Nebraska Official State Travel Guide - The Official 2025 Not-At-All What You Thought State Travel Guide
OUTDOORS
2024-11-05 11:51:56
FLAT AND BORING?
YEAH, RIGHT!
When you think of Nebraska, we betcha think of the vast farmlands and prairies of the Great Plains. You’re not wrong. But, oh, there’s so much more to explore and discover here. We’ve got badlands, towering rock formations and nearly 80,000 miles of river for you to discover.
NORTHWEST
The Nebraska panhandle is home to towering bluffs, the forested Pine Ridge and otherworldly badlands. In Gering, hike your way to panoramic prairie views from Scotts Bluff National Monument and Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area. Farther north, within the Oglala National Grasslands, hunt for fossil deposits in the Toadstool Geologic Park badlands near Crawford. The Nebraska National Forest Pine Ridge District offers Pine Ridge hiking, biking, horseback riding and camping near Chadron.
SANDHILLS
A National Natural Landmark, north-central Nebraska’s Sandhills are the largest region of grass-stabilized sand dunes in the world. Kayakers, tubers and canoers navigate the Niobrara National Scenic River near Valentine. Add camping to your adventure at nearby Smith Falls State Park, home to Nebraska’s tallest waterfall. Love wildlife? Discover the diverse species that call the Sandhills home at Valentine National Wildlife Refuge. Mix hunting, fishing, archery and camping at Long Pine State Recreation Area in Long Pine.
NORTHEAST
The Missouri River shapes east and northeast Nebraska. Boat, fish and camp along the nation’s longest river at Tekamah’s Pelican Point State Recreation Area. Enjoy a day on Nebraska’s second-largest reservoir at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area in Crofton. Fremont Lakes State Recreation Area features 20 sandpit lakes. Or take to the Platte River with Woody’s Airboat Tours in Fremont. Take it all in when you traverse the Cowboy Trail, a 321-mile rail trail running from Norfolk to Chadron.
METRO
Don’t let the Metro vibe fool you: This area is full of outdoor experiences. With hiking trails, picnic spots, an accessible boardwalk, the Raptor Woodland Refuge trails and zip lines of TreeRush Adventures, Bellevue’s Fontenelle Forest is your outdoor escape minutes from Omaha. In-city, check out The RiverFront, where Gene Leahy Mall, Lewis & Clark Landing and Heartland of America Park create a must-see downtown park experience. Escape to Gretna to birdwatch, hike and feed fish at Schramm Park State Recreation Area.
SOUTHEAST
The Mighty Missouri, prairies, wetlands, the capital city: Welcome to Southeast Nebraska! The Homestead Act of 1862 granted 270 million acres to pioneers and settlers. Learn more at the Homestead National Historical Park in Beatrice. Explore the tallgrass prairie at Denton’s Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center. See Native American petroglyphs at Indian Cave State Park, just off the Missouri River in Shubert. In Lincoln, hike the tallgrass prairie, woodland and wetland habitats of Pioneers Park Nature Center.
SOUTH CENTRAL
Ready to see quintessential Nebraska? The Kearney Water Trail invites you to drop a kayak or canoe into Turkey Creek. Choose Cambridge’s Medicine Creek State Recreation Area for lakefront cabins, swimming, fishing and boating. Every spring, the great Sandhill Crane Migration brings nearly one million sandhill cranes to the Central Platte River Valley. Join the flock at Crane Trust Nature Center in Wood River and Rowe Sanctuary in Gibbon. In Red Cloud, the never-plowed Willa Cather Memorial Prairie is ideal for sky-viewing — picnics and birding, too.
SOUTHWEST
Wide-open spaces and lake escapes await in Southwest Nebraska. Brady is a haven for mountain bikers. Ride through 1,200 acres of native grasses, hills, tree groves and canyons along the 100-mile Potter’s Pasture Mountain Bike Trail. McCook’s Red Willow Reservoir State Recreation Area is a favorite among water lovers, anglers, hunters and campers. Boating, swimming, water skiing and relaxing on sandy beaches are just a few options at Ogallala’s Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area; the neighboring Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area is prime for paddling and fishing, too.
CAMP YOUR WAY
PRIMITIVE CAMPING
Two Rivers State Recreation Area in Waterloo offers a variety of camping opportunities, including dozens of primitive campsites. Elm Creek’s Sandy Channel State Recreation Area features primitive sites for a camping/fishing combo.
RECREATIONAL VEHICLE CAMPING
Go for a lakeside RV camping adventure at Marsland’s Box Butte Reservoir State Recreation Area. For the perfect Sandhills camping destination, consider Valentine’s Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area, the state’s first International Dark Sky Park.
EQUESTRIAN CAMPING
Fairbury’s Rock Creek Station State Recreation Area offers horse corrals and six miles of riding trails. In Crawford, campsites blend with horse pens and 20 miles of trails at Fort Robinson State Park.
GLAMPING
Reserve a fully furnished cabin equipped with Wi-Fi, fireplace, gas grill and full kitchen at Ponca State Park in Ponca. With a variety of cabins, camp and glamp your way at Louisville’s Platte River State Park.
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OUTDOORS
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