Last updated: February 17, 2021
Place
Highway 7 Landing
NPS Photo
Quick Facts
Location:
North of Bassett, NE
Significance:
Public River Access
Designation:
Public Launch/Landing
Amenities
2 listed
Canoe/Kayak/Small Boat Launch, Parking - Auto
The Highway 7 bridge landing is open and free to the public year-round. It is located North of the town of Bassett, Nebraska, where Highway 7 crosses the Niobrara National Scenic River. The landing is located on the down-river side of the North end of the bridge.
The Niobrara River is very braided in this section and the deepest channel can be hard to locate for floaters. Many floaters have to get in and out of their vessels to find the proper channel and continue their float.
The landing at Highway 7 is not maintained very often, but is usable for the floating season as both a launch and landing. Paddlers can park their vehicles at a small parkinglot near the bridge for their convenience.
Primitive camping is available at Fred Thomas State Wildlife Management Area on the South side of the river after the bridge. It’s tricky getting a vessel up the hill on that side but if you have multiple people, getting the vessels up into the tree line is much easier. Please note that open campfires are not allowed at Fred Thoms SWMA.
The Niobrara River is very braided in this section and the deepest channel can be hard to locate for floaters. Many floaters have to get in and out of their vessels to find the proper channel and continue their float.
The landing at Highway 7 is not maintained very often, but is usable for the floating season as both a launch and landing. Paddlers can park their vehicles at a small parkinglot near the bridge for their convenience.
Primitive camping is available at Fred Thomas State Wildlife Management Area on the South side of the river after the bridge. It’s tricky getting a vessel up the hill on that side but if you have multiple people, getting the vessels up into the tree line is much easier. Please note that open campfires are not allowed at Fred Thoms SWMA.