Feb 16, 2023
Campground Electricity Among Chadron State Park Improvements
Campers at Chadron State Park soon will have more power — more electrical power, that is. Later this
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Spend some time in Nebraska’s state parks this fall and winter by attending a variety of events throughout December.
Don’t forget a vehicle park entry permit is required at Nebraska state parks. Get one at OutdoorNebraska.gov or at state park entrances.
Ponca, Indian Cave hosting Christmas Bird Count events
Take part in an annual community science project and participate in the Christmas Bird Count in December. Events will take place Dec. 14 at Ponca State Park and Dec. 28 at Indian Cave State Park.
The Christmas Bird Count is the National Audubon Society’s 124-year-old event that takes place every year around Christmas, where bird lovers of all ages and skills count all the birds they can see in a 24-hour period.
Indian Cave’s event will be from 9 a.m. to noon while Ponca’s will be from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. A soup lunch will be provided for participants at both parks.
For more information, contact Indian Cave at 402-883-2575 or Ponca at 402-755-2284.
Have fun with Ponca State Park Creative Snow Building Contest
Get artistic when the snow falls this winter by participating in the Ponca State Park Creative Snow Building Contest.
From Nov. 25 through March 19, build something fun out of snow at the park, then take a photo of it. Enter it in the contest by emailing it to lynn.mellick@nebraska.gov. Prizes will be awarded for the top three places. First place is a free night’s stay in a Ponca State Park four-bedroom mini-lodge.
The snow creation could resemble a person, animal or object or any size. Photos will be displayed on the Ponca State Park NE Facebook page, and winners will be announced March 22.
Contestants must supply their own accessories, which will stay with the snow creation. Contestants should be respectful of others’ creations and possessions.
For more information, call the park at 402-755-2284.
Enjoy Christmas at the Cody’s at Buffalo Bill Ranch SHP
Come to North Platte for Christmas at the Cody’s this holiday season at Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park.
From 5:30 to 8 p.m. Dec. 8, 9, 15, 16, 22 and 23, tour the mansion’s 18 rooms, filled with holiday decorations. Walk the grounds and see holiday lights and decorations. Carolers and instrumentals will perform in the Lady’s parlor nightly. Hot apple cider, cookies and roasted chestnuts will be served. There will be nightly tractor-drawn hayrack rides. Experience the historic barn, decorated festively with help from North Platte’s first responders.
Entry is $8 for adults and $5 for children ages 4 to 12. Dec. 15 is Military and First Responders appreciation night, with free entry to those who qualify.
Mahoney SP to host Classic Christmas on Dec. 9
Classic Christmas is a fun holiday event for the entire family from 1 to 4 p.m. Dec. 9 at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park’s Crete Carrier Riverview Lodge.
Families can participate with their children decorating a sugar cookie, making a holiday ornament, and creating a greeting card for a senior living facility.
Take a free trolley ride through the park (weather permitting) or get a portrait with Santa taken by a Nebraskaland Magazine photographer.
Lewis and Clark hosting Holiday Tree Decorating Contest
Put your tree-decorating skills to the test for a chance to win a two-night cabin stay at Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area near Crofton.
The contest is open Nov. 23 to Jan. 2 with judging to occur Jan. 3-4; one winner will claim the prize.
Contestants, limited to household units, and one entry per household, may decorate one tree along the park’s entrance driveway. Contests are encouraged to use environmentally friendly decorations, such as popcorn garland, solar powered lights, bird seed pinecones and more. Take a photo of the decorated tree and send it to npgc.lewis.clark@nebraska.gov.
All decorations that are not wildlife friendly must be removed by Jan. 14.
For more information, call the park at 402-388-4169.
Yule Log Festival is Dec. 16 at Platte River SP
Come to Platte River State Park with family and friends Dec. 16 and enjoy the Yule Log Festival.
This event, from noon to 5:30 p.m. at the Walter Scott Jr. Lodge, will include bird feeder making, kids’ crafts, holiday cookie decorating contest, marshmallow roasting, camp games, photos with Santa, kindling hunt, bonfire, hayrack rides, and food.
The Yule Log Quest is limited to 20 teams, which can register by calling the office at 402-234-2217.
Visit the calendar event entry at calendar.outdoornebraska.gov for a schedule of the day’s activities.
Ponca SP to host Winterfest on Dec. 30
Close out the year in style at Ponca State Park with the 12th Annual Winterfest on Dec. 30.
Highlights of the day include the National Championship Fruitcake Fling at noon, outdoor education programs and lighted hayrack rides.
In the fruitcake fling, contestants throw wildlife-friendly fruitcakes for distance. Prizes are awarded in four age groups.
For more information, call Ponca SP, which also is a Nebraska Holiday Passport stop, at 402-755-2284.
