Nebraska:
Published: Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Primarily seen as a rural state, Nebraska nonetheless has more than enough natural attractions to make travelers, including RVers, to seriously consider it as a possible tourist destination. After all, the state does have about 3,000 lakes under its fold, with the Missouri River even forming its eastern border. The waters that make up its many lakes and rivers may well serve as irrigation for the agricultural crops of Nebraska but they also serve other functions, notably as suitable settings for outdoor recreations that RV-boarded travelers will certainly find pleasurable at the very least.Nebraska Regions
The land otherwise referred to as the "Cornhusker State" is generally divided into seven regions that collectively form a unique rectangular shape of Nebraska. These districts are the Panhandle Region, the Sand Hills Region, the Lewis & Clark Region, the Prairie Lakes Region, the Frontier Trails Region, the Pioneer Country Region, and the Metro Region.
The Panhandle Region
The region carries several natural rock creations that provide direct contrast to the modern amenities feature of Interstate 80 whose northern end falls under the Panhandle Region. This formations extend for several miles after which mountainous terrains take over.
With such a rugged scenery, it is no wonder that the main attractions of this region perched on the northwestern part of Nebraska are geological formations, mountains, and hiking trails. For outdoor lovers like RVers, these ought to bring them the ultimate excitement. Places like the Chimney Rock National Historic Site in Bayard City and the Chadron-based Oglala National Grassland offer hiking opportunities for interested RV-boarded tourists and the added advantage of hosting several RV parks. In Bayard, two city attractions namely the Flying Bee Beefmaster Ranch and the Oregon Trail Wagon Train, offer RV camping areas apart from an extensive exploration of major city wonders. Meanwhile, Chadron prides itself in having four RV parks including Red Cloud Campground set right next to the scenic Chadron State Park.
The Sand Hills Region
The region, covering North Central Nebraska, is composed of canyons and hills dotted by sand dunes that were formed about 8,000 years earlier. Its chief attractions are the Niobrara River whose waters eventually head towards the great Mississippi River and the Nebraska National Forest whose 90,000-acre coverage has become famous among campers, picnickers, and hikers.
Burwell, Merriman, and Valentine are the cities that RVers should strive to see when visiting the Sand Hills Region for they offer several great attractions with accompanying RV parks to boot. Valentine though has a distinct advantage over the other cities as this is where the Niabrara River makes her home. Famous for its canoeing and tubing ventures, the river shares its popularity with another regional attraction, the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, whose amazing blend of natural rock formations, topography, and soil has made it the suitable habitat of a vast array of wild animals and exotic plants.
RV-boarded visitors should be pleasantly surprised that the Niabrara River and all her attractions are easily accessible via Fishberry Campground. Set about five miles away from the northern end of metropolitan Valentine, the campground can be reached from several chief Nebraskan cities, including Lincoln, Sioux Falls, Omaha, and Black Hills.
The Lewis & Clark Region
The northern and eastern tip of this region is restricted by the waters of the Missouri River, the chief body of water initially explored in 1804 by pioneers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Because of this, RV riders might think that the region offers nothing more than the historic river but that is not so. On the contrary, state parks abound here alongside several Indian reservation sites including those for the Omaha, the Sioux, and the Winnebago tribes.
One regional city that RV riders will find hard to resist is Ponca where its prized possession, the Ponca State Park, boasts of what is perhaps the most extensive array of outdoor sports that RVers can ever imagine. Topping the list will have to be its hiking trail, which covers approximately 20 miles of the total coverage area of 1,400 acres. The trails are also suitable for mountain biking while the nearby woodlands is the scene of horseback riding activities.
A resident swimming pool offers an open invitation for interested swimmers alongside vigilant lifeguards who are always on stand by. Alternatively, one can try fishing or boating across the waters of the Missouri National Recreational River but if land-based sport is preferred, the southern side of Ponca State Park is host to the Highland Oaks Public Golf Course where its nine-hole course is a challenge not easy to resist.
Through all of these activities, RVers need not worry where to park their RVs for the Ponca State Park actually has two modern and RV-ready camp sites where electricity, water, and all other modern camping amenities are available.
The Prairie Lakes Region
Previously an arid area dominated by tall grasses, the Prairie Lakes Region on the southwestern side of Nebraska was eventually transformed into a region full of several reservoirs and artificial lakes whose shores have become the venue for a large variety of outdoor activities. Among the personages often seen here are campers, picnickers, and hikers.
