Fort Niobrara NWR Launch Site

Launch lane at Fort Niobrara's Public Launch

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Location:

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, Valentine, NE

Significance:

Public River Access

Designation:

Public Access Launch/Landing

MANAGED BY:

UFSWS

Amenities

7 listed

Accessible Sites, Canoe/Kayak/Small Boat Launch, Cellular Signal, Entrance Passes For Sale, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Auto, Restroom

Fort Niobrara's Public Canoe, Kayak, and Tube Launch is the first launch on the designated Niobrara National Scenic River and boasts public access for a fee of $1.00 per user. This is a popular launch site for many of our visitors. There is a parking lot on site and a handicap accessible canoe/kayak launch just down river.

In the summer the parking lot for this area can be busy, but there is additional parking across the river at the handicap access parking lot.

There are a number of staging and launch lanes at this landing and some of them are used by our local river outfitters, but the 6th or 7th lane is typically reserved for private floating parties. You can stage materials onshore while running your shuttle cars, but we ask that you be mindful and aware of other floating parties using this landing too.

Check out our What to know before you Float article series for more in depth information about floating this section of the river and planning your trip. Also, we recommend checking into the river regulations and rules for floating through the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge on their website.