Exploring Nebraska's State Parks

Air Date: 03/01/2020

Follow our journey in Exploring Nebraska’s State Parks as we learn more about Nebraska’s first state park, enjoy a birds-eye view of the state’s varied landscapes, from rugged bluffs along the Missouri to the Panhandle’s Pine Ridge and experience history surrounded by exquisite scenery. By the end of this television trip, you’ll want to pack your bags and discover the history, natural resources and modern recreation that await visitors of all ages at state parks across Nebraska.

Nebraska's 8 state parks include:

Chadron
Nebraska's oldest park, celebrating 100 years in 2021.
Fort Robinson
Located in the northwest corner of the state, it's the biggest park in Nebraska parks' system, with just over 22,000 acres.
Indian Cave
Located in the southeast corner of the state, it features living history, remnants of the old town of St. Deroin, and a cave with prehistoric petroglyphs.
Mahoney
Situated halfway between Lincoln and Omaha, it was Nebraska's first year round park.
Niobrara
Situated on the confluence of the Niobrara and Missouri Rivers. It has stunning views from cabins that sit on the hills and look down onto the rivers.
Platte River
Nestled between Nebraska's two largest cities, it features a rare natural eastern Nebraska waterfall and several opportunities for young kids to connect with nature.
Ponca
One of Nebraska's most visited state parks, it's home to 'The Old Oak Tree' and is known by birdwatchers, who have spotted over 300 different species of birds there.
Smith Falls
The newest of Nebraska's state parks, it features a 63 foot tall waterfall, as well as several other smaller ones.

Chadron Photos

Chadron State Parks skies at sunset

Holy Rock

Sunny day at Chadron State Park

Chadron State Park at sundown

Tree Silhouettes

A storm approaches Chadron State Park

Capturing the Chadron State Park sunset

The moon rises over Chadron State Park

Big skies at Chadron State Park

Thunderheads at sunset

Horseback riding through the Ponderosa buttes

Horseback riding in Chadron State Park

Prairie grasses at Chadron State Park

Wildflowers

Producer Brandee Weber tries her hand at being an audio engineer

Audio Engineer Nathan Todhunter captures sound from the Chadron State Park pets

Chadron State Park Trading Post

The best place to watch the sun come up

Admiring the cabins from above

Poison Ivy

Chadron Assistant Park Superintendent Josh May helps videographer Wayne Martino Jr. get to the best places in the park to shoot

Assistant Park Superintendent Josh May had a remote control boat to use as a way to get a GoPro camera through Chadron Creek

Chadron State Park scenery

Welcome to Chadron State Park

Chadron State Park Entrance

Chadron State Park Historical Marker

Camera capturing the Chadron State Park sunset

Horseback riding through the Ponderosa buttes

Chadron Assistant Park Superintendent Josh May helps videographer Wayne Martino Jr.

Assistant Chadron State Park Superintendent Josh May

Fort Robinson Photos

Fort Robinson sunrise

Sun setting from Fort Robinson

Dusk at Fort Robinson

Fort Robinson burros

Cool sky over Fort Robinson

Fort Robinson bison herd

Fort Robinson pond

Videographer Wayne Martino, Jr. and Audio Engineer Nathan Todhunter are kings of the mountain

Fort Robinson water towers

Western Meadowlark sits on a fence post at Fort Robinson State Park

Shooting the state parks documentary at Fort Robinson

Fort Robinson Museum and History Center

Sunrising over the bluffs at Fort Robinson

Morning sky overlooking Fort Robinson below

Watching the sunrise from the Fort Robinson buttes

Sunrise on the Fort Robinson buttes

The crew was awake by 3:30am to capture the sunrise

In Fort Robinson Park Superintendent Jim Miller's words, "God's Country."

