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Valentine, Nebraska: Where Romance and Fun Collide – The Best Places to Visit and Things to Do!

Valentine is cheap to visit and expensive to reach, which is the trade. Almost nothing here charges admission. The refuges, the river, the trail and the night sky are all free, and the camping costs less than a hotel would anywhere with a highway near it. What you pay is the drive. That filter is why the people who come here are serious about one specific thing, whether that is birds, dark skies, trout or golf.

Are you looking for a trip with some substance to it? Valentine, Nebraska sits in the heart of cowboy country and runs a genuine range of activities for visitors of all ages. Hiking and biking trails, water sports and wildlife, and the kind of specific pleasures that people drive a long way for.

Get outside in Valentine, because that is the whole proposition. Hike through Smith Falls State Park or ride the Cowboy Trail. For water, kayak or tube the Niobrara River, or take a boat tour and let somebody else steer. Wildlife enthusiasts get bison, elk and other native animals at the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, and the numbers here are large enough to satisfy people who count.

Camping is the other reason people come. Valentine covers traditional tent camping, RV camping and even glamping, so the barrier to a night outdoors is low. When you want to sit down, The Prairie Club has the golf and the Cherry County Historical Society Museum has the history. Work through the local food and drink, and time your trip around the Nebraska Star Party if the night sky is what you are after.

Key Takeaways

• Valentine, Nebraska offers a wide range of outdoor activities for visitors of all ages, including hiking, biking, water sports, and wildlife explorations.
• The town also offers unique camping experiences, golfing at The Prairie Club, historical and cultural insights, and a vibrant food and drink scene.
• Don’t miss out on the opportunity for stargazing at the Nebraska Star Party, and be sure to check out the town’s many other unique experiences.

Unleashing the Adventurous Spirit in Valentine, Nebraska

Are you after an adrenaline rush? Valentine, Nebraska is set up for it. This is a town packed with ways to get outdoors and get your heart working.

Hiking is what people do in Valentine first. Lace up and take the trails in the nearby Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, where the views over the Niobrara River Valley are the payoff and the local wildlife is a bonus. Watch for the prairie dogs, which are everywhere and not subtle about it.

For something harder, try rock climbing. Valentine has strong climbing spots including the picturesque Snake River Canyon, and the rock is good enough that people plan trips around it. Beginners are covered, with guided tours and classes available to get you started properly.

For a genuinely different day, get on a horse and ride the rolling sandhills. The landscape does the work and you feel like a cowboy whether or not you have earned it. Wild mustangs turn up out there if the timing is right.

The adventure does not stop there. Valentine is a prime spot for kayaking, canoeing and tubing on the Niobrara River. Relaxing float or a faster whitewater ride, the same river gives you both depending on where you put in.

So what are you waiting for? Pack, bring your nerve, and head to Valentine, Nebraska. The outdoors here is not decorative.

Hiking and Biking Trails

For outdoor time in Valentine, the trails are where to start. The landscapes are open and the views run a long way, which makes hiking and biking the obvious first move. Here are the trails worth your day:

Cowboy Trail

Saddle up. The Cowboy Trail is a 195-mile trail running through the heart of Nebraska, and it takes hiking, biking and horseback riding. It follows an old railway grade, which means it is flat the whole way. The trail starts in Norfolk and ends in Valentine, so this end of it is the one you are on.

Smith Falls State Park Trails

For a harder hike, head to Smith Falls State Park. The park runs several hiking trails from easy through to difficult. The Smith Falls Trail is the one to do, because it leads to the tallest waterfall in Nebraska. It runs 3.6 miles and is rated moderate, so wear comfortable shoes and bring plenty of water.

No bike is not a problem. There are several places in town renting bikes by the day. And if you want the local knowledge, take a guided bike tour with somebody who knows which turnings are worth taking.

Grab your hiking boots or rent a bike and get on the trail. This is the part of the trip people come back for.

