Nebraska Official State Travel Guide - The Official 2020 Not-At-All What You Thought State Travel Guide
OUTDOORS
2019-12-14 01:56:44
OUTDOORSY, WOODSY, PLAINSY, ROCKSY, ETC.-SY
Nebraska’s reputation as a flat, boring place does not withstand the eyeball test. We have hundreds of miles of amazing trails and thousands of things to see. So get out and see them.
“WE’RE ABOUT TO LAUNCH INTO A NARRATIVE ABOUT HOW LAKE MCCONAUGHY IS AMERICA’S BEST GREAT LAKE. —@KEVINKUGLER., TWITTER
WARM UP YOUR WINTER
Skate or fish on the ice // Indoor climbing to outdoor sledding // Dining and arts, too
A little winter weather won’t stop you from exploring Nebraska’s state parks. In fact, some of the state’s favorite parks offer exclusive winter activities to keep your adventure going year ’round. At Eugene T. Mahoney State Park near Ashland—about halfway between Omaha and Lincoln—check into the Activity Center. Kids and adults can scale the indoor climbing wall, then glide around the outdoor ice rink. All the gear you’ll need is available, so no need to pack your own. You’ll also find an indoor play space (complete with tubes, slides, net bridges and a ball pit), an arts-and-crafts center and courses for disc and miniature golf. But for classic winter fun, ask about toboggan runs behind the Activity Center and ice fishing on Eugene T. Mahoney’s Century Link Lake. (Note that all activities are weather dependent, so check with the park before you go.) After your day’s adventure, catch a melodrama or magic show at the park’s Denman and Mary Mallory Kountze Memorial Theater and enjoy dinner at Caddy’s Parkside Grill in the park lodge.
SKIPPING INTO SPRING LIKE . . .
Hunt, cast and camp // Pine Ridge and lake views // Epic fish tales
Spring in Nebraska brings sunshine, blooms and the sound of . . . gobbling? Yep! In fact, Nebraska hosts some of the nation’s best turkey hunting, with prime opportunity and large swaths of public hunting lands in the northwest area of the state. Here, Nebraska’s picturesque Pine Ridge forms where lush, rolling hills give rise to stony buttes and towering pine boughs. Just make sure to get a turkey permit before you set out. Is fishing more your speed? There’s no need to wait until summer to start! Whether you like to stick to the shore or venture out on the boat, spring is the time to get out and start casting. The Salt Valley Lakes near Lincoln are hot spots for spring fishing every year, offering a range of camping amenities and the chance to easily move between lakes for new experiences. Or, visit Danish Alps State Recreation Area near Hubbard, where you can catch largemouth bass, bluegill, black crappie, channel catfish and walleye in well-stocked Kramper Reservoir.
FISH ON!
Pro Tip: Hook up your hunting, fishing or state park permit using Nebraska Game & Parks’ new permit website at ngpc-home.ne.gov.
SUMMER’S BETTER BY THE LAKE
2 state recreation areas // Sailing to scuba diving to sand-castle-building // Lakeside golf, eats and frozen treats
When the days heat up, head to Nebraska’s Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area in Keith County to enjoy all sorts of water-based recreation. Sailing, paddleboarding, fishing, jet skiing, swimming, windsurfing, beach volleyball, even scuba diving—you name it, we have it here at the state’s largest reservoir, which boasts nearly 35,000 acres of water and more than 100 miles of shoreline. Fish for world-class walleye, northern pike and wiper in Lake McConaughy, or angle for rainbow trout and yellow perch at neighboring Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area, where you can also kayak and canoe in calm waters. Wake up early for a morning of birding, or play a round or two at nearby Bayside Golf Course. Pack a picnic lunch or dine at a local lakeside restaurant, such as The Cove, HOOKS Lake Bar & Grill or the Marina Landing. Then grab an ice cream cone at the Lakefront Express near Martin Bay to cool off after an afternoon of sunbathing. When you’re ready to turn in for the night, camp along the water’s edge on the inviting white-sand beaches. A number of area events, like Kites and Castles, the sandcastle-building competition and kite festival held annually in July, offer fun for all ages throughout the summer.
