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Ponca State Park |
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Situated astride the picturesque Missouri River bluffs in northeastern Nebraska,
Ponca State Park is the eastern gateway to the 59-mile section of the Missouri
National Recreational River, one of two unchannelized stretches of the river
bordering Nebraska"
Designated under the Scenic River Act in 1978, this section of river gives
visitors a glimpse of how the untamed river looked before modern man changed it
forever.
The park is two miles from the town of Ponca. Both the park and the town are
named for the proud Native American tribe that once inhabited the area. It was
the famed Ponca Chief Standing Bear who fought and won the court battle to have
the Indian declared a "person" under American law. His achievement won him a
place not only in history but also the Nebraska Hall of Fame.
Here, too, Lewis and Clark passed through during their epic journey up the
Missouri.The National Park Service has designated Ponca State Park as part of
the Lewis and Clark Historical Trail.
Ponca State Park encompasses nearly 1,400 acres of heavily forested rolling
hills and Missouri River bottomland. The superbly scenic area offers park
visitors all the amenities of a modern state park. Established in 1934, the
first 200 acres were donated by local citizens, sponsored by the Ponca American
Legion Post.
Attractions
Ponca State Park features one of the state's most comprehensive
outdoor/environmental education programs. Onsite staff and volunteers help guide
and educate visitors on the history, biology, ecology, astronomy, geology and
archeology of the area. Many how-to programs on outdoor recreation are also
given, including fishing, backpacking, wilderness survival, cooking and others.
During late spring, summer and early fall, programs are given daily for both
adults and children.
With more than 20 miles of trails, the park provides hikers and mountain bikers
many opportunities to explore the park's backcountry. Several mountain bike
races are held every year making the Park's trail system noted for its diverse
and often challenging trails.
In the summer, swimmers can cool off at the Park's swimming pool where
lifeguards are on duty.
Experienced wranglers guide organized horseback rides through the scenic
woodland bluffs and river overlooks. Rides run from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Additional information, schedules and tickets are available at the park office.
The Highland Oaks Public Golf Course is located on the southern boundary of the
park. the challenging 9-hole course offers spectacular park vistas and a
luxurious clubhouse. The clubhouse offers a rental room for small family and
business functions.
A boat ramp and 2 miles of river access offers boaters and anglers many
opportunities to experience the Missouri National Recreational River. Anglers
commonly catch catfish, sauger, walleye, drum, and other river species. The park
also has Youth Fishing Programs twice a week and a Fishing Tackle Loaner
Program.
Hayrack rides are available during the fall. Reservations are taken for groups
of 15 or more. Haunted hayrack rides are given for two nights during the Park's
annual Hallowfest - the second weekend in October.
Cookouts are scheduled every Saturday of each holiday weekend and on other
special events. Buffalo burgers, Lewis and Clark Stew and fish fries are given
in the summer and fall. Call the park for more details.
The dense woodlands offer a haven for many types of woodland wildlife. During
the day, white-tailed deer and wild turkeys often are seen throughout the area.
Toward evening, the howls of coyotes and "who-who-are-you" of the barred owl
echo through the hills. Red foxes, gray foxes (an uncommon relative of the red
fox), bobcats, raccoons, opossums and other small mammals also occasionally are
seen by visitors.
In spring, the woodlands come alive with sounds and sights of migrant and
resident songbirds. During peak migration (late April and early May), the park
attracts both amateur and experienced bird watchers. Warblers, scarlet tanagers,
northern orioles, red-breasted grosbeaks, indigo buntings, and ruby-throated
hummingbirds are just a few of the highlights.
The woodlands and prairie ridgetops burst into bloom from late April to early
June. Among the most common woodland flowers are Dutchman's breeches, bloodroot,
Canada violet, blue phlox, columbine, waterleaf and white cicely. Prairie plants
include yucca, shell-leaf penstemon, prairie larkspur, purple coneflowers,
pasque flower and purple prairie clover. Native shrubs include gooseberry, wild
plum, chokecherry, Eastern Wahoo, and buffaloberry.
Bur oaks are the predominant tree species at the park, but they are liberally
interspersed with walnut, elm, basswood, Kentucky coffeetree and hackberry.
Almost at the heart of the park is the "Old Oak Tree." In 1964, this ancient
specimen was officially aged at 320 years old. It was a sapling 24 years before
the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock.
On summer nights, the repetitious call of the whippoorwill and a chorus of tree
frogs and crickets echo through the bluffs and canyons. Turkey vultures can be
seen soaring overhead during warm summer days. In late June, snow-like showers
of cotton from nearby cottonwood trees signify it is time to catch catfish in
the nearby river.
In fall, the skies are filled with migrating ducks, geese and other birds. In
winter, the park is home to bald eagles, often seen roosting, soaring and now
nesting along the river. Winter is also a great time to view a variety of hardy
songbirds at the park's bird feeders.
The Missouri National Recreational River Resource and Education Center houses
the park office and new opportunities in education and recreation are being
developed. This 17,000 sq. ft. facility has a large interpretive display/exhibit
area, a field laboratory and conference rooms. Meeting rooms will accommodate
groups up to 250 or can be subdivided for smaller gatherings. A fully-equipped
kitchen is available for rent. For more information click here!
Overnight Accommodations
Camping Facilities:
72 camping pads with electrical hookups*
10 camping pads without electricity
75 non-pad sites without electricity
*20/30/50-amp. 1-year advance reservable campsites.
Lodging Facilities:
14 cabins that may be reserved.
Ponca State Park provides excellent camping. Paved electrical camp sites in two
modern campgrounds with 30/50 amp electrical hookups. There are showers, picnic
tables, fire pits, water spigots (not hookups); dump station, and playground.
Modern facilities operate from April - October, weather permitting. Primitive
camping is available year-round.
Ponca State Park has 14 modern, two-bedroom, air-conditioned housekeeping
cabins. Each has two double beds, bedding, towels for four, bathroom with
shower, kitchenette and large screened porch. Kitchenettes are furnished with a
range, refrigerator, cooking utensils, dinette, dishes and tableware for six.
Lodging is normally available from late May through September, but dates are
subject to change. Reservations are accepted up to one year in advance for two
or more nights and will be confirmed with a deposit for two nights lodging.
All campers must register. Reservations are accepted. Reservations are taken for
50% of the modern camping. Reservations are taken up to 1 year in advance of
arrival day. Year to date reservations begin at 9 .m. CT, by phone, in person or
over the Internet. |
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