Smith Falls State Park
Smith Falls
Smith Falls State Park is Nebraska's newest state park. The property straddles the Niobrara National Scenic River about 18 miles east of Valentine and contains the highest waterfall in the state. With only 252 acres, the park caters primarily to day-users and canoers and canoe-campers on the Niobrara.
The parking area is on the north side of the Niobrara and a footbridge across the river connects the parking area with a one-mile nature trail and another trail that goes a short way up a canyon on the south side of the river to the foot of Smith Falls. The 39 picnic sites (with cooking grills), restrooms, tent camping (with drinking water, modern restrooms and pay showers) and concessions are all located on the north side of the Niobrara. There are no facilities for RVs on the property.
The Smith Falls State Park office is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, Sunday through Thursday from 8 am to 10 pm and Friday and Saturday from 8 am to 11 pm.
Upper photo courtesy of the National Park Service
Map of Smith Falls State Park courtesy of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Map of Smith Falls State Park courtesy of Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
Related Pages
Area map courtesy of National Geographic Topo!