Smith Falls
State Park
The Niobrara National Scenic River, which runs through Smith Falls State Park, is a popular spot for summer adventures. Rent a kayak or float tube to cruise down the river, keeping an eye out for herons, bald eagles, river otters, spiny softshell turtles, and blue damselflies. And don’t miss Smith Falls, Nebraska’s highest waterfall at 70 feet.
42.8881° N, 100.3162° W
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42° 51' 59.99" N, -103° 34' 59.99" w
Explore an otherworldly landscape at Toadstool Geologic Park. The park’s unique sandstone and clay features are chock full of fossils dating back up to 30 million years. For a look at human history in the area, check out the replica sod house modeled after a historic homestead that once stood on the site.
Toadstool
Geologic Park
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41° 13' 18.00" N, -101° 42' 59.99" W
For a day on the water, head to Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area. Locally known as “Big Mac” the 30,000-acre reservoir is the largest in Nebraska. In the summer, visitors boat, fish, windsurf, waterski and even scuba dive in the lake. The sandy shores also make for a great setting for picnics and cookouts for day trippers and campers.
Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area
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42° 51' 59.99" N, -103° 34' 59.99" w
Bike along Nebraska’s 321-mile Cowboy Trail—one of the longest rail trail projects in the U.S.—from Norfolk to Chadron. Don’t miss the historic bridges, which make for great scenic outlooks. No matter what part of the route you explore, wildlife sightings are almost guaranteed. Spot rabbits, quail, pheasants, bald eagles, migrating monarch butterflies, and other prairie dwellers. With camping permitted at some trail-adjacent communities, the route is equally suited for backpacking adventures as it is for a quick morning pedal. The partially-paved trail is best suited for mountain or gravel bikes, which you can rent in many towns along the route.
Cowboy
Trail
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41.8344° N, 103.7072° W
Walk in the footsteps of pioneers and see remnants of the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer, and Pony Express trails at Scotts Bluff National Monument. Throughout the preserve, explore grassy prairie, rugged badlands, and the North Platte River. Of course, the best views are from atop the park’s namesake bluff overlooking the prairie.
Scotts Bluff
National Monument
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40.9893° N, 96.2169° W
Situated between Lincoln and Omaha, Platte River State Park is a great place to escape the cities for some time in nature. Explore waterfalls and climb to the top of the observation tower for views of the park and river from above. Book a glamping cabin for a unique lodging experience or go for a classic camping vibe at a campsite. Visiting in the spring? More than 500,000 sandhill cranes stop over on a section of the Platte River during their migration each year between February and April.
Platte River
State Park
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40.2648° N, 95.5798° W
Set along the Missouri River, Indian Cave State Park offers 3,052 acres of forest to explore. Take the ADA-friendly boardwalk to the park’s namesake sandstone cave to see prehistoric petroglyphs. Then spend the afternoon biking or hiking along 22 miles of trails through hardwood forest.
Indian Cave
State Park
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41.2259° N, 95.9271° W
Explore a variety of ecosystems at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. In addition to classic zoo exhibits, the facility houses the world’s indoor desert habitat and the largest indoor rainforest in the country. Interested in creatures of the night? Head underground to the three-quarter-acre nocturnal exhibit (the largest in the world). Here, day and night cycles are reversed so visitors can see everything from desert dwellers to creatures of the deep in action.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly
Zoo & Aquarium
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1. Toadstool Geologic Park
2. Smith Falls State Park
3. scotts bluff national monument
4. cowboy trail
5. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
6. platte river State Park
7. lake mcconaughy state recreation area
8. indian cave State Park
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Smith Falls State Park
Toadstool Geologic Park
Platte River State Park
Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area
Cowboy Trail
Scotts Bluff National Monument
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium
Indian Cave State Park