With a little something for everyone, the Niobrara National Scenic River is a destination for crossing adventures off your bucket list. Most popular for river recreation, you can float the Niobrara River on a canoe, tube, or kayak as a beginner and have a blast. Hiking, biking, and wildlife watching keep our visitors b
Free — you won’t need your pass here.
Free entry — there is no entrance fee here, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
- Fee type No fee — No fee is charged here.
- HoursMost of the river itself is open 24 hours a day, with the exception of the river that flows through Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. The river in that stretch is open from sunrise to sunset. Please use caution: be
- Source National Park Service ↗
- Last verifiedJuly 6, 2026 · Confirmed
- Official pagewww.nps.gov ↗
- Contact 4023761901 · niobrara_nsr@nps.gov
Most visitors start their trip in the city of Valentine, Nebraska. Valentine is 76 miles south of I-90 (Murdo, SD Exit) on Hwy 83; or 130 miles north of I-80 (North Platte, NE Exit) on Hwy 83. The nearest major airports are in Rapid City, SD (220 miles); Denver, CO (391 miles); and Omaha, NE (300 mi
Common questions
Quick Yes / No / Depends answers for Niobrara National Scenic River — always confirm with the managing site before you go.
No Is there a fee at Niobrara National Scenic River?
No — it’s free to enter, so you won’t need your pass to get in.
Yes Can you fish at Niobrara National Scenic River?
Yes — fishing is one of the listed activities here. You’ll need a valid state fishing license.
Yes Can you kayak, paddle, or boat here?
Yes — there’s water for boating and paddling at Niobrara National Scenic River. Hand-launched craft usually need no permit; motorized boats may need registration or a launch fee.
Yes Can you camp at Niobrara National Scenic River?
Yes — camping is available. Reserve ahead where required; you can check availability on Recreation.gov.
Depends Can you have a campfire?
Sometimes — campfires are subject to seasonal fire restrictions and bans. Always check current fire conditions first.
Yes Are there hiking trails?
Yes — hiking is one of the listed activities at Niobrara National Scenic River.
Yes Can you bike here?
Yes — biking is available at Niobrara National Scenic River. Confirm which roads or trails allow it.
Depends Is hunting allowed?
Yes — hunting is permitted here in season, with the required state license and tags. Check seasons and unit rules.
Depends Can you bring a dog?
Usually only leashed and in developed areas, campgrounds, and paved paths — not on most trails or in buildings. Pet rules vary by park, so check first.
Nearby sites
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters / Public domain · Wikimedia Commons U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
CheckThis U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service site may charge a fee your pass covers — confirm before you go.
USFWS Mountain-Prairie / CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Valentine National Wildlife Refuge
CheckThis U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service site may charge a fee your pass covers — confirm before you go.
