By Renae Blum
Need to get away from it all? A cabin getaway at a Nebraska state park can be a great choice in winter, offering solitude, scenic surroundings, and the chance to relax, watch wildlife and spend time with loved ones.
The following four parks offer cabin lodging this time of year, as well as a seasonal discount. Guests pay 30% less Sunday to Thursday from October to April, excluding Fridays, Saturdays and holidays. The exception is Niobrara State Park; this park’s discount rates begin Dec. 1 and go through April 14.
Take your pick from the following options:
Niobrara State Park
Situated at the confluence of the Niobrara and Missouri rivers on Nebraska’s northeastern border, Niobrara State Park is a scenic, tranquil park. It becomes even more serene in winter; park superintendent Cogan Thompson said it’s his favorite time to be at the park.
“The solitude is the biggest selling point for our cabins during the winter months,” Thompson said. “You’re not going to hear any noise, any traffic.”
Eight of the park’s cabins remain open during the winter; five have three bedrooms, while the rest have two bedrooms. These modern cabins are fully furnished and feature a full kitchen and living room, as well as a screened back porch.
Aside from snuggling indoors, park visitors can also enjoy sledding on the park’s numerous hills and watching wildlife like deer, turkeys and birds.
For Valentine’s Day, guests can enjoy early check-in, late check-out and a complimentary package from local businesses for a minimum two-night stay, Feb. 7-8 or 14-15. Spaces are limited; call the park at 402-857-3373 to book your stay.
Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area
The cabins at this park in northeastern Nebraska are situated along Lewis and Clark Lake, Nebraska’s second largest reservoir. While the lakefront views are great in the warmer months, in winter, the lake freezes over, offering a unique perspective.
“The view is the main thing our guests like,” said park superintendent Leslie Donner. “Past visitors have seen wildlife like coyotes running across the lake.”
Five cabins stay open at the park in winter. These modern, two-bedroom cabins are fully furnished and offer a covered patio, modern restrooms, picnic table, outdoor grill and campfire ring. They sleep seven, with two queen beds and three single beds. Their classic log cabin look makes them a favorite with visitors.
“You get that rustic outdoor feeling, with the amenities of home,” Donner said.
For Valentine’s Day, the park opens all 10 of its cabins and offers a 30% discount for a minimum two-night stay, Feb. 7-9 or 14-16. An add-on package of Valentine treats is also available. Call the park at 402-388-4169 to learn more and make your reservation.
Ponca State Park
This park in northeastern Nebraska offers a range of winter lodging, including 15 mini lodges, 10 cottages and two green cabins. The most popular in winter are the mini lodges, said park superintendent J.R. Kantor.
“People like them because they have almost all the same accommodations as your own house,” he said.
Each mini lodge includes two full bathrooms, a spacious kitchen, living room, patio, big screen TV, cable, wireless internet, wood fireplace and gas grill. They include four bedrooms and plenty of space for a group.
For a smaller group, the two-bedroom cottages may be a great pick. And for those looking for an eco-friendly getaway, check out the green cabins. These two-bedroom cabins use straw for insulation and geothermal heating and cooling, among other features.
Those who rent cabins in winter, especially in January and February, can look forward to a secluded getaway. “It’s a perfect time to come out to the park,” Kantor said. “There’s a really good chance if you rent a cabin, you have almost the entire park to yourself.”
During your stay, explore on your own or check out the park events and naturalist activities each weekend, which range from wildlife track identification to birding, guided hikes and snowshoeing, ice-fishing and more. When the snow gets heavy, participate in the snow creature building contest and cross-country skiing.
Platte River State Park
Nestled halfway between Lincoln and Omaha, Platte River State Park is conveniently located for a winter getaway. The most popular choices for winter lodging here are the buildings with fireplaces, which include five cabins and two mini lodges. The park’s three glamping cabins are also popular in winter.
Mini lodges include all the comforts of home and have four bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large kitchen and dining room, dishwasher and fireplace. Meanwhile, the glamping cabins are perfect for couples, offering polished concrete floors, a raised stone fire pit and many windows to let in the natural sunlight.
Park superintendent Adam Johns said that visitors enjoy winter stays at the park because of the quietness and the wildlife watching opportunities, which include deer, turkey, birds, and the occasional coyote, fox and raccoon. Some visitors bring their own pinecone bird feeders and bird seed.
“They just like sitting inside, or on the porch, drinking hot coffee or hot cocoa and watching the birds and deer,” Johns said. “We have a few people, as soon as it starts snowing, who call and reserve a cabin and come out to enjoy the peace and quiet.”
Many others will make reservations for Valentine’s Day and stay to enjoy a steak dinner at the park’s Walter Scott Jr. Lodge Restaurant.
When you book your stay, note that a two-night minimum stay is required, as well as a park entry permit. To learn more, make a reservation and buy a park entry permit, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov.