https://www.nps.gov/niob News releases from Niobrara National Scenic River. en-us https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/niobrara-nsr-issues-call-for-art-for-35th-anniversary-open-show.htm Mon, 09 Mar 2026 12:38:00 EST Niobrara National Scenic River is inviting artists to submit original works for an open art show commemorating the river’s 35th anniversary in May 2026. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/niobrara-nsr-issues-call-for-art-for-35th-anniversary-open-show.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/women-s-history-at-niobrara-national-scenic-river.htm Thu, 11 Sep 2025 20:00:00 EST Nancy B. Johnson, independent scholar, Humanities Nebraska, is scheduled to present the program “Myths of Women’s Madness on the Plains,” on September 25, 2025, at 6:00 pm CDT at the Niobrara National Scenic River Visitor Center. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/women-s-history-at-niobrara-national-scenic-river.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/national-park-rangers-to-assist-unl-with-niobrara-river-cleanup-on-national-public-lands-day.htm Thu, 11 Sep 2025 20:00:00 EST National Park Rangers from Niobrara National Scenic River will join the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Outdoor Adventures Program for a river cleanup event on Saturday, Sept. 27, in honor of National Public Lands Day. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/national-park-rangers-to-assist-unl-with-niobrara-river-cleanup-on-national-public-lands-day.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/explore-the-night-sky.htm Mon, 08 Sep 2025 09:52:00 EST The Niobrara National Scenic River, in collaboration with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nature Conservancy, is excited to announce a series of enchanting night sky events this fall. These events offer a unique opportunity to explore the wonders of the night sky and the fascinating nocturnal creatures that inhabit our region. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/explore-the-night-sky.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/niobrara-nsr-visitor-center-announces-off-season-hours.htm Thu, 04 Sep 2025 09:15:00 EST As fall approaches, the Niobrara National Scenic River Visitor Center will transition to its off-season schedule. Saturday, Sept. 20, will be the final weekend day the Visitor Center is open for the 2025 season. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/niobrara-nsr-visitor-center-announces-off-season-hours.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/guided-foraging-hike.htm Wed, 27 Aug 2025 09:40:00 EST Visitors to Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge are invited to join National Park Service Rangers and an American Conservation Corps Intern on a new guided foraging program which explores the edible, medicinal, and culturally significant plants that thrive along the Fort Falls Trail, Saturday September 6, 2025. The program will be offered at 10:00 a.m. and again at 2:00 p.m. Central Time. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/guided-foraging-hike.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/voices-of-the-niobrara.htm Tue, 26 Aug 2025 20:00:00 EST National Park Service rangers at the Niobrara National Scenic River announce the upcoming Voices of the Niobrara Speaker Series, a month-long event celebrating the rich history and diverse voices of the Niobrara River Valley. This series will feature presentations from indigenous leaders, historians, and local ranchers, offering a unique opportunity for community dialogue and education. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/voices-of-the-niobrara.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/celebrate-the-nebraska-star-party.htm Tue, 15 Jul 2025 09:32:00 EST Niobrara National Scenic River is thrilled to announce the participation of renowned storyteller and musician Chris Sayre during the upcoming Nebraska Star Party on July 24, 2025. Sayre will deliver two captivating presentations at the Niobrara National Scenic River Visitor Center, scheduled for 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/celebrate-the-nebraska-star-party.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/fossil-discovery-program.htm Tue, 15 Jul 2025 09:26:00 EST Join Shane Tucker, Nebraska’s Highway Paleontologist, at the Niobrara National Scenic River Visitor Center in Valentine, Nebraska, for a thrilling program on August 1! Did you know that some of the fossils found in Nebraska are over 300 million years old? Dive into the remarkable fossil heritage of Nebraska and the Niobrara River corridor at this exciting event! https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/fossil-discovery-program.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/niobrara-nsr-2024-vc-winter-hours.htm Wed, 28 Aug 2024 12:26:00 EST News release stating the change of visitor center hours for Niobrara National Scenic River's Visitor Center. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/niobrara-nsr-2024-vc-winter-hours.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/2024-niobrara-tourism.htm Tue, 27 Aug 2024 12:14:00 EST A new National Park Service report shows that 80,000 visitors to Niobrara National Scenic River in 2023 spent $8 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 111 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $9.4 million. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/2024-niobrara-tourism.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/nature-creations-candy-waterfalls.htm Mon, 01 Feb 2021 11:23:00 EST February 19, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. CST, kids are invited to join Ranger Bobbie in making a candy waterfall and learning more about waterfalls on the Niobrara National Scenic River Facebook page through this free-virtual STEM activity. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/nature-creations-candy-waterfalls.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/nature-creations-mammoth-sized-event.htm Tue, 05 Jan 2021 05:37:00 EST Nature Creations kids craft and STEM activities events continue into January 2021. This month's Niobrara River theme is Mammoths! Join Ranger Bobbie in making a milk-jug mammoth and exploring the prehistoric mammals of the Niobrara. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/nature-creations-mammoth-sized-event.