National Scenic River · Nebraska
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.
Things to do
- 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
Weather & when to go
Summer (June-August): highs - low 80s to low 100s; lows - 50s to 60s, with occasional thunderstorms and associated strong winds. Moderate dry winds are common in the summer. 8.3" is average summer rainfall. Winter (November-April): Average highs 20-30s, average lows 0-10s with 5.5"/month average snowfall. Spring (April/May) and Fall (September/October) have cooler temperatures: average highs 60-70s, average lows 30-40s with 7.3" average rain/snowfall.
Operating hours
Floating and paddling standard hours
Most of the river itself is open 24 hours a day, with the exception of the river that flows through Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. The river in that stretch is open from sunrise to sunset. Please use caution: because the NPS does not own the land, different sites and private businesses have their own hours. Please ensure that you are following individual landowner regulations when you launch, take out, or visit individual areas.
FAQ
- Is Niobrara National Scenic River free to visit?
- Niobrara National Scenic River does not charge a standard entrance fee. Check the official NPS page for the latest details on any activity or permit fees before you go.
- What are the hours at Niobrara National Scenic River?
- Most of the river itself is open 24 hours a day, with the exception of the river that flows through Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. The river in that stretch is open from sunrise to sunset. Please use caution: because the NPS does not own the land, different sites and private businesses have their own hours. Pl…
- Do I need a reservation for Niobrara National Scenic River?
- No timed-entry reservation is currently required to enter Niobrara National Scenic River. Campgrounds and permits may still need to be booked separately on Recreation.gov.