Twisted tree in foreground Fort Robinson in background

Beautiful Fort Robinson scenery

Fort Robinson sign

Moon rises over Fort Robinson

Sun sets on the Fort Robinson rodeo

Fort Robinson from the rodeo

Calf roping

Kicking up dust at the Fort Robinson rodeo

Fort Robinson rodeo silhouettes at sunset

Fort Robinson buttes from behind our cabin

Old officer's quarters have been converted into "cabins" for Fort Robinson visitors

Dining Room

One of the many bedrooms in our "cabin" at Fort Robinson

Fireplaces in every room

Spacious living room

Videographer Wayne Martino, Jr. and Audio Engineer Nathan Todhunter

Western Meadowlark sits on a fence post at Fort Robinson State Park

Shooting the state parks documentary at Fort Robinson

Sunrising over the bluffs at Fort Robinson

Morning sky overlooking Fort Robinson below

Watching the sunrise from the Fort Robinson buttes

Our crew at Fort Robinson Park with sunrise

Twisted tree in foreground Fort Robinson in background

Fort Robinson rodeo silhouettes at sunset

Fort Robinson buttes from behind our cabin

Old officer's quarters have been converted into "cabins" for Fort Robinson visitors

33One of the many bedrooms in our "cabin" at Fort Robinson

Fireplaces in every room at "cabin" in Fort Robinson

Spacious living room at "cabin" in Fort Robinson

Indian Cave Photos

Indian Cave State Park Sign

Indian Cave blacksmith

Indian Cave broom maker

Fall tree still under water from March flooding

Trees and Missouri River from Indian Cave lookout

We spied an opposum in broad daylight

Close up of fall pods

Shooting the Jenkins family at Indian Cave for the documentary

Road through Indian Cave on a fall day

Colors starting to appear...about a week from peak color season

Sun shining through the trees at the cave with boardwalk and red summac

Indian Cave trees in spring overlooking flooded Missouri River

Morel mushrooms hunted at Indian Cave

Red buds

Blacksmith Wayne Keighley at work

Fall tree still under water from March flooding

Trees and Missouri River from Indian Cave lookout

Sun at Indian Cave with boardwalk and red summac

Blacksmith Wayne Keighley at Indian Cave

Mahoney Photos

Horseback riding at Mahoney State Park

Ropes Course at Mahoney

Mahoney driving range

Trout found inside the conservancy

Rock climbing wall

Water tower

Clover and tall grass

Grassland trees and sky from a manucured area at Mahoney State Park

Videographer Wayne Martino, Jr. and Audio Engineer Nathan Todhunter shoot from on top of the lookout tower at Mahoney State Park

Producer Brandee Weber catches a large mouth bass from Baright Lake

Trout found inside the conservancy at Mahoney State Park

Rock climbing wall at Mahoney State Park

Clover and tall grass at Mahoney State Park

Grassland trees and sky from a manucured area at Mahoney State Park

Videographer Wayne Martino, Jr. and Audio Engineer Nathan Todhunter at Mahoney State Park

Producer Brandee Weber catches a large mouth bass from Baright Lake

Niobrara Photos

Sand volleyball court at Niobrara State Park

Native American history

Beautiful Niobrara State Park view

Washed away bridge from March 2019 floods

Temporary bridge being built to provide park access to the town of Niobrara

June views of Niobrara State Park

Ponca history plaque

Mother with her baby turkeys

Horses out to pasture

The sun goes down on Niobrara State Park

The sun gets lower at Niobrara State Park

Audio engineer Nathan Todhunter goes off to capture the sounds of Niobrara State Park at sunset

Rabbit at Niobrara State Park

Tree silhouettes at sunset at Niobrara State Park

Turkeys at the camp site

River at dusk

Sun sets on Niobrara State Park

Clouds at sunset

Road, green hills, and a sunset at Niobrara State Park

Up before the sun at Niobrara State Park

Videographer Wayne Martino Jr. sets up a timelapse to capture the Niobrara SP sunrise

Camera capturing the sunrise

Clouds at sunrise at Niobrara State Park

Sunrise at Niobrara State Park

Picnic shelter at sunrise at Niobrara State Park

This picnic bench helped us capture the sunrise from Niobrara State Park

Fire in the sky at sunrise at Niobrara State Park

Dawn at Niobrara State Park

Skies and tallgrass prairie at dawn at Niobrara State Park

Niobrara State Park entry sign

Niobrara State Park enry booth

Turkey family walks the roads of Niobrara State Park

Audio engineer Nathan Todhunter proves our job isn't all work and no play

Camera man and drone pilot Jacob Imig uses a GoPro to capture the waves

Wake zone

Niobrara State Park Superintendent Mark Rettig takes the crew out on a boat to capture the true vibe

Producer Brandee Weber, "It's a tough job, but somebody's got to do it."

