Cool Places to Camp
Water and Food
Tents
Clothing
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THE OUTDOORS
Canoeing
I am an Eagle Scout and enjoy camping, hiking, and canoeing a great deal. I have canoed in the Buffalo river in Arkansas, in the Niobrara in Nebraska, and in the Boundary
waters up in northern Minosota with my Boy Scout Troop 97.
BUFFALO RIVER-
The Buffalo river is great fun. It contains some fun mild rapids sure to test anyones canoeing skills along with nice stretches of calm waters.
NIOBRARA RIVER-
The Niobrara River in Nebraska near Valentine is is a fun place to canoe. The Scenery is cool but it isn't quite the Buffallo. Be sure to visit Smith Falls. If you just want to see the falls and don't want to go down the river you can do that now too. The state has recently spent money making the falls accesible and building a walk bridge across the river to the falls side. (if you were there a long time ago, it's run by the state now and that crazy guy doesn't charge a buck anymore to come see his darn falls):) It's free! The river gradualy becoming more developed paticularly on the left bank. you can actually stop halfway down the river if you want to and buy ice cream.
Cool places to enjoy the outdoors in Nebraska
INDIAN CAVE STATE PARK-
Indian Cave
is in my opinion the coolest place to camp in Nebraska. It's an Oak Hickory forest and contains lots of plants
and animals unique to this state. The best time of year to go is in the fall when the leaves are changing color. Climb up to the top of a hill and take in the breath taking scenery. For those of you more into action and adventure than scenery haul your mountain bike up there. You'll find lots of trails and hills. Be carefull and wear your helmet. My friend Ryan bent his frame and cracked his helmet up there a couple of years ago, and take a tip from Ryans cousin and avoid that really big hill if your in line skating, you'll know which one he's talking about. The "Cave" in my opinion is a little disapointing. Think of it as a rock cliff with some Native American pictures carved into them with a lot of old and modern vandalism, like "Joe and Suzie 4-V-R 1943" and you won't be quite as dissapointed as I was. psst.. Sneak around outside the wood barier and head right of the cave part of the hill a few yards and you'll find an old coal shaft it goes back quite a ways. I hear some old hermit used to mine low grade coal to heat his house with out of the shaft. It's a great place to take a family trip. Call ahead and find out when activities are going on. If you get there at the right time you can see people making candles and an old one room school house and general store. And for a fee you can even go on a horse ride.
FONTENELL FOREST-
Nice and close to the thriving metropolis of Omaha, Fontenell is almost as much fun to visit as Indian Cave. It's not nearly as hilly and not quite as diverse but other than that it's along the same lines. Being so close to Omaha you would think there would be a lot of people there but it doesn't really seem to be that way. Apparently the people of Omaha don't realize what a wonderfull forest they have next to them. I should state that I don't think you are actually allowed to camp in Fontenell. If you are involved in Scouts check out, Camp Wokanda a Boy Scout camp adjecent to Fontenell where overnight camping is allowed. Both are great places however to take a day hike. Pack a sack lunch and spend a day watching the deer running around.
CEDAR/EAGLE BOY SCOUT CAMPGROUNDS-
Camp Cedars and Camp Eagle are Boy Scout Camps near Freemont. They are very near each other and both border the Platt River. The majority of both camps are covered with cedar trees. Summer camp is held at Cedar. about six years ago Cedars facilities like the chow hall and swimming pool were in desperate need of renovation. Well, actually demoliton. The chow hall reeked and the swimming pools cement was cracked so it was effectivley spring fed making it extremely cold. I imagine the health department shut it down. An enormous amout of donated money and about six years later Cedars has some of the nicest up to date facilities I've ever seen. They have a brand new pool and an air conditioned chow hall that serves edible food, (A huge step in the right direction for those of us that remember the last days of the old chow hall) and has cedar lined walls. Camp Eagle, which used to be the nicer of the two, isn't quite as impressive, you'd be hard pressed to find anything air conditioned but it has a swimming pool and several shelters that are fairly well maintained. Both camps have a lake and lots of trails.
