Has 200 acres, mostly wooded, through which runs the Middle Verdigre Creek. Wildlife includes deer, dove, rabbit, squirrel and turkey.
To get there from town, go nine miles west, three miles south, then ½ mile west and ¼ mile south. | Verdigre, NE
A 120-acre nature preserve with exercise trails, native wildflowers and birds.
Located on the east edge of West Point, NE
Has 240 acres along the Elkhorn River. It is partly wooded – cottonwoods, mostly – and partly grass-covered.
Two miles west of town along River Road | Wisner, NE
A 380-acre area of steep wooded bluffs near the river.
From town it is five miles east, one mile north, and one mile west of Wynot on a county road. | Wynot, NE
The Visitor Center is open daily and has a great facility for birdwatching for the spring and fall migration route. Birdwatchers have identified more than 240 species of birds here; outdoor viewing platforms by the lake will get you closer to the action.
Located five miles east of Blair on Highway 30 | Blair, NE | 712-642-4121.
A 250-acre lake that borders South Dakota. Birdwatchers find gulls, waterfowl and other birds near the dam. Bald eagles are present during migration seasons. The wooded shore of Cottonwood Lake also offers good birding.
Crofton, NE
A restored three-mile river channel surrounded by 3,300 acres of grassland, woodland and wetlands. The area used to be an island of sand and sediments in the Missouri at the mouth of the Boyer River. The area has been planted with native grasses, trees and forbs to recreate an environment similar to that which was familiar to Native Americans and explorers such as Lewis and Clark. A great area for bird watching.
(To get there, go one mile east of Highway 75 at 7th and Madison Streets) 3720 Rivers Way| Fort Calhoun, NE | (712) 388-4800
Primitive camping and electrical hookups. Ultd. tents, 15 trailers and 2 cabins. Horse pens, horse day rides, hiking, mountain biking and birdwatching. Kawasaki Mule tours available of the breath-taking views for non-riders.
5 miles Northwest of town | Newcastle, NE | (402) 355-2614
www.turkeycreekne.com
2,200 acres and a new 17,000 square foot facility called the Missouri National Recreational River Resource and Education Center. The park is mostly forested with bur oaks and other hardwoods (one bur oak is more than 300 years old). The distinctive calls of whip-poor-wills and barred owls are common during the summer months; bald eagles are present in winter. A birdwatchers’ list for the park and surrounding areas includes 297 species (see www.nebraskabirdingtrails.com). The park attracts many birdwatchers during the peak of spring migration (late April and early May).
Camping – 100 tents, 72 trailers, 31 cabins, $12-$17, $80 cabins, $253 mini-lodges.
Located in the wooded hills overlooking the Missouri River
2 mi. No. | Ponca, NE | (402) 755-2284 | www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks/
The 284-acre wooded area along the Elkhorn River. Birdwatchers say that it’s a good place for finding woodcocks in April.
Located four miles northwest of town on Hwy 275 | Scribner, NE | 402-664-2788
Produced in part by a grant from the Nebraska Division of Travel and Tourism.
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Northeast Nebraska Travel Council
609 West Norfolk Avenue
Norfolk, NE 68701
(402) 371-2932