Parks

From a humble beginning with a handful of riders to the largest gathering of the Lakota horse nation, the Crazy Horse Memorial Ride is a growing tribute to Oglala Lakota war chief Crazy Horse, as well as warriors of yesterday and today. “The ride is in honor of all veterans,” said Bamm Brewer, ride organizer from Pine Ridge, South Dakota. From Fort Robinson State Park near Crawford, participants of the 17th annual event traveled to Chadron on Monday to camp at the Dawes County Fairgrounds. On Tuesday morning, …

A series of nature programs continues this week at the two state parks in the northern Panhandle. Park naturalist Jami Campbell will lead eight family-friendly programs at Chadron State Park and Fort Robinson State Park on Thursday, June 5, through Saturday, June 7. The action will start at Chadron State Park’s Trading Post on Thursday at 3:30 p.m. with a program about snakes. At 5:30 p.m. she will tell about the tiniest creatures in the prairies and forests. The programming …

It is prime time for viewing wildflowers in the Pine Ridge and Nebraska Game and Parks Commission staff members are inviting the public to an informational hike through the colorful countryside. Commission biologist Shelley Steffl and park naturalist Jami Campbell will lead the hike in the Mexican Canyon area of Fort Robinson State Park on Saturday, June 7. Participants will meet at the Post Playhouse at 9:30 a.m. and form a convoy to the site of the morning hike. Participants …

Did you know that a state recreation area near Omaha, NE was the site one of the largest icehouses/ice plants in the country? It sure was! In 1897-98, the Armour and Company Icehouse was constructed just northwest of Memphis, NE in Saunders County on a 154-acre tract of land purchased from a farmer who sold some of his property due to the severe farm crisis of the 1890’s. The Icehouse According to Nebraska State Historical Society records, the Armour and Company …

Fort Robinson Intertribal Gathering Powwow, Crawford – June 13-15 Located on the parade grounds of the historic Fort Robinson State Park near Crawford, the 15th annual Intertribal Gathering Powwow is hosted by the Friends of the Intertribal Powwow at Fort Robinson. Isanti Dakota Wacipi, Santee – June 21-22 The Santee Sioux Tribe host an annual traditional powwow with contest specials near the town of Santee. Winnebago Homecoming Celebration Powwow, Winnebago – July 23-25 The oldest memorial powwow in the nation, the Winnebago Homecoming Celebration honors …

My friends, family and other followers know that I try to post one nature photo each weekday to Facebook and Twitter. It’s a fun exercise, and I’m sometimes surprised to discover which photos generate the most reaction among friends on followers on social media. It seems some photos that get the best response take the least amount of work. Others, of which I’ve forged an emotional attachment because of their technical difficulty or the hike and planning involved to get …

Did you know that one of our Nebraska state park lands actually has an old town site within its boundaries? Know which state park it is? Here’s the sign denoting the old town site that has couple reconstructed buildings. One of them is a reconstructed schoolhouse. There’s also a reconstructed mercantile. And, a reconstructed cabin near the old town site. Founded by Native Americans of mixed heritage to serve their reservation, this town sprung up around a trading post and …

Many of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission’s attractions in the Panhandle are planning special activities for Free Park Entry and Fishing Day on Saturday, May 17. Free Park Entry and Fishing Day is an annual event in which the Commission allows fishing and entry to parks without requiring permits. It provides an opportunity for people to experience the state’s diverse park areas and fishing resources free of charge. Following is a list of special activities at the region’s State …

I’ll be telling you why you should go fishing with your family and visit a Nebraska state park land this Saturday on my Weekly Outdoor Report airing on Omaha’s WOWT 6 News. That’s because this Saturday, May 17th marks Nebraska’s Free Fishing and State Park Entry Day, woo-hoo! It’s kind of an open house of sorts in our great outdoors! Special, how-to, fun family-oriented fishing events events will also be held around the state. Be sure to bring all the kids! Tune …

Our tour is only 9 days away! For those joining us, we hope your training is going well and that you’re getting things together for this adventure. Jamie and I scouted out the trail on Monday, and we’re so glad we did because we’ve made one change: we are no longer stopping at Plum Creek Valley Wildlife Management Area on May 22. We found Plum Creek to be inadequate for camping, and it’s also difficult to get to by bike. …