The Niobrara River
Note: If you are going on this trip, you need to make reservations at Smith Falls State Park for To be determined. The link for online reservations is: https://nebraskastateparks.reserveamerica.com/unifSearchResults.do You can also phone (402) 471-1414 for reservations.
Overview: The Niobrara is an interesting river. It is stream fed from the Ogallala acquifer. The right side of the river features many small waterfalls, some falling directly into the river. The flora and fauna are also unique. There are Birch trees found along the Niobrara that only exist 400 miles to the North of Nebraska. When eastern forest expanded and contracted thousands of years ago, the trees liked the Niobrara area and stayed there. The Niobrara river valley is a "biological crossroads of the Great Plains."
A longer description of the Niobrara is given in Backpacker magazine. https://www.backpacker.com/stories/paddle-nebraska-s-niobrara-river/
Here is the Smith Falls State Park website: http://outdoornebraska.gov/smithfalls/
Next Trip: To be determined. See the Itinerary below:
Class: Class I. In the summer the Niobrara is filled with canoes and inner tubes.
Fees: If you camp at Smith Falls State Park or any private campground there will be a camping fee. It was $15 in 2022. These fees may change from year to year. The daily entrance fee at Smith Falls State Park is $12. The put-in at Cornell Bridge used to charge $1 per person. The take-out at Rocky Ford is $5 per person and $10 per car. This is not an inexpensive trip.
River Flow: The optimal flow is around 600-900 cfs. Flows less than 340 force you to occasionally get out of the boat due to shallow water. Flows over 2000 cfs would make it a class II float. The gauge is at this link:
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?06461500
Location: Smith Falls State Park, near Valentine, Nebraska is about 403 miles from Loveland, Colorado and takes around 6-7 driving hours. Use Google Maps to find your driving time.
www.google.com/maps/
Weather: It sometimes rains during this time of year in Nebraska, so be prepared with the proper rain gear and clothing.
General Information:
This is a class I trip and everyone is welcome.
We will be doing day floats so you do NOT have to pack camping equipment in your boat. You just have to take along the usual boating items listed below and a sack lunch. The float will last around 3-5 hours depending on the river flow.
Typical gear would include:
PFDs are required on all Poudre Paddler events
Bring rain clothing
Bring a river whistle
Bring extra clothing in a dry bag in case you swim
Drink lots of water
Do not tie children or pets to the boat
Rescue people first, equipment second
Keep between lead boat and sweep boat
Use sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
Bring a throw rope if you have one
Bring a personal first aid kit if you have one
Bring lunch, drinks and enough snacks for the whole day
Itinerary:
Friday, : Drive to Smith Falls State Park and setup your tent. We will meet around 7:00 pm to go over the plans for the next day. This meeting is not required if you arrive late, or are staying in a motel.
Saturday, : Meet at 9:00 am at the Cornell Bridge put-in near Valentine, Nebraska.
We will unload the boats and one person in each car will drive back to Smith Falls State Park. Then 1 or 2 cars will take the drivers back to Cornell Bridge. Next we float down the river from Cornell Bridge to Smith Falls State Park. There is a boat ramp, if you need one. Saturday around 5:00 we will have a happy hour. Bring a snack to share and your favorite beverage. Alcohol is allowed up until 10:00 pm.
Sunday, : Meet at 9:00 am at the boat ramp at Smith Falls State Park. We will get our boats ready and one person in each car will drive to the take-out. The shuttle takes over an hour, so non-drivers should plan to relax, hike to Smith Falls or bird watch at the campground while the drivers are driving. Around 10:00 am we will float down the river. The take-out is at Rocky Ford.
After the float, you may want to visit the Nature Conservancy Niobrara Valley Preserve
For those that still have some energy there will be another happy hour around 5:00 pm on Sunday.
Monday, : Drive Home
Host to contact if you have questions:
Roger Faaborg
[email protected]
(970) 646 5706
Overview: The Niobrara is an interesting river. It is stream fed from the Ogallala acquifer. The right side of the river features many small waterfalls, some falling directly into the river. The flora and fauna are also unique. There are Birch trees found along the Niobrara that only exist 400 miles to the North of Nebraska. When eastern forest expanded and contracted thousands of years ago, the trees liked the Niobrara area and stayed there. The Niobrara river valley is a "biological crossroads of the Great Plains."
A longer description of the Niobrara is given in Backpacker magazine. https://www.backpacker.com/stories/paddle-nebraska-s-niobrara-river/
Here is the Smith Falls State Park website: http://outdoornebraska.gov/smithfalls/
Next Trip: To be determined. See the Itinerary below:
Class: Class I. In the summer the Niobrara is filled with canoes and inner tubes.
Fees: If you camp at Smith Falls State Park or any private campground there will be a camping fee. It was $15 in 2022. These fees may change from year to year. The daily entrance fee at Smith Falls State Park is $12. The put-in at Cornell Bridge used to charge $1 per person. The take-out at Rocky Ford is $5 per person and $10 per car. This is not an inexpensive trip.
River Flow: The optimal flow is around 600-900 cfs. Flows less than 340 force you to occasionally get out of the boat due to shallow water. Flows over 2000 cfs would make it a class II float. The gauge is at this link:
https://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?06461500
Location: Smith Falls State Park, near Valentine, Nebraska is about 403 miles from Loveland, Colorado and takes around 6-7 driving hours. Use Google Maps to find your driving time.
www.google.com/maps/
Weather: It sometimes rains during this time of year in Nebraska, so be prepared with the proper rain gear and clothing.
General Information:
This is a class I trip and everyone is welcome.
We will be doing day floats so you do NOT have to pack camping equipment in your boat. You just have to take along the usual boating items listed below and a sack lunch. The float will last around 3-5 hours depending on the river flow.
Typical gear would include:
PFDs are required on all Poudre Paddler events
Bring rain clothing
Bring a river whistle
Bring extra clothing in a dry bag in case you swim
Drink lots of water
Do not tie children or pets to the boat
Rescue people first, equipment second
Keep between lead boat and sweep boat
Use sunscreen, hat, and sunglasses
Bring a throw rope if you have one
Bring a personal first aid kit if you have one
Bring lunch, drinks and enough snacks for the whole day
Itinerary:
Friday, : Drive to Smith Falls State Park and setup your tent. We will meet around 7:00 pm to go over the plans for the next day. This meeting is not required if you arrive late, or are staying in a motel.
Saturday, : Meet at 9:00 am at the Cornell Bridge put-in near Valentine, Nebraska.
We will unload the boats and one person in each car will drive back to Smith Falls State Park. Then 1 or 2 cars will take the drivers back to Cornell Bridge. Next we float down the river from Cornell Bridge to Smith Falls State Park. There is a boat ramp, if you need one. Saturday around 5:00 we will have a happy hour. Bring a snack to share and your favorite beverage. Alcohol is allowed up until 10:00 pm.
Sunday, : Meet at 9:00 am at the boat ramp at Smith Falls State Park. We will get our boats ready and one person in each car will drive to the take-out. The shuttle takes over an hour, so non-drivers should plan to relax, hike to Smith Falls or bird watch at the campground while the drivers are driving. Around 10:00 am we will float down the river. The take-out is at Rocky Ford.
After the float, you may want to visit the Nature Conservancy Niobrara Valley Preserve
For those that still have some energy there will be another happy hour around 5:00 pm on Sunday.
Monday, : Drive Home
Host to contact if you have questions:
Roger Faaborg
[email protected]
(970) 646 5706