Water Fun and Sports

Valentine, Nebraska runs some of the more interesting water activities in the region. Relaxing float or something with more in it, the same rivers and reservoirs cover both. Here are the water activities worth doing:

Niobrara River Activities

The Niobrara River is where you cool off on a hot summer day. Rent a canoe, a tube or a kayak and float down it while the scenery goes past. For something faster, tube the rapids, which are less alarming than the word suggests. Hold on and enjoy it.

If you would rather stay dry, hike along the river and work through the waterfalls and rock formations. The Niobrara River is also good fishing, with trout, bass and catfish all in there.

Merritt Reservoir Adventures

For a bigger body of water, head to Merritt Reservoir. This 2,900-acre lake takes boating, water skiing and jet skiing without any of them getting in each other’s way. Rent a boat at the marina or bring your own. Beach volleyball and horseshoes are there if you want to make it competitive.

Merritt Reservoir is also strong for camping. Pitch a tent or rent a cabin and spend the weekend fishing, swimming and sitting around a fire. Deer, turkey and the occasional bald eagle all turn up if you are paying attention.

Whatever kind of water day you are after, Valentine, Nebraska has a version of it. Grab a swimsuit and sunscreen and get in.

Wildlife Explorations

For a nature lover, Valentine, Nebraska is a serious proposition. The area holds a pair of national wildlife refuges, which is more than most regions can claim, and both of them are big enough to spend a day in.

Valentine National Wildlife Refuge

The Valentine National Wildlife Refuge covers 72,000 acres of tallgrass prairie. It holds over 270 species of birds, 500 plant species and a range of wildlife including deer, elk and bison. Birdwatchers, hikers, photographers, hunters and fishers all use it, and there is enough ground that none of them get in each other’s way.

For bird watching, the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge is the place to give a full day. With over 270 species recorded, you will see something worth the drive. Grab your binoculars and take one of the nature trails for a closer look.

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge is the other one for wildlife enthusiasts. This 19,000-acre refuge sits at the confluence of the Niobrara and Missouri Rivers and holds elk, deer, bison and more besides.

The straightforward way into the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge is the driving tour. The refuge has a 19-mile scenic drive running through some of the better landscape in Nebraska, and the wildlife turns up alongside the road without you having to walk for it.

Bird watching, hiking or simply being outdoors, Valentine, Nebraska covers all three. Pack, bring a camera, and give the refuges more time than you think you need.

Camping Experience

Valentine, Nebraska is built for camping, and camping is the direct way into what the area actually offers. RV enthusiast or tent camping aficionado, the town has something for you. Here are the camping options:

RV and Tent Camping

Valentine has many campsites suited to RV and tent camping. The Valentine National Wildlife Refuge runs several sites set up for RVs, equipped with electrical hookups, water and sewage facilities. They sit near some of the stronger fishing spots in the area, which is not an accident.

For tent camping, the Valentine City Park is the answer. The park has several sites with fire pits, picnic tables and access to water. It also sits close to the better hiking trails in the area, so the walking starts at your tent.

Cabin Stay Options

For a more comfortable version of camping, a cabin stay is the option. The Niobrara Lodge is the pick in Valentine, with several cabins suited to families or couples, each with a kitchen, a bathroom and a proper bed. The lodge also has a swimming pool, a hot tub and a restaurant.

The other cabin option in Valentine is the Merritt Trading Post Resort. It runs several cabins suited to families or couples, each with a kitchen, a bathroom and a proper bed. The resort also has a swimming pool, a hot tub and a restaurant, and it sits closer to the water.

Whatever kind of camping you want, Valentine has a version of it. RV, tent or cabin, this is a straightforward place to spend a few nights outdoors.

This is Sandhills country, and it is a long way from anywhere. The Niobrara River runs cold and shallow and takes canoes, tubes and kayaks right through the summer. Merritt Reservoir holds 2,900 acres of open water. The Cowboy Trail runs 195 miles from Norfolk to Valentine along an old railway grade, which makes it flat the whole way. Wildlife everywhere. Bring what you need with you, because the nearest supply of anything is a long way off in every direction. Bison, elk and 270 species of bird, and nothing about the geography here is complicated, which is exactly why people keep coming back.

