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Niobrara National Scenic River: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
Niobrara National Scenic River is a unit of the National Park System in Nebraska[5]. NPS lists it as a fee-free park with no entrance fee[1].
Entrance fees and passes
The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Niobrara National Scenic River[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.
When to visit and hours
Most of the river is open 24 hours a day, but the stretch through Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset[6]. NPS notes that the agency does not own the land, so sites and private businesses set their own hours[6]. In 2025 the busiest month was August with 27,254 recreation visits, and the quietest was December with 358[2]. July (23,655) and June (12,553) also saw many visits that year[2]. NPS describes summer highs from the low 80s to the low 100s, with occasional thunderstorms[7]. NPS also lists snowfall in winter, from November to April[7].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 760 |
| February | 530 |
| March | 956 |
| April | 1,064 |
| May | 3,618 |
| June | 12,553 |
| July | 23,655 |
| August | 27,254 |
| September | 5,022 |
| October | 1,200 |
| November | 506 |
| December | 358 |
Pets and dogs
Under the national NPS rule, where pets are allowed they must be kept in a crate or cage, or on a leash of six feet or less[8]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings or on designated swimming beaches, with service animals excepted[8]. NPS marks pets as permitted on all 4 of its listed things to do here, and each park can close more areas to pets[9][8].
Before you go
Questions people ask
- Is there an entrance fee for Niobrara National Scenic River?
- NPS lists it as a fee-free park, so there is no entrance fee[1].
- When is the best time to visit Niobrara National Scenic River?
- In 2025 the busiest month was August with 27,254 recreation visits, and December was the quietest with 358[2]. NPS also describes winter weather with snowfall from November to April[7].
Facts and sources
- NPS lists Niobrara National Scenic River as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 90,670, 2022: 80,071, 2023: 75,219, 2024: 74,387, 2025: 77,476. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 1 (Niobrara National Scenic River Visitor Center). National Park Service
- Niobrara National Scenic River is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National Scenic River) in Nebraska. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Floating and paddling standard hours: Most of the river itself is open 24 hours a day, with the exception of the river that flows through Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. The river in that stretch is open from sunrise to sunset.... National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Niobrara National Scenic River. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 4 things to do at Niobrara National Scenic River: Bike the Cowboy Trail, Float the Niobrara River, Shoot Winter Photography at Fort Falls, Hike to Fort Falls. Pets permitted on 4 of them (Bike the Cowboy Trail, Float the Niobrara River, Shoot... National Park Service
- Activities NPS lists for Niobrara National Scenic River: Astronomy, Stargazing, Biking, Camping, Fishing, Guided Tours, Hiking, Hunting and Gathering, Hunting, Paddling, Canoeing, Kayaking, Stand Up Paddleboarding, Junior Ranger Program, Tubing, River... National Park Service