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SPOTLIGHTS
Chadron State Park	Indian Cave State Park
One of Nebraska's best kept secrets-come visit the majestic beauty of the Pine Ridge to a park in the heart of the Nebraska National Forest! Lift your spirits at Chadron State Park! The Setting: Nebraska's first state park offers many different activities and types of overnight accommodations for those that want to be surrounded by a National Forest full of rolling hills, beautiful ponderosa pines and the ridges of the Sandhills. This scenic park is located nine miles from the community of Chadron, where you can pick up any necessities that aren't offered at the park. Hikers and bikers will find fantastic trails that lace the park as well as the adjoining Forest Service lands of the National Forest. Whatever your needs are, they should be able to accommodate you at this beautiful, yet secluded state park. The Facility: This 972 acre park has 22 two-bedroom cabins, a top-notch modern campground with 70 pads all with electrical hookups, 18 non-electrical pads, and numerous places for primitive camping available. The park has restroom and shower facilities, along with dump stations to suit the needs of any guests. This park has enough activities to keep the entire family busy! Guided horseback trail rides Tennis Courts Sand Volleyball Courts Swimming Pool Hiking Biking Picnic shelters and tables Playground Evening programs Snack bar/souvenirs There are miles of hiking/nature trails that meander through the park; some short segments for a brief stroll and others rugged distances and climbs for the dedicated wilderness buff. Park goers who want to escape the hectic pace of everyday life; Chadron State Park is an ideal location. Here one can literally retreat to the leisure of a bygone age. Guided horseback trail rides provide spectacular views of the area and visitors can savor the history of the region with demonstrations of old time fur trader activities. Try your hand at archery or take the family for a picnic. Visitors to Chadron State Park may also enjoy Fort Robinson State Park a short drive from Chadron. Make your camping reservations for the 4th of July at Chadron State Park and enjoy Independence Day activities at Fort Robinson and the town of Chadron. An Art Show is held in the Vet Barn at Fort Robinson, watch the parade in town or attend the rodeo that will knock your socks off in town, where a fireworks display will occur after the rodeo. There is a BBQ slated for the lunch hour at Fort Robinson and lots of activities planned for the town to participate in and get that small town, Middle America 4th of July experience that not many get to have. Join us at Chadron State Park for a great 4th of July weekend!	With 3,052 rugged acres bordering the mighty Missouri River, Indian Cave is a pristine area, devoted to camping, hiking and backpacking, picnicking, nature and wilderness activities. Located 10 miles south of Brownville and 5 miles east on S 64E, Indian Cave boasts a variety of hardwood trees, shrubs and other flora. There are 22 miles of hiking trails in the park Indian Cave State Park is located on the banks of the Missouri River. Perhaps the biggest attractions are the majestic hardwood forest and the hills that overlook the wide and winding river. Peacefulness and quiet along the Missouri River will be what you get at Indian Cave State Park during the 4th of July weekend. Horseback trail rides are available and history buffs will enjoy the restored schoolhouse and general store from the old river town of St. Deroin, where old-time crafts are demonstrated on weekends during the summer. Indian Cave has a RV campground with 134 pads with 30 amp hookups. The area also includes modern restrooms, laundry, showers, drinking water and dump station. There is also plenty of room for primitive and group camping! Adirondack shelters are available for backpackers along the 20 miles of trail at the Park. Indian Cave boasts 12 miles of equestrian trails and has an established horse camp for private horses in the park. We suggest you carry in drinking water and there are several locations in the park to obtain water. A water wagon is available for horses. Amenities include toilets, grills, tables, hitching posts, and 12 corrals. Horse camping is all first-come, first-serve. No reservations needed. If you want a place to get away, with not a lot of crowding and be outdoors next to an awesome river, reserve your stay at Indian Cave State Park. Nebraska City which is nearby will be having a large firework display if you want to take the family to see some fireworks. They also have numerous activities going during the day at the local parks or stop by to see Arbor Lodge State Historical Park. Enjoy the solitude of Indian Cave State Park over the 4th of July! Indian Cave is having a special event in July. "Campfire Christmas in July" July 26, 2014, 9am-9pm Visit with Santa - kids get candy cane treat (Santa will be dressed for the heat - Hawaiian Shirt & Flip Flops, Outdoor Craft Fair, Make your own Christmas ornament, Snow Ball Toss, Snow Cones, Face Painting "Jingle Bell Ride" - Horse drawn sleigh rides with proceeds to local organization for Christmas gifts for underprivileged children. Campground Decorating Contest, Team competition - Yule Log Quest, Evening Campfire with Tin Roof Sundaes, Caroling & Story Telling, Christmas Movie at Outdoor Amphitheater, Concessions on Grounds
NEWS & EVENTS

2014 Calendar April April 8 - Turkey Hunting Workshop, Lincoln April 11-12 - Becoming an Outdoors Family camp, Two Rivers SRA April 11-13 - Outdoor Cooking Camp Weekend, Ponca SP April 12 - Spring shotgun turkey season opens April 15-16 - Outdoor Discovery Program East, Platte River SP April 19 - Spring Extravanganza, Ponca SP April 19 - Outdoor Adventure, Indian Cave SP April 20 - Easter Buffet, Eugene T. Mahoney SP April 25 - Arbor Day April 25-26 - Arbor Day Celebration, Arbor Lodge SHP April 26-May 18 - Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex open to public on weekends, Platte River SP April 28 - Family Fishing Event, Terry's Pit, Scottsbluff April 29-30 - Outdoor Discovery Program West, Scottsbluff May May 1-3 - Cornhusker Trap Shoot, Doniphan May 3 - Catfish Classic Fishing Tournament, Lake McConaughy SRA May 3 - Take Pride in America Day Cleanup at Verdon Lake SRA May 3-4 - Living History, Fort Atkinson SHP May 3-4 - Toast Nebraska Wine Festival Nebraska Wine and Grape Growers, Eugene T. Mahoney SP May 7, 14, 21, 28 - Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman handgun class, Platte River SP May 8-9 - Outdoor Discovery Program, Fort Kearny SRA May 9 - Outdoor Educational Rendezvous, Niobrara SP May 10 - Fort Kearny Outdoor Expo, Fort Kearny SRA May 10 - Lymphomathon, Eugene T. Mahoney SP May 10 - Family Fishing Event, Fort Kearny SRA May 11 - Mother's Day Buffets, E. T. Mahoney, Platte River, Ponca and Fort Robinson SP May 17 - Run Wild, Eugene T. Mahoney SP May 17 - Wildlands Day, Wildcat Hills Nature Center May 17 - Free Fishing and Park Entry Day May 17 - Barbecue and Kids Fishing Derby, Fort Robinson SP May 23 - Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex open house, Platte River SP May 24 - Family Aquatic Center opens for the season, E. T. Mahoney State Park May 24 - Swimming pools open at Platte River, Fort Robinson and Chadron state parks May 24 - John and Susan McNeill musical performance, Niobrara SP May 24-26 - Living History, Fort Kearny SHP May 24-Aug. 10 - Roger G. Sykes Outdoor Heritage Education Complex open daily, Platte River SP May 24-Sept. 1 - Horseback trail rides, E. T. Mahoney, Platte River, Ponca, Fort Robinson, Chadron and Niobrara state parks. May 25 - Sidewalk Chalk Art, Niobrara SP May 25 - National Park Service Campground Program, Niobrara SP May 31 - Lucky Bucket Brewing 7K Run, Eugene T. Mahoney SP May 31-June 1 - Living History, Fort Atkinson SHP June June 2, 16 - Pistol League, Platte River SP June 4, 11, 18, 25 - Beyond BOW Archery Clinic, Platte River SP June 7 - National Park Service Outdoor Event, Niobrara SP June 7 - High Five Relay Run, Eugene T. Mahoney SP June 7 - Fishing is Fun Clinic and Water Expo, Lake McConaughy SRA June 7-8 - Scheels 3-D Archery Tournament, Ponca SP June 7-8 - Shut Up and Fish Walleye Tournament, Lake McConaughy SRA June 7-Aug. 3 - Swimming pool open daily, Niobrara and Ponca State Parks June 9, 11 - Rimfire Sporter Rifle Clinic, Platte River SP June 10 - Family Fishing Event, Fremont SRA Lake No. 3 June 13 - National Park Service Campground Program, Niobrara SP June 13-14 - Ash Hollow Pageant, Ash Hollow SHP June 13-15 - Intertribal Gathering, Fort Robinson SHP June 14 - Buffalo Cookout and National Park Service Program, Niobrara SP June 14 - Chadron State Park's 93 Anniversary Event, Chadron SP June 14-15 - Bugs and Bones Weekend, Ponca SP June 15 - Father's Day Fish Fry, Ponca SP June 15 - Father's Day Fishing