The One Nebraska Town Everyone Should Visit At Least Once
Valentine has no shortage of outdoor recreational activities, with the surrounding area providing ample opportunities for hiking, horseback riding, canoeing, tubing, kayaking, hunting, fishing, and camping. This northern Nebraska town is right next door to the state's largest waterfall, a national scenic river, and an expansive recreation trail. In addition, the downtown area of Valentine is quaint and vibrant, spilling over with offbeat businesses and fun museums.
Continue reading to find out why Valentine is the one Nebraska town everyone should visit at least once.
Nebraska's Highest Waterfall
Smith Falls State Park is home to the largest waterfall in Nebraska, Smith Falls, standing at 63 feet tall. The waterfall is accessible via a short hike, and then another short walk across a historic truss bridge, which crosses the Niobrara River. The park is most commonly frequented by campers and canoers. The park offers primitive camping with picnic areas, tent sites, restrooms, concession stands, and pay showers on the north side of the river. During the summer, the park is a popular landing location among canoers, kayakers, and floaters.
However, the park is not strictly limited to campers and water enthusiasts. The Jim McAllister Nature Trail is a self-guided nature trail that stretches more than a mile through a section of the Niobrara River Valley. Additionally, there are opportunities for fishing on the banks of the river within the park. It should be noted that, to protect the park's biological significance, the south bank of the river remains in a natural state.
National Scenic River
The Niobrara National Scenic River is a premier destination for water recreation, thanks to the unique natural features along its banks, including cliffs, rock formations, and waterfalls. One of the best destinations to enjoy the Niobrara River is at the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, located just five miles east of Valentine. Nine miles of the Niobrara Scenic River flow through the refuge, with five of those miles available to the public to launch their own canoe, kayak, or tube.
The park is available for hiking or driving through, with the added potential for wildlife viewing. Keep your eyes peeled, and you might see the refuge’s herd of 350 bison, as well as deer, coyotes, eagles, and grassland birds. The refuge is free for day use only.
Multi-Use Trail System
The Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail is a 317-mile multi-use trail that spans from Norfolk to Chadron. The trail passes through 30 different communities, most of which are between 10 and 15 miles apart on the trail. Many of the town signs along the trail have QR codes on them that provide visitors with information about the towns and local events. The trail is mostly constructed of crushed limestone gravel and wood-decked bridges and is popular among cyclists, hikers, runners, and horseback riders.
One of the most iconic features of the trail is just outside of Valentine. An old train trestle that crosses the Niobrara River spans a quarter of a mile and soars 150 feet above the river, providing those who cross it with breathtaking views of the river valley below.
Downtown Valentine
Downtown Valentine is an adventure of its own, with many fun local businesses and sights to visit. The Bunkhouse Restaurant and Saloon is a local bar and grill that specializes in classic American cuisine. The rustic décor paired with the laid-back vibe makes it a great place to fuel up after exploring the surrounding natural environment of Valentine. For art, visit the Craig Beman Fine Art Gallery, which houses Nebraska’s largest collection of original paintings by a Nebraska artist. The Centennial Hall Museum is housed in what is now the oldest standing high school building in Nebraska. The museum houses twelve themed rooms, including the Hallock Bell collection, which features over 1,700 bells, the Military room, the Yesteryear Room, and more.
Nearby Towns
Chadron is just over a two-hour drive west of Valentine and, as a former fur-trading post, is an ideal place to explore High Plains heritage. The Mari Sandoz High Plains Heritage Center illustrates the history and culture of the High Plains region, including the story of cattle ranching from its early beginnings to the present day.
Merriman is a small rural village around an hour west of Valentine with a history deeply rooted in ranching. To learn more about the history of the area, visit the Arthur Bowring Ranch State Historical Park. The park has preserved ranch life, allowing visitors to experience it up close with displays of ranching memorabilia and artifacts.
Ainsworth, located southeast of Valentine, has both a history related to country music and ample outdoor recreational activities. The Keller Park State Recreation Area is located northeast of Ainsworth and is a popular destination among anglers, as well as an excellent location for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
Visit Valentine at Least Once
Valentine is a dream location for every lover of the outdoors. It is a great basecamp for adventure when it comes to exploring Nebraska’s largest waterfall, floating down a national scenic river, or even wandering the streets of its vibrant downtown area that is home to historical landmarks and great dining options. Furthermore, Valentine is a great base for exploring the Sandhills Region of north-central Nebraska. It should definitely earn its place as the one Nebraska town every traveler should visit at least once.
