An ancient volcanic eruption resulted in a rich cache of fossils near Royal, 60 miles northwest of Norfolk. We of course monitor the river conditions and the Niobrara River was great this year! Canoeing The Niobrara River With Kids - Oh My! Omaha Plus a $10 per vessel charge to haul your equipment. With your trip ending at Rock Barn *You will have to portage around Rocky Ford and the Egelhoff Rapids. Parking fees and landing fees can be paid at the campground. Whether in summer, spring, or fall, youre guaranteed a wonderful paddling experience in your watercraft. Go To Hocking Hills, Ohio, The 10 Best Hikes for Spotting Winter Wildlife, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: How 7 Popular Trails Have Changed. Only few parts of the park are can be accessed by vehicles. Wildlife includes prairie chickens, known for their springtime mating dance. Usually, we see a few people in canoes and kayaks in the area by mid-April, weather depending. FROM BERRY BRIDGE ON ALCOHOL IS PERMITTED. You get into the tub and float for about and hour down a stream. Enjoy the natural soundscape of the Niobrara National Scenic River. waterfall, Smith's Falls at Smith Falls State Park. Map and Guidebook Get them both in the waterproof Niobrara River Guide ($15, niobrarariverguide.com ). Thanks for visiting our site! Guided Raft Trips. By Nebraska State law, all children 12 years old and younger must WEAR a USCG approved life jacket to float the Niobrara NSR. Most popular for river recreation, you can float the Niobrara River on a canoe, tube, or kayak as a beginner and have a blast. Easy way to see the river. From Berry Bridge to Rocky Ford, near Valentine, its a Great Plains version of a spring-break flotilla at Lake Havasu. We look forward to helping you get outdoors to experience a Niobrara River Adventure! Niobrara Scenic River, Fort Niobrara National - American Trails Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more. Niobrara Family Stock Tank Rides - Little Outlaw Outfitters 4 Hour Niobrara River Kayak and Canoe Trip Learn more about volunteers and what they do for Niobrara NSR! Save some time and download our liability disclaimer and have your groups sign it. Grasslands surround lakes at this 71,516-acre area, where visitors bird-watch, hike and fish. For this do-it-yourself spring wreath, we bundled inexpensive paper-mache eggs in fuzzy, vibrant yarn. We had an absolutely incredible time on the island! If you are staying in Valentine we ask you drive to Sparks. A parking pass or Nebraska State Parks day/annual pass is required at Smith Falls State Park, to access the launch and landing sites. We can meet you at the Little Outlaw Office and instruct you to Brewer Bridge. Below are two locations you will see on a frequent basis using Brewers Canoers & Tubers. Sandhill cranes, and even rare whooping cranes, also make occasional appearances. ). Once youve finished tubing, we will meet you and take you back to your accommodation. This is very unique way to float the Niobrara River in itself. With a little something for everyone, the Niobrara National Scenic River is a destination for crossing adventures off your bucket list. *TRIPS STARTING FROM CORNELL BRIDGE (Fort Niobrara Wildlife Refuge launch site) TO BERRY BRIDGE ALCOHOL IS NOT ALLOWED. *TAX IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE. Located at 1005 East Highway 20, Valentine, NE, 69201. We provide life vests to all customers that they can use for floating in the rare circumstances a tube may deflate. Rent from a pro and travel like one, too. You'll pass the Smith Falls waterfall, the tallest waterfall in Nebraska as well as other areas of outstanding natural beauty. Cool activities and videos for your kids to explore the Niobrara River! Related: Exploring in Nebraska's Stunning Sandhills. Keep your eyes open for glimpses of wild turkeys, ducks and geese, plovers, herons, kingfishers, kestrels, peregrine falcons, bald eagles, coyotes, and even wild elk. With our experience and top-of-the-line equipment, you'll be able to enjoy all that the Niobrara River has to offer while creating unforgettable memories with your friends and family. SO WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU PAY. See you on the river! Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge has one handicap accessible canoe, kayak, or tube launch. Day of reservations may not be available. They couldn't get rid of us fast enough. This year there would have been enough water but I would be concerned about the Niobrara being a little too fast for children. It is a beautiful area and so peaceful and relaxing. Niobrara National Scenic River - Fort Niobrara Launch Site, There are many landings and launch sites for canoes, kayaks, and tubes on the Niobrara National Scenic River. It wasn't just us either, my teenage son did a lot of walking also, sometimes the water was barely covering the top of his foot! Penbrook Landing/Campground: landing and camping. Family-Owned Nebraskan Company Offering Niobrara River Water Activities. Youll find