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Niobrara State Park
Situated
at the confluence of the Niobrara and Missouri rivers on Nebraska's
northeastern border, Niobrara State Park offers visitors an opportunity
to sample a wide range of outdoor experiences. Cabins, camping from
RVs to tents, picnicking, swimming, boat ramps, horseback trail
rides, hiking, fishing, history or communing with Mother Nature...
it all awaits at this exceptional state park.
Modern
facilities, including cabins, are open from mid-April through mid-November,
while activities like the swimming pool and trail rides operate
from Memorial weekend through Labor Day. Park grounds are open year-round
for picnicking, hiking, sightseeing, and primitive camping.
Visitors
are urged to practice safety at all times. Parts of the park are
situated on high bluffs that can be hazardous for the unwary and
the careless.
Niobrara's
19 modern housekeeping cabins sit high on the bluffs, offering a
commanding view of the breathtaking expanse of bluffs, cliffs and
river. There are 12 two-bedroom units, and seven 3 bedroom units.
Bedding, towels, cooking utensils, and tableware are provided. Cabins
have kitchenettes, complete with a small stove and refrigerator;
a screened back porch, and a patio with picnic table and grill.
A group
lodge is available for conferences, retreats, family reunions and
the like. Situated on a ridge overlooking the Missouri River, it,
too, offers a spectacular view of the vicinity. The lodge has a
well-equipped kitchen and rest rooms and accommodates up to 110
people.
Reservations
for all lodging may be made up to a year in advance. Reservations
and costs, check the Reservation and Fee Information pamphlet for
Nebraska's state park areas.
CAMPING
and PICNICKING
The
modern RV campground has 69 pads, all with 30 amp electrical hookups.
Other facilities include drinking water, modern rest rooms, showers,
dump station, picnic tables and grills. A handicap fishing bridge
spans the Niobrara on the northern section of the park which offers
excellent catfishing. Playground equipment for the youngsters is
also available in the campground.
The
tent camping area extends along three miles of extremely hilly,
winding, one-way road. Grills and ground-level fire rings are provided
for renters. Many sites are situated on elevated hills adjacent
to the Niobrara River. Cedar trees abound in the tent camping area,
interspersed with groups of elm, hackberry and ash. Backpackers
will also find Adirondack shelters here.
Grills
and picnic sites are located at various points along the one-way
loop. One picnic shelter situated on the highest hill in the park,
gives a spectacular view of the surrounding countryside.
A large
population of white-tailed deer call the park home, and wild turkeys
roam freely through the cabin and tent camping areas. Beaver, muskrat
and mink prowl the river banks, and the varied bird life ranges
from the majestic eagle to the tiny chickadee. The song of the whippoorwill
blends with the call of the coyote in a nighttime serenade.
For
the wildlife enthusiast, Niobrara offers ample photo opportunities
or just the chance to observe the many species native to the area.
Nature's bounty is readily visible during a drive along the park's
seven miles of roads or a stroll along the ten miles of hiking trails.
ACTIVITIES
Niobrara
State Park offers a modern swimming pool; horseback trail rides,
led by wranglers; fishing in the old park lagoon and in nearby rivers;
hiking the 14 miles of trail; bird watching and other nature study,
or just a chance to loll in the shade away from the hectic pace
of day-to-day living. Saturday evenings, Memorial Day through Labor
Day, Niobrara State Park hosts a Buffalo Cookout. Adults price is
$6.00/person and children 14 and under are $4.00/person for all
you can eat food and fun!
Hours
at the pool are 1-6 p.m. daily. A lifeguard is always on duty. Season
pool passes are also available.
The
park maintains three boat access areas to the Missouri River at
the old Niobrara townsite. The Verdel site is 8 miles upstream with
toilets available. Ferry Landing is located 2 miles downstream close
to Standing Bear Bridge.
The
J. Alan Cramer Interpretive Center offers not only an exceptional
view of the park, but it also highlights people and places that
played key roles in the history of the area, including the story
of the Ponca Indians.
Adjacent
to the park is Bazile Creek Wildlife Management Area. which provides
additional opportunity of wildlife viewing, fishing , boating and
hunting in season.
Visitors
may want to check out the site of the mosasaurus palentological
find, an important one, since it was the first complete fossil of
its kind found in Nebraska.
Other
areas of interest are the Ponca Cemetery, Mormon Monument, and the
Ponca Agency and Standing Bear monument, as well as other local
historical attractions. Ask for directions at the Park Office.
The
City of Niobrara offers a modern 9-hole, grass-greens golf course.
NIOBRARA
STATE PARK
PO Box 226
Niobrara, NE 68760
Phone: 402-857-3373
(all
photos courtesy of Nebraska Games and Parks Commission)
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