March 2025 • Nebraskaland 31
if the caches were as creative and well-
maintained as I had been told.
Geocaching is a bit like a high-tech
treasure hunt. Using the Geocaching
app, we navigated to diff erent
locations around the park, searching
for hidden caches at the coordinates
listed. We found fi ve out of the eight
we searched for and were impressed
at the variety of containers and clever
hiding spots.
That afternoon, Dad and I hiked
Deer Creek Trail, a gently sloping
wooded path. To my delight, we were
accompanied by dozens of red admiral
butterfl ies. We also spotted a rabbit
munching on a leaf and saw deer
tracks and scat.
As the sun set, the sky turned
golden, then shades of purple, blue
and orange. The colors seemed to last
for hours, and with expansive views of
bluff s and rolling hills all around us, it
made a stunning sight.
Day Three
The best time to see the Milky Way
in the spring is in early morning, and
Niobrara State Park is fairly remote.
So we dragged ourselves out of bed at
3:30 a.m. to see if we'd have any luck.
Parking by a picnic table overlook,
we were greeted by a spectacular
starry sky with zero percent cloud
cover. As our eyes adjusted, the Milky
Way revealed itself. "I've seen it better,
but not much better," Dad said.
Having lived most of my life in or
near Lincoln, it was my fi rst time
seeing the Milky Way. There seemed
to be layers of stars, like pebbles in
a stream. It was one of my favorite
moments of the entire trip.
Back at our cabin, we made our way
to the group lodge to watch the sun
rise over the Missouri River Valley,
capturing dozens of photos. Then it
was time to head home.
Even though it wasn't peak season,
we found plenty at Niobrara State Park
to keep us busy for a weekend — and at
all hours of the day and night.
N
Viewing Blinds
at Niobrara SP
Experience the natural
wonder of the sharp-tailed
grouse mating dance. Niobrara
State Park is now taking
reservations for its viewing
blind, free of charge, for March
7 to April 20.
The large blind holds up to
eight guests. A two-person
popup blind will also be
available for photographers
with larger equipment. Both
blinds are first-come, first-
served by reservation only.
Book your spots by calling the
park office at 402-857-3373. A
Nebraska vehicle park entry
permit is required.
Make an early arrival easy
by staying at one of the
park's electric campsites or
fully-equipped cabins. Visit
OutdoorNebraska.gov and
search "Niobrara State Park"
to make a reservation. Use the
promo code "SHARPTAIL25"
for discounted weekend rates.
Weekdays during the off-
season are already discounted.
Sandy Blum, the author's mom, reaches for a geocache dangling from a tree at
Niobrara State Park. RENAE BLUM, NEBRASKALAND