Little Souix is another Boy Scout Camp near the town of Little Souix, which is halfway between Omaha and Souix City. Scout Camporees are held here.
It is another hilly place like Indian Cave only much smaller. It
is very pretty in the fall and has a very nice lake. There are some buildings there that troops can rent out but I would suggest that troops head in a little deeper and tent camp a little father from civilization. The camp's main feature is probably Monster Mountain. Monster Mountain is really just a spot on a hill that is eroding away and is great fun to try to climb up and slide down. It's the most fun when it's raining and it all turns to mud.
MAHONEY STATE PARK-
Mahoney State Park is halfway between Omaha and Linoln. It is a newer park and has a small pond you can rent paddle boats on. It also contains a miniature golf course, driving range, play ground equipment, and water slides. The tent camping stinks! But if you have a littel extra money to spend they have very nice lodging. There is a nice restaurant along with a gift shop and arcade. For the most part it is caters to the upper middle class. If you own an SUV you wouldn't dare take of the concrete this is the place for you. Well I told you earlier that the planes from SACC (Strategic Air Command Center) would be moved to a museum near Mahoney. Well, there there and it's very cool. Especially the SR71 display. Did you know that the
SR71 was really the RS71 but the president called SR71 in a speech by mistake and it forever became known as the SR71? Well that's how the story goes anyway. It can fly four times the speed of a .45 caliber bullet! WOW! click to see the display. They also have lots and lots of other planes. hmm, Maybe Mahoney does have something to offer us lowers class peoples. Really big cool flying contraption displays at the SACC museum next door.
PLATTE RIVER STATE PARK-
Platte River State Park is a spiffy place along the platte river. It is along the same lines as Mahoney but not as yuppie. (no platimun Visa required) They have a really tall tower that you can climb and see a wonderfull view of the Plate, as long as you aren't afraid of heights and lots of wind.(drag your mom up there kids it really is worth the view) You can buy a buffalo burger at the restaurant if you are feeling brave. If you plan on staying overnight I suggest staying in one of the many colorful teepees they have scattered throughout the park.
DESOTO WILDLIFE REFUGE-
Desoto Wildlife refuge is North of Omaha a ways and is best known for the flocks of geese that bottleneck at the river there. There are a few small trails there and a cool glass atrium on the waters front that is air conditioned and has looking glasses to see the birds and other wildlife in and near the river up close. Mahoney might have the planes but Desoto has the boat. Well actually the boat is at the bottom of where the river used to be but all sorts of artifacts recovered from the river boat years later are on display here.
<--This is Frank. Frank is a Maple leaf.
I am an Eagle Scout and enjoy camping, hiking, and canoeing a great deal. I have canoed in the Buffalo river in Arkansas, in the Niobrara in Nebraska, and in the Boundary
waters up in northern Minosota with my Boy Scout Troop 97.
BUFFALO RIVER-
The Buffalo river is great fun. It contains some fun mild rapids sure to test anyones canoeing skills along with nice stretches of calm waters.
NIOBRARA RIVER-
The Niobrara River in Nebraska near Valentine is is a fun place to canoe. The Scenery is cool but it isn't quite the Buffallo. Be sure to visit Smith Falls. If you just want to see the falls and don't want to go down the river you can do that now too. The state has recently spent money making the falls accesible and building a walk bridge across the river to the falls side. (if you were there a long time ago, it's run by the state now and that crazy guy doesn't charge a buck anymore to come see his darn falls):) It's free! The river gradualy becoming more developed paticularly on the left bank. you can actually stop halfway down the river if you want to and buy ice cream.
Cool places to enjoy the outdoors in Nebraska
INDIAN CAVE STATE PARK-
Indian Cave
is in my opinion the coolest place to camp in Nebraska. It's an Oak Hickory forest and contains lots of plants
and animals unique to this state. The best time of year to go is in the fall when the leaves are changing color. Climb up to the top of a hill and take in the breath taking scenery. For those of you more into action and adventure than scenery haul your mountain bike up there. You'll find lots of trails and hills. Be carefull and wear your helmet. My friend Ryan bent his frame and cracked his helmet up there a couple of years ago, and take a tip from Ryans cousin and avoid that really big hill if your in line skating, you'll know which one he's talking about. The "Cave" in my opinion is a little disapointing. Think of it as a rock cliff with some Native American pictures carved into them with a lot of old and modern vandalism, like "Joe and Suzie 4-V-R 1943" and you won't be quite as dissapointed as I was. psst.. Sneak around outside the wood barier and head right of the cave part of the hill a few yards and you'll find an old coal shaft it goes back quite a ways. I hear some old hermit used to mine low grade coal to heat his house with out of the shaft. It's a great place to take a family trip. Call ahead and find out when activities are going on. If you get there at the right time you can see people making candles and an old one room school house and general store. And for a fee you can even go on a horse ride.
FONTENELL FOREST-
Nice and close to the thriving metropolis of Omaha, Fontenell is almost as much fun to visit as Indian Cave. It's not nearly as hilly and not quite as diverse but other than that it's along the same lines. Being so close to Omaha you would think there would be a lot of people there but it doesn't really seem to be that way. Apparently the people of Omaha don't realize what a wonderfull forest they have next to them. I should state that I don't think you are actually allowed to camp in Fontenell. If you are involved in Scouts check out, Camp Wokanda a Boy Scout camp adjecent to Fontenell where overnight camping is allowed. Both are great places however to take a day hike. Pack a sack lunch and spend a day watching the deer running around.
CEDAR/EAGLE BOY SCOUT CAMPGROUNDS-
Camp Cedars and Camp Eagle are Boy Scout Camps near Freemont. They are very near each other and both border the Platt River. The majority of both camps are covered with cedar trees. Summer camp is held at Cedar. about six years ago Cedars facilities like the chow hall and swimming pool were in desperate need of renovation. Well, actually demoliton. The chow hall reeked and the swimming pools cement was cracked so it was effectivley spring fed making it extremely cold. I imagine the health department shut it down. An enormous amout of donated money and about six years later Cedars has some of the nicest up to date facilities I've ever seen. They have a brand new pool and an air conditioned chow hall that serves edible food, (A huge step in the right direction for those of us that remember the last days of the old chow hall) and has cedar lined walls. Camp Eagle, which used to be the nicer of the two, isn't quite as impressive, you'd be hard pressed to find anything air conditioned but it has a swimming pool and several shelters that are fairly well maintained. Both camps have a lake and lots of trails.
Little Souix is another Boy Scout Camp near the town of Little Souix, which is halfway between Omaha and Souix City. Scout Camporees are held here.
It is another hilly place like Indian Cave only much smaller. It
is very pretty in the fall and has a very nice lake. There are some buildings there that troops can rent out but I would suggest that troops head in a little deeper and tent camp a little father from civilization. The camp's main feature is probably Monster Mountain. Monster Mountain is really just a spot on a hill that is eroding away and is great fun to try to climb up and slide down. It's the most fun when it's raining and it all turns to mud.
MAHONEY STATE PARK-
Mahoney State Park is halfway between Omaha and Linoln. It is a newer park and has a small pond you can rent paddle boats on. It also contains a miniature golf course, driving range, play ground equipment, and water slides. The tent camping stinks! But if you have a littel extra money to spend they have very nice lodging. There is a nice restaurant along with a gift shop and arcade. For the most part it is caters to the upper middle class. If you own an SUV you wouldn't dare take of the concrete this is the place for you. Well I told you earlier that the planes from SACC (Strategic Air Command Center) would be moved to a museum near Mahoney. Well, there there and it's very cool. Especially the SR71 display. Did you know that the
SR71 was really the RS71 but the president called SR71 in a speech by mistake and it forever became known as the SR71? Well that's how the story goes anyway. It can fly four times the speed of a .45 caliber bullet! WOW! click to see the display. They also have lots and lots of other planes. hmm, Maybe Mahoney does have something to offer us lowers class peoples. Really big cool flying contraption displays at the SACC museum next door.
