explore valentine 2014

8/21/2019 Explore Valentine 2014

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Fall in Love withCHERRY COUNTY

1-800- 658-4024 www.VisitValentine.com

2014 Explore Valentine.indd 1 12/13/2013


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2 2014 Explore Valentine & Cherry County



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A & C CanoesPO Box 267, Valentine, NE 69201(402) 890-1245

Brewers Canoers

433 E. Hwy 20, Valentine, NE 69201(402) 376-2046

Dryland Aquatics101 Main St., Sparks, NE 69220(402) 376-3119

Fritzs Island CampgroundH.C. 13 Box 380, Valentine, NE 69201(402) 376-3791

Graham Canoe Outfitters90173 Hatchery Road, Valentine, NE 69201(402) 376-3708off season (402) 376-3576

Heartland Elk Guest Ranch90236 Sparks River Road, Valentine, NE 69201(402) 376-2553

Little Outlaw Canoe & Tube1005 E. Hwy 20, Valentine, NE 69201(402) 376-1822

Niobrara River Ranch90427 Timber Ridge Road(402) 890-1245

Prairie River Outfitters41508 River Road

Sparks, NE 69220(402) 376-1887

Rock Barn Camp & OutfittersH.C. 13, Sparks, NE 69220(402) 376-1764

Rocky Ford OutfittersPO Box 3, Valentine, NE 69201(402) 497-3479off season (402) 376-1124

Sharps Tubes & Canoes90048 Sparks River RoadSparks, NE 69220

(402) 376-2506

Supertubes2 mi. east of Valentine on Hwy 12(402) 376-2956

Niobrara River Outfitters



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www.VisitValentine.com 7

Travel Times* and Distances from Cornell Bridge to:

Landmark River Mi. Road Mi. Canoe Time Drive Time

Fort Falls 1 2 15 min. 15 min.

Buffalo Bridge 3 No Access 35 min.

Berry Bridge 9 9 2 hrs. 20 min.

Allen Bridge 11 .6 14 3 hrs. 25 min.

Smith Falls State Park 12 14 3 hrs. 25 min.

Sparks 14 20 min.

Brewer Bridge 18 19 4 hrs. 30 min.

County Line Bridge 22 27 5 hrs. 40 min.Rocky Ford 26 30 6.5 hrs. 50 min.

Egelhoffs Rapids 27 32 7.25 hrs. 1 hr.

Egelhoffs Narrows 30 34 7.5 hrs. 1.25 hrs.

Rock Barn 31 35 7.5 hrs. 1.25 hrs.

* tubers double canoe times



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The Niobrara National Scenic RiverI . Just bring a few

snacks and let nature feed your soul as you hitch a ride onthis magical, mystical tour. When you canoe or tube on theNiobrara National Scenic River, you will travel Nebraskassecond-fastest river, yet time stands still as you paddle onthrough a paradise of awesome canyons and majestic cliffs.Look for that chestnut brown colt who gazes longingly atyou from the pine-topped hills, hoping theres room for onelarge passenger.

As you ride on past the many waterfalls, spring-fed streamspush you further onto swift waters over the bedrock and

numerous riffles, chutes and easy rapids, and you and the

eagles and hawks sail on. You can witness why Nebraskasmost popular river has been named among the top 10 canoe-ing rivers in the United States by Backpackermagazine andhailed as one of National Geographicstop 100 adventures.

From Valentine, head east on Highway 12. Numerouscountry roads lead south from the highway to the river.Between Valentine and Norden, youll find plenty of outfit-ters, campgrounds and boat launches. To learn more, contactthe Valentine Chamber of Commerce, (800) 658-4024, or theNational Park Service, (402) 376-1901.

All the stress of life is left behind when start your journey on the Niobrara National Scenic River. Its the ultimate pleasure cruise as you glide

past wondrous cliffs, canyons and waterfalls on one of Americas top canoeing rivers. Paddle on as eagles and hawks serve as tour guides.

