Is swimming allowed at Fort Falls?

No, swimming is not allowed at Fort Falls.

Nearby gauge (Niobrara River) · 678 ft³/s · About average

Fort Falls

Q: Are dogs allowed at Fort Falls?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Fort Falls.

Nebraska • 45 ft

By Armen Suny · Last verified Sep 2026

LiDAR & 3D terrain

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge NWR · FWS

Photo Credits (5)

cm195902 CC BY 2.0 · Flickr

diana_robinson CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 · Flickr

Conspiracy.of.Cartographers CC BY-NC-SA 2.0 · Flickr

jajacks62 CC BY-ND 2.0 · Flickr

U.S. Army IMCOM CC BY-NC 2.0 · Flickr

Difficulty

Easy

Trail Length

0.8 miles

Trail Type

Out And Back

Elevation Gain

100 ft

About Fort Falls

Fort Falls is a picturesque waterfall located within the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge in Nebraska. It is a serene spot surrounded by lush greenery and is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers.

The Setting

Fort Falls sits at 2,398 feet within Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, in the hills of Nebraska. The falls drop 45 feet.

Height: 45 feet

Nearby Falls Worth Visiting

Smith Falls (63 ft) lies 7.6 miles to the east. Also nearby: Berry Falls (10 ft, 5.2 mi).

Smith Falls Berry Falls

Trail & Hike Details

0.8 mi distance 100 ft climbed

The Approach

The easy 0.8-mile out-and-back trail gains 100 feet of elevation on the way to the falls.

Trail Description

The trail to Fort Falls is a short and well-maintained path that includes a staircase leading down to the base of the waterfall. The trail is surrounded by scenic views of the Niobrara River Valley and offers a peaceful hiking experience.

What to Expect

The falls drop 45 feet. Dogs are welcome.

Accessibility

The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.

Frequently Asked Questions

🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Fort Falls?

✅ Dogs are allowed

Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?

🤑 Fee: $0.00

🏊 Is There Swimming at Fort Falls?

❌ Swimming is not allowed

When to Visit

spring summer fall

Spring and early summer are the best times to visit Fort Falls, as the waterfall is typically at its fullest due to seasonal rainfall.

Seasonal Access

The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.

Safety Information

Be cautious on the staircase, as it may be slippery when wet. Watch for wildlife and avoid disturbing animals. Stay on designated trails to protect the environment and ensure safety.

Current Water Conditions

Updated 31 minutes ago Moderate

These readings come from the USGS gauge on Niobrara River, 5.2 miles away, not on Fort Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.

678 ft³/s

Current discharge — how much water is flowing

About average for this time of year

Very Low Low Normal High Very High

552 584 802 868

Based on 81 years of record

2.67 ft

Water depth at gauge

55°F

Cold

Bracing — limit time in water

7-Day Discharge Trend

What does this mean for your visit?

Flow is about average for this time of year. Water temperature is a bracing 55 degrees F, limit your time in the water. Expect excellent dissolved oxygen levels. PH is alkaline at 8.7 and mineral content is typical.

Water Quality

11.3 mg/L

Dissolved Oxygen

Excellent

Supports aquatic life

8.7

Alkaline

Above normal range (6.5-8.5)

222 µS/cm

Conductance

Dissolved minerals in the water

About This Gauge

This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.

Niobrara River near Sparks, Nebr.

USGS 06461500

5.2 miles from waterfall

Drainage: 7,150 sq mi

Altitude: 2,289 ft

7-Day Flow Outlook

Based on the USGS gauge Niobrara River near Sparks, Nebr. (8 km away).

High confidence

Moderate right now

668 cfs

→ Holding steady

Today

Moderate

668 cfs

6/10

Tomorrow

Moderate

726 cfs

6/10

Mon

Moderate

762 cfs

6/10

Tue

Moderate

706 cfs

8/10

Wed

Moderate

692 cfs

8/10

Thu

Moderate

716 cfs

8/10

Fri

Moderate

791 cfs

6/10

Best window: Tue — moderate flow, mostly sunny (trip score 8/10).

Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid February to mid May, peaking in March.

How we calculate this

This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.

Know when to go.

Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Valentine hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.

Weather Forecast

The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR

Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.

Through the falls the surface drops roughly 115 feet over a short, steep run of tiers. Only part of that is the waterfall, which is listed at 45 feet; the rest is the canyon carrying on downstream. Elevation at the pin is about 2,379 feet.

The ground changes about 41 feet in the 500 feet above the falls and 68 feet in the 500 feet below. Facing north, the falls stay mostly shaded, with soft, even light all day.

Aerial photo of the same ground around Fort Falls near Valentine, Nebraska, for comparison with the lidar view

LiDAR bare-earth terrain around Fort Falls near Valentine, Nebraska, showing about 115 feet of drop, a steep tiered drop, facing north

Aerial LiDAR bare earth

Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.

Ground elevation: 2,379 feet; Measured by 1-meter lidar
Drop at the falls: About 115 feet; Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
Faces: North; Mostly shaded, so the light stays soft and even all day.

Ground profile through the falls

A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading north).

Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.

Location & Access

Getting There

Fort Falls is located within the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, approximately 4 miles east of Valentine, Nebraska. Visitors can access the refuge via Highway 12 and follow signs to the parking area near the trailhead.

Get Directions on Google Maps

Parking

There is a designated parking area near the trailhead for Fort Falls within the wildlife refuge.

Elevation

2,398 feet above sea level

Coordinates

42.900636° N, -100.465816° W

Land Management

Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge NWR

Managed by FWS

Visitor Tips & Gear

Wear sturdy shoes as the staircase can be slippery, especially after rain. Bring water and insect repellent, especially during the summer months. Plan to visit early in the day to avoid crowds.

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For this easy 0.8 miles trail, lightweight trail shoes and a water bottle are usually sufficient. Sun exposure on the trail makes good sun protection a must in summer.