

• Visitor Center - 20 mins
• Fort Falls Hiking Trail, 0.9 miles - 1 hour
• Wildlife Scenic Drive - 30 mins
• Upper Scenic Overlook - 15 mins

Cherry County Tourism Office -- 20 mins

Float the Niobrara National Scenic River -- 3-4 hours

• Begin at Cornell Bridge on Fort Niobrara's NWR
• End at Smith Falls State Park
• Outfitters can provide tubes, kayaks, or canoes as well as drop offs and pick ups

Smith Falls State Park – +1 hour

• Smith Falls Hike, 0.25 mi – 30 mins
• Night Sky Gazing, see the Milky Way after dark on clear nights

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Visitors chilling in the river with an inflatable turtle.

NPS/ Bobby Rae Allen

Niobrara Family Weekend of Fun!
Length of Time: 2-3 days

Weather: clear and sunny
Location: Valentine, NE
Accommodations: Outfitters and Campground list, Hotels list, and Restaurants list.

Things to do:

In Town:

Niobrara NSR Visitor Center -- 1 hour

• Prairie River Home Film - 20 min
• Junior Ranger Program - 30 min

Cherry County Tourism Office -- 20 mins

Fredrick’s Peak Golf Course – 4 hours

On the Niobrara NSR:

Fort Niobrara NWR -- 20 mins - 2 hours

• Visitor Center - 20 mins
• Fort Falls Hiking Trail, 0.9 miles - 1 hour
• Wildlife Scenic Drive - 30 mins
• Upper Scenic Overlook - 15 mins

Day Float on the Niobrara NSR – 6-7 hours

• Fort Niobrara NWR to Smith Falls State Park

Outfitters can provide tubes, kayaks, or canoes as well as drop offs and pick ups

Smith Falls State Park – +1 hour

• Smith Falls Hike, 0.25 mi – 30 mins
• Star gazing, see the Milky Way after dark on clear nights

Berry Bridge Road Scenic Drive – 45 min

Historic Bridges along the Niobrara

Waterfalls on the Niobrara River (most are only accessible from the river)

Norden Chute – 2.5 hours

• Unique river formation, 1 hour drive east of Valentine
• Hiking at the Nature Conservancy
  

South East of Town:

Cowboy Trail – 10 mins – +1 hour

• Rails to Trails Conversion
• Go for a walk to the Cowboy Trail Bridge, 0.5 mi

Bryan Historic Architectural Bridge – 5 mins

Borman Bridge State Wildlife Management Area -- +1 hour

Valentine NWR – 2 hours

• Visitor Center – 15 mins
• “Lake or wildlife area or scenic drive”
  

South West of Town:

Merritt Reservoir, 35 mile lake – 5+ hours

• Swimming and Lake Recreation
• Star Gazing and Milky Way sightings

Snake Falls – 1 hour

• West of town on the way to Merritt on Highway 97
  

Prairie Club Golf Course – 4-8 hours

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