Nick Adams



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Fort NiobraraNational Wildlife Refuge

F Von Highway 12, Fort NiobraraNational Wildlife Refuge is home to herds of bison, elk and a prai-

rie dog town, as well as more than 230 species of birds. Becauseof its location near the center of North America, the refuge is onthe flight path for many species of migratory birds. Te refugeincludes a pine-dotted canyon with nature trails and a favoriteputting-in spot for Niobrara River canoeists. A 3.5-mile drivingtour lets you view the herds up close. Just remember while nearthe herds, stay in your car. A buffalo bull can weigh a ton and canmove with astonishing speed.

Near the Niobrara River, a steep, 3/4-mile nature trail descends

from an overlook site down to the base of Fort Falls, then con-tinues to the river and circles back to the top of the canyon. Its a

strenuous hike, well-rewarded with scenery and wildlife.As the name indicates, the refuge is the site of a frontier fort.

Fort Niobrara was active from 1879-1906 and was used as acavalry remount station till 1911. Long before that, however,the grounds were home to long-jawed mastodons, giant bisonand three-toed horses. Fossils are displayed in the visitor cen-ter, which is open 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily from Memorial Daythrough Labor Day, and Monday through Friday the rest of theyear. Admission is free. (402) 376-3789.

Human visitors will see bison snuggle in delight over this wonderland. At left, a

prairie chicken is ready to dance with joy for Valentines National Wildlife Refuge.

Derrald Farnsworth-Livingston

SummerBisonRange

Elk Range

WinterBisonRange

Bison Bridgeand Wilderness Access

Elk Range

PrairieDog

Town

Hay Shed -Ft. Niobrara

MilitaryReservation

Cornell Dam

Corrals

Scenic Niobrara RiverOverlook and Fort Falls

NIOBRARARIVER

MINNECHADUZA CREEK

12

To ValentineRefuge Boundary

Public Road

Wildlife Drive

Fort Falls Nature Trail

Headquarters & Visitor Center

Rest Rooms

Ft. NiobraraNATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE

0 Miles 1

N

Tables

Fort Niobrara Launch Area(Recreation Fee Station)

Ft. Niobrara Wilderness Boundary

Prairie

Forest



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Samuel R. McKelvieNational Forest

O S would you find a national forestthats mostly grass. Only 5,000 acres of Samuel R. McKelvieNational Forest are wooded with eastern red cedar, scotch, jackand ponderosa pine. Te other 110,000 acres are Sandhills prai-rie. Te result is stunning blend of scenery and wildlife.

Te area is open to hunting in season, offering excellent uplandgame bird hunting, waterfowl and limited deer hunting. Otherpopular activities include fishing, hiking, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and bird watching. Merritt Reservoir is nearby,offering a variety of water recreation. Observational blinds areavailable March 15-May 31. Ranger station hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Year-round camping is available at Steer Creek Campground, abeautiful and secluded site. Campers say the only sounds yourelikely to hear are birdsong, the occasional lowing of cattle from anearby herd and the whisper of a breeze through the surroundingpines. Bluejay rail is a one-mile loop for hikers.

Te forest is southwest of Valentine. Go 30 miles west ofValentine on Highway 20 to Nenzel, then 18 miles south onHighway S16-F. (402) 823-4154.

Nick Adams



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system. With modern facilities and a teacher-to-student ratio of 1to 13 at the elementary and senior high and 1 to 14 at the middleschool, students receive plenty of individual attention. Mid-PlainsCommunity Collegeoffers college-level classes locally, and SinteGleska Universityis only 35 miles from Valentine.

o learn more about life in Valentine and Cherry County, callus at (800) 658-4024, or visit www.VisitValentine.com.

City ParksV C Pis just outside of town on North MainStreet. Stately oak trees surround Minnechaduza Creek, whichflows through the 40-acre park. It is open year-round and offers

camping, fishing (the creek is stocked), playgrounds, disc golfcourse and hiking on more than a mile of trails.Te parks rentable buildings include a pavilion with a full kitchen

and seating for 75-80. RV camper pads are near restrooms and freehot-water showers.

