Now that the average daily temperature in Nebraska has dipped down to below that of the sun’s surface, we need to get out there and have some fun outdoors. There are endless possibilities out there, but if you have to choose just a few activities to squeeze in before winter smacks us in the face, these are the ones you should do.
- Go hiking or biking on the Cowboy Trail.
flickr/Ken Ratcliff Or any trail, really. Not sure where to start? We’ve got a few ideas for you here.
- Go geocaching.
flickr/Carla216 Geocaching is basically a big old treasure hunt out in nature. There are lots of cache sites all throughout Nebraska for you to hunt down.
- Explore another planet at Toadstool Geologic Park.
flickr/Katatonic This almost unbelievable place near Harrison has some of the most distinct landscape you’ll see in the whole state. The rock formations will leave you in awe. Take a closer look here.
- Head for the beach.
flickr/vicki watkins YES, Nebraska has beaches. Lots of them, actually. You can lounge around on the sand, go swimming, go fishing, jump on a boat, hop on your paddle board, or about a hundred other things. See some of our favorite beaches here.
- Go camping.
flickr/David Wynia Even if it’s only in your own backyard (which is super fun, by the way), camping is an awesome way to connect with nature. Lots of campgrounds also have activities like hiking and fishing, so you can squeeze in plenty of outdoor fun time on one trip. These are just a few of Nebraska’s great camping spots.
- Hit the river in a canoe, kayak, tube, or tank.
flickr/USFWS Mountain-Prairie There are a LOT of miles of river in Nebraska, and you can enjoy them in so many different ways. Hop in a vessel of your choice and take off - or just jump into the water itself.
- Take a little walk to a big waterfall.
flickr/Brett Whaley Smith Falls, near Valentine, is a truly beautiful sight. Nebraska’s tallest waterfall is easily reached after a short walk through a field and over a bridge. Read more about Smith Falls here.
- Head out for a day (or a week?) at one of our state parks.
flickr/Ali Eminov All eight official Nebraska state parks are fantastic and worth a visit, but three of them were named among the 25 best state parks in the entire nation. Mahoney State Park near Ashland, Fort Robinson State Park near Crawford, and Ponca State Park near Ponca were named as some of the best parks in the U.S. Go find out why!
- See Nebraska’s wild side.
By National Park Service - National Park Service, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15230763 The Niobrara Valley Nature Preserve near Valentine is one of the most intensely beautiful places in the state. You will never forget your visit there.
- Check out one of the best views in Nebraska.
By DickClarkMises - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16941290 Wildcat Hills Recreation Area near Gering has the kind of landscape that most people think just doesn’t exist in Nebraska. This untamed jewel in western Nebraska is the perfect place to get outdoors and reconnect with nature.
- Find some unexpected wilderness in the city.
TripAdvisor/julauberkakoff Pioneers Park in Lincoln is a welcome refuge from the rest of the world. Its 668 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and prairie are just so peaceful. You wouldn’t expect to see elk or bison in the middle of the city, but you can catch a glimpse of them lounging in this beautiful wildlife sanctuary.
- Watch the stars.
flickr/Diana Robinson This is a simple pleasure that anyone can do from almost anywhere. Even if you live in the city, you’re never more than a short drive away from a place that’s dark enough to see the stars. Watching them dance in the sky is the perfect way to end an epic day of outdoor adventure.
Whew – just reading about all of those adventures is tiring! But I’m ready to go have some fun outdoors – how about you? Before you go, check out these unforgettable adventures that you can only have in Nebraska.
flickr/Ken Ratcliff
Or any trail, really. Not sure where to start? We’ve got a few ideas for you here.
flickr/Carla216
Geocaching is basically a big old treasure hunt out in nature. There are lots of cache sites all throughout Nebraska for you to hunt down.
flickr/Katatonic
This almost unbelievable place near Harrison has some of the most distinct landscape you’ll see in the whole state. The rock formations will leave you in awe. Take a closer look here.
flickr/vicki watkins
YES, Nebraska has beaches. Lots of them, actually. You can lounge around on the sand, go swimming, go fishing, jump on a boat, hop on your paddle board, or about a hundred other things. See some of our favorite beaches here.
flickr/David Wynia
Even if it’s only in your own backyard (which is super fun, by the way), camping is an awesome way to connect with nature. Lots of campgrounds also have activities like hiking and fishing, so you can squeeze in plenty of outdoor fun time on one trip. These are just a few of Nebraska’s great camping spots.
flickr/USFWS Mountain-Prairie
There are a LOT of miles of river in Nebraska, and you can enjoy them in so many different ways. Hop in a vessel of your choice and take off - or just jump into the water itself.
flickr/Brett Whaley
Smith Falls, near Valentine, is a truly beautiful sight. Nebraska’s tallest waterfall is easily reached after a short walk through a field and over a bridge. Read more about Smith Falls here.
flickr/Ali Eminov
All eight official Nebraska state parks are fantastic and worth a visit, but three of them were named among the 25 best state parks in the entire nation. Mahoney State Park near Ashland, Fort Robinson State Park near Crawford, and Ponca State Park near Ponca were named as some of the best parks in the U.S. Go find out why!
By National Park Service - National Park Service, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15230763
The Niobrara Valley Nature Preserve near Valentine is one of the most intensely beautiful places in the state. You will never forget your visit there.
By DickClarkMises - Own work, CC0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16941290
Wildcat Hills Recreation Area near Gering has the kind of landscape that most people think just doesn’t exist in Nebraska. This untamed jewel in western Nebraska is the perfect place to get outdoors and reconnect with nature.
TripAdvisor/julauberkakoff
Pioneers Park in Lincoln is a welcome refuge from the rest of the world. Its 668 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and prairie are just so peaceful. You wouldn’t expect to see elk or bison in the middle of the city, but you can catch a glimpse of them lounging in this beautiful wildlife sanctuary.
flickr/Diana Robinson
This is a simple pleasure that anyone can do from almost anywhere. Even if you live in the city, you’re never more than a short drive away from a place that’s dark enough to see the stars. Watching them dance in the sky is the perfect way to end an epic day of outdoor adventure.
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