*New* Easy Camper Rental

Just when you thought Nebraska couldn’t get any cooler, Easy Camper Rental comes along and sets up shop! No need for you to take your camper on the long haul. Easy Camper Rental does the heavy lifting for you. You don’t have a camper – EVEN BETTER. Use theirs!

Golden Prairie Bison Tours

Golden Prairie Bison is run by Carl and Vicki Simmons. We strive to be good stewards of the land and livestock we own and manage near the edge of the largest stabilized sand dune in the world, the Sandhills of Nebraska. We have been in the business of converting the grasses of the Great Plains into beef since Carl’s grandparents homesteaded here in 1914.  
In about 1997 we reintroduced American Bison (Bison bison) to our lands. For decades we have explained to visitors that, in actuality, we just sell valued-added grasses. Since it has been said that a cubic yard of undisturbed soil is one of the two most biodiverse ecosystems in the world, maybe we should say “we sell value-added microbes.” As much as possible, we husband our bison unfettered, with no antibiotics or hormones and no unnecessary working.
In addition to caring for the land, we provide educational tours about prairie ecosystems and camping experiences to visitors.

Bird Watching in the Sandhills

The Nebraska Sandhills region represents the largest natural ecosystem in the state, covering nearly 19,000 square miles, or almost a quarter of the state. It is also the largest remaining grassland ecosystem in the country that is still virtually intact both faunistically and floristically. It is a land with far fewer people than cattle, where the roads are few and where tourist facilities and accommodations are almost non-existent. Those roads that do exist are little-traveled and often consist of only slightly improved sandy trails leading to ranches.
The Sandhills region is filled with breathtaking vistas, spectacular bird populations in the hundreds of lakes and marshes, and a pioneer spirit that requires everyone to help his or her neighbor, or indeed any stranger who happens to fall afoul of trouble while on the road. It is a land adapted to naturalists who would like to study virtually unaltered prairie ecosystems, and who are prepared to deal with nature on its own terms.

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Valentine Wildlife Refuge

In 2005, Valentine National Wildlife Refuge was designated a Nebraska Important Bird Area (IBA) by the Audubon Society. The IBA program is an inventory of the key sites within a state that support significant numbers and high diversity of birds. The IBA program is a conservation and education effort of the National Audubon Society and has no regulatory authority. Our application was reviewed by a technical committee which commented on the high diversity of species and the large population of greater prairie chickens found on Valentine National Wildlife Refuge.

The Refuge is also recognized as an Important Bird Area by the American Bird Conservancy (www.abcbirds.org). 

In 2012, Nebraska’s Center for Great Plains Studies included Valentine National Wildlife Refuge as one of the Great Plains Top 50 Ecotourism Sites. An ecotourism site is defined as a place primarily devoted to environmental or biodiversity conservation and providing an opportunity for the public to experience nature. Professional naturalists named sites considered to offer the best, most powerful environmental experience or are ones that are ecologically the most important. The Center recognizes the importance of ecotourism in helping nearby communities to thrive economically, increasing public awareness of nature, and generating funding for conservation. More information is available at www.unl.edu/plains. Species Checklist

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy’s Niobrara Valley Preserve is one of the largest TNC preserves in the U.S., and a model for grassland management using bison, cattle and fire. It encompasses majestic pine-clad canyons, extensive grasslands, and a 25-mile stretch of the Niobrara River. Visitors can enjoy the beauty of the preserve year-round, and of special interest is the bison herd grazing in the vast open prairie.

PUBLIC USE AREAS

Visitors are welcome to walk the new hiking trail west of the Preserve mailbox (foot traffic only, please). The trailhead includes a small parking area and information kiosk. You have your choice of the long loop or the short loop, both with grand views of the Niobrara River. You may enjoy the Norden chute at the Norden Bridge as well. Fishing is allowed with a Nebraska fishing permit. Please, no diving, camping or campfires.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is Niobrara_Fall-1024x563.jpg
Photo Courtesy of the Niobrara Valley Preserve – Fall

Ballards Marsh State Recreation Area

Ballards March Wildlife Management Area is about 20 miles south of Valentine, NE on US Highway 83 in the heart of Nebraska’s sandhills. The large marsh and adjacent grasslands are managed by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. It is a great place to see common birds and wildflowers of the sandhills. Perhaps you will hear a coyote or see the bald eagles which nest in trees just up the road. A free primitive campground is available with room for a half-dozen tents or trailers. There are a couple of picnic tables, fire boxes, a hand-operated water pump and an outhouse. The gravel loop road allows easy maneuvering for trailers. The campground is well shaded by large elms and is a delightful stop for a picnic during the summer. I camped here in late June, and had the place to myself. I was delighted to hear the trill of meadowlarks and the chirp of crickets and see fireflies at night. Staying at Ballards Marsh allows an early start for those who want to fish, hunt or watch birds at Valentine National Wildlife Refuge (about 3 miles to the South on Route 83).

Click Here for Map

Big Alkali Wildlife Management Area

Consists of 47 lakeside acres plus a 800-acre Sandhills lake. Whooping cranes and sandhill cranes have been seen here during fall migration.

Bowring Ranch

Trumpeter swans forage on a marsh just north of this park, which is a working cattle ranch.

Cottonwood Lake State Recreational Area

Canada geese breed here. Five miles east of Merriman is a marsh where trumpeter swans have nested, off the north side of U.S. Highway 20.

