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SPOTLIGHTS
Ponca State Park	Eugene T. Mahoney State Park
Voted one of Reserve America's Top 25 in Bird Watching Spots, Canoeing Spots, Romantic Spots, and Educational and Historical Facilities, Ponca State Park has something for everyone. Ponca also rated one of the Top 50 Hiking Trails and is one of the Top 100 Family Campgrounds for 2008. This State Park recently opened two four bedroom mini-lodges that include two bathrooms, fireplace, large great room/dining area, kitchen, cable television and high speed internet. The mini-lodges can be enjoyed on the weekdays (Sundays through Thursdays) from October to April at a discounted rate. Primitive camping is also available year-round and all are first-come, first-serve. There are two group campsites available for those in bigger parties. Several hike-in sites are available for campers looking for a remote camping experience. 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. Over 20 miles of trails provide hikers and mountain bikers many opportunities to explore the park's backcountry. Experienced wranglers guide organized horseback rides through the scenic woodland bluffs and river overlooks. The oldest tree in Nebraska sits within the park and bald eagles are seen roosting, soaring and nesting along the river. The combination of facilities, educational and recreational activities, and natural beauty has made Ponca State Park an annual family vacation or weekend outing. Ponca State Park, located in northeastern Nebraska is truly the place "where families and nature meet." This state park offers a multitude of activities in heavily forested, rolling hills as well as Missouri River bottomlands. The superbly scenic area offers park visitors all the amenities of a modern state park. The park is two miles from the northeast town of Ponca and both are named for the proud Native American tribe that once inhabited the area. 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. The dense woodlands offer a haven for many types of woodland wildlife and the park is an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society.	Eugene T. Mahoney State Park is a popular year round destination for family fun or romantic getaways. Fifty-four all season cabins, on wooded ridgetops, are tastefully designed and situated for comfort and romance so that visitors can share time in the glow of a crackling fireplace and catch a glimpse of deer and turkey outside your window. This ultra modern park offers a spectacular array of lodging, group meeting facilities and activities. Located near Ashland, just off of I 80 at exit 426, Mahoney nestles on 690 acres along the picturesque Platte River within the Bur Oaks. Cross country skiing, sledding, toboggan runs, ice fishing and a large ice skating rink are popular with park goers in the winter months. The craft center allows those that want to stay inside during the winter an activity to do and there is even an indoor playground for children for those cold cold days. The dominant feature of the park, the Peter Kiewit Lodge, offers 40 guest rooms, each with private bath and wireless internet. There are sleeping lofts and fireplaces in 16 of the rooms. Each lodge room has two queen beds and those with lofts include a queen size sleeper sofa. The Peter Kiewit Lodge also houses the restaurant (where guests can dine with the scenic Platte River as a backdrop), a gift shop and meeting rooms. Each cabin has air conditioning/heat, fireplace, TV, refrigerator, range, outdoor deck and grill. There are three, four and six bedroom cabins that can host larger families or group retreats. The other cabins all have two bedrooms, and several are ADA-accessible. Discounts are available on all cabin stays October through April, Sundays through Thursdays. Voted one of Reserve America's Top 25 in Kid-Friendly Parks, Romantic Spots, Tours and Events and is one of the Top 100 Family Campgrounds in 2008, Eugene T. Mahoney has something to offer everyone during every season.
RECREATION
Hunting in November includes deer, grouse, goose, pheasant, and quail. December hunting includes grouse, deer, pheasant, and quail. Looking for winter outdoor activities to do with the whole family? Come to E.T. Mahoney State Park and enjoy the indoor playground and rock climbing simulator at the activity center, make crafts at the craft center, whiz around on the ice skating ring (skate rental is available) and even if it isn't snowing, have a blast sledding and tobogganing behind the Lee and Helene Sapp Riverview Lodge. If that's not enough, sit back and take pleasure in viewing one of the plays that are offered at the Denman and Mary Mallory Kountze Theater that are offered throughout the winter months. Winter activities are in abundance at E.T. Mahoney State Park!
NEWS & EVENTS
Take advantage of off-season camping/cabin stays in the Nebraska State Park System! Enjoy a 30% discount on cabin and lodge room stays from Sunday through Thursdays, excluding Holidays in the off season! Electricity is on year-round at campgrounds and campers can take advantage of the reduced winter rates. Year Round Cabin Stays available at: E.T. Mahoney State Park, Platte River State Park, Ponca State Park, Lewis & Clark State Recreation Area and Niobrara State Park. Events occurring in November and December in the park system include: Fall Craft Show/Old West Cookout at E.T. Mahoney State Park- November 2-4 Thanksgiving buffet at E.T. Mahoney State Park- November 26 Ice Skating Rink opens at E.T. Mahoney State Park- November 26 Christmas at the Cody's at Buffalo Bill Ranch- December 18-22