The best camping near Niobrara National Scenic River

Get wet and wild at this awesome park. This mostly shallow, Great Plains river easily earns its National Wild & Scenic Rivers System stamp of approval. It boasts features like amazing rock formations, lots of different plants and animals. Of course, the tubing, canoeing, and kayaking are divine.

This 76-mile river has enough room for everyone to enjoy. There are lots of calm water areas in the summer to lazily float. It gets more active in the fall and spring for some great kayaking and canoeing. Be especially careful in colder weather; there are surge flows here that create waves over three feet high.

Land-related activities are available here too. Hike, bike, or ride horses down the Cowboy Trail or take a guided tour. You can also hunt and fish in approved areas with a permit.

Kids can join the hands-on Junior Ranger program in the summer, and there are fun activities every Saturday.

The Visitor Center closes at 4:30 p.m., but the river is open all season. Waters can ice over in the winter, and it's deeper and choppier in the spring— plus migrating birds are a bit pushy then. Most people go around May through October for easy, breezy, floating and paddling fun.