Ft. Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge

The Niobrara River flows eastward across the refuge for 9 miles, cutting deep canyons into the limestone rocks that underlie the Sandhills. Waterfalls occur where seeps and springs flow over layers of hard rock. Over 230 species of birds have been seen here, including Sharp-tailed Grouse, Greater Prairie-Chickens and Burrowing Owls. The refuge, located 3 miles east of Valentine, also maintains herds of bison and elk Species Checklist

Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area

This 9053-acre park with 2906-acre reservoir is located about 26 miles southwest of Valentine on Highway 97. It is adjacent to Nebraska National Forest land to the north and attracts a variety of migrant waterfowl, pelicans, western grebes, and other species. Species Checklist

Smith Falls State Park

Cross the Niobrara River on a footbridge and walk through the wooded canyon on a boardwalk to the falls in this park located 3 miles west and 4 miles south of Sparks. It has excellent riverside woodland birding. Species Checklist

Other sources:

Valentine Bike Share

Valentine’s newest addition. The Cowboy Trail trailhead on main street will greet you with these adorable bikes. Rent 1 for a couple hours. Follow the cowboy trail out East of town to the railroad bridge or just downtown to do some shopping. Valentine Bike share is the first of it’s kind being the most rural bike share in state.

Star Gazing

The Cherry County skies are a canvas of the brightest stars you have ever seen. The lack of light pollution and the tranquil and quiet surroundings make it the ideal place view the night sky. This is why Merritt Reservoir south of Valentine has been home to the Nebraska Star Party for over 25 years. Come see for yourself.

RV Parks & Campgrounds

By the river. By a lake. In the woods. In town. Close to town. Cherry County has no shortage of camping spots and electrical hook ups. Look here to see all of your options!

Valentine Area:

Renting a camper couldn’t be easier in the Valentine Area! Easy Camper Rental offers the highest level of hospitality, easiest booking process, multiple pick-up/drop-off locations, and guaranteed best value! Book HERE! or call 402-322-3230.

Kilgore Area:

Kilgore Park

Cody Area:

Cody Park-Cody City Park in Cody Nebraska provides partial hookup RV and tent camping in a city run park close to Hwy 20. Sites are unmarked, simply back into grass next to power pedestal.

Merriman Area:

Cottonwood Lake: Primitive camping – No Hook ups

South of Valentine on Hwy 83

Ballards Marsh Campground – Trees – Primitive Camping – hand pump water – Pit toilet

Woodlake Area:

Woodlake Village Park – Water & Electric

Area Dump stations:

Valentine – Veterans Memorial RV Dump Station – Bias & N. Green St. Valentine, NE 69201
Merritt Reservoir – NE Game & Parks Headquarters – Hwy 97 Just South of Merritt Trading Post

#1 – Float! Choose an Outfitter

Choose from the many local outfitters to experience the Niobrara River by Kayak, Canoe, Tube or Tank. It is sure to be a trip you will never forget and will keep you coming back!

Choose Your Outfitter

Niobrara River Outfitters:

Dryland Aquatics – 402-376-3119 – 1-800-337-3119 – https://drylandaquatics.com/

Sharp’s Tubes and Canoes – 402-376-2506 – https://sharpsoutfitters.com/

Heartland Elk Ranch – 402-376-2553 – https://www.heartlandelkranch.com

Graham Canoe Outfitters – 402-376-3708 – 1-800-322-3708 – http://www.grahamoutfitters.com/

Little Outlaw Canoe and Tube – 402-376-1822 – https://outlawcanoe.com/

Brewer’s Canoers and Tubers – 402-376-2046 – https://www.brewerscanoers.com/

Heartland Tubes – 402-389-1964 – https://www.heartlandtubes.com/

Niobrara River Ranch – 402-890-1245 –https://nrranch.com/

Stan’s Landing – 402-700-3791- https://www.campniobrara.com/

Nyobrafting – Nenzel, NE – 402-389-2242 – https://2theendsoftheearth.com/

Outback Canoers – Nenzel, NE – 402-376-1632

The Sandhills

The Sandhills of Nebraska, the quiet beauty of the state. Covering 19,000 square miles, it is the largest tract of stabilized sand dunes in the Western Hemisphere. Considered an inhospitable desert by early settlers, the Sandhills instead proved to be prime rangeland for raising cattle. The lush grasslands are nourished by the Ogallala Aquifer, one of the largest groundwater sources in the world. The grassy hills rise up to 400 feet and can be as long as 20 miles. While other parts of the world scream beauty, the Sandhills whisper.

Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest

Nestled in the Sandhills and bordering Merritt Reservoir, this 115,000-acre forest offers many outdoor activities. The word forest is used somewhat loosely in this case, as only 5,000 acres of the forest are actually wooded. The remaining 110,000 acres are rolling sandhills. The area is open to hunting in season, offering excellent upland game bird, waterfowl, and deer hunting. Hiking, biking, fishing, and bird watching are also popular in this area. Steer Creek Campground offers beautiful and secluded campsites in the pines of the forest.

The Prairie Club

The Prairie Club, just 17 miles south of Valentine, offers two world class golf courses plus a challenging par 3 course called the Horse Course. The Dunes Course, designed by golf pro Tom Lehman, is a tribute to all the links style courses he has played in his career.

Set in the rolling Sandhills, this course offers a challenge to all levels of golfers with wide fairways, an array of sand traps, and natural grasses of the hills for the rough. If you enjoy a course with more trees, the Pines Course weaves in and out of the Snake River valley with many spectacular vistas along the way. The Prairie Club Lodge has great dining, a golf shop, and overnight accommodations. The course is semi-private but avid golfers always have a chance to experience these beautiful courses.