PLATTE RIVER STATE PARK-
Platte River State Park is a spiffy place along the platte river. It is along the same lines as Mahoney but not as yuppie. (no platimun Visa required) They have a really tall tower that you can climb and see a wonderfull view of the Plate, as long as you aren't afraid of heights and lots of wind.(drag your mom up there kids it really is worth the view) You can buy a buffalo burger at the restaurant if you are feeling brave. If you plan on staying overnight I suggest staying in one of the many colorful teepees they have scattered throughout the park.
DESOTO WILDLIFE REFUGE-
Desoto Wildlife refuge is North of Omaha a ways and is best known for the flocks of geese that bottleneck at the river there. There are a few small trails there and a cool glass atrium on the waters front that is air conditioned and has looking glasses to see the birds and other wildlife in and near the river up close. Mahoney might have the planes but Desoto has the boat. Well actually the boat is at the bottom of where the river used to be but all sorts of artifacts recovered from the river boat years later are on display here.
<--This is Frank. Frank is a Maple leaf.
BUFFALO RIVER
NIOBRARA RIVER
Cool places to enjoy the outdoors in Nebraska
INDIAN CAVE STATE PARK-
Indian Cave
is in my opinion the coolest place to camp in Nebraska. It's an Oak Hickory forest and contains lots of plants
and animals unique to this state. The best time of year to go is in the fall when the leaves are changing color. Climb up to the top of a hill and take in the breath taking scenery. For those of you more into action and adventure than scenery haul your mountain bike up there. You'll find lots of trails and hills. Be carefull and wear your helmet. My friend Ryan bent his frame and cracked his helmet up there a couple of years ago, and take a tip from Ryans cousin and avoid that really big hill if your in line skating, you'll know which one he's talking about. The "Cave" in my opinion is a little disapointing. Think of it as a rock cliff with some Native American pictures carved into them with a lot of old and modern vandalism, like "Joe and Suzie 4-V-R 1943" and you won't be quite as dissapointed as I was. psst.. Sneak around outside the wood barier and head right of the cave part of the hill a few yards and you'll find an old coal shaft it goes back quite a ways. I hear some old hermit used to mine low grade coal to heat his house with out of the shaft. It's a great place to take a family trip. Call ahead and find out when activities are going on. If you get there at the right time you can see people making candles and an old one room school house and general store. And for a fee you can even go on a horse ride.
FONTENELL FOREST-
Nice and close to the thriving metropolis of Omaha, Fontenell is almost as much fun to visit as Indian Cave. It's not nearly as hilly and not quite as diverse but other than that it's along the same lines. Being so close to Omaha you would think there would be a lot of people there but it doesn't really seem to be that way. Apparently the people of Omaha don't realize what a wonderfull forest they have next to them. I should state that I don't think you are actually allowed to camp in Fontenell. If you are involved in Scouts check out, Camp Wokanda a Boy Scout camp adjecent to Fontenell where overnight camping is allowed. Both are great places however to take a day hike. Pack a sack lunch and spend a day watching the deer running around.
CEDAR/EAGLE BOY SCOUT CAMPGROUNDS-
Camp Cedars and Camp Eagle are Boy Scout Camps near Freemont. They are very near each other and both border the Platt River. The majority of both camps are covered with cedar trees. Summer camp is held at Cedar. about six years ago Cedars facilities like the chow hall and swimming pool were in desperate need of renovation. Well, actually demoliton. The chow hall reeked and the swimming pools cement was cracked so it was effectivley spring fed making it extremely cold. I imagine the health department shut it down. An enormous amout of donated money and about six years later Cedars has some of the nicest up to date facilities I've ever seen. They have a brand new pool and an air conditioned chow hall that serves edible food, (A huge step in the right direction for those of us that remember the last days of the old chow hall) and has cedar lined walls. Camp Eagle, which used to be the nicer of the two, isn't quite as impressive, you'd be hard pressed to find anything air conditioned but it has a swimming pool and several shelters that are fairly well maintained. Both camps have a lake and lots of trails.
