Quick Summary:

  • Surrounded by the vast prairies of the Great Plains, rugged rock formations of the panhandles, and the towering dunes of the Sandhills, Nebraska packs a punch when it comes to spectacular natural scenery and incredible landscapes.
  • Home to many state parks and national monuments, as well as wildlife reserves and sanctuaries, Nebraska offers much to see, do, and explore in the way of the great outdoors.
  • The state also provides a wealth of recreational activities to enjoy.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Activities
Agate Fossil Beds National Monument | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© molia/stock.adobe.com

2. Arbor Lodge State Historical Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Category: Accommodations
Arbor Lodge State Historical Park | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© Arbor Lodge State Historical Park

3. Ash Hollow State Historical Park

Category: Activities
Ash Hollow State Historical Park | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© schankz/stock.adobe.com

4. Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park

Category: Activities
Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© OlegMit/stock.adobe.com

5. Blue River State Recreation

Category: Activities
Blue River State Recreation | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© winyustock.adobe.com

6. Bluestem State Recreation Area

Category: Activities
Bluestem State Recreation Area | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© gdvcom/stock.adobe.com

7. Bowring Ranch State Historical Park

Category: Activities
Bowring Ranch State Historical Park | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© Alexia Khruscheva/stock.adobe.com

8. Buffalo Bill Ranch State Park

Category: Activities
Buffalo Bill Ranch State Park | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© georgeburba/stock.adobe.com

9. Chadron State Park

Category: Activities
Chadron State Park | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© sad/stock.adobe.com

10. Eugene T. Mahoney State Park

Category: Activities
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© bilanol/stock.adobe.com

11. Fort Atkinson

Category: Activities
Fort Atkinson | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© vrabelpeter1/stock.adobe.com

12. Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park

Category: Activities
Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© Rick Sargeant/stock.adobe.com

13. Fort Kearny State Historical Park

Category: Activities
Fort Kearny State Historical Park | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© knowlesgallery/stock.adobe.com

14. Fort Robinson State Park

Category: Activities
Fort Robinson State Park | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© LaVerne/stock.adobe.com

15. Homestead National Historical Park

Category: Activities
Homestead National Historical Park | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© asafeliason/stock.adobe.com

16. Indian Cave State Park

Category: Activities
Indian Cave State Park | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© Eugene Put/stock.adobe.com

17. Mormon Island State Recreation Area

Category: Activities
Mormon Island State Recreation Area | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© zilvergolf/stock.adobe.com

18. Niobrara State Park

Category: Activities
Niobrara State Park | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© winlyrung/stock.adobe.com

19. Pawnee State Recreation Area

Category: Activities
Pawnee State Recreation Area | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© alexkich/stock.adobe.com

20. Platte River State Park

Category: Activities
Platte River State Park | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© Evdoha/stock.adobe.com

21. Ponca State Park

Category: Activities
Ponca State Park | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© Vera Aksionava/stock.adobe.com

22. Rock Creek Station State Historical Park

Category: Activities
Rock Creek Station State Historical Park | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© serhio777/stock.adobe.com

23. Scotts Bluff National Monument

Category: Activities
Scotts Bluff National Monument | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© Zack Frank/stock.adobe.com

24. Smith Falls State Park

Category: Activities
Smith Falls State Park | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© johnsroad7/stock.adobe.com

25. Windmill State Recreation Area

Category: Activities
Windmill State Recreation Area | Nebraska State Parks for an Inexpensive Vacation
© bugtiger/stock.adobe.com

Map:


Plan Your Trip

Get Ready to Go!

Need some more help?


Go to travel reservations.