Golfing at The Prairie Club

For a golf enthusiast, The Prairie Club is the destination. It sits along the Snake River Canyon in Valentine, Nebraska, and it is a remote destination golf club running a pair of courses that both sit inside the national top-100 lists, The Dunes by Tom Lehman and Pines by Graham Marsh.

Getting to The Prairie Club is not easy, since it is a long drive from the major airports in Denver and Omaha. It is worth the journey anyway. The resort attracts people who are genuinely devout about the game, which tells you most of what you need to know about the courses.

The Prairie Club is a semi-private destination built to give the avid golfer serious golf. The resort caters to all levels, from beginners through to professionals, without dumbing either course down to manage it.

The Dunes is a challenging 18-hole course with long views over the Snake River Canyon. The design blends into the natural landscape of the Sandhills rather than fighting it. The Pines is the more traditional course and the more relaxed round of the two.

The Prairie Club runs golfing packages covering accommodation, meals and access to the courses. There is also a pro shop for equipment and accessories, which matters when the nearest alternative is hours away.

If you want a golfing getaway that people will ask you about afterwards, head to The Prairie Club. The golf is serious and the setting does the rest.

Historical and Cultural Insights

Valentine, Nebraska is a town with real history in it. From the early Sandhills rancher way of life through to modern Cherry County, there is a great deal to work through. Here are the historical and cultural stops to start with:

Arthur Bowring Ranch State Historical Park

The Arthur Bowring Ranch State Historical Park in Merriman is the stop for history buffs. It covers the early Sandhills rancher way of life and the history of the region in detail. The museum runs exhibits on ranching, Native American history and the Bowring family, and you can walk the historic ranch buildings including the main house, bunkhouse and barn.

The ranch was founded in 1884 by John Bowring and stayed in the family for over 100 years. Today the park works as a living history museum, showing how the ranchers lived, worked and spent their time in the Sandhills.

Cherry County’s History

Cherry County has a history running back to the 1800s. The county was named after Lt. Samuel A. Cherry, who was killed in the Battle of Little Big Horn. The town of Valentine was founded in 1883 and became the county seat shortly after.

The Cherry County Historical Society Museum in Valentine is where the county’s history is kept. The exhibits cover Native American history, ranching and the town’s early settlers, and there are artifacts from the Battle of Little Big Horn and the Sandhills region.

To explore the town’s history on your own, walk down Main Street. Many of the buildings date to the early 1900s and have been preserved or restored. The Valentine Public Library is worth a stop too, for its collection of local history books and resources.

Valentine and Cherry County carry more history than a town this size usually manages. History buff or simply curious about the region, there is plenty here to work through. Plan the trip and find out what is actually in it.

Food and Drink Guide

Hungry after all that? Valentine has the local eateries and wineries to deal with it.

Local Eateries

For a meal, the Peppermill Restaurant and E.K. Valentine Lounge is the answer. The Peppermill is a classic steakhouse that has been serving since 1977, and the menu runs from their prime rib through to the burgers. The E.K. Valentine Lounge is where you sit afterwards, with a wide selection of beers and cocktails to work through.

For something more casual, the Bolo Beer Co. is the local brewery, running craft beers alongside pub food. The menu covers classics like burgers and fries plus more specific things like their beer-battered cheese curds.

Niobrara Valley Vineyards

For a wine lover, Niobrara Valley Vineyards is worth the detour. This family-owned winery produces a range of wines including their award-winning Frontenac. Take the vineyard tour for the winemaking process, then sit on the patio with a glass. Take a bottle home with you.

Hearty meal or a quiet glass of wine, Valentine has the options to deal with either.

Stargazing at Nebraska Star Party

Looking for something genuinely out of the ordinary in Valentine, Nebraska? The Nebraska Star Party is the answer. This annual event is the fixture for anyone who takes stargazing seriously.

The Nebraska Star Party is hosted at Merritt Reservoir’s Snake Campground, and the night sky there is as dark as it gets in the state. With that little light pollution, the Milky Way is not something you strain to see.