Little Souix is another Boy Scout Camp near the town of Little Souix, which is halfway between Omaha and Souix City. Scout Camporees are held here.
It is another hilly place like Indian Cave only much smaller. It
is very pretty in the fall and has a very nice lake. There are some buildings there that troops can rent out but I would suggest that troops head in a little deeper and tent camp a little father from civilization. The camp's main feature is probably Monster Mountain. Monster Mountain is really just a spot on a hill that is eroding away and is great fun to try to climb up and slide down. It's the most fun when it's raining and it all turns to mud.
MAHONEY STATE PARK-
Mahoney State Park is halfway between Omaha and Linoln. It is a newer park and has a small pond you can rent paddle boats on. It also contains a miniature golf course, driving range, play ground equipment, and water slides. The tent camping stinks! But if you have a littel extra money to spend they have very nice lodging. There is a nice restaurant along with a gift shop and arcade. For the most part it is caters to the upper middle class. If you own an SUV you wouldn't dare take of the concrete this is the place for you. Well I told you earlier that the planes from SACC (Strategic Air Command Center) would be moved to a museum near Mahoney. Well, there there and it's very cool. Especially the SR71 display. Did you know that the
SR71 was really the RS71 but the president called SR71 in a speech by mistake and it forever became known as the SR71? Well that's how the story goes anyway. It can fly four times the speed of a .45 caliber bullet! WOW! click to see the display. They also have lots and lots of other planes. hmm, Maybe Mahoney does have something to offer us lowers class peoples. Really big cool flying contraption displays at the SACC museum next door.
PLATTE RIVER STATE PARK-
Platte River State Park is a spiffy place along the platte river. It is along the same lines as Mahoney but not as yuppie. (no platimun Visa required) They have a really tall tower that you can climb and see a wonderfull view of the Plate, as long as you aren't afraid of heights and lots of wind.(drag your mom up there kids it really is worth the view) You can buy a buffalo burger at the restaurant if you are feeling brave. If you plan on staying overnight I suggest staying in one of the many colorful teepees they have scattered throughout the park.
DESOTO WILDLIFE REFUGE-
Desoto Wildlife refuge is North of Omaha a ways and is best known for the flocks of geese that bottleneck at the river there. There are a few small trails there and a cool glass atrium on the waters front that is air conditioned and has looking glasses to see the birds and other wildlife in and near the river up close. Mahoney might have the planes but Desoto has the boat. Well actually the boat is at the bottom of where the river used to be but all sorts of artifacts recovered from the river boat years later are on display here.
<--This is Frank. Frank is a Maple leaf.
INDIAN CAVE STATE PARK- Indian Cave is in my opinion the coolest place to camp in Nebraska. It's an Oak Hickory forest and contains lots of plants and animals unique to this state. The best time of year to go is in the fall when the leaves are changing color. Climb up to the top of a hill and take in the breath taking scenery. For those of you more into action and adventure than scenery haul your mountain bike up there. You'll find lots of trails and hills. Be carefull and wear your helmet. My friend Ryan bent his frame and cracked his helmet up there a couple of years ago, and take a tip from Ryans cousin and avoid that really big hill if your in line skating, you'll know which one he's talking about. The "Cave" in my opinion is a little disapointing. Think of it as a rock cliff with some Native American pictures carved into them with a lot of old and modern vandalism, like "Joe and Suzie 4-V-R 1943" and you won't be quite as dissapointed as I was. psst.. Sneak around outside the wood barier and head right of the cave part of the hill a few yards and you'll find an old coal shaft it goes back quite a ways. I hear some old hermit used to mine low grade coal to heat his house with out of the shaft. It's a great place to take a family trip. Call ahead and find out when activities are going on. If you get there at the right time you can see people making candles and an old one room school house and general store. And for a fee you can even go on a horse ride.
