Last updated: February 8, 2021
Thing to Do
Float the Niobrara River
NPS Photo
Many of our summer visitors come to float the river for the day. Take your pick of canoe, kayak, or tube!
Floating times vary depending on which landings you put in and take out at. The most common route is from the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge's launch site to Brewer's Bridge. Both are Public Access landings.
Along this route, you will see the Fort Falls, Berry Falls, and Smith Falls, just three of our over 200 waterfalls on the Niobrara River!
If you have your own equipment, we can help you find the best put in and take out points, and if you do not have equipment, we have many local River Outfitters who operate shuttles and rent equipment.
Floating times vary depending on which landings you put in and take out at. The most common route is from the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge's launch site to Brewer's Bridge. Both are Public Access landings.
Along this route, you will see the Fort Falls, Berry Falls, and Smith Falls, just three of our over 200 waterfalls on the Niobrara River!
If you have your own equipment, we can help you find the best put in and take out points, and if you do not have equipment, we have many local River Outfitters who operate shuttles and rent equipment.
Details
Duration
1-8 Hours
Float duration varies based on which landings you plan to get in and out on. Floats can be as short as 20 minutes and up to 8:00 hours in a day, or you could float all 76 protected miles of river over 3 days!
For this example, from Fort Niobrara's Launch to Brewer Bridge, the float time is about four hours (4:00).
For this example, from Fort Niobrara's Launch to Brewer Bridge, the float time is about four hours (4:00).
Activity
Paddling
See the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge from a whole new perspective. Wildlife can be seen from the river along with an abundance of waterfalls, unique for the Midwest and Great Plains.
The Fort Niobrara Refuge protects the first 5.5 river miles and alcohol is not allowed on this section of the river. Many floaters either stop off at a concessioner after passing the refuge or start lower on the river, at Berry Bridge for example, to accommodate the Refuge's regulations.
Floating the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge is a treat because of the opportunities to see wildlife in their natural habitat and begin your river journey with a float through the canyons carved by the river.
The Fort Niobrara Refuge protects the first 5.5 river miles and alcohol is not allowed on this section of the river. Many floaters either stop off at a concessioner after passing the refuge or start lower on the river, at Berry Bridge for example, to accommodate the Refuge's regulations.
Floating the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge is a treat because of the opportunities to see wildlife in their natural habitat and begin your river journey with a float through the canyons carved by the river.
Age(s)
All ages, but minors must be with an adult parent or guardian.
By Nebraska State law, all children 12 years old and younger must WEAR a USCG approved life jacket to float the Niobrara River. Anyone over 12 years old must HAVE a life jacket in case of emergencies. If you are renting equipment, your outfitter will provide them.
By Nebraska State law, all children 12 years old and younger must WEAR a USCG approved life jacket to float the Niobrara River. Anyone over 12 years old must HAVE a life jacket in case of emergencies. If you are renting equipment, your outfitter will provide them.
Pets Allowed
Yes
Activity Fee
Yes
Public Access Launch/Land Locations:
- A $1.00 fee is charged at the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge Launch Site.
- A parking pass or Nebraska State Parks day/annual pass is required at Smith Falls State Park, to access the launch and landing sites. (If Smith Falls is just a pit-stop while you float and you are not pulling out there, just stopping to see the falls, then a pass is not required because you are not accessing the parking areas by vehicle.)
- Other public access launch/landing sites along the Niobrara National Scenic River do not require fees.
Private Launch/Landing Locations:
There are many privately owned launch and landing sites on the Niobrara NSR managed by those who own the land along the river. These can be accessed by working with our local River Outfitters to arrange launch and landing access, shuttles, equipment rentals, and pick-ups. Fees vary by ownership for these sites.
Location
Niobrara National Scenic River - Fort Niobrara Launch Site
There are many landings and launch sites for canoes, kayaks, and tubes on the Niobrara National Scenic River. Some are privately owned and some are open for public use. Consult our What to Know Before You Go guide for more information on public and private launches.
The Fort Niobrara Launch site, a public launch site at the beginning of the National Scenic River boundary, is located adjacent to the Cornell Bridge on the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, four miles East of Valentine, NE.
This launch site has public parking and vault toilets. There is a $1.00 fee for use.
The Fort Niobrara Launch site, a public launch site at the beginning of the National Scenic River boundary, is located adjacent to the Cornell Bridge on the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, four miles East of Valentine, NE.
This launch site has public parking and vault toilets. There is a $1.00 fee for use.
Reservations
No
Season
Spring, Summer, Fall
Time of Day
Day
Accessibility Information
Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge has one handicap accessible canoe, kayak, or tube launch. It is located on the North side of the Cornell Bridge on the way to the Burr Oak Picnic Area. It has its own parking lot. We recommend contacting the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge for more information about this launch site.
NOTE: There are no other designated handicap accessible canoe, kayak, or tube landings/launches further down river.
NOTE: There are no other designated handicap accessible canoe, kayak, or tube landings/launches further down river.
More to do on the Niobrara
Showing results 1-4 of 4
- Type: Biking
- Reservations: No
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Cowboy Trail, Valentine, NE
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk
The Cowboy Trail is a hiking and biking trail created from the historic bed of the railroad track that passed through Valentine, NE, and the Sandhills. Many hikers and bikers covet the views of the Niobrara National Scenic River from the 148 foot historic bridge, not far from Valentine.
- Niobrara National Scenic River
Float the Niobrara River
- Type: Paddling
- Duration: 1-8 Hours
- Reservations: No
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Niobrara National Scenic River - Fort Niobrara Launch Site
- Season: Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Day
Experience the beauty of the Niobrara National Scenic River up close and personal by floating the gentle waters through six ecosystems, past waterfalls, and under historic bridges. A gem in the Sandhills of the Great Plains.
- Niobrara National Scenic River
Shoot Winter Photography at Fort Falls
- Type: Arts and Culture
- Reservations: No
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Fort Falls
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
See the Niobrara River in the light of a winter lens. Photographers can find winter scenery, natural phenomena's, wildlife, canyons, waterfalls, and the perfect angles for those golden hour photos in many places along the Niobrara River, but Fort Falls is one of our favorites.
- Niobrara National Scenic River
Hike to Fort Falls
- Type: Hiking
- Duration: 20-60 Minutes
- Reservations: No
- Pets: Yes
- Location: Fort Falls Upper Trailhead
- Season: Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Time Of Day: Day, Dawn, Dusk
This scenic 1.0 mile hike highlights the 45-foot-tall Fort Falls and the shores of the Niobrara National Scenic River on the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. With free parking, this hike can be shortened to few the Fort Falls and the River's Banks in less than 0.25 miles.