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Niobrara National Scenic River

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»Activities
This 76-mile reach of the Niobrara River in northcentral Nebraska was added to the nation's Wild and Scenic River System in 1991 to showcase a stellar example of a Great Plains river and preserve a unique ecological crossroads where six distinct ecosystems, some at or beyond their normal geographic limit, mix. The western third of the Scenic River is home to some ninety waterfalls, highest among them being Fort Falls and Smith Falls that topple more than seventy-five feet from a Sand Hills ledge to the valley floor. The Niobrara Valley is also a remarkable cultural landscape dotted with historic resources and small ranches and farms that have been locally owned for generations. The upper reach of the designated river is labeled one of the nation's premier canoeing rivers and is enjoyed by tens of thousands annually. Portions flow through a Federally designated wilderness.


Contact Information

Headquarters
P.O. Box 591
O'Neill, NE 68763
(402) 336-3970 - Headquarters
(402) 376-1901 - Ranger Station


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Weather

Summer temperatures vary from the 70s to 90s, with occasional thunderstorms. Canoeing and sightseeing in the spring and fall are popular and pleasant on frequent warm days.


Activities

Here are some of the activities that are offered at Mount Rainier National Park.
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  • Auto Touring
  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Hiking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Swimming
  • Wilderness Area
  • Wildlife Viewing
  • Bird Watching
  • Nature Walks
  • Stargazing
  • Kayaking

Recommended Activities
Canoeing the Niobrara and exploring its diverse flora, fauna, and waterfalls are the leading recreational activities on the Scenic River. The designated reach passes through the Fort Niobrara Refuge, showcasing a Federally designated wilderness and unique herds of bison, elk, and longhorn cattle, all visible on a self-guided driving tour. The canoeable reach also passes the Niobrara Valley Preserve, owned and operated by The Nature Conservancy and showcasing prairieland and bison management. Camping, hiking, and sightseeing are popular at Smith Falls State Park.


 
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Find Hiking and Biking Trails
If you like to go hiking or biking, then don't forget to get a map and guidebook. Trails.com offers a great service that allows unlimited downloads of trail guides for a small monthly fee. They even have a 14 day free trial. Whether you are looking for day hikes, backpacking trails, mountain bike routes or just short nature stroll, they cover it all. So let Trails.com help plan your next outing.
RV Information
Are you planning on traveling with your RV? If you are, you should check out the Good Sam Club. The Good Sam Club offers discounts on camping, a free magazine subscription and great tips on traveling with your RV. You can also get a free no-obligation RV Insurance quote . Give them a look and enjoy your trip.
Gear Up For Your Trip
Once you have finished deciding where to go, it will be time to gear up. A great place for adventure travel gear is The National Geographic Store. They have all types of maps and guides to help finalize your vacation plans.