Location: Valentine
Top Things to do in Valentine
- 1. Smith Falls State Park
- 2. Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
- 3. Niobrara National Scenic River
- 4. Cowboy Trail
- 5. Valentine National Wildlife Refuge
- 6. Bryan Bridge
- 7. Big Alkali Lake State Wildlife Management Area
- 8. Snake River Falls
- 9. Centennial Hall
- 10. Ballards Marsh Wildlife Management Area
The 10 Best Things to Do in Valentine, United States
Valentine in United States, from Nouth America region, is best know for State Parks. Discover best things to do in Valentine with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Valentine
1. Smith Falls State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 124 reviews
Reviewed By Bob A - Albuquerque, New Mexico
We took time to drive to Smith Falls State Park to see the waterfall. Great for younger people but with temps at 105 a challenge for senior's. Great place for locals but as avid travelers seeing Niagara Falls and Columbia Gorge Fall's this was not that impressive.
2. Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
Prairie dogs, antelope and buffalo are some of the animals that can be spotted at this wildlife refuge.
Reviewed By Stew S - New Orleans, Louisiana
Heading west to our final destination at Mount Rushmore, we passed through Valentine NE and saw signs for the Fort Niobrara NWR -- so glad we stopped in for a chat with Vanessa, a thoroughly knowledgeable staffer. Helped us find the area's best places to explore locally. Great scenery - wildlife - plantlife etc.
3. Niobrara National Scenic River
Overall Ratings
5 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By J-E_SoDak - South Dakota
We went on a tube float trip. I didn't realize how shallow it would be. Definitely some water shoes or keens or something like that would be good to save your feet. Was very glad I had my keens on. Moves fairly slow but speeds up in spots. Lots of little water falls to see. Very pretty trip and had a great time.
4. Cowboy Trail
5. Valentine National Wildlife Refuge
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Carol A S - Marietta, Georgia
The 72,000 acre refuge is a great place to see wildlife in a vast tallgrass prairie landscape. It is enjoyed by birdwatchers (270 species), hikers (two nature trail), photographers (500 plant species), hunters (waterfowl, deer and upland game) and fishers (nine lakes with perch, bluegill, bass and pike). A good place to start your visit is the interpretive displays at the Marsh Lakes Overlook (near the northern boundary on US 83) describing the unique sandhills ecosystem. The overlook and a short nature trail offer views of undulating grass-covered sand dunes with interspersed marshes and lakes. Little Hay Wildlife Drive (nine miles over an improved gravel road) starts nearby, and crosses typical refuge habitats: meadows, marshes, sand hills, and lakes. There are numbered stops with a brochure describing sandhills formation, wildlife, and habitats. The west side of the refuge offers several lakes (Dewey and Hackberry are the most popular) with boat launches and floating docks for fishing, paddling, photography or birdwatching. Another hiking opportunity is the Civilian Conservation Corps Nature Trail on the west side of the refuge (access from spur route 16B). This one-mile trail (with interpretive signs) climbs a hill with an observation deck on an old CCC fire tower and offers a spectacular view of rolling sandhills, separated by marshes and lakes. Wildlife is most active early in the morning or in the evening. May, September and October are the best months to see both resident and migratory birds (pick up a wildlife list at the overlook or any of the kiosks at refuge boundaries). April and early May offer the chance to view prairie chickens in their courtship displays. Call the refuge about the observation blind where you can watch these "prairie dances" at close hand. The refuge is open only during daylight hours. There is no charge. Bathrooms and water are available at refuge headquarters (one mile east of US route 83) and the west end of Hackberry lake (near spur route 16B). There is a small picnic area at Hackberry Lake as well. Boat launches facilitate access to nine lakes (paddling and trolling motors only). Camping and fires are prohibited. Vehicles must stay on refuge roads. All plants, animals and historic artifacts are protected with exception of fish and game species, which follow seasons, limits licenses and rules of Nebraska Game and Parks.
6. Bryan Bridge
Overall Ratings
4 based on 13 reviews
Reviewed By Jean A - Miami, Oklahoma
Drove out to see this bridge and read a little of the history on the sign. Then drove across the newer bridge to photograph Bryan Bridge. When we stopped to read the sign, we were greeted by some wild turkeys. Nice surprise.
7. Big Alkali Lake State Wildlife Management Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By Carol A S - Marietta, Georgia
This is a great place to stop for a picnic (or camp overnight) if you are traveling US 83 through central Nebraska. After seeing miles of rolling grass-covered sandhills, it is refreshing to stop by a lake and picnic under the trees. There are 30 sites each with a table and a grill, a laundry house (where you can get water), and a boat launch/dock. From Valentine,NE drive south on US 83 about 15 miles and turn west on Spur 16B about 5 miles. Look for the Big Alkali sign and follow the gravel road about a mile, crossing over two cattle guards. The site is free, and little used in summer (it gets more popular during the fall hunting season). This makes a good base camp to explore nearby Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, McKelvie National Forest or Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge.
8. Snake River Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By NJM68462 - Phoenix, Arizona
The water at Snake River Falls tumbles over a 54 foot wide ledge and flows 12 miles to the Niobrara River. When the Snake River is full, it is the largest waterfall in Nebraska by volume. The waterfall is located 23 miles southwest of Valentine on Highway 97. Because access to the falls is on private property, it is not well marked. If you get to Merritt Reservoir you have gone too far. Go back 3 miles and follow the signs and directions. You can view the falls from trails on both sides of the Snake Falls Sportsman’s Club building. The trail to the left affords the best view. Admission is $1.00, and there is a pay box in front of the Sportsman’s Club building. This is a dandy little waterfall, and well worth traveling to a rather remote location to see it.
9. Centennial Hall
Overall Ratings
4 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By sharonhoblit - Mesa, Arizona
If your high School has been torn down, visit Valentine, Nebr. and tour Centennial Hall to see what can be done when a small town saves a historical building. The building is beautiful, each room is a wonderful visit to the past. Visit, we don't want to loose treasures like this
10. Ballards Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Overall Ratings
3 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Carol A S - Marietta, Georgia
Ballards March Wildlife Management Area is about 20 miles south of Valentine, NE on US Highway 83 in the heart of Nebraska's sandhills. The large marsh and adjacent grasslands are managed by Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. It is a great place to see common birds and wildflowers of the sandhills. Perhaps you will hear a coyote or see the bald eagles which nest in trees just up the road. A free primitive campground is available with room for a half-dozen tents or trailers. There are a couple of picnic tables, fire boxes, a hand-operated water pump and an outhouse. The gravel loop road allows easy maneuvering for trailers. The campground is well shaded by large elms and is a delightful stop for a picnic during the summer. I camped here in late June, and had the place to myself. I was delighted to hear the trill of meadowlarks and the chirp of crickets and see fireflies at night. Staying at Ballards Marsh allows an early start for those who want to fish, hunt or watch birds at Valentine National Wildlife Refuge (about 3 miles to the South on Route 83).
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