By Renae Blum
Whether you want an escape, an adventure, or simply the chance to relax, Nebraska’s state parks make an ideal getaway for you and your best girlfriends. Here are seven state parks that offer everything for a perfect weekend outdoors.
Arbor Lodge State Historical Park
History lovers will enjoy exploring this elegant estate in Nebraska City, once the home of J. Sterling Morton, founder of Arbor Day. Tour the 52-room mansion, complete with authentic furnishings and displays about the Morton family, and see the past come alive with living history events in the fall. The park also includes an arboretum, Italian terraced garden, log cabin, walking trails and more than 200 varieties of lilacs. Enjoy a picnic on the beautiful park grounds and make sure to bring a camera.
For a place to stay and more activities to enjoy, cross the street to Arbor Day Farm. Sip tastings of Arbor Day Farm wines, explore the Tree Adventure and Treetop Village, attend seasonal events, and in the fall, enjoy apple and pumpkin picking. Lied Lodge, a fully renovated hotel, is located on the grounds, and offers a spa, indoor pool, fitness center and restaurant.
Nebraska City also offers several museums, local restaurants and antique stores to keep you busy.
Fort Robinson State Park
Fort Robinson State Park in northwest Nebraska offers exquisite Pine Ridge scenery, compelling Old West history, great lodging and plenty of space to play. Horseback riding and fishing are both popular here. Equestrians can enjoy 20 miles of trails and equestrian camping, while anglers can fish 10 ponds and several cold-water streams for species, such as rainbow and tiger trout, smallmouth and largemouth bass, bluegill and more.
The park also offers 60 miles of hiking trails, 20 miles of mountain biking trails, golfing, and more. Stay overnight in the park’s historic lodging, once used as housing for soldiers and officers stationed at the fort; or pick from a variety of camping options.
For additional outdoor fun, drive 35 minutes east to Chadron State Park, which offers cabins, camping and many activities against the backdrop of the beautiful Pine Ridge. Other nearby options include Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, where you can hike and view fossils, and Toadstool Geologic Park, with hiking trails winding through unique, moon-like rock formations. History buffs will enjoy a visit to the Museum of the Fur Trade, located 3 miles east of Chadron.
Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area
With its white sand beaches and clear waters, Lake McConaughy in Keith County is a favorite for summer fun – but also provides opportunities in the fall. Head out with the girls to this 30,000-surface-acre reservoir for a weekend of hunting or fishing. Cast a line for walleye, channel catfish, northern pike, wiper, smallmouth and white bass, among others. Or hunt for small game, turkey, mule and white-tailed deer, waterfowl and upland species in designated areas with proper permits. Stay the night in one of Lake McConaughy’s many campgrounds.
To fill out your weekend, stop by Ash Hollow State Historical Park, an important stopping point on the Oregon/California Trail where wagon ruts still can be seen, and Lake Ogallala, a well-known fishing destination. Also make a trip to the city of Ogallala, home to several Western-themed places of interest and additional lodging options.
Platte River State Park
Halfway between Lincoln and Omaha, this park offers plenty to do for those seeking a weekend of variety. You can hike, bike, fish, explore a picturesque waterfall, canoe and kayak, or dine out at the Walter Scott Jr. Lodge Restaurant. The park also has two observation towers to view the Platte River basin and has the Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex, where you and your besties can practice your shooting skills.
For overnight accommodations, choose among charming vintage cabins; gorgeous glamping cabins offering a touch of luxury; or the state-of-the-art campground with 48 full-hookup sites.
Aside from opportunities in Lincoln and Omaha, you can find more fun nearby at several other state parks, including Eugene T. Mahoney State Park and Schramm Park and Louisville state recreation areas. Other nearby options include the Wildlife Safari Park, a 4-mile drive-through adventure where you can view elk, white-tailed deer, bison and waterfowl; and the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, which showcases an impressive array of historic aircraft.
Ponca State Park
This beautiful, forested park is in northeastern Nebraska, just 35 minutes from Sioux City. Enjoy exploring 22 miles of hike/bike trails, viewing wildlife such as deer, turkey and birds, fishing, and practicing archery or target shooting. Other activities include boating, canoeing and kayaking, and picnicking.
Ponca has many lodging options, including 15 mini-lodges perfect for a group. Mini-lodges have four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a spacious kitchen, a living room, patio and more. Ponca also offers electric camping and ready-to-go Tentrr campsites.
If you and your friends enjoy golfing, you can find the Highland Oaks Public Golf Course on the park’s southern boundary. It offers a challenging nine-hole course with spectacular park vistas.
Sherman Reservoir State Recreation Area
Want to get away from it all? Plan a weekend trip to Sherman Reservoir State Recreation Area, located about an hour northwest of Grand Island. If you and your friends love to fish, this is the park for you. Cast a line for walleye, crappie, catfish, white bass and northern pike on the 2,845-acre lake.
Sherman also offers plenty of space for a picnic – including 12 shelters and more than 100 picnic tables. Several trails are available for hiking and wildlife viewing.
Stay overnight at one of 10 Tentrr sites, which offer fully equipped, ready-to-go campsites complete with spacious canvas safari tents, a comfortable bed and Adirondack chairs for stargazing. Sherman Reservoir also offers more than 300 non-pad sites without electricity and about 60 electrical campsites.
Smith Falls State Park
Scenic Smith Falls State Park, in north-central Nebraska, is home to the state’s highest waterfall. Stand under the spray of the 70-foot Smith Falls and shoot a group photo. Then stay to enjoy hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and canoeing or kayaking the Niobrara River. Basic campsites are available for those looking to stay at the park; the campground has picnic tables, restrooms and pay showers.
To fill out your weekend or find alternate places to stay, make the 30-minute trip west to the town of Valentine. There, you can find a brewery, art gallery, museums, local restaurants and lodging.
Other nearby options to explore include Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, where you can view bison, elk, deer and prairie dogs along the 3.5-mile wildlife drive; and the Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail, a 195-mile trail from Valentine east to Norfolk that’s great for biking, hiking and horseback riding. Sections of the trail are closed. Visit OutdoorNebraska.gov for more information.
To learn more about these parks and purchase your required state park entry permit, visit OutdoorNebraska.gov.