The 10 Most Underrated Places In Nebraska That You Must Check Out

A tributary of the larger Loup River, the North Loup is partially diverted for irrigation for part of the year. But in the spring and fall, it flows at full force and is a fantastic canoeing destination, not to mention a beautiful and highly underrated area.

Lewis & Clark State Recreation is a great place to go, rent a cabin, and enjoy all the natural beauty Nebraska has to offer. Situated on the shore of Lewis and Clark Lake, the area offers an unforgettable view of the lake and the bluffs.

This monument is known as the site of some pretty major fossil finds. Today, there are displays of fossils as well as Native American artifacts. But even if you aren't interested in history, the landscape is simply lovely.

Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center is an 850-acre tallgrass prairie nature preserve located 20 minutes southwest of Lincoln. The prairie is a great place to do some hiking, birdwatching, or just relaxing in nature.

Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area, near Gering, offers 1,094 acres of rugged rock buttes and pine-clad canyons just waiting to be explored. The recreation area overlooks the North Platte River Valley, and historic Scotts Bluff National Monument looms to the northwest. The park features over four miles of hiking/biking trails, stone-covered picnic shelters, and a secluded campground from which to enjoy nocturnal nature and a quiet campsite.

Nebraska's largest lake features more than 100 miles of sandy shoreline. The man-made lake is surrounded by some serious natural beauty, and there's nothing quite like a sunset over this water.

Activities include trail rides, historic tours, cookouts, swimming, trout fishing, crafts, hiking, jeep and stagecoach rides, viewing pasture for bison herd, purebred Texas longhorn herds and more. The park grounds are open year-round for day use, hiking and camping, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and hunting in season.

Situated in a narrow, picturesque valley of the Snake River, Merritt Reservoir is 26 miles southwest of Valentine in Nebraska's unique Sandhills, making it a beautiful area to visit. Not to mention Merritt offers some of Nebraska's best fishing.

Looking like a fun place to spend a hot summer afternoon, Snake River Falls is a popular fishing and recreation spot about 20 miles south of Valentine. It's the largest waterfall by volume in the entire state of Nebraska.

Calamus Reservoir offers some of the state's finest recreational opportunities. Camping, fishing, boating, hiking, sightseeing and hunting are all popular here, and the beach is just spectacular.