that northern, western, and eastern forest ecosystems thrive in the area, in addition to three Great Plains prairie plant communities. Many of our summer visitors come to float the river for the day. Cooler tubes fit a stander size cooler 22" X 12" or two smaller coolers / drybags. Fishing opportunities are also abundant in the river and its tributaries. Guided walks and programs that tell stories about the park are offered by rangers at some of these areas too. Dryland Aquatics It's an excellent river for beginners, though if the water is low, you will . Launch your canoe at the Cornelle Bridge, drift two miles to the Fort Falls Nature Trail, and tie up for a sidehike. We visited in the off season but they made it very easy. Shoes suitable for wading (not flip flops) are recommended. If you are renting equipment, your outfitter will provide them. . Remember youll need to have a valid fishing license to fish here. SEARCH BY DATE FOR AVAILABILITY OR SELECT THE TYPE OF EQUIPMENT, "It's not just a season, it's a lifestyle". (800) 337-3119; drylandaquatics.com Red Tape Bring $5 per person for permits. Chef Jorge Guzmn's Step-by-Step Guide to Making Tamales. The rails-to-trails route runs 195 miles from Norfolk to Valentine. Thank you so Much Marlene and Harlan. Paddle Nebraska's Niobrara River - Backpacker During that time of year the water in the Verdigre creek is a little low. This includes a shuttle from Sparks, life jackets and paddles (canoes and kayaks only) * TAX, LAUNCH AND LANDING FEES ARE INCLUDED IN THE PRICE. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------, https://www.facebook.com/grahamoufitters.co/. Youre covered with our custom protection packages. 2023 Prices - Dryland Aquatics Wildlife can be seen from the river along with an abundance of waterfalls, unique for the Midwest and Great Plains. We are a family owned outfitting business that provides canoes, kayaks, tubes, riverside camping, and a shuttle-service on Nebraska's Niobrara National Scenic River. There, you will leave your car and we will shuttle you up to Berry Bridge, your launch point. Holds two adults or one adult and up to two kids. Take your pick of canoe, kayak, or tube! While we didn't see any more bison, we saw plenty of Mule Deer and were accompanied by a host of geese, herons . Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. Niobrara State Park | Outdoorsy Two-Day Getaway Along the Niobrara River | Midwest Living Graham Canoe Outfitters Tricks to find the perfect rig. The four miles of the Niobrara River always has a current. We pride ourselves in courteous, friendly service and hope you will give us another chance. A $1.00 fee is charged at the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge Launch Site. These tanks will hold 4 adult sized people very comfortable, and we do have a 4 person minimum. Niobrara Adventures - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go, Hotels near Sioux Falls Regional Airport (Jo Foss Field) (FSD), Motels near Sioux Falls Regional Airport (Jo Foss Field) (FSD), Jungle Maya Native Park with Ziplines, rappel & Cenote Snorkel -Admission Ticket, Visit an authentic goat farm in Fuerteventura, 4x4 Desert Safari, Sandsurf, and Camel Ride in Cairo, BACALAR 7 Colors Lagoon with transportation from Costa Maya, Jewellery Making Class with Silversmithing in Chiang Mai, Murray the Magician at Tropicana Hotel and Casino, "Bitaka" the unique flea market experience in Sofia, Tequila Museum and Tequila Tasting in Puerto Vallarta. If youd prefer a quiet trip, theres room for that also. We introduced our Stock Tank float trips to the Scenic Niobrara River over 10years ago, and they have become quite popular. Wear bug spray/sunscreen. There was no flooding in the Niobrara River this year and we had MANY children with parents that had a great time! Hi i am Carley and I took my familt there last year. Recently Updated One has conquered the world of plant-based baking. However, Diane and the team provide great job of making it a great day on the water. All of these add up to about 160 plant species inhabiting the park. $40 Weekday Special $40 per person Monday - Thursday 8:30 & 10:30 Shuttle Canoe, tube or kayak trip from Cornell Bridge (Fort Niobrara Wildlife Refuge launch site) to Smith Falls or Brewer Bridge Find out more Price List 2023 1 Day Tube Trip SO WHAT YOU SEE IS WHAT YOU PAY. To guarantee a good time, come prepared. Pets are allowed. The Niobrara runs east-west through the prairies in an ecological transition zone rich with crossover species. Our Stock Tank float trip will start at Berry Bridge and will float about 2 hours to the Smith Falls waterfall, which is a huge attraction in our area. At Smith Falls State Park (mile 16), beach your canoe on river right and hike up a short path to the highest falls in Nebraska (63 feet). Guests enjoy dependable comfort in a renovated former chain hotel in Valentine. *$10 per vessel charge will be added to haul your equipment*. Sign in|Recent Site Activity|Report Abuse|Print Page|Powered By Google