Just across the road, Mill Pond, though not a city park, is asmall stocked lake with fishing docks and a boat ramp (electricboat motors only).

Along Green Street in northeast Valentine, Ecology Park hasa swimming pool; the city ballfields across the street have an RVdump station. Trailhead Park, on south Main Street, is the trail-head for the Cowboy Trailhike/bike path, and has a picnic shel-ter and rentable kitchen. Adjacent to Centennial Hallat 3rd andMacomb,Colburn Parkhas a picnic shelter that seats 25-30 people.

For more park information or to reserve facilities, call the cityoffice at (402) 376-2323.

The Prairie ClubC T 17 miles south of Valentinewas once 2,500 acres along the Snake River, beneath a canopy ofpine trees. Still is, mostly. But now its also home to a good portionof Te Prairie Club, a destination golf club inspired by rimblesfrequent visits to the Sand Hills Golf Club in Mullen.

he Prairie Club, which opened in 2010, offers two 18-holecourses and a 10-hole course stretched out over 1,260 acres,with room left over to grow. Of the two championship-lengthcourses, the Dunes course consists of dramatic changes in

elevation, vast blow-out bunkers and breathtaking views inall directions. Canyon views and the remains of an ancientponderosa forest are elements that make the Pines coursean epic experience for worldwide golfers.

Convenient to both courses is Te Prairie Club Lodge, offer-ing dining, a golf shop and overnight accommodations. Guestsmay choose to stay at one of several four-bedroom cabins in

view of the Snake River Canyon.Te Prairie Club will be semi-private. While preference for

lodging and tee times will go to members, one of the courses

Cherry County enchants travelers with pristine parks, camping

adventures, magical fishing creeks, real-life cowboys and a world-

class golf course. Toast the good life at Codys George Paul Vinegar.

Nick Adams, below Alan Bartels

Christopher Amundson



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scoop up the treasures that Valentin-ers pull out from the closets, attics andgarages for this city-wide rummageextravaganza. (800) 658-4024.

Turtle Races andMinnechaduza Days

July 19. These rubber turtles dont bitelike them ol snappers, and they dontswim either. But one of them has towin the float down MinnechaduzaCreek, and it just as well be yours. Cashand prizes will go to the winners. Food,games, golf and volleyball and fishingtournaments are some of the othersummer fun activities on tap for thecelebration. (800) 658-4024.

Nebraska Star Party

July 27-Aug. 1. Gather at Merritt Res-ervoir with a few hundred other stargazers and youll be seeing stars, too.The low level of light pollution in the

Sandhills makes this an event worthseeing, through a telescope that is.(402) 489-8197.

Cherry County Fair and Rodeo

Aug. 6-10. The 2014 Cherry CountyFair marks the 128th year of the famedevent. Celebrate cowboy culture with aPRCA rodeo. Other fun awaits you atthe garden tractor pull, 4-wheeler pull,art show and many more communityevents. (402) 491-3502.

Old Settlers Reunion Sparks

Aug. 31. As always, the population oftiny Sparks swells on the last Saturdayof August. This summer marks the126th anniversary of the event. Tryyour hand at the horseshoe pitchingtourney, and watch the horse races, too.

Awards will be given for the youngestand oldest visitor, and the new SparksMuseum will be open for tours. Cool

off with a fun float down the Niobr-ara River. Check in at the Sparks Store.(402) 376-3119.

Bison Roundup

Sept. 22-26. Visitors are encouragedto observe and photograph the thun-dering bison herd at Fort NiobraraNational Wildlife Refuge as the ani-mals are rounded up in this much-anticipated annual event. (402) 376-3789.

Old West Days & NebraskaCowboy Poetry Gathering

Oct. Years spent on the range provideplenty of material for our cowboypoets. The best from the region cometo Valentine to compare verse, andshow their softer side. Other Old WestDays events include arts and crafts, aquilt show, parade, trail ride and more.(402) 376-2969. Call for 2014 dates.

explore valentine 2014

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