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/nature-creations-live-event.htm Mon, 16 Nov 2020 10:53:00 EST Nature Creations brings the unique qualities of the Niobrara National Scenic River into your own living room. These free, virtually led activities bring winter on the Niobrara River to life with simple, easy-to-do activities using household materials in new interactive ways. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/nature-creations-live-event.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/2020-09-08.htm Tue, 08 Sep 2020 08:20:00 EST Enjoy some quiet near the river and write your thoughts about the Niobrara River. The Niobrara National Scenic River is joining with the Nebraska and National Writing Projects to celebrate National Public Lands Day with a writing marathon, Write the River, on September 25-26, 2020 from 7 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Smith Falls State Park. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/2020-09-08.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/niobrara-national-scenic-river-visitor-center-opened.htm Wed, 27 May 2020 06:28:00 EST Following guidance from the White House, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local public health authorities, Niobrara National Scenic River is increasing recreational access and opening the visitor center in Valentine, Nebraska. The National Park Service (NPS) is working servicewide with federal, state, and local public health authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and using a phased approach to increase access on a park-by-park basis. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/niobrara-national-scenic-river-visitor-center-opened.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/celebrate-nebraska-water-with-speakers-and-activities-during-the-splash-water-symposium.htm Thu, 19 Jul 2018 11:13:00 EST Speakers from the local area and across the state will help celebrate Nebraska water on Saturday, July 28th, during the Splash! Water Symposium. The event will be held at Mid-Plains Community College from noon until 3:00 p.m. Sponsored by the Niobrara National Scenic River (NSR) and Humanities Nebraska, Splash! will feature programs covering the wide range of impacts water has on our daily lives for both adults and children. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/celebrate-nebraska-water-with-speakers-and-activities-during-the-splash-water-symposium.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/water-ways-exhibition-opens-saturday-june-23rd.htm Thu, 14 Jun 2018 11:29:00 EST Water/Ways, a traveling exhibition from Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street program, will be on display at the Niobrara National Scenic River (NSR) Visitor Center from Saturday, June 23rd until August 3rd, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/water-ways-exhibition-opens-saturday-june-23rd.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/smithsonian-traveling-exhibition-exploring-water-s-environmental-and-cultural-impact-coming-to-valentine.htm Mon, 04 Jun 2018 11:04:00 EST From above, Earth appears as a water planet with more than 71 percent of its surface covered with this vital resource for life. Water impacts climate, agriculture, transportation, industry and more. It inspires art and music. The Niobrara National Scenic River (NSR), in cooperation with Humanities Nebraska, will examine water as an environmental necessity and an important cultural element as it hosts “Water/Ways,” a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MoMS) program. “Water/Ways” will be on view at the Niobrara NSR Visitor Center from June 23 through August 3rd, 2018. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/smithsonian-traveling-exhibition-exploring-water-s-environmental-and-cultural-impact-coming-to-valentine.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/outdoor-family-fun-day-cancelled-for-2018.htm Thu, 19 Apr 2018 06:12:00 EST Outdoor Family Fun Day, scheduled for Saturday, April 21, 2018, has been cancelled due to poor predicted weather and conditions. It will not be rescheduled this year, but look for the event again next April. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/outdoor-family-fun-day-cancelled-for-2018.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/9th-outdoor-family-fun-day-features-water-wildlife-and-wonder.htm Wed, 11 Apr 2018 04:25:00 EST The Niobrara National Scenic River (NSR) invites all young explorers, curious water users, and future outdoor enthusiasts to the 9th annual Outdoor Family Fun Day. This event offers a variety of activities for kids of all ages, and will be held at Smith Falls State Park on Saturday, April 21st, 2018, from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/9th-outdoor-family-fun-day-features-water-wildlife-and-wonder.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/kids-craft-day-at-the-niobrara-nsr-visitor-center.htm Tue, 21 Nov 2017 06:19:00 EST Join in the fun on Saturday, December 2, 2017 as children of all ages make their own holiday gifts at the Niobrara National Scenic River Visitor Center. Activities will be ongoing between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Materials are provided free of charge. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/kids-craft-day-at-the-niobrara-nsr-visitor-center.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/superintendent-float.htm Wed, 17 Aug 2016 11:49:00 EST On Thursday, August 25th, at 5:00 p.m., join Niobrara National Scenic River (NSR) Superintendent Stephen Thede for a guided canoe float from Smith Falls State Park to Brewer Bridge. Canoes will be provided free of charge by the Niobrara Council, though individuals are welcome to bring their own canoe or kayak. Reservations are required and space is limited. Individuals will need to arrange their own transportation back to Smith Falls State Park; carpooling is encouraged. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/superintendent-float.htm https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/public-input-sought-on-the-scoping-document-for-a-nationwide-multi-unit-wildland-fire-management-plan.htm Wed, 27 Jan 2016 04:55:00 EST The National Park Service wants to know your thoughts about a proposed Multi-Unit Fire Management Plan described in the Scoping Document. Comments can be expressed as concerns, thoughts, and suggestions (such as for a new alternative) for the proposed use of mechanical treatments and prescribed fire and wildfire management actions described in the Scoping Document. https://www.nps.gov/niob/learn/news/public-input-sought-on-the-scoping-document-for-a-nationwide-multi-unit-wildland-fire-management-plan.htm