By Renae Blum
As fall color appears throughout the state, make plans to enjoy it in a different way – at a Nebraska state park.
Here are some options to explore this month, whether you’re looking for a leisurely drive, a scenic hike or a place to stay overnight.
To Drive Through
There’s nothing more relaxing on a fall day than taking a drive through splashes of autumn color, and several Nebraska state parks provide that opportunity.
Indian Cave State Park, located 10 miles south of Brownville, boasts views of a mature hardwood forest known for putting on a fall show. Many tree species can be found here, such as red oak, ash, black walnut, bur oak and maple, potentially creating panoramas of yellow, orange, red and purple. You may be enticed to park, enjoy a picnic lunch, and hike the 22 miles of scenic trails for a closer look.
Other sites perfect for a fall drive are Fort Robinson State Park in western Nebraska and Medicine Creek State Recreation Area in the southwestern part of the state. Here, you may find bursts of yellow in the parks’ groves of green ash and cottonwood trees.
To Hike
Seeing fall color up close on a hiking trail is one of the best ways to experience this season. One state park with opportunities for this is Smith Falls State Park in north-central Nebraska. Several trails wind through this wooded park, where you may find bright red sumac and the yellows of quaking aspens, black walnut and paper birch. Make sure to bring your camera, as Smith Falls is also home to the state’s highest waterfall.
For a touch of history along with fall scenery, visit Rock Creek Station State Historical Park, about 9 miles east of Fairbury. The park has 6 miles of hiking and nature trails winding through beautiful grasses and wooded areas, from which you can view the park’s reconstructed buildings and wagon ruts left by travelers on the Oregon-California Trail. At its peak, fall color here can include the bright reds of smooth sumac and the shades of yellow found in green ash, American elm and cottonwood trees.
Niobrara State Park in northeastern Nebraska offers a variety of trees on its 14 miles of hiking trails. Enjoy taking in the yellows of cottonwood, green ash, black walnut and basswood, as well as bright red sumac.
To Stay Overnight
After a hike through an autumn wonderland, make a weekend of it and stay overnight to fully soak in your surroundings. Several Nebraska state parks offer great lodging accommodations as well as fall foliage.
Campers at Chadron State Park in western Nebraska may be surrounded by the vivid colors of maple trees at the campground. The park also has 22 cabins for rental, which have heating and air conditioning and are furnished with blankets, towels, stoves, refrigerators, silverware and cooking utensils. During your stay, make sure to spend some time enjoying more than 100 miles of beautiful trails, from which you may be able to view green ash and cottonwood trees displaying their yellow fall leaves.
If you’ve got a group, Ponca State Park is a great location, offering 15 mini-lodges with plenty of space and amenities. Other lodging options include cottages, rustic cabins and green cabins constructed from straw bales. Hike the park’s 22 miles of trails to discover the yellows and reds of smooth sumac, cottonwood, elms, black walnut and other species.
Arbor Lodge State Historical Park, located in Nebraska City, offers another fun option for history lovers. Stay overnight at Arbor Day Farm’s Lied Lodge, then head up the street to this stately park, once the home of J. Sterling Morton, the founder of Arbor Day. Tour the 52-room mansion, then stroll the surrounding grounds, which are filled with 270 varieties of trees and shrubs, including at least 10 state champion trees, including red maple, American chestnut and black walnut.
As you visit various Nebraska state parks, be aware that you may be sharing the park with hunters, as limited managed hunting is offered at some locations. Pay attention to signage, wear bright clothing, and stick to trails, which hunters typically avoid. It’s also a good idea to call the park ahead of your visit and ask about color conditions.
To learn more about the parks listed here, and to purchase your required park entry permit, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov.