NGPC News

Indian Cave State Park’s iconic cave, home to prehistoric Native American petroglyphs, is accessible to the public again now that construction of a new boardwalk and viewing deck is complete. The old boardwalk was unusable after a historic bomb cyclone in March 2019 saturated the area and caused a landslide. While the southeast Nebraska park’s old boardwalk was a series of steps and platforms, the new one has a ramp compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and an 8-foot-wide …

Boating access improvements at Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area in southwest Nebraska have begun and are expected to last through the fall. Public access will be affected. Phase 1 of the project will restore boating access to Area A by extending the boat ramp. Other planned amenities here include Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant parking, a new breakwater to protect the ramp, a new staging area near the ramp, and a new gravel parking lot with lighting. Once work at Area …

Access to certain areas of parks in north-central Nebraska and the Panhandle will be temporarily closed to make way for improvements. Mike Morava, regional superintendent for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, said each of the projects is being started early enough in the fall to be finished before visitation peaks next year. Smith Falls State Park near Valentine — Access to Nebraska’s tallest waterfall, Smith Falls, will be closed Sept. 6 through May 2023 as workers replace the aging …

Fort Robinson State Park and Chadron State Park in northwest Nebraska have revised their schedules for some services as visitors and employees returning to school have prompted staffing changes. The revised schedules will take effect Aug. 15. Fort Robinson State Park Restaurant — Hours are now 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Horse Rides — On Monday through Friday, the long ride will start at 8 a.m. and 12:30 …

By Renae Blum/Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Busy state parks are busy for a reason: There’s plenty to do and lots to see. But there are plenty of quieter parks, too. They still offer amenities and attractions that make for a fun day or weekend, but typically aren’t as packed with visitors. Here are nine state parks to put on your list when you’re looking for peace and more relaxation. Niobrara State Park Niobrara State Park is a hidden gem: …

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission earned 11 awards at the Association for Conservation Information annual conference held July 24-27 in Nashville, Tenn. The awards recognized excellence in outreach, education and communications. ACI is a nonprofit organization of natural resources communicators representing wildlife conservation and parks and natural resource agencies. Its annual awards contest recognizes excellence and promotes craft improvement through peer critiques. The awards are: First place in Communications Campaign, Educational for “Lake Mac Know Before You Go,” an …

Wagon Train State Recreation Area lake will be chemically renovated Aug. 10, weather depending, to remove the existing fish population. Activities at the rec area, about 2 miles east of Hickman, will be limited that day. The rotenone treatment is aimed at eliminating common carp, white perch and gizzard shad, which are detrimental to aquatic habitat and water quality. Because rotenone is a restricted-use pesticide, day-use areas and the swimming beach will be closed during the chemical application, and no …

Eight elk were harvested during Nebraska’s first special elk depredation season. Five bulls and three cows were taken during the July 1-31 season on private land in specific parts of Lincoln, Perkins, Keith, Deuel and Garden counties. “I would call the season a success, with eight elk harvested in a month compared to our general elk season, when five or six elk typically are harvested in six months in this area,” said Alicia Hardin, wildlife administrator for the Nebraska Game …

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is closing several areas in the Panhandle southwest of Gering to help firefighters battling wildfires. Cedar Canyon Wildlife Management Area, Montz Point WMA, and Carter Canyon and Montz Point, both part of Platte River Basin Environments, are closed so firefighters are not hindered by vehicle traffic. These areas are closed to all public access. The public is asked to stay away as area residents may be using the roads to evacuate personal belongings or move …

A 42-year-old Gering man drowned in a swimming accident July 29 at Lake Minatare State Recreation Area near Minatare. At about 2:30 p.m., the man jumped from his boat to swim and as his boat drifted away, he went under. The passengers on his boat attempted to rescue him and nearby boaters assisted, performing CPR on the man as they returned to shore. Nebraska State Patrol troopers met them at the boat ramp and continued life-saving measures. The man was …