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Nearby Parks:
Buckskin Hills State Wildlife Management Area
Stone State Park
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| State Park Contact Information: |
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Ponca State Park
PO Box 688
Ponca, Nebraska 68770-0688
Phone: 402-755-2284
Email: Ponca@ngpc.ne.gov
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| Adopt-A-Park Contacts: |
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Photography: add your photos
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| State Park Overview: |
| Situated astride the picturesque Missouri River bluffs in northeastern Nebraska, Ponca State Park is at the eastern gateway of the Missouri National Recreational River, a 59-mile section featuring the only unchannelized section 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. |
| Nature of the Area: |
| 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. |
| Reviews By Park Visitors: |
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One of our favorite parks- The BEST!!
Well-managed ,great heavily-wooded trails with lots of scenic overlooks and vistas. Offer lots of amenities. My wife and I visit every chance we get. Love the friendly area, except for one (no comment).
Written by Former Ponca resident
22-Apr-2008
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Buggy But Beautiful
My wife and our two boys camped here in early June of 2008.
We camped on a Sunday and Monday so it was pretty quite. Nice wooded sites and beautiful entry in to the park. Lots of electrical sites both on the bluffs and near the river. Lots of photo ops and hiking available. Have some mosquito spray near as with the wet spring now have came the little biters.
Written by Ruhawk
22-Jun-2008
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My Favorite Place In The World
Growing up in the town of Ponca Nebraska, I have visited the State Park many times. And since I moved to Fremont, my love for the area has not lessened. I actually miss the area a whole lot. Every time I come into Ponca, I always have to visit the legendary Ponca State Park. It truly is my favorite area and the memories that I shared there are nothing short of remarkable. Even before the renervations, the place was awesome. And now with the new museum and the towers of time, that shine like a beacon in the dark, I have to say, It was remarkable then and now it is even more remarkable, especially with the museum. Now visiters can learn all about the history of the completely breathtaking Ponca State Park.
Written by Emily Millie
8-Jul-2008
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Fabulous memories!
As a child growing up in nearby Sioux City, our family had numerous picnics at the park. On one of these, I fell from a tree (I was quite the tomboy) and split my lip on a garbage can below! I was not seriously hurt, but my innovative mother used one of her sanitary napkins dipped in our ice-chest to ease the pain and bleeding. I remember the looks I got from other campers when they saw me with that on my sore mouth! Great memory, it may have been the famous old oak tree!
Written by outdoor lover!
10-Sep-2008
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| Camping: |
| 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. |
| Trails: |
| 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. |
| Boating: |
| 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. |
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| Related Links: |
| Ponca State Park - Nebraska - OutdoorPlaces.Com - Information on Ponca State Park in Nebraska, hiking, camping, boating, paddling, touring wildlife, horseback riding, and more. ... Com, All rights reserved Ponca State Park Ponca State Park ... | | Missouri River Expeditions - ... Exp. Leaders Pictures Trip Diary Maps News EartH20 Merchandise FAQ Special Trips Itinerary Ponca State Park Local Wildlife Lewis and Clark Hello, and welcome to Missouri River Expeditions. We are ... | | Lewis & Clark Trail: Ponca State Park - A personal guide book and travelogue to help others plan exciting trips to our Historic American ... | Ft. Union | Pompeys Pillar Ponca State Park lies on the Missouri River, right at the point ... | | Compare Prices and Read Reviews on Ponca State Park at Epinions.com - Epinions has the best comparison shopping information on Ponca State Park. Compare prices from across the web and read reviews from other consumers on Ponca State Park before you decide to buy. | | 4-H Tree at Ponca State Park - ... Thurston, Wayne and Cedar counties have been attending day camp at Ponca State Park for over 40 years. To celebrate 100 years of 4-H and to thank Ponca State Park for hosting us, a tree was ... | | PlanetDeerHunter and Sharp Shooter's Ponca State Park Printable Map - | | PlanetDeerHunter and Sharp Shooter's Ponca State Park Location 1 - ... Downloads Deer Hunter Game Info Requirements Guides & Tips Discussion Downloads Sharp Shooter's Ponca State Park Location 1 Click on image to enlarge! One starting point! [Main Page] [Deer Hunter ... | | Collaborative Resource Management in the Missouri River Basin: Ponca State Park - | | Missouri National Recreational River (National Park Service) - Missouri National Recreational River. Located near Yankton, SD. TRAVEL BASICS - CAMPING - LODGING ACTIVITIES - FACILITIES - FEES/PERMITS. Missouri National RR by Ponca State Park Nebraska Game... |
| Area 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.
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.
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 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! |
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