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Niobrara State Park

With 1,234 acres, it has more than 12 miles of hiking trails and a two-mile hike-bike trail that follows an old railroad grade and which crosses the Niobrara on a vintage iron truss bridge. Ferry Landing located two miles downstream close to Standing Bear Bridge.

The park offers guided horseback rides, playground equipment and a swimming pool, and hosts seasonal bison stew cookouts. This is part of the Missouri National Recreational River, a portion of the Missouri that has not been dredged and straightened for barge traffic, and which still resembles the wild river that Native Americans and explorers like Lewis and Clark would have known.

Tent camping and cabins overlooking the Niobrara and Missouri Rivers. 35 tents, 76 trailers, 19 cabins

Summer Office hours 8am to 6:30 pm

At junction of the Niobrara and Missouri Rivers, one mile west of town on Highway 12 | Niobrara, NE | 402-857-3373
www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov

Ta-Ha-Zouka Park

Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail at, a multi-purpose trail suitable for walking, bicycling and horseback riding. Surface is either pavement or crushed limestone.
Trailheads are located in Norfolk and Valentine. Camping – 22 trailers, $6-$9.

2201 S. 13th St. | Norfolk, NE | (402) 844-2180
www.ci.norfolk.ne.us/parks

Willow Creek State Recreation Area

A 1,633-acre area with a 700-acre lake. The area has a swimming beach, two playgrounds, an eight-mile hiking/horseback trail around the lake and seven rock jetties. 7 fishing piers, waterskiing, windsurfing, shotgun hunting, shelters and trails. 18 tents, 101 trailers, $11-$15.
2 miles Southwest | Pierce, NE | (402) 329-4053
www.outdoornebraska.ne.gov

Dead Timber State Recreation Area

Despite its name, most of the trees are alive on this 200-acre area is located on the Elkhorn River. The recreation area also has two ponds totaling 50 acres. Electric, primitive & non-designated camp sites. 100 tents, 17 trailers, $5-$8.
Four miles north of Scribner, NE | (402) 664-3597 | www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks

Scenic Park

A 115-site campground with spacious, shaded sites along the riverfront. 8 tents, 115 trailers, $15-$29 (full and basic hookups), outdoor pool, tennis courts, playground, shelters for rent and Missouri River Boat Ramp. Scenic Park is located on the Missouri River near the Riverview Ball Complex, Dible Soccer Complex, scenic trails (which connect to the Siouxland Trails System) and the Norm Waitt Sr. YMCA. The park has newly built cabins available; and, since it is located along the Missouri River, fishing for buffalo, carp, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, pike and walleye can be done on the banks.
1021 E. 6th St. | South Sioux City, NE | (402) 494-7531
www.cityofsouthsiouxcity.org

Maskenthine Reservoir

A 98-acre lake with camping (7 tents, 33 trailers, $5-$14), swimming, horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, hunting and boating. Boats are limited to 5 mph.  Anglers catch largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, pike, walleye and northern pike. There is a wheelchair accessible fishing pier. Winter sports include skating and short-slope skiing.
Two miles northwest of Stanton, NE |(402) 371-7313 | www.lenrd.org/recreation/maskenthine.php3

Summit Lake State Recreation Area

Offers boating, hiking, hunting, picnicking and camping on 535 acres. Wildlife includes pheasant, quail, rabbit, squirrel and waterfowl. The 190-acre reservoir has been developed for fishing and offers largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and walleye. Boats are limited to 5 mph. The lake also has a swimming beach. Campers will find 30 camper pads all with electrical hookups.   The area is open year-round. A state park permit is required. Summit Lake is three miles west of town on Highway 32, then 1½ miles south.
Summit Lake is three miles west of town on Highway 32, then 1½ miles south | Tekamah, NE | 402-374-1727
www.ngpc.state.ne.us/parks

Turkey Creek Ranch

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

Ponca State Park

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/

Pelican Point State Recreation Area

Located along the Missouri River, offers primitive camping (17 campsites, without electrical hookups), $9. and river access. The area has large cottonwoods and isn’t heavily visited. It has a boat ramp and dock, pit toilets, a pavilion, and an electric well. Wildlife includes quail, rabbit, squirrel and waterfowl. Birdwatchers come to see migratory and breeding birds such as warblers, thrushes, orioles, flycatchers, woodpeckers and vireos.
Located along the Missouri River| Tekamah, NE