Smith Falls
Cherry County, Nebraska
Your visit at a glance
- Waterfall height
- Not recorded
- Location
- Cherry County, Nebraska
- Access status
- State park footbridge and accessible boardwalk; entry permit required
- The walk
- Short walk over a footbridge, then about 500 feet of boardwalk
- Ground & access
- Easy. Footbridge and an accessible boardwalk with handrails. Steps down to the base are wet.
Smith Falls is the tallest waterfall in Nebraska at 63 feet, in Smith Falls State Park on the Niobrara National Scenic River, about 19 miles from Valentine. Walk across the historic Verdigre Bridge, a footbridge over the Niobrara River, then follow the accessible boardwalk to the falls. The boardwalk was rebuilt and reopened in 2023, with benches and a platform over the stream. Steps at one end of the boardwalk lead down to the bottom of the falls.
Plan your visit
Smith Falls State Park, footbridge across the Niobrara River and boardwalk to Smith Falls
News reports of the Nebraska Game and Parks reopening give the boardwalk as 500 feet. No total walking distance from the parking area is published. The 300-yard figure on the National Park Service page is from the river landing used by paddlers, not from the parking area.
Easy. Footbridge and an accessible boardwalk with handrails. Steps down to the base are wet.
Where to start
Park inside Smith Falls State Park; the National Park Service lists auto parking among the park amenities. A Nebraska state park entry permit is required for vehicles entering the park.
Timing & water
No seasonal closure is stated. The park is also a landing for canoes, kayaks and tubes on the Niobrara River.
Before you go
Nebraska state park entry permit required. The National Park Service lists daily permits of $7 for Nebraska vehicles and $14 for other vehicles; check current prices with Nebraska Game and Parks.
Visitor informationVisit sources
More waterfalls nearby
Within 40 straight-line miles. Road and trail distances will differ.