The Nebraska Waterfall Worth Driving Across The State To Explore

Hidden along the banks of the Niobrara National Scenic River, near the beautiful town of Valentine, Nebraska, is a waterfall that has been a favorite among the outdoorsy for a long time. It's absolutely enchanting, and it makes for a popular stop while tubing or kayaking. It's called Berry Falls, and it's adjacent to Berry Ridge on Berry Ridge Road on the south bank of the river. If you're a lover of the great outdoors, and you're looking for something to do, Berry Falls in Nebraska is an excellent option - even if it means driving across the state to check it out!

Valentine is a small city in Cherry County with a population of just over 2,600 as of the 2020 census.

It's a place that many outdoorsy folks consider to be iconic for its stunning beauty, and there are plenty of wonderful sights to see, trails to hike, and things to do.

One of those things to do is kayak, canoe, or tube down the Niobrara.

It's a calm, peaceful river with the perfect water level and speed for a lazy afternoon. And best of all, it has a gorgeous little hidden gem along the way.

Berry Falls is a set of eight-foot-tall falls sneaking out from the woods and into the river, and they signal a transition from floating within Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge to drifting through private land (so please be respectful).

The falls alone are beautiful and dramatic enough to be worthy of a road trip to come see, but I think you'll definitely want to punctuate the adventure with a good old-fashioned tubing trip.

It makes for an excellent day trip.

You'll find two private launchpads for canoes, kayaks and tubes. The waterfalls are active year-round, but are best viewed during snowmelt or after a good, solid rain.

Berry Bridge is a photogenic and lovely stopping point if you'd like to stop and enjoy the falls for a while (don't leave the water, though).

Few things in the state are as stunning and wondrous as Berry Falls in Nebraska!

Please keep in mind that the falls are on private property, and climbing on them is not permitted.

There are other waterfalls you might see along the way when traversing the river, but you're not able to get as close to any of them as you are Berry Falls. Those falls are typically tucked into the woods, also on private property, or are otherwise inaccessible.

Need a canoe or kayak? No worries - check out the options with our friends at REI. I suspect you'll find it's quite valuable (and if you're like me, you might just accidentally spend everything you have there... I regret nothing).

For more information about Nebraska's beautiful Niobrara National Scenic River, be sure to check out some of our previous articles! You might just discover your new favorite place.

What are your favorite natural wonders in Nebraska? Let me know!