Nebraska is home to boundless natural beauty, and nowhere is that more apparent than in our state parks. Nebraska has eight official state parks, a number which doesn’t include the many, many state recreational areas and wildlife preserves around here – which we’ll explore later. For now, read on some information to entice you to visit the breathtaking beauty at these eight Nebraska state parks and check out the parks’ trail maps on AllTrails!

1. Chadron State Park
West Nebraska
Chadron State Park, Gold Rush Byway, Chadron, NE, USA
Billy N/TripAdvisor
Located just nine miles south of the town of Chadron, this state park is actually within the borders of the stunning Nebraska National Forest. It was Nebraska's very first national park and has space and facilities for camping, fishing, horseback riding, hiking, and tons of other activities.
2. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
Barbara Oxford/Google Reviews
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park, 28500 W Park Hwy, Ashland, NE 68003, USA
Author Photo
Mahoney State Park was first designated a state park in 1991 and today is Nebraska's second most visited attraction, right after Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo. Mahoney has just about everything you could hope for in a park: paddleboating, a water park, disc golf, tobogganing, a tall observation tower, an outstanding restaurant, camping, and soooo much more.
3. Fort Robinson State Park
Dan Krueger/Google Reviews
Fort Robinson State Park, Soldier Creek Rd & US Hwy 20, Crawford, NE 69339, USA
TripAdvisor/Mustangdad1961
Located near Crawford in northwestern Nebraska, Fort Robinson State Park was once a U.S. Army fort. Today, Fort Robinson is a great place to enjoy nature while learning about the area's history. The museum on site has a wealth of information about the fort itself and the surrounding region. A horse drawn narrative tour is a special highlight that will get you up to speed on the fort's fascinating story. Horseback riding, an indoor pool, Jeep rides, camping and hiking are just a few of the activities you'll enjoy at Fort Robinson.
4. Indian Cave State Park
Brian Bale/Google Reviews
Indian Cave State Park, 720 Road, Shubert, NE, USA
Flickr/Dick Clark
Indian Cave State Park's mission revolves around preservation. The prehistoric cave referenced in the park's name contains petroglyphs believed to be thousands of years old. Also within the park's boundaries is the "ghost town" of St. Deroin. You'll find excellent hiking here as well as camping, fishing, and horseback riding.

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5. Niobrara State Park
Author Photo
Niobrara State Park, 89261 522 Ave, Niobrara, NE 68760, USA
Ammodramus/Wikimedia Commons
This is another great spot for hiking, but you'll also want to make time just to enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings and abundant wildlife. Guided horseback trail rides, an indoor pool, lots of historical monuments, and exploring the Niobrara River are some of the unforgettable experiences you can have here. While at the park, you'll want to do this awesome hike. You can find a trail map and other tips on AllTrails+.
6. Platte River State Park
Deanne A/TripAdvisor
Platte River State Park, 14421 346th St, Louisville, NE 68037, USA
TripAdvisor/vagabomb
This gem in southeastern Nebraska is located near Louisville. Its 10 miles of hiking trails are a bit steep, making them perfect for hikers who want more of a challenge than walking on flat pavement. Cabins and teepees are available for rent, and the on-site outdoor amphitheater offers free family movies every Saturday in the summer.
7. Ponca State Park
TripAdvisor/Kathy M.
Ponca State Park, 88090 Spur 26 E, Ponca, NE 68770, USA
Betty J/TripAdvisor
In extreme northeastern Nebraska, Ponca State Park is home to a blufftop that lets you see Nebraska, South Dakota, and Iowa all at once. Fishing, camping, swimming, and wildlife watching are some of the can't-miss activities at Ponca.
8. Smith Falls State Park
Ammodramus/Wikimedia
Smith Falls State Park, 90159 Smith Falls Rd, Valentine, NE 69201, USA
Love2Xplore/TripAdvisor
Sitting in the Sand Hills region of Nebraska, Smith Falls State Park is home to the state's highest waterfall. A unique mini-ecosystem exists in the canyon where the water spills over and hits the rocks below. The park is mainly enjoyed by day trippers but also offers tent camping facilities. Canoeing down the Niobrara River is a favorite activity in this uniquely beautiful park.

Which of the state parks in Nebraska is your favorite? Let us know in the comments. And if you’ve got any photos from your own state park visits, feel free to share those also! We love hearing from you.

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More to Explore

State Parks to Visit in Nebraska

Tori Jane | February 07, 2022

What are the best state parks in Nebraska for nature lovers?  

Well, luckily (or perhaps unluckily, depending on your perspective), Nebraska is only home to eight state parks! Compare that to places like Indiana, which has 24, or even places like New York, which has 178 (!!!), and it might seem a little underwhelming. But, if you ask us, that’s not the case here – our eight state parks are a delight, and folks come from all over to experience them. Some of the most popular, which could arguably be called the best state parks in Nebraska for nature lovers, include Smith Falls State Park, which is home to Nebraska’s largest waterfall (yes, we have those here). Platte River State Park is another amazing one, which features more waterfalls, a tennis court, recreation areas, and more, and Indian Cave State Park is one of those places that really encapsulates the beauty of this little old state. If you’re a fan of amazing views, you can’t miss Niobrara State Park.  

What are the most popular hiking trails in Nebraska?  

According to our buddies at AllTrails.com, Nebraska is home to only a few state parks, but it’s got more than 200 awesome hikes and hiking trails to choose from! Among the most popular hiking trails in Nebraska is the Platte River State Park Trail Loop, a 6.7-mile trek near South Bend that includes horseback riding, if you so choose. Then, there’s the Wehrspann Lake Full Loop, an easy, six-mile-long hike that spans the perimeter of Wehrspann Lake (which is gorgeous, by the way). You’ll also love trails like Standing Bear Lake Loop, at Standing Bear Lake Park, and the Zorinsky Lake Trail Full Loop, which you’ll find at the Ed Zorinsky Recreation Area. For more ideas, check this list of 15 of our favorite hiking trails in Nebraska out!  

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