Turtleback bluffs on the bank of the Missouri River near Niobrara State Park

Cliff swallow nests along the banks of the Missouri River

Cliff Swallows along the banks of the Missouri River near Niobrara State Park

Nebraska, where some trees grow upside down

Calm waters of the Missouri River near Niobrara State Park

Tree reflecting in water on the Missouri River

Turtlebacks along the Missouri River

NET's Nathan Todhunter, Wayne Martino Jr, Jacob Imig and Brandee Weber with Niobrara State Park superintendent Mark Rettig

Storm clouds over Niobrara State Park

Sand volleyball court at Niobrara State Park

Washed away bridge from March 2019 floods

Temporary bridge being built to provide park access to the town of Niobrara

The sun goes down on Niobrara State Park

The sun gets lower at Niobrara State Park

Tree silhouettes at sunset at Niobrara State Park

Road, green hills, and a sunset at Niobrara State Park

Up before the sun at Niobrara State Park

Clouds at sunrise at Niobrara State Park

Picnic shelter at sunrise at Niobrara State Park

This picnic bench helped us capture the sunrise from Niobrara State Park

Fire in the sky at sunrise at Niobrara State Park

Skies and tallgrass prairie at dawn at Niobrara State Park

Turkey family walks the roads of Niobrara State Park

Camera man and drone pilot Jacob Imig uses a GoPro to capture the waves

Niobrara State Park Superintendent Mark Rettig

Turtleback bluffs on the bank of the Missouri River near Niobrara

Cliff swallow nests along the banks of the Missouri River

Cliff Swallows along the banks of the Missouri River near Niobrara

Nebraska, where some trees grow upside down

Calm waters of the Missouri River near Niobrara State Park

Tree reflecting in water on the Missouri River

NET's Nathan Todhunter, Wayne Martino Jr, Jacob Imig and Brandee Weber with Niobrara State Park superintendent Mark Rettig

Platte River Photos

Teepee Trees and River from Platte River State Park observation tower

Baby snapping turtle

Boys walk in Crawdad Creek at Platte River State Park

Found caterpillar

Close up waterfall

Crawdad Creek reflections

Platte River State Park lake

Missouri River from lookout tower at Platte River State Park

Toad found in Crawdad Creek at Platte River State Park

Up close and personal with the Platte River State Park waterfall

Flowers at Platte River State Park

Grass

It wasn't fun lugging equipment up the observation deck steps to get shots of the amazing views

Videographer Wayne Martino, Jr. shoots a wishing well that is a remnant of the old campfire girls camp at Platte River State Park

Teepee Trees and River from Platte River State Park observation tower

Boys walk in Crawdad Creek at Platte River State Park

Missouri River from lookout tower at Platte River State Park

Toad found in Crawdad Creek at Platte River State Park

Up close and personal with the Platte River State Park waterfall

It wasn't fun lugging equipment up the observation deck steps to get shots of the amazing views

Ponca Photos

Sunrise on the Missouri River at Ponca State Park

Ponca State Park river plaque

Sunrise reflects on water at Ponca State Park

Clouds at sunrise at Ponca State Park

When waking up early is totally worth it

Sunrise from the backwaters at Ponca State Park

Sun reflects off the water at Ponca State Park

Sun comes up on the Missouri River at Ponca State Park

Ponca State Park history plaque

Lewis and Clark expedition plaque

Bluffs from the backwater area at Ponca State Park

Ponca State Park cabin

Dutchman's Breeches

Fishing at Ponca State Park

Fungus growing on a log at Ponca State Park

Ponca golf course from Ponca State Park

Golf hole

Inside cabin at Ponca State Park

Kayaking and fishing at Ponca State Park

Kayaking at Ponca State Park

Morning from the Tri State Overlook at Ponca State Park

Ponca State Park entrance sign

A river road at Ponca State Park in northeast Nebraska. (Nebraska Public Media file photo)

