Niobrara State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Niobrara State Park |
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Historic Niobrara State Park River Bridge
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 Niobrara State Park
Location in Nebraska
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| Location | Knox County, Nebraska. United States |
| Nearest town | Niobrara, Nebraska |
| Area | 1,236.59 acres (500.43 ha) |
| Elevation | 1,230 ft (370 m) |
| Designation | Nebraska state park |
| Established | 1987 (originally Niobrara Island State Park, est. 1930) |
| Visitors | 132,950 (in 2018) |
| Administrator | Nebraska Game and Parks Commission |
| Website | Niobrara State Park |
Niobrara State Park is a cool outdoor spot in the northeast part of Nebraska. It's located right where two big rivers meet: the Missouri and the Niobrara. The park sits on high ground, called river bluffs, west of the village of Niobrara.
A special part of the park is the Niobrara River Bridge. This old railroad bridge is now closed to trains but is listed as a historic place. You can often see many animals here, like white-tailed deer and wild turkeys during the day. At night, you might hear coyotes and whip-poor-wills. The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission takes care of the park.
Park History: How it Started
The first state park in this area was called Niobrara Island State Park. It was originally a town park for Niobrara. In 1930, the town gave it to the state.
In the 1930s, both the state and a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) helped make the park better. The CCC was a program where young men worked on conservation projects during a tough economic time.
The park you see today opened in 1987. This happened after the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission bought about 1,231 acres of higher land. The old park had problems with high water, so the cabins there were no longer used.
Fun Things to Do and See
Niobrara State Park has lots of activities for visitors. You can cool off in the swimming pool or learn more about the park at the interpretive center.
There are seven miles (11 km) of roads to explore by car. If you like walking, there are fourteen miles (23 km) of hiking trails. You can also stay overnight! The park offers places for RVs and tents (primitive camping). There are also cozy cabins with great views of the river.