North Platte and Ogallala are perhaps the two significant regional cities for many RV-boarded travelers. The latter serves as host to Lake McConaughy, a popular leisure-activity area where one can either swim or catch a fish along the shore or simply set up a camp at the nearby beach. However, checking in at one of four RV campgrounds situated within Ogallala like the Cottonwood Grove, the Kingsley Lodge, the Open Corral Campground, and the Country View Campground is definitely a more secured idea.
The Frontier Trails Region
The region encompasses the south central area of Nebraska where a great number of historic landmarks complemented by public parks await exploration. For RVers who prefer outdoor fun, the area is not actually wanting in this aspect as there is the Platte River waiting to be explored.
While the region offers numerous cities, RVers are well-advised to find out what Grand Island and Kearney cities have to offer. Kearney presents the Cranewood Country Inn and RV Park for weary RV-boarded travelers while at the same time offering a diverse set of attractions, including the Fort Kearney State Historical Park, an 1848 military fort established to provide security for the Oregon Trail. Grand Island, meanwhile, is the host of the seven-acre wide Stolley Park upon which the Grand Island Zoo rests. Over 140 different animals are housed inside this zoo that is intended to provide wholesome fun for RV-boarded families. A nearby RV park, the George H. Clayton, Hall County Park, is the most convenient campsite to head off to afterwards.
The Pioneer Country Region
This Nebraskan region covers two major regional cities namely Nebraska and Lincoln. The latter is the state capital while the former is a relatively small city but is nevertheless equally prominent for simply carrying the state name. Either way, both cities carry several RV-accessible attractions alongside other smaller regional towns like Wilber, Brownville, and Aurora that likewise boast of their own set of attractions.
For most RVers, though, what ought to be particularly interesting is a tour of little-known Fairbury where the Rock Creek Station State Historical Park makes her home. The 350-acre wide park features a diverse combination of dangerous ravines and deep canyons, many of these were formed by traveling wagons traversing the Oregon/California and Pony Express Trails that now serve as challenging nature paths and alternative camping and picnicking sites. Lending the perfect complement to this natural attraction are two RV parks, Crystal Springs and Cub Creek Recreation Area, both situated within the inner reaches of Fairbury.
The Metro Region
The region, settled on the extreme eastern end of Nebraska, proudly has two principal cities under its fold. These are Lincoln and Omaha although the latter, being the state capital, is sometimes considered to be under the Pioneer Country Region.
Either way, these two cities are the regional highlights, naturally attracting the most number of visitors, including RV-boarded travelers. For Lincoln, places worth visiting are the University of Nebraska-Lincoln football stadium, easily accessible via the RV-friendly park, State Fair Campground, and the Antelope Park, a leisure park covering 143 acres and which features several recreational areas like swimming pools, a playground, and several sports fields. Other park attractions include the Folsom Children's Zoo and the Sunken Garden.
Over at Omaha, numerous state and amusement parks beckon prospective visitors including Fun Plex Amusement Park, the historic Boys Town, and Freedom Park, among others. Still, for RVers looking for an RV park with convenient access to a major Omaha attraction, the RV park to choose is West Omaha KOA as it quite near the Henry Doorly Zoo, where wild and rare rhinos, sun bears, African elephants, tigers, lowland gorillas, and snow leopards dwell in. The zoo also hosts the Scott Aquarium where, apart from fishes, penguins and sharks can also be seen.
Nebraska Cities
Some little-known cities in Nebraska should also be considered by most RV travelers. They may be geographically small, but they do feature some interesting attractions that may not be available in other Nebraska cities.
Bellevue
One of several cities falling under the jurisdiction of Sarpy County, Bellevue is a French term translated as “beautiful view” to stress its strategic location high off the Missouri River where one is given an excellent look at its pure majesty. A nearby wilderness area, Fontenelle Forest, provides covers of maple and oak trees to hikers traversing its trails that end up at Loess Hills and several marshlands. All across the area, hiking RV trippers can easily encounter deers and various other wildlife.
For concerns about RV parking, Riverland Park Resort in nearby Blair City should be able to answer them quite efficiently. Set along the Missouri River banks, the RV campground boasts of rows of cottonwood trees that make for a shaded camping setting complementing the hot and exciting activities taking place along the waters of the Missouri River.
Nebraska City
Lying along the western tip of the Missouri River bank, Nebraska City can be described as a landlocked area since its coverage of about 11.4 square kilometers is composed mainly of inland soil. This includes a 21-mile hiking path at the Steamboat Trace Trail found at the southern corner of Nebraska City. Formerly a railroad area, the trail is now completely paved as it cuts across the Missouri River country.
