Trip Ideas

 

If You Have An Afternoon

Length of Time: Half Day/Through Traveler/Local Explorer
Weather: Clear and sunny
Location: Valentine, NE


Things to do

In Town:

Niobrara NSR Visitor Center -- 20 mins -1 hour:

  • Prairie River Home Film - 20 min
  • Junior Ranger Program - 30 min

Cherry County Tourism Office -- 20 mins

Heading East on Highway 12:

Fort Niobrara NWR -- 20 mins - 2 hours:

  • Visitor Center - 20 mins
  • Fort Falls Hiking Trail, 0.9 miles - 1 hour
  • Wildlife Scenic Drive - 30 mins
  • Upper Scenic Overlook - 15 mins

Smith Falls State Park – 1 hour – If traveling on Hwy 12

South on Highway 97 or Heading west on Highway 20:

  • Merritt Reservoir – 45 mins – If traveling 97 or W Hwy 20

Heading East on Highway 20:

  • Historical Bryan Bridge – 15 mins – If traveling Hwy 20/83
  • Cowboy Trail Parking/Trailhead – 15 mins – If traveling Hwy 20/83

 
Tent on river bank under a blanket of stars.
Camping under the stars.

NPS/Argentine Productions

If You Have A Day

Length of Time: One day, spring/summer/fall
Weather: clear and sunny
Location: Valentine, NE
Accommodations: Outfitters and Campground list, Hotels list, and Restaurants list.


Things To Do

Niobrara NSR Visitor Center - 20 mins - 1 hour:

  • Prairie River Home Film - 20 min
  • Junior Ranger Program - 30 min

Fort Niobrara NWR -- 20 mins - 2 hours:

  • Visitor Center - 20 mins
  • Fort Falls Hiking Trail, 0.9 miles - 1 hour
  • Wildlife Scenic Drive - 30 mins
  • Upper Scenic Overlook - 15 mins

Cherry County Tourism Office -- 20 mins

Float the Niobrara National Scenic River -- 3-4 hours:

  • Begin at Cornell Bridge on Fort Niobrara's NWR
  • End at Smith Falls State Park
  • Outfitters can provide tubes, kayaks, or canoes as well as drop offs and pick ups

Smith Falls State Park – +1 hour:

  • Smith Falls Hike, 0.25 mi – 30 mins
  • Night Sky Gazing, see the Milky Way after dark on clear nights

 
Three people setting in the shallows with an inflatable turtle.
Visitors chilling in the river with an inflatable turtle.

NPS/ Bobby Rae Allen

Niobrara Family Weekend of Fun!

Weather: clear and sunny
Location: Valentine, NE
Accommodations: Outfitters and Campground list, Hotels list, and Restaurants list.


Things to do
Length of Time: 2-3 days

In Town:

Niobrara NSR Visitor Center -- 1 hour:

  • Prairie River Home Film - 20 min
  • Junior Ranger Program - 30 min

Cherry County Tourism Office -- 20 mins

Fredrick’s Peak Golf Course – 4 hours

On the Niobrara NSR:

Fort Niobrara NWR -- 20 mins - 2 hours:

  • Visitor Center - 20 mins
  • Fort Falls Hiking Trail, 0.9 miles - 1 hour
  • Wildlife Scenic Drive - 30 mins
  • Upper Scenic Overlook - 15 mins

Day Float on the Niobrara NSR – 6-7 hours:

  • Fort Niobrara NWR to Smith Falls State Park
  • Outfitters can provide tubes, kayaks, or canoes as well as drop offs and pick ups

Smith Falls State Park – +1 hour:

  • Smith Falls Hike, 0.25 mi – 30 mins
  • Star gazing, see the Milky Way after dark on clear nights

Berry Bridge Road Scenic Drive – 45 min

Historic Bridges along the Niobrara

Waterfalls on the Niobrara River (most are only accessible from the river)

Norden Chute – 2.5 hours:

  • Unique river formation, 1 hour drive east of Valentine
  • Hiking at the Nature Conservancy

South East of Town:

Cowboy Trail – 10 mins – +1 hour:

  • Rails to Trails Conversion
  • Go for a walk to the Cowboy Trail Bridge, 0.5 mi

Bryan Historic Architectural Bridge – 5 mins

Borman Bridge State Wildlife Management Area -- +1 hour

Valentine NWR – 2 hours:

  • Visitor Center – 15 mins
  • “Lake or wildlife area or scenic drive”

South West of Town:

Merritt Reservoir, 35 mile lake – 5+ hours:

  • Swimming and Lake Recreation
  • Star Gazing and Milky Way sightings

Snake Falls – 1 hour:

  • West of town on the way to Merritt on Highway 97

Prairie Club Golf Course – 4-8 hours



Last updated: September 23, 2024

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

214 W US Highway 20
Valentine, NE 69201

Phone:

402 376-1901

Contact Us