National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior
Niobrara National Scenic River
Paddling Guide to the Niobrara NSR
Run Miles/ Difficulty Use Season Notes/Access Drop Borman Bridge 4.8 miles Class I CAUTION! Cornell Spring through The river is closed to boaters 1.4 miles below Borman State Wildlife 10' ft./mile Dam is a dangerous obstacle! Fall Bridge. Boaters must paddle upstream to return or por Management Keep away from it at all times. tage/tow boats back along the south bank of the Borman Area (WMA) to The water beneath the dam is a Bridge WMA to the put-in. Cornell Bridge keeper-hydraulic! Cornell Bridge to 7.6 miles Class I Fort Falls Rapid (Class Generally See Fort Falls (-40') on river right: 0.9 mile Nature Trail. Berry Bridge 6.6 ft./mile I) is a swift, deep chute on floatable Visitors may day hike into the Fort Niobrara Wilderness river left; large submerged year-round at Buffalo Bridge (scenic pine hills, prairie and cliffs). rocks, shallow rock shelf on CAUTION: Bison and elk live here year-round. Note: right. Berry Falls is a popular- special regulations exist on the Fort Niobrara Refuge; the attraction. possession of alcohol is prohibited.
Berry Bridge to 6.8 miles Class I One-Rock Rapid (Class Sometimes View Smith Falls (63') the highest waterfall in Nebraska. Brewer Bridge 7.2 ft./mile 1) is down-stream from Smith year-round Restrooms, drinking water, trash containers and picnic Falls State Park. floating — tables are located at Brewer Bridge. often ices-over in winter
Brewer Bridge to 7.8 miles Class II Conner Rapids (CI I); Spring through Fritz's Island Rapid or Fritz's Ledge is usually runnable Rocky Ford 9.9 ft./mile Fritzs Island Rapid (CI II-); and Fall. The river above 900 cfs, with a straight, 2' drop over ledge and a The Chute - Fritzs Narrows (CI usually ices powerful current. Many waterfalls flow directly into the I) provide a faster run on this over in winter river along this beautiful stretch. CAUTION — Boaters section of the river. Some rock and is unsafe should portage at Rocky Ford Rapid — portage trail is on gardens provide boating fun for to float. the left. eddy turns and peel-outs.
Rocky Ford to 8.2 miles Class IV Rocky Ford Rapid (CI Spring through Rocky Ford Rapid is not suitable for open boats but Norden 9.1 ft/mile III); Egelhoffs Rapid (CI II/III); Fall. River ices is popular among Whitewater kayakers; left side is the below is Nature's Falls on river over in winter. better route. Egelhoffs Rapid (II or III-): long chute right; Egelhoffs Narrows: river through bedrock w/ sharp drop and waves — strong eddy cuts a deep channel through on right. Kuhre's Rapid (I) is a slight drop. DANGER! bedrock; Kuhres Rapid (CI Norden Falls & Chute (IV) A 4' drop with a strong I); Norden Falls (CI IV). This hydraulic; portage on left — swift deep chute (II) is section has several short, steep below bridge. Private boaters must call The Nature drops with braided shallow sec Conservancy (402) 722-4440 for permission to take-out tions & sand bars in between. at Norden Bridge. Norden Bridge 10.8 miles Class 11+ Eagle Rapids (Class Spring to Early From Norden Bridge eastwards the river widens and To Meadville 6.9 ft./mile 11/ III-) is 3 miles below Norden Summer; late becomes braided. Navigation is challenging due to Campground Bridge: - 1/4 mile long section Fall (River ices numerous sandbars and shallower water. We recommend with standing waves, rocks, over in winter) 600 cfs or above. In late summer and fall lower water turns and drop-offs; many sand levels channelize the route and may make choices clearer. bars downriver from here.
Meadville to Hwy 14.3 miles Class I U.S. Hwy 183 bridge; Spring to Early River access & parking at Meadville Campground 7 Bridge 8 ft./mile abandoned McLain Bridge in Summer; late requires a day-use fee/person. Respect property rights mid-river & Long Pine Creek Fall (River ices — riverbanks and sandbars are private lands. Take out (river right) upstream of Hwy 7 over in winter) on river left, downstream side of Hwy 7 river bridge are landmarks on this stretch. (Graveled road access/ramp for boaters/anglers).
Hwy 7 to Hwy 15 miles 8 Class I Cams Bridge is a "half Spring to Early Takeout at Flwy 137 Bridge is on river left on the 137 Bridge ft/mile way point" for floaters on this Summer; late upstream side of the bridge (gravel access/parking lot long stretch. Fall (River ices with boat slide). Terminus of Niobrara NSR. over in winter) o> I Times given are for paddling 'in c 03 Ol 33i 1— H c "> 72 03 by canoe or Kayak. Those h- en jn O TZ> \J «5±: 72 72 *rz in o i. c c — '¡Z '¡z "(5 in la O to k. floating by tube will need to i- in LL. ._ Q i_ LL. "to ca ca s y 03 ca to SI to .2 u .C 0 JZ 03 Q£ >. u >> ca LL. >, c SI Q. C c •o S¿ u t t_ sz ±: £. c *-> j¿ double times. E TO c l/> 4-* (0 o 0) 03 S to .c o Zl O (O D Landing/Fritz' s Islan d C G U t u. in 1 li in u Stan' s in at _l O ca < Z in C5 DC Ft. Niobrara Launch Site - USFWS :15 2:00 2:45 3:00 3:05 ¿4:050 4:05 4:10 4:25 4:40 5:40 6:10 6:30 6:50 7:30 Fort Fails Trail 1:45 2:30 2:45 2:50 3:45 3:50 3:55 4:10 4:25 5:25 5:55 6:10 6:45 7:10 Berry Bridge :45 1:00 1:05 2:00 2:05 2:10 2:25 2:40 3:40 4:10 4:25 4:50 5:25 Allen Bridge :15 :20 1:15 1:20 1:25 1:40 1:55 2:55 3:25 3:40 4:05 4:40 m Smith Falls :05 1:00 1:05 1:10 1:25 1:40 2:40 3:10 3:25 3:50 4:25 X Nichol's Landing-Smith Falls State -u :55 1:00 1:05 1:20 1:30 2:30 3:00 3:20 3:40 4:20 m Park •30 m Brewer Bridqe- MNNRD :05 :10 :25 :45 1:45 2:15 2:25 2:55 3:25 Z Graham's :05 :20 :40 1:40 2:10 2:20 2:50 3:20 n m Sharp's :15 :30 1:30 2:00 2:15 2:40 3:15 •< O Conner's :15 1:15 1:45 2:00 2:25 3:00