FONTENELL FOREST- Nice and close to the thriving metropolis of Omaha, Fontenell is almost as much fun to visit as Indian Cave. It's not nearly as hilly and not quite as diverse but other than that it's along the same lines. Being so close to Omaha you would think there would be a lot of people there but it doesn't really seem to be that way. Apparently the people of Omaha don't realize what a wonderfull forest they have next to them. I should state that I don't think you are actually allowed to camp in Fontenell. If you are involved in Scouts check out, Camp Wokanda a Boy Scout camp adjecent to Fontenell where overnight camping is allowed. Both are great places however to take a day hike. Pack a sack lunch and spend a day watching the deer running around.
CEDAR/EAGLE BOY SCOUT CAMPGROUNDS- Camp Cedars and Camp Eagle are Boy Scout Camps near Freemont. They are very near each other and both border the Platt River. The majority of both camps are covered with cedar trees. Summer camp is held at Cedar. about six years ago Cedars facilities like the chow hall and swimming pool were in desperate need of renovation. Well, actually demoliton. The chow hall reeked and the swimming pools cement was cracked so it was effectivley spring fed making it extremely cold. I imagine the health department shut it down. An enormous amout of donated money and about six years later Cedars has some of the nicest up to date facilities I've ever seen. They have a brand new pool and an air conditioned chow hall that serves edible food, (A huge step in the right direction for those of us that remember the last days of the old chow hall) and has cedar lined walls. Camp Eagle, which used to be the nicer of the two, isn't quite as impressive, you'd be hard pressed to find anything air conditioned but it has a swimming pool and several shelters that are fairly well maintained. Both camps have a lake and lots of trails. Little Souix is another Boy Scout Camp near the town of Little Souix, which is halfway between Omaha and Souix City. Scout Camporees are held here. It is another hilly place like Indian Cave only much smaller. It is very pretty in the fall and has a very nice lake. There are some buildings there that troops can rent out but I would suggest that troops head in a little deeper and tent camp a little father from civilization. The camp's main feature is probably Monster Mountain. Monster Mountain is really just a spot on a hill that is eroding away and is great fun to try to climb up and slide down. It's the most fun when it's raining and it all turns to mud.
MAHONEY STATE PARK- Mahoney State Park is halfway between Omaha and Linoln. It is a newer park and has a small pond you can rent paddle boats on. It also contains a miniature golf course, driving range, play ground equipment, and water slides. The tent camping stinks! But if you have a littel extra money to spend they have very nice lodging. There is a nice restaurant along with a gift shop and arcade. For the most part it is caters to the upper middle class. If you own an SUV you wouldn't dare take of the concrete this is the place for you. Well I told you earlier that the planes from SACC (Strategic Air Command Center) would be moved to a museum near Mahoney. Well, there there and it's very cool. Especially the SR71 display. Did you know that the SR71 was really the RS71 but the president called SR71 in a speech by mistake and it forever became known as the SR71? Well that's how the story goes anyway. It can fly four times the speed of a .45 caliber bullet! WOW! click to see the display. They also have lots and lots of other planes. hmm, Maybe Mahoney does have something to offer us lowers class peoples. Really big cool flying contraption displays at the SACC museum next door.
PLATTE RIVER STATE PARK- Platte River State Park is a spiffy place along the platte river. It is along the same lines as Mahoney but not as yuppie. (no platimun Visa required) They have a really tall tower that you can climb and see a wonderfull view of the Plate, as long as you aren't afraid of heights and lots of wind.(drag your mom up there kids it really is worth the view) You can buy a buffalo burger at the restaurant if you are feeling brave. If you plan on staying overnight I suggest staying in one of the many colorful teepees they have scattered throughout the park.
DESOTO WILDLIFE REFUGE
<--This is Frank. Frank is a Maple leaf.