Sites. Date Released Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal With These Ideas from a Minneapolis Makeover. We will then instruct you to Berry Bridge launch point where you will begin your trip. We had to walk about an hour or more to where the creek flows into the Niobrara River. Download the app. Responsible Consumption of Alcohol is Permitted, 24 hours up to 50 Minutes Prior to Trip Departure, 2:00pm or 4:00pm Peak Season / 3:00pm Seasonal, Sunscreen Insect Repellent Hat Water, Shoes Suitable for Wading (not flip flops). Rest assured youll enjoy beautiful sights of the Niobrara National Scenic River and Nebraskas highest waterfall at the park. We recommend contacting the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge for more information about this launch site. Tips to grow your RV rental business. The tanks we use are 7 round and have a portable camp chairs for your seating. Paddled by moonlight? The channel races through an easy class 2 rapid. (800) 337-3119; drylandaquatics.com. They are available at the park office. This is when we move your vehicle from one landing to another. Cowboy Trail. Anyone over 12 years old must HAVE a life jacket. For a quick overview of our prices, check out our price list: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------. Different trips enable you to float past tall cliffs or raft in faster water. Des Moines' Hottest Food Neighborhoods You Need to Know About. As a result, the park is a popular destination for these water-related recreational activities. We do trips by reservation only. At the center, a film about the park is on hand, as well as park rangers who are available to answer all your questions. The scenery was wonderful, float was awesome, very relaxing, and an occasional walk in the water. your own safety, we recommend keeping your g. Please be respectful of social distancing at launch sites/take out sites, as well as waterfalls and other stops you may make along the way. They are both very knowledgeable about the area. Brown trout and rainbow trout are present within the tributaries of the river, and many skilled anglers are presented with challenges when trying to catch them. Along the 76-mile path of this river in Nebraska, there are plenty of opportunities to appreciate nature, learn about the history of Niobrara, have fun with family and friends, and have a wonderful time away from home. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. It's also home to the state's biggest (only??) Explore the scenery, sandbars, and wildlife of the beautiful mouth of Niobrara River by Niobrara, Nebraska. As with most rivers, we explain to all customers there is logs or sticks that you need to watch for while floating that may puncture your tubes. Camping at Smith Falls. If you possess appropriate hunting licenses, you can also hunt on public lands, and private lands (with permission), within the park. Take this opportunity to enjoy the amazing scenery surrounding Nebraskas scenic Niobrara River. We appreciate your concern about floating too much this year. Absolutely delicious cakes. Starting at Cornell, Berry Bridge, Smith Falls or Brewer Bridge and ending at Rock Barn. Ferrires-en-Gtinais - Wikipedia One of the state's best fishing lakes, the reservoir (26 miles southwest of Valentine) also hosts the annual Nebraska Star Party, which attracts astronomers of all skill levels for lectures and stargazing. They provide great service and are very easy to work with. If you are staying on the river we can shuttle you from your camp location or site. Brewers Canoers and Tubers has an office in Valentine, Nebraska, and has been providing summer vacation memories since 1984. Approaching Valentine, the trail crosses the Niobrara River on a century-old, 148-foot-high steel trestle bridge; stop for valley views. River trips range from 2 hours all the way to 6 hours, depending on your trip selection and date. Rocky Ford Camp and Outfitters - Canoe Rentals, Kayak Rentals Is there lots of walking involved or just get in tube and float? Call us at 1-800-337-3119 to make a reservation. No matter which trip you choose, you are sure to enjoy the Niobrara river. Keep your eyes out for herons, bald eagles and other species along your trip! PLEASE KEEP THIs IN MIND WHEN YOU book your trip. Office visits are limited to two people per group, and we ask that you wear a mask. Sunscreen, insect repellent, and sunglasses with a floating eyeglass holder are always a great idea. The Niobrara cuts through the surrounding plains forming a deep valley. Please refer to our website: niobraraadventures We have more information there as well as phone numbers to call us and inquire about any questions you may have. It was built at a strategic crossing of the Loire river. A diverse array of bird life calls the Niobrara Valley home. The scenery is amazing on this popular stretch of the Niobrara River. Oh! 4 Hour Niobrara River Tubing Trip - outlawcanoe.com You will do more floating when the river if fuller in the beginning of the year or after a rain.