Tournament, Niobrara SP June 15 - Father's Day Buffet, Fort Robinson SP June 21 - Carp-O-Rama, Pawnee SRA June 21 - Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Introduction to Trap, Skeet, 5-Stand and Sporting Clays, Fort Kearny Shooting Range, Kearney June 21 - Dirty Bird Mud Run, Ponca SP June 26 - Family Fishing Event, Mormon Island SRA Lake No. 1 June 27 - National Park Service Campground Program, Niobrara SP June 27-28 - Becoming an Outdoors Family Camp, Two Rivers SRA June 28 - Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Summer Walleye Fishing, Lake McConaughy SRA June 28-29 - Nebraska Walleye Association Fishing Tournament, Lake McConaughy SRA July July 2-4 - Western Wildlife Art Show, Fort Robinson SP July 4 - Fourth of July Barbecue, Fort Robinson SP July 4-6 - Living History, Fort Kearny SHP July 5 - National Park Service Outdoor Event, Niobrara SP July 5 - Dutch Oven Cobbler and Ice Cream Social, Ponca SP July 5 - Buffalo Cookout and Nebraska Humanities Program, Niobrara SP July 5-6 - Living History, Fort Atkinson SHP July 6 - Sidewalk Chalk Art, Niobrara SP July 7, 21 - Pistol League, Platte River SP July 8 - Family Fishing Event, Johnson Lake, Fremont July 9 - Beyond Becoming an Outdoors-Woman Rifle Clinic, Platte River SP July 12 - Bighorn Sheep Hike, Wildcat Hills Nature Center July 12 - First Shots Clinic, Platte River SP July 12 - Carp-O-Rama, Lake Maloney SRA July 12 - Buffalo Cookout and Nebraska Humanities Program, Niobrara SP July 12-13 - Hobie Tropical Dreams Regatta, Lake McConaughy SRA July 13 - Fur Trade Days Regatta, Chadron SP July 15-17 - Outdoor Skills Camp, Platte River SP July 18 - National Park Service Campground Program, Niobrara SP July 19 - Buffalo Cookout and Nebraska Humanities Program, Niobrara SP July 26 - Kites and Castles Contest, Lake McConaughy SRA July 26 - Kite Day, Niobrara SP July 26 - Campfire Christmas in July, Indian Cave SP July 26 - The Dam Run, Lake McConaughy SRA August Aug. 2 - National Park Service Outdoor Event, Niobrara SP Aug. 2-3 - Living History, Fort Atkinson SHP Aug. 4-31 - Swimming pool facilities on reduced hours of operation Aug. 7 - Family Fishing Event, Mormon Island SRA Lake No. 1 Aug. 8 - Family Fishing Event, Fort Kearny SRA Aug. 8-10 - Ponca Pow-Wow, Niobrara SP Aug. 9 - Waterfowl Hunting Safety workshop, Niobrara SP Aug. 9 - Rough Reptiles and Awesome Amphibians, Wildcat Hills Nature Center Aug. 16 - Lake McConaughy Beach Cleanup, Lake McConaughy SRA Aug. 18 - Horseback trail rides weekends only, Platte River SP Aug. 23 - Lewis and Clark Heritage Day, Ponca SP Aug. 29 - National Park Service Campground Program, Niobrara SP Aug. 30 - Buffalo Cookout and Nebraska Humanities Program, Niobrara SP Aug. 30 - Fish Fry, Indian Cave SP Aug. 30-31 - Hobie Mac Attack Regatta, Lake McConaughy SRA Aug. 30-Sept. 1 - Living History, Fort Kearny SHP Aug. 31 - Sidewalk Chalk Art, Niobrara SP September Sept. 1 - Horseback trail rides conclude, Niobrara SP, Ponca, Fort Robinson and Chadron Sept. 6 - Night Owl Run, Niobrara SP Sept. 6-7 - Ogallala West Toucan Open Windsurfing, Lake McConaughy SRA Sept. 13 - Feathered Friends, Wildcat Hills Nature Center Sept. 13 - Chain Challenge Disc Golf, Eugene T. Mahoney SP Sept. 13 - Moonshell Storytelling, Eugene T. Mahoney SP Sept. 13-14 - Big Mac Fall Classic Walleye Tournament, Lake McConaughy SRA Sept. 20-21 - Missouri River Outdoor Expo, Ponca SP October Oct. 3-4 -Autumn Harvest Art Show, Eugene T. Mahoney SP Oct. 4-5 - ATV Jamboree, Lake McConaughy SRA Oct. 10 - Trick or Treat at the Town, Indian Cave SP Oct. 10-12 - Scout Jubilee, Eugene T. Mahoney SP Oct. 11 - Howl in the Hills Night Hike, Wildcat Hills Nature Center Oct. 11, 17, 18, 24, 25 - Haunted Hollow Hayrack Rides, Indian Cave SP Oct. 11, 18 - Hallowfest, Ponca SP Oct. 11, 18, 25 - Halloween Decorating Contest, Indian Cave SP Oct. 12 - Muzzleloader Sign-In and Family Rendezvous, Platte River SP November Nov. 1 - Lovin' Dutch Oven, Wildcat Hills Nature Center Nov. 3 - Tickets go on sale for Historical Christmas Dinner, Fort Robinson SP Nov. 27 - Thanksgiving Buffet, Eugene T. Mahoney SP December Dec. 6 - Historical Christmas Dinner, Fort Robinson SP Dec. 13 - Decorating Nature for the Holidays, Wildcat Hills Nature Center Dec. 13 - Classic Christmas, Eugene T. Mahoney SP Dec. 14 - Christmas Bird Count, Ponca SP Dec. 27 - Snow Run, Quest for the Yule Log and Fruitcake Fling, Ponca SP Dec. 31 - New Year's Eve Party, Eugene T. Mahoney SP