Niobrara National Scenic River

National Scenic River · NE · nps.gov page

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.Photo: NPS Photo

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.

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News

  • man in white hat and shirt digs into bank near a water source.
    Public Invited to Explore Niobrara River’s Prehistoric Past with Fossil Expert on Nov. 13

    Niobrara Scenic River invites the public to a presentation by University of Nebraska State Museum’s Highway Paleontologist Shane Tucker at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, 2026, at the park’s visitor center, 214 W. Highway 20, Valentine.

  • Three rangers show of a tire in their canoe
    Niobrara River Fall Clean-Up Day Volunteer Opportunity

    Niobrara National Scenic River, in partnership with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Outdoor Adventures Program, invites volunteers to celebrate National Public Lands Day by participating in a river clean-up float on Sept. 26, 2026. Participants will paddle the scenic stretch of river from Smith Falls State Park to Rocky Ford, collecting trash and helping preserve the natural beauty and ecological health of the Niobrara River.

  • Photo of new superintendent Chris Mather wearing a National Park Service uniform standing on a white porch and smiling for the camera
    Niobrara National Scenic River Welcomes New Superintendent

    The National Park Service has selected Chris Mather as the next superintendent of Niobrara National Scenic River. He will assume the role in mid-September 2026.

Photos

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.Photo: NPS Photo/Ryan Schmieder
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.Photo: NPS Photo
Two people in one canoe paddle along the bluffs of the Niobrara NSR.
The Niobrara is a peaceful place to paddle during the week.Photo: NPS Photo
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.Photo: NPS Photo/Ryan Schmieder
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.Photo: NPS Photo/Solveig Perrett
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.Photo: NPS Photo/Solveig Perrett

Park information and photos come from the National Park Service. This is not an official NPS site.