Sun rises from the Tri State Overlook at Ponca State Park

Through the lens at Tri State Overlook

Towers in Time close up Ponca State Park

Videographer Wayne Martino Jr., audio engineer Nathan Todhunter and producer Brandee Weber hard at work

Towers in Time Waterfall at Ponca State Park entrance

Turkey feather on a trail at Ponca State Park

Ponca State Park waterpark, preseason

Videographer Wayne Martino Jr, Producer Brandee Weber and audio engineer Nathan Todhunter head out on their first shoot for the documentary

Videographer Wayne Martino Jr records the sunrise at Ponca State Park

String of Dutchman's Breeches

Sunrise on the Missouri River at Ponca State Park

Sunrise reflects on water at Ponca State Park

When waking up early is totally worth it

Sunrise from the backwaters at Ponca State Park

Sun reflects off the water at Ponca State Park

Sun comes up on the Missouri River at Ponca State Park

Bluffs from the backwater area at Ponca State Park

Fungus growing on a log at Ponca State Park

Kayaking and fishing at Ponca State Park.jpg

Morning from the Tri State Overlook at Ponca State Park

Sun rises from the Tri State Overlook at Ponca State Park

Towers in Time close up Ponca State Park

Videographer Wayne Martino Jr., audio engineer Nathan Todhunter and producer Brandee Weber

Towers in Time Waterfall at Ponca State Park entrance

Turkey feather on a trail at Ponca State Park

Videographer Wayne Martino Jr, Producer Brandee Weber and audio engineer Nathan Todhunter

Smith Falls Photos

Smith Falls

Bird feeder

View from the Verdigre Bridge at Smith Falls State Park

Beautiful summer day at Smith Falls State Park

View of the bluffs from Smith Falls State Park

Videographers Wayne Martino Jr and Tyler Kerstig come up with a plan before launching the drone

Fun on the Niobrara River at Smith Falls State Park

Our drone, flown with special permission, flies over Smith Falls

Sun sets on the Niobrara River from the Verdigre Bridge at Smith Falls State Park

Videographer Wayne Martino, Jr. captures the sunset at Smith Falls State Park

Videographer Wayne Martino, Jr. shoots from the Verdigre Bridge at Smith Falls State Park

The sun goes down on Smith Falls State Park

Sunset over the Niobrara River at Smith Falls State Park

Raccoon visitor while capturing the sunset at Smith Falls State Park

Smith Falls history

Nature plaque

Restoration plaque

Old cable car that used to take visitors across the river to the falls at Smith Falls State Park

Tubing the Niobrara River

Kayaking down the Niobrara River toward the Verdigre Bridge at Smith Falls State Park

Sun bounces off of Smith Falls

Turkey Feather Falls at Smith Falls State Park

Verdigre Bridge at Smith Falls State Park

Smith Falls State Park Superintendent Amy Kucera inside the old cable car that used to take people across the river to the falls

View from the Verdigre Bridge at Smith Falls State Park

Beautiful summer day at Smith Falls State Park

View of the bluffs from Smith Falls State Park

Videographers Wayne Martino Jr and Tyler Kerstig come up with a plan before launching the drone

Fun on the Niobrara River at Smith Falls State Park

Drone, flown with special permission, flies over Smith Falls

Sun sets on the Niobrara River from the Verdigre Bridge at Smith Falls State Park

The sun goes down on Smith Falls State Park

Sunset over the Niobrara River at Smith Falls State Park

Raccoon visitor while capturing the sunset at Smith Falls State Park

Old cable car that used to take visitors across the river to the falls at Smith Falls State Park

Kayaking down the Niobrara River toward the Verdigre Bridge at Smith Falls State Park

Turkey Feather Falls at Smith Falls State Park

Verdigre Bridge at Smith Falls State Park

Smith Falls State Park Superintendent Amy Kucera

Nebraska State Historical Parks

Adventures in History

Discover Nebraska’s State Historical Parks

Adventures in History: Discovering Nebraska's State Historical Parks is a Connects program produced in partnership with the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission

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