OUTSIDE ALL FALL
2 state parks // Thrilling special events // Sandhills hunting
Nebraska takes on an irresistible glow in fall, and the pull of the outdoors is strong. Try kayaking, rock climbing, shooting sports and bow fishing—all for free—at the Missouri River Outdoor Expo, held each September in Ponca State Park (located in the town of the same name). Return in October for a month of Halloween-themed celebrations at Hallowfest, featuring haunted hayrack rides and pumpkin-rolling contests. Or, head to Haunted Hollow at Indian Cave State Park in Shubert, where you can carve jack-o’-lanterns and compete in the spooky campground-decorating contest. Grouse hunting is another fall favorite. The rolling Sandhills offer abundant populations of sharp-tailed grouse and greater prairie chicken, a challenging hunting experience like no other. You may also spot other upland species, such as pheasant and quail, for mixed-bag hunting opportunities.
Pro Tip: Want to hunt like a local? Nebraska outfitters will coordinate every detail of the hunting excursion for you.
YEAR ’ROUND FAVORITE: HIKING
3 trails // Miles of fun // Wildlife and wildflower views
In Nebraska, hiking trails call year ’round, offering activities and views that change with each season. Chief Standing Bear Trail in the Blue River Valley is owned by the Ponca Tribe. Enjoy walking and biking during the warmer months and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Trooper Trail in Soldier Creek Wilderness is beautiful anytime, but winter and early spring are best for spotting bald eagles. The wilderness is also home to elk, deer, turkeys, coyotes, bobcats and hawks. Black Hills Overlook Trail at Chadron State Park in Chadron winds through canyons and meadows, with scenic views of the Pine Ridge and Black Hills. Spring wildflowers and fall foliage add pops of color.
EXPERT ADVICE
The ideas throughout this section of the guide were shared by Nebraska Game & Parks. As steward of the state’s fish, wildlife and 76 state parks and recreation areas, Game & Parks’ recommendations are your direct line to Nebraska outdoor adventure.
BIKE THESE TRAILS
Scouting top trails to ride? Nebraska’s terrain gives you ample options. Louisville’s Platte River State Park is in the process of adding five miles of purpose-built mountain biking trails for all skill levels on the park’s east side, joining an already beloved trail system.
Chadron State Park in Chadron offers miles of mountain biking trails in a uniquely Nebraskan landscape. Check out Northwest Nebraska Trails Association’s trail guide for information.
5 WAYS TO FUN ON THE WATER
With the legendary Missouri and Platte Rivers, the Niobrara National Scenic River and more than two dozen natural and man-made lakes, Nebraska invites you to jump in!
- GO CANOEING
Canoe down the Missouri National Recreational River and gain a new appreciation for the land of Lewis and Clark.
- TRY FLY FISHING
Experience the beauty of nature and the zen of fly fishing on Long Pine Creek (access via Long Pine State Recreation Area in northern Nebraska).
- MAYBE TRY KAYAK FISHING
There’s no better place than Island Lake at Ellsworth’s Crescent Lake National Wildlife Refuge, where delicate sand dunes are protected.
- REALLY: ANY KIND OF FISHING
In the heart of the Sandhills near Valentine, fish for bluegill, crappie, muskellunge and other sportfish at Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area.
- SWIM, SPLASH AND SLIDE
In Louisville, discover Louisville State Recreation Area’s new floating playground, an inflatable obstacle course atop a sand-bottom lake.
Pro Tip: You can’t do summer in Nebraska without tanking, the laziest, zaniest way to float a river. Local outfitters will hook you up with your vessel: a livestock tank!
©Nebraska. View All Articles.
OUTDOORS
https://digital.milespartnership.com/article/OUTDOORS/3555844/640807/article.html