Niobrara National Scenic River


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.

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)

  • Astronomy
  • Stargazing
  • Biking
  • Camping
  • Fishing
  • Guided Tours
  • Hiking
  • Hunting and Gathering
  • Hunting
  • Paddling
  • Canoeing
  • Kayaking
  • Stand Up Paddleboarding
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Tubing
  • River Tubing
  • Wildlife Watching
  • Birdwatching
  • Park Film
  • Shopping
  • Bookstore and Park Store

  • Farming and Agriculture
  • Ranches
  • Forts
  • Animals
  • Birds
  • Bison
  • Elk
  • Forests and Woodlands
  • Coniferous Forests
  • Deciduous Forests
  • Fossils and Paleontology
  • Geology
  • Groundwater
  • Aquifers
  • Freshwater Springs
  • Grasslands
  • Prairies
  • Night Sky
  • River and Riparian
  • Scenic Views
  • Unique Species
  • Waterfalls

Berry Falls along the Niobrara NSR.

A beautiful, if short, waterfall empties into the side of the Niobrara NSR.

Berry Falls is one of over 200 waterfalls that visitors may see along the Niobrara National Scenic River's bluffs.

Taking photos along the Niobrara NSR

A man takes a photo of a meandering river from an overlook.

Parts of the river are shallow and meandering, making beautiful backdrops for people to take photographs.

Fall colors along the Niobrara NSR

Yellows, oranges, and greens dominate the fall colors along the Niobrara NSR.

Autumn is a perfect time to enjoy the beauty of the Niobrara National Scenic River, from the river or the banks.

Canoeing the Niobrara NSR

Two people in one canoe paddle along the bluffs of the Niobrara NSR.

The Niobrara is a peaceful place to paddle during the week.

Relaxing canoeing on the Niobrara NSR

A view from a canoe, with the photographer's feet resting on the bow, of the Niobrara NSR.

Much of the Niobrara National Scenic River is easy paddling, suitable for novice canoers.

Egelhoffs Rapids on the Niobrara NSR

A paddler in a canoe goes through Class II Rapids on the Niobrara NSR.

An experienced canoer takes on the Class II Egelhoffs Rapids along the Niobrara National Scenic River.

Tubers congregate at Smith Falls State Park

Many people on tubes float down the Niobrara.

On Saturdays, the Niobrara National Scenic River is a great place to meet hundreds of other tubers.