Smith Falls State Park
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
At 63 feet, Smith Falls is the tallest waterfall in all of Nebraska and it’s also the centerpiece of Smith Falls State Park. Smith Falls State Park is an incredible Nebraska park, and is a popular destination for campers, as well as canoers, kayakers, tubers and others who visit the area to experience the beautiful Niobrara River, a National Scenic River. Not only is the land home to the beautiful falls, it is also an area of biological significance where several ice age species can still be found. Smith Falls State Park is located at 90165 Smith Falls Road Valentine, Nebraska. For more information, click here.
Fort Robinson State Park
Steve Schlueter Photography
Stunning Fort Robinson State Park comprises more than 22,000 acres of exquisite Pine Ridge scenery, compelling Old West history, exceptional lodging, scenic camping and the park’s own buffalo and longhorn herds. Fort Robinson is a particularly popular destination for family reunions and has been named one of the nation’s top family reunion spots by USA Today, among other publications. Fort Robinson Park is a popular location for hiking, biking, fishing, swimming, and horse back riding. Fort Robinson State Park is located at Fort Robinson State Park 3200 Hwy. 20 Crawford, Nebraska. For more information, click here.
Indian Cave State Park
Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Named for the large sandstone cave within the park, Indian Cave State Park encompasses 3,052 rugged acres bordering the mighty Missouri River. The park is well known for its beautiful camping and picnicking spots, as well as for its 22 miles of scenic hiking and biking trails. The park boasts sweeping views of wide, winding Missouri river and a majestic hardwood forest that puts on a spectacular show of colors each autumn. Indian Cave is the main geologic feature of the area and bears prehistoric Native American petroglyphs of an unknown date and origin. They can be viewed from a wooden boardwalk extending the length of the cave wall. Indian Cave State Park is located at Indian Cave State Park 65296 720 Rd Shubert, Nebraska. For more information, click here.
Scott Bluff National Monument
Brian Poffenberger-NPS
Established in 1919 by Presidential Proclamations, Scotts Bluff National Monument preserves and protects over 3,000 acres of mixed-grass prairie, rugged badlands, towering bluffs, historic trail remnants and riparian area along the North Platte River. The bluff served as an important landmark for pioneers on the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer and Pony Express Trails. Visitors to Scotts Bluff National Monument can walk in the footsteps of pioneers on remnants of the Oregon Trail, drive to the top of the bluff via the Summit Road and stand in awe at the sight of the bluffs raising from the prairie. The park boasts over 100,000 annual visitors. Park grounds, trails and picnic area are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Scott Bluff National Monument is located at 190276 Old Oregon Trail Gering, Nebraska. For more information, click here.
Pine Ridge National Recreation Area
Tub’s Pub Photography
Nebraska’s Pine Ridge area is an escarpment on the edge of the high plains. It’s about 100 miles long across Nebraska, running through northern portions of Sioux, Dawes, and Sheridan counties. The Pine Ridge also extends into South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation, and to a lesser degree the north side of Wyoming’s Niobrara River watershed. Though the Pine Ridge looks like a narrow arc on the map, it’s distance across varies anywhere from 4 miles to 20 miles. Despite it’s rugged natural beauty and great hiking opportunities, the whole area is often overlooked due to the close proximity of the Rockies to the west in Wyoming, and the Black Hills to the north in South Dakota. The similarities between Nebraska’s Pine Ridge and Nebraska’s Wildcat Hills is striking. However, the Pine Ridge is significantly larger and has much more area open to the public. Enjoy 6,600 acres for semiprimitive recreation. No motorized vehicles. Mountain bikes permitted. Open year-round. Non-motorized, but many miles of popular mountain biking and horseback riding in an undiscovered part of Nebraska. Pine Ridge National Recreation Area is located at 125 N. Main St. Chadron, Nebraska. For more information, click here.