Being a flat, landlocked state, you probably wouldn’t expect Nebraska to have any waterfalls at all. You’d be almost right – most of the state’s rivers and waterways flow peacefully with hardly a change in altitude. But head out to the western part of Nebraska along the Niobrara river and you’ll catch some breathtaking views of these unexpectedly lovely natural waterfalls and cascades. Here are some of the most beautiful waterfalls in Nebraska.
- Smith Falls
Swid/Wikimedia At nearly 70 feet tall, Smith Falls is the largest of the Nebraska waterfalls. It’s located in Smith Falls State Park near Sparks. Visit the Nebraska Game and Parks website to learn more. Smith Falls, Valentine, NE 69221, USA
- Fort Falls
kellih1980/TripAdvisor This gorgeous sight can be found in the breathtaking Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge in Valentine. It’s one of the most stunning waterfalls in Nebraska. Learn more about one of the best waterfall hiking trails on the National Park Service website. Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, 39983 Refuge Rd, Valentine, NE 69201, USA
- Snake River Falls
Ammodramus/Wikimedia 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. Learn more about one of the most beautiful Nebraska waterfalls on the Visit Nebraska website. Snake River Falls, Valentine, NE 69201, USA
- Stair Step Falls
NE Game and Parks Commission Stair Step Falls is probably Nebraska’s most picturesque waterfall. Located on private property in the Niobrara Valley Preserve, you can catch a glimpse of it shortly after Sharp’s Landing while tubing or kayaking down the Niobrara. To learn more, visit the Nature Conservancy website. Niobrara Valley Preserve, 42269 Morel Road, Johnstown, NE 69214, USA
- Berry Falls
NE Game and Parks Commission Berry Falls is one of the smaller but lovely Nebraska waterfalls that’s located on the Niobrara east of Valentine. Learn more by visiting the National Park Service website. Berry Falls, Valentine, NE 69201, USA
Most of Nebraska’s waterfalls are fed from small ground springs and the Ogallala aquifer, and they are largely concentrated in the ecologically unique Nebraska Sandhills region along the Niobrara River. There are some 200 more tiny, unnamed waterfalls in the area which are more like small dropoffs in the middle of the river than a cascade. What they lack in size they make up for in unspoiled natural beauty. There’s nothing quite like venturing out on a hiking, fishing, or camping trip and stumbling upon one of the many smaller, unexpected falls that adorn the scenic Niobrara River in Nebraska.
Swid/Wikimedia
At nearly 70 feet tall, Smith Falls is the largest of the Nebraska waterfalls. It’s located in Smith Falls State Park near Sparks. Visit the Nebraska Game and Parks website to learn more.
Smith Falls, Valentine, NE 69221, USA
kellih1980/TripAdvisor
This gorgeous sight can be found in the breathtaking Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge in Valentine. It’s one of the most stunning waterfalls in Nebraska. Learn more about one of the best waterfall hiking trails on the National Park Service website.
Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, 39983 Refuge Rd, Valentine, NE 69201, USA
Ammodramus/Wikimedia
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. Learn more about one of the most beautiful Nebraska waterfalls on the Visit Nebraska website.
Snake River Falls, Valentine, NE 69201, USA
NE Game and Parks Commission
Stair Step Falls is probably Nebraska’s most picturesque waterfall. Located on private property in the Niobrara Valley Preserve, you can catch a glimpse of it shortly after Sharp’s Landing while tubing or kayaking down the Niobrara. To learn more, visit the Nature Conservancy website.
Niobrara Valley Preserve, 42269 Morel Road, Johnstown, NE 69214, USA
Berry Falls is one of the smaller but lovely Nebraska waterfalls that’s located on the Niobrara east of Valentine. Learn more by visiting the National Park Service website.
Berry Falls, Valentine, NE 69201, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Waterfalls in Nebraska April 21, 2021 Tori Jane What are the best waterfall hikes in Nebraska? Some of the best waterfall hikes in Nebraska are the following:
Smith Falls Trail Fort Walls Trail in Fort Niobrara Wilderness.
What scenic spots in Nebraska are there? Some of the most scenic spots in Nebraska are the following places:
Ashfall Fossil Beds to find fossils dating hundreds of millions of years ago Chimney Rock is one of the strangest spots in the entire state Niobrara River is stunning and a can’t-miss for any nature lover.
Check out this article for some more scenic spots in Nebraska. What are the most popular hiking trails in Nebraska? Some of the most popular hiking trails in Nebraska are:
Platte River State Park Trail Loop, which is a little over six and a half miles long and traverses through truly gorgeous landscapes Flanagan Lake Trail is located at a park of a similar name Indian Cave Trail is second to none in terms of interestingness and popularity
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Waterfalls in Nebraska
April 21, 2021
Tori Jane
What are the best waterfall hikes in Nebraska? Some of the best waterfall hikes in Nebraska are the following:
Smith Falls Trail Fort Walls Trail in Fort Niobrara Wilderness.
What scenic spots in Nebraska are there? Some of the most scenic spots in Nebraska are the following places:
Ashfall Fossil Beds to find fossils dating hundreds of millions of years ago Chimney Rock is one of the strangest spots in the entire state Niobrara River is stunning and a can’t-miss for any nature lover.
Check out this article for some more scenic spots in Nebraska. What are the most popular hiking trails in Nebraska? Some of the most popular hiking trails in Nebraska are:
Platte River State Park Trail Loop, which is a little over six and a half miles long and traverses through truly gorgeous landscapes Flanagan Lake Trail is located at a park of a similar name Indian Cave Trail is second to none in terms of interestingness and popularity
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Some of the best waterfall hikes in Nebraska are the following:
- Smith Falls Trail
- Fort Walls Trail in Fort Niobrara Wilderness.
What scenic spots in Nebraska are there?
Some of the most scenic spots in Nebraska are the following places:
- Ashfall Fossil Beds to find fossils dating hundreds of millions of years ago
- Chimney Rock is one of the strangest spots in the entire state
- Niobrara River is stunning and a can’t-miss for any nature lover.
Check out this article for some more scenic spots in Nebraska.
What are the most popular hiking trails in Nebraska?
Some of the most popular hiking trails in Nebraska are:
- Platte River State Park Trail Loop, which is a little over six and a half miles long and traverses through truly gorgeous landscapes
- Flanagan Lake Trail is located at a park of a similar name
- Indian Cave Trail is second to none in terms of interestingness and popularity