No telescope is not a problem. The event runs a beginner’s field school covering the basics of stargazing, with or without equipment. For anyone bringing children, there is camping, programs for kids, beaches and day trips to fill the daylight hours.

The Nebraska Star Party is not only about the sky. The recreational side runs to hiking, fishing, birdwatching and more, so the days are as full as the nights.

Pack the camping gear, bring a telescope if you own one, and get to the Nebraska Star Party. The dark skies and the family-friendly setup make this the fixture for anyone serious about stargazing.

Unique Experiences

Tank Driving Tour

For something genuinely unusual, the Tank Driving Tour in Valentine, Nebraska is the one. You get behind the controls of a real tank and take it through the rugged terrain of the Sandhills, which is not a sentence most towns can offer.

During the tour you learn the history of the tanks and how they were used in combat. Then you find out what the vehicle actually does over hills and through valleys. It is a genuinely different afternoon and it stays with you.

Horseback Riding

For a more traditional Valentine day, horseback riding is the option. Several ranches in the area run guided rides through the Sandhills, and the horses know the ground better than you will.

You cover the rolling hills and grassy meadows on horseback, at a pace that lets you actually look at the place. Some ranches run sunset rides, where the sun goes down while you are still out there. It is a quiet and genuinely romantic way to end a day.

Whichever unusual experience you pick, Valentine, Nebraska will give you something to talk about afterwards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the best way to get lost in Valentine, Nebraska?

We would not recommend getting lost, and if you want a serious walk, take one of the hiking trails in the area. The Niobrara River Valley runs some of the better scenery in the state, and there is plenty of room to lose track of the time. Bring a map and plenty of water.

Looking for a romantic getaway in Valentine, Nebraska? Any recommendations?

Valentine works well for a romantic getaway. Walk the historic downtown, or take a picnic out to one of the parks. For something with more in it, ride horseback through the Sandhills or take a scenic drive through the countryside at the end of the day.

What are some unique accommodations in Valentine, Nebraska?

If a standard hotel room is not the plan, Valentine has options. You can stay in a cozy cabin, a teepee or a treehouse. For something genuinely unusual, book a stay at the Niobrara River Ranch and sleep in a covered wagon.

What’s the best way to cool off in Valentine, Nebraska during the summer?

Valentine gets hot in summer, and there are plenty of ways to deal with it. Head out to Merritt Reservoir for swimming, fishing and boating. The Niobrara River is the other option, or the Valentine City Pool if you want something simpler.

What are some must-see sights in and around Valentine, Nebraska?

Valentine holds some of the stronger natural scenery in the state. The Valentine National Wildlife Refuge, Smith Falls State Park and the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge are the three to prioritize. A scenic drive through the Sandhills and the historic downtown fill in the rest.

Any tips for catching the biggest fish at Merritt Reservoir in Valentine, Nebraska?

For the bigger fish at Merritt Reservoir, go out early in the morning or late in the evening, when the fish are moving. Bring the right equipment and bait and be patient about it. And if nothing takes, you are still standing somewhere worth standing.

Frequently asked questions about Valentine, Nebraska

How long does the 3.6-mile Smith Falls Trail actually take to walk?

Most of a morning. The trail runs 3.6 miles and is rated moderate, and it leads to the tallest waterfall in Nebraska, which is the entire reason to walk it in the first place. Wear comfortable shoes. Smith Falls State Park has easier trails if that one sounds like more than you want to take on today.

Is the Nebraska Star Party worth planning a whole trip around?

Yes. If dark skies are your thing there is nothing like it closer to home, and the event runs at Merritt Reservoir’s Snake Campground where the sky is genuinely dark rather than nominally dark. There is a beginner’s field school if you do not own a telescope. Family activities, camping and beaches fill the daylight hours.

Which wildlife refuge should come first, Valentine or Fort Niobrara?

Fort Niobrara. The 19-mile scenic drive shows you elk, deer and bison from the car, which is the low-effort version of a wildlife day. The Valentine National Wildlife Refuge is the bigger one at 72,000 acres and rewards a walk with binoculars, since 270 species of bird use it. Drive first, walk second.

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