April 2021 • Nebraskaland 117
rom river, to wetland to woodland,
Ponca State Park's diverse habitats host
thriving communities of fl ora and fauna.
Visitors all over the world have long appreciated
its wild beauty and historical signifi cance:
The park's position along an untamed stretch
of the Missouri National Recreational River
attracts boaters, kayakers and canoers spring
through fall. They come to gaze upon the park's
shale and sandstone bluff s, the same ones that
greeted trailblazers Lewis and Clark in 1804.
The Ponca Nation, the park's namesake, once
inhabited its forested hills.
Twenty-two miles of hike-bike trails run
through densely wooded backcountry, while
2,200 total acres host a slew of wildlife. In
addition to resident white-tailed deer and
turkey, thousands of migrant birds visit the
park each spring, as well as birdwatchers
looking to check species off their lists. The
National Audubon Society considers Ponca
State Park one of the most important birding
areas in the nation.
An annual event, the park's Missouri River
Outdoor Expo, is the envy of any park system.
The exposition is the largest of its kind in the
Midwest and draws thousands of people each
year, many from out of state.
Ponca continues to provide visitors many
fi rsts, whether that's fi shing, kayaking, shooting
or watching eagles soar in winter. Modern and
rustic camping opportunities and a state-of-
the-art aquatic center make this northeastern
Nebraska park a must-see destination.
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A Park for All Seasons
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