Top 10 Camping Places to Go in Nebraska

Camping Gems - Places to Go in Nebraska Grand Island Sandhill cranes call Grand Island their home for a brief time from mid-February through about the first week in April as they make their annual trip to northern nesting grounds. If you are traveling to Grand Island around the middle of March, you'll want to take one of the many Wings Over The Platte tours to see the more than 500,000 sandhill cranes and millions of other water fowl that migrate to the Platte River and adjoining wetlands. Niobrara National Scenic River, Valentine The Niobrara River drains over 12,000 square miles of the Sandhills, one of the largest stabilized dunefields in the world. Take a leisurely float on this outstanding Great Plains river in north-central Nebraska. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to see pine-clad hills and prairie, numerous waterfalls, tall sandstone cliffs and wildlife like deer, bison, elk, beaver, mink, herons and kingfishers. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Harrison The main attractions for most visitors include the dramatic displays in the Visitor Center showcasing ancient mammals that once roamed the American Plains, and the unique Cook Collection of American Indian artifacts.  Short hikes from one to three miles let you explore the natural history of the Niobrara River Valley and its current and past wildlife. Pony Express National Historic Trail The Pony Express Trail was used by young men on fast horses to carry the nation's mail from Missouri to California in just ten days. The relay system played a vital role in aligning California with the Union in the years just before the Civil War. Learn more about the Pony Express with a visit to the Rock Creek Station in Fairbury or the Fort Churchill stop in Silver Springs. Fort Kearny State Historical Park The interpretive center, blacksmith-carpenter shop, powder magazine, and split log stockade will whisk you back to the 1800s. A visit to the Frank House will give you the chance to tour a 3- story mansion with a 5' by 10' Tiffany stained glass window, hand carved oak woodwork, and titled fireplaces. (308-234-9513) Neale Woods Nature Center, Omaha You'll find 7 miles of trails, an observatory, live animal exhibits, and nature displays at this Omaha nature center. Head there for the hiking and walking, but don't forget your camera!  The area is open from August 30 to November 2 each year. (14323 Edith Marie Ave, 402-453-5615) Chadron State Park This 972-acre park sits at the heart of the Nebraska National Forest.  This is a fabulous place to enjoy outdoor sports like swimming (in the pool) hiking and horseback riding on the trails, tennis, beach volleyball, crafts, mountain biking, fishing, and paddle boating on the lagoon. Scotts Bluff National Monument, Gering Towering eight hundred feet above the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff has been a natural landmark for many peoples, and it served as the path marker for those on the Oregon, California, Mormon, and Pony Express Trails. Explore the 3,000 acres of unusual land formations on foot or by car. Nebraska National Forest Explore Ponderosa pine forests, endless grasslands, and the gorgeous Nebraska Sandhills in the Nebraska National Forest.  Look for wildflowers in the prairies, deer in the woods, and prairie dogs in the sandhills. Bassway Strip Wildlife Management Area, Minden Known to have some of the best fishing in the state, this area is a water lover's paradise.  Set your line for bass or bluegill, both of which grow to incredible sizes here.  Enjoy a picnic lunch, do some boating, or hike one of the many trails.