2018-12-19 00:41:55
LANDSCAPES WITH ACTUAL FEATURES!
This is the end of the trail for Nebraska’s reputation as a flat, boring place. Gazillions of amazing trails, hundreds of miles, thousands of things to see. You better get started.
SCOTTS BLUFF NATIONAL MONUMENT, GERING
5 OUTDOOR WONDERLANDS
1 Toadstool Geologic Park
Harrison
This park is prime for hiking, yet it’s a terrain you’ve likely never encountered: Hikers describe it using words like “surreal” and “moonscape.” You’ll see what they’re getting at when you follow trails past large rocks supported only by thin columns of dirt, round stones sanded smooth by time and canyons pitted in strange patterns by the forces of nature. In the evening and early morning, the sun bathes the creamcolored rocks in a peachy-pink glow. Hikers share the trails with geologists, who study Toadstool’s bands of sediment for clues about earth’s history, and paleontologists, who study fossils of longgone tortoises and mammals. Pitch a tent, bring your camper or visit for the day. Toadstool is open year ’round and worth a visit—the landscape says it all.
2 Platte River State Park
Louisville
By day, chase woodland trails where gentle streams cascade over rock pathways. Climb two observation towers for Instagram-worthy views of the tree canopy and the wide, blue Platte River basin. This landscape is so magical, in fact, you may not want to leave at the end of the day. Lucky for you, Platte River State Park offers glamping cabins with all the amenities of home, so book one to extend your stay. You may be surprised, and certainly a little spoiled, checking in: Surrounded by the seclusion of the forest, the cabins are brandnew with modern design, and feature a spacious bathroom, kitchenette and dreamy bed. A stone firepit completes the rustic charm. Pro tip: Roll the bed out onto your private deck to sleep beneath the starry, moonlit sky.
3 Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area
Ogallala
With nearly 35,000 acres of water and 100 miles of shoreline, Nebraska’s largest reservoir always saves a place for you. The waters are cool, clear and deep—ideal for summertime swimming. No trip to Lake McConaughy is complete without fishing. Local game fish species include walleye, channel catfish, Northern pike, wiper and white bass. Bring your own boat or rent one for the day. If the fish aren’t biting, catch some sun on the white-sand beach. Want to make a weekend (or even a week) of it? Reserve a primitive or modern campsite in one of 12 designated areas, many of which line the lake’s sandy shore. Don’t worry if you forget some essentials—onsite concessions offer dining options, snacks, bait and more, making this a getaway almost too good to leave.
4 Niobrara National Scenic River
Valentine
From the Niobrara National Scenic River Visitor Center, you’re about 15 miles from one of the river’s most sought-after features: Snake River Falls. One of Nebraska’s most spectacular natural displays, these springfed falls cascade over layers of rocks, pouring fast and sending up sprays of mist. Hike down woodland trails that lead to the base of the falls, deep in a canyon. While you’re in the area, don’t pass up the chance to canoe local waterways. Area outfitters can provide you with everything you need for a peaceful paddle along the sandstone cliffs of the Niobrara. And while summer is a popular time to explore the river, don’t discount fall or spring for fiery foliage and colorful blooms.
5 Cowboy Trail
Norfolk to Valentine
Stretching over the American outback is the longest rails-to-trails conversion project in the U.S. Known as the Cowboy Trail, it cuts a bold path that is at once tranquil and energizing. In total, the trail spans 192 miles, tracing the abandoned Chicago and North Western Railway corridor. Bikers, hikers and other adventurers make the experience meet their needs, whether that’s a family excursion, a grueling long-distance push or an evening stroll through the wide-open spaces of Nebraska. However, the gentle curves and elevation of the now-paved railroad tracks are especially popular with cyclists. No matter your mode of transport, slow down for stunning views of rivers, valleys, prairies and woods along any of the trail’s 221 bridges.
WATCHABLE WILDLIFE
Where, when and how to spot Nebraska’s wild things
From feathery cranes to woolly bison, you can check a variety of species off your “watchable wildlife” list in Nebraska. What makes the state such a prime spot? Our mix of prairies and pine forests, grasslands and wetlands—created by some 23,000 miles of rivers and streams. Before we dish on where and when to look, let’s cover the how: best practices for watching wildlife.
Above all, remember the trifecta: silence, patience and distance. Put another way, the best sightings come to those who don’t mind waiting quietly from a safe distance. If you’re too close, animals are likely to stop acting naturally out of fear. So, watch an animal’s behavior. If it’s engaged in normal activity—feeding, for example—you’re likely at a safe distance.
P.S. Binoculars rock. They allow you to maintain a safe distance while enjoying the very best views. A pair of all-purpose binoculars, power and dimensions 7 x 35, will do.
