Niobrara National Scenic River

The Cowboy Trail is a hiking and biking trail created from the historic bed of the railroad track that passed through Valentine, NE, and the Sandhills. Many hikers and bikers covet the views of the Niobrara National Scenic River from the 148 foot historic bridge, not far from Valentine.

Experience the beauty of the Niobrara National Scenic River up close and personal by floating the gentle waters through six ecosystems, past waterfalls, and under historic bridges. A gem in the Sandhills of the Great Plains.

This scenic 1.0 mile hike highlights the 45-foot-tall Fort Falls and the shores of the Niobrara National Scenic River on the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge. With free parking, this hike can be shortened to few the Fort Falls and the River's Banks in less than 0.25 miles.

See the Niobrara River in the light of a winter lens. Photographers can find winter scenery, natural phenomena's, wildlife, canyons, waterfalls, and the perfect angles for those golden hour photos in many places along the Niobrara River, but Fort Falls is one of our favorites.