Ponca State Park

Waterfall at Ponca State Park

"_KEM6295" by Katie Morrow is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Quick Facts

Location:

Lincoln, NE

MANAGED BY:

Nebraska Game & Parks Commission

Amenities

28 listed

Baby Changing Station, Boat Ramp, Captioned Media, Entrance Passes for Sale, First Aid Kit Available, Food/Drink - Snacks, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Grill, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Hitching Post/Corral, Information, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Information Kiosk/Bulletin Board, Parking - Auto, Parking - Boat Trailer, Picnic Shelter/Pavilion, Picnic Table, Playground, Restroom, Scenic View/Photo Spot, Sewage Dump Station - Boat/RV, Shelter/Cabin, Showers, Swimming Pool, Trailhead, Water - Drinking/Potable, Wheelchair Accessible, Wheelchairs Available

Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums

Visitor Centers (shown in orange), High Potential Historic Sites (shown in black), and Pivotal Places (shown in green) along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail

Located in northeastern Nebraska, Ponca State Park is one of Nebraska’s most visited state parks. It manages one of two unchannelized stretches of the Missouri National Recreation River. A popular destination for tourists and naturalists alike, the park boasts heavily forested hills, scenic vistas, wetlands, abundant wildlife, and a fascinating history.  

It was here along the banks of the Missouri River that Meriwether Lewis and William Clark traded with the local tribes, specifically the Ponca, to ensure their survival on the expedition westward in 1804. Years later, when the Ponca were forcibly removed from their land, Chief Standing Bear fought for all native peoples to be recognized under U.S. law as a “person,” appealing to the United States government for that right in 1879. 

Often known as the location “where people and nature meet,” the park offers a wide variety recreational opportunities. From birdwatching to archery to horseback riding, Ponca State Park has something for everyone. Children will particularly enjoy the swimming pool and playground, while adults might love a round of 9-hole golf on the Highland Oaks Public Golf Course. The park also offers many modern accommodations for outdoor enthusiasts, such as canoeing, kayaking, guided bird tours, and fishing.  

For more information, call [phone] or visit http://outdoornebraska.gov/ponca/.