SANDHILL CRANE
Where: Annually in March, the world’s largest gathering of sandhill cranes occurs along an 80-mile stretch of the Platte River. The Crane Trust in Wood River and lain Nicolson Audubon Center at Rowe Sanctuary in Gibbon are prime spots for viewing and even taking tours.
When: Sunrise and sunset throughout March
Tip: Be prepared for the action to happen all at once. The cranes take off for flight just as the sun rises and return to their roosts right before sunset.
BISON
Where: Some 350 bison roam freely at the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge in Valentine. Bison are herd animals, so you can anticipate seeing them in packs.
When: Early summer to view newborn calves; late summer for displays of male dominance that mark mating season
Tip: Bring binoculars— bison often congregate away from the refuge’s roads in meadows.
BIGHORN SHEEP
Where: Spot bighorn sheep in the Cedar Canyons Wildlife Management Area near Gering, the pine forests and badlands of Chadron State Park’s Black Hills Overlook Trail in Chadron or on the pinnacles of Fort Robinson State Park west of Crawford.
When: Spring and early summer to view newborn lambs; late November and early December to witness rutting rams
Tip: Sheep are social animals. If you spot one, there are likely others in the area.
WILD TURKEY
Where: While they frequent harvested fields, the highest concentration of wild turkeys can be found along the Missouri River at Ponca State Park in Ponca.
When: March through the end of May to watch toms strut in an attempt to court hens; fall and winter for observing large flocks
Tip: You’ll likely hear wild turkeys before you see them—the sound of their gobble can travel up to a mile!
ELK
Where: Head to Pine Ridge National Recreation Area south of Chadron to eye for elk. They’re known to feed on grasses near the edge of the meadow and forest.
When: September through October for mating season, when you may catch bulls fighting and “bugling,” a way of sounding off for dominance
Tip: Nebraska’s elk population is small but mighty, and the majestic animals may be the most elusive in the state. Any sighting is a treasure.
BALD EAGLE
Where: Visit Lake McConaughy’s heated viewing facility just below Kingsley Dam in Ogallala. Or, hike the 3.1-mile trail at Indian Cave State Park in Shubert. Eagles have been spotted where the trail passes the Missouri River.
When: January
Tip: Nests are commonly found along waterways, especially where the forest meets the water.
SEASONAL SUGGESTIONS
Winter
When the temperature drops, snow sports will keep you toasty. Warm up at Schramm Park State Recreation Area, a winter wonderland in Gretna. Cross-country skiing along the frozen Platte River seems to magnify the peace of this wilderness. Need skis? The University of Nebraska Outdoor Adventure Center in Lincoln rents all the gear you need.
Or, experience the classic winter pastime of ice-fishing. Shuffle your gear out to Swanson Reservoir State Recreation Area in Trenton and drop a line. Early mornings are best for landing the lake’s prized white bass and enjoying the hush of winter.
Spring
Grab your binoculars and look to the sky for some of the best birding in the country. Observe white pelicans at the Harlan County Reservoir near Alma and don’t miss the annual sandhill crane migration. With so many species to check off your list, Calamus Outfitters’ general birding tours, operating out of Burwell, can help.
Every spring, an elusive fowl puts on a show you have to see: Striped in brown and white with bright dollops of yellow, orange and red along their eyes and necks, male prairie chickens stomp the ground, erect pinnae feathers, jump and boom out a trademark call. Join Prairie Chicken Tours in McCook to witness the ritual.
Summer
Warm weather means watersports. Drop an anchor and cast a line at Johnson Lake State Recreation Area in Elwood for some of the best fishing around. The water’s also fine for fishing, kayaking and swimming at Two Rivers State Recreation Area in Waterloo—and you can stay overnight in one of 10 Union Pacific cabooses refurbished as cabins.
At Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area in Crofton, the view is all sunshine, skiers and sailboats— Nebraska’s second largest reservoir provides access to the Missouri River and seemingly endless recreation. During your visit, walk out onto the jetties of Lewis and Clark’s Weigand-Burbach section to discover excellent fishing, then retire to a cabin overlooking the scenic lake and bluffs.
Fall
Cooling temperatures and changing leaves signal that it’s time for a hunt. Go for big game including antelope, whitetail deer and mule deer in the grasslands of Nebraska National Forest at Halsey. Set your sights on deer, prairie grouse, pheasants, doves, coyotes, ducks, geese and coots among the rolling prairies and meadows of Valentine National Wildlife Refuge in Valentine. And take advantage of the amenities at Branched Oak State Recreation Area in Raymond: After hunting nearby, you can camp, fish, grill out, practice archery and replenish your supplies onsite. At any site, always check in with a ranger first for a map of designated public hunting lands.
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