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Niobrara National Scenic River Plan Your Visit
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service operates a visitor center at the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge that explains Fort Niobrara history, local wildlife, and refuge management. Several wayside exhibits addressing Scenic River use and safety are located at the Fort Niobrara launch site.
The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission operates a visitor center at Smith Falls State Park that, in part, interprets the natural history of the Niobrara Valley.
Nearest Major Airports in Rapid City SD (220 miles), Denver, CO (391 miles)and Omaha, NE (300 miles)
Valentine is 76 miles south of I-90 on Hwy 83; or 130 miles north of I-80 on Hwy 83
Canoes, tubes, or kayaks are the most popular means of transportation. Some stretches provide adequate rafting opportunities with some short whitewater sections. Driving, biking and hiking opportunities also exist.
Maine ocean islands provide the only nesting sites for Atlantic puffins in the United States. Eastern Egg Rock in the midcoast region, Seal Island and Matinicus Rock at the mouth of Penobscot Bay, and Machias Seal Island and Petit Manan Island off the downeast coast provide habitat for more than 4,000 puffins each summer.