Park picnicking is another popular outdoor activity in Nebraska City as it boasts of having three leisure parks. Two of these, Wildwood Park and Nuckolls Square Park, offer several picnic shelters with accompanying tables apart from various ball fields and serene fishing ponds. The third park, Steinhart, boasts of an additional publicly-accessible swimming pool aside from the basic amenities.
There are actually two RV parks situated within Nebraska City that should enable RVers to fully enjoy majority of its attractions. These include Riverview Marina Campground and Boat Ramp and Victoria Acres RV Park and Campground with the latter being more RV-friendly as it operates all year through and offers modern conveniences like Internet access.
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
Off Interstate 80 in Ashland City lies the Eugene T. Mahoney State Park with its numerous offerings of state-of-the-art camping conveniences. A truly modern park, it sits comfortably on 690 acres of land quite near picturesque Platte River which also has its own separate state park.
Sports enthusiasts of various types will also find themselves at home here since there are basketball courts, driving ranges, softball fields, tennis courts, miniature golf courses, hiking paths, and fishing areas scattered all across the park. Alternatively, visitors can go on a nature exploration as the park boasts of an observation tower standing 70-feet tall where views of the surrounding area can be enjoyed.
A highlight of the Eugene T. Mahoney State Park is the Peter Kiewit Lodge with its 40 shelters, each one equipped with a private bathroom. Within its confines are several meeting rooms, a gift store, and a restaurant where dining involves the Platte River as the picturesque background.
Of course, for RV-boarded travelers, a camp site where their RVs can be placed in perfect safety is most definitely a requirement. For this, Eugene T. Mahoney State Park features two suitable campgrounds. Both Little Creek Campground and Lakeside Campground are state park-based camping areas where RVs are welcome under the protection of trees surrounding the Owen Marina Lake. Both campgrounds have modern shower structures equipped with laundry areas and dump stations.
Arbor Lodge State Historical Park
This Nebraska City-based state park was put up in honor of Arbor Day founder, J. Sterling Morton. The land where the park presently stands used to be occupied by his humble home back in 1855. From its simple origins, the estate has been transformed into a majestic mansion composed of 52 rooms.
RV riders touring the park complex should find many interesting areas like the so-called carriage house, elegantly-landscaped grounds where antique wagons and carriages are being displayed amidst the backdrop of a lovely rose garden. The garden, meanwhile, was designed in 1903 and involved a curving row of brick walls that provide cool shades to several rose varieties apart from a pergola and a sundial.
Picnicking is generally allowed in this public park although there are no camping grounds. Nonetheless, this should not be a major problem for most RVers since they can always check in at nearby Victorian Acres RV Park and Campground.
Visiting Periods
In general, Nebraska experiences mild weather with average winter temperatures ranging only from 20 to 45 degrees F. Humidity though can reach as high as 95 degrees during summer. By autumn, crisp weather is usually felt with October evenings having low temperatures with averages of around 40 degrees.
Exploring the "Cornhusker State" may be ideal during winter since the temperature is not really that cold. However, some Nebraska places do close shop during this season. It is thus better that RVers plan a Nebraska trip from springtime down to autumn. That way, they can be assured that majority of the attractions will be open.
Sunset Motel
The name may sound uninviting to many RVers on the hunt for a good RV park in Nebraska. Yet, make no mistake about it, this place provides complete service for RV-boarded trippers amidst a quiet and calm atmosphere. The rooms are clean, spacious, and feature poolside areas apart from a specially-designed jacuzzi with an extra suite provided upstairs for those planning on a longer Nebraska visit.
Found in Alliance City on the western corner of Nebraska, Sunset Motel is near several local attractions including the celebrated Carhenge, a re-creation of the famous Stonehenge in England with US-made cars being used to duplicate the strange stone wonders. The place has been quite popular among tourists although it ran through several troubles, specifically, the possibility of being torn down. Nevertheless, efforts at preserving the place has been met with overwhelming positive response.
Wacky West Travel Park
For RVers who have a passion for the great west, this RV park should be able to pack in all of their interests as it is perched beside an old cowboy trail where they can hike and explore the western countryside although the area can also be toured via bicycle rides. A nearby variety store called Alco offers practically anything, possibly including cowboy hats and costumes, but for RVers who prefer the accommodations of the present times, they can head off to a fastfood, a restaurant or a movie theater, all situated within convenient distance from the RV park.
Found in Valentine City on the northern central area of Nebraska, Wacky West Travel Park has 21 campsites with 18 of these certified pull-through areas. RVs of varying sizes are welcome here including Big Rigs. A playground for children is set within the park confines and for adults, a miniature golf course should provide the needed outdoor recreation.
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