Niobrara National Scenic River is a national scenic river run by the National Park Service in Nebraska.
In the park service’s words
With a little something for everyone, the Niobrara National Scenic River is a destination for crossing adventures off your bucket list. Most popular for river recreation, you can float the Niobrara River on a canoe, tube, or kayak as a beginner and have a blast. Hiking, biking, and wildlife watching keep our visitors busy. Oh! And we haven't even told you about the waterfalls yet.
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Things to do
- Bike the Cowboy Trail: The Cowboy Trail is a hiking and biking trail created from the historic bed of the railroad track that passed through Valentine, NE, and the Sandhills. Many hikers and bikers covet the views of the Niobrara National Scenic River from the 148 foot historic bridge, not far from Valentine.
- Float the Niobrara River (1 to 8 Hours): Experience the beauty of the Niobrara National Scenic River up close and personal by floating the gentle waters through six ecosystems, past waterfalls, and under historic bridges. A gem in the Sandhills of the Great Plains.
- Shoot Winter Photography at Fort Falls: See the Niobrara River in the light of a winter lens. Photographers can find winter scenery, natural phenomena's, wildlife, canyons, waterfalls, and the perfect angles for those golden hour photos in many places along the Niobrara River, but Fort Falls is one of our favorites.
- Hike to Fort Falls (20 to 60 Minutes): This scenic 1.0 mile hike highlights the 45-foot-tall Fort Falls and the shores of the Niobrara National Scenic River on the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. With free parking, this hike can be shortened to few the Fort Falls and the River's Banks in less than 0.25 miles.
Fees and hours
Entrance fee: No entrance fee.
Hours: Open 24 hours, every day. Most of the river itself is open 24 hours a day, with the exception of the river that flows through Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. The river in that stretch is open from sunrise to sunset. Please use caution: because the NPS does not own the land, different sites and private businesses have their own hours. Please ensure that you are following individual landowner regulations when you launch, take out, or visit individual areas.
Getting there
Most visitors start their trip in the city of Valentine, Nebraska. Valentine is 76 miles south of I-90 (Murdo, SD Exit) on Hwy 83; or 130 miles north of I-80 (North Platte, NE Exit) on Hwy 83. The nearest major airports are in Rapid City, SD (220 miles); Denver, CO (391 miles); and Omaha, NE (300 miles)
| Airport | City | Drive to the park | Straight-line miles | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierre Regional Airport (PIR) | Pierre, SD | No road route | 111 | Regional |
| North Platte Regional Airport Lee Bird Field (LBF) | North Platte, NE | No road route | 122 | Regional |
| Kearney Regional Airport (EAR) | Kearney, NE | No road route | 150 | Regional |
| Eppley Airfield (OMA) | Omaha, NE | No road route | 231 | Large hub |
Drive times run from the airport to Zion Canyon Visitor Center, estimated with OSRM routing on OpenStreetMap roads at normal speeds; allow extra for traffic, stops and construction.
Miles are straight-line distances.
Visitor centers
- Niobrara National Scenic River Visitor Center: Daily, 8:30AM - 4:30PM. The Niobrara National Scenic River Visitor Center is a perfect way to begin your trip to explore the Niobrara. Exhibits, a twenty minute film, and park rangers will all help you plan your visit and discover why the Niobrara is so special. Summer is our busiest season (On Season), between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Off Season runs (September to May) and has fewer crowds and traffic on the river.
Weather
Summer (June-August): highs - low 80s to low 100s; lows - 50s to 60s, with occasional thunderstorms and associated strong winds. Moderate dry winds are common in the summer. 8.3" is average summer rainfall. Winter (November-April): Average highs 20-30s, average lows 0-10s with 5.5"/month average snowfall. Spring (April/May) and Fall (September/October) have cooler temperatures: average highs 60-70s, average lows 30-40s with 7.3" average rain/snowfall.
From the National Park Service (public domain).
Know before you go
Drones are banned at almost every park site, and you may not take rocks, plants or artifacts. Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6 feet where they are allowed. Bring no firewood from home.
Nearby
The nearest national park is Badlands, about 146 miles away in a straight line.
Sources
Last checked 1 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is there an entrance fee at Niobrara National Scenic River?
No entrance fee.
Where is Niobrara National Scenic River?
In Nebraska. The closest airport with scheduled flights is Pierre Regional Airport, about 111 miles away.
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