Smith Falls S. P.
Swimming hole in Valentine, Nebraska · River
Smith Falls S. P. is a river swimming hole. It is near Valentine, Nebraska. Fee notes: Park entry permit fee required. Best season: Late May through early September is prime float-and-swim season on the Niobrara, and the park visitor center is open daily from May to September.
Typical season: Late May through early September is prime float-and-swim season on the Niobrara, and the park visitor center is open daily from May to September
Key facts
Structured details for trip planning — verify access and fees with the land manager before you visit.
- Water type
- River
- Water body
- Niobrara National Scenic River
- Fee
- Park entry permit fee required
- Nearest town
- Valentine
- State
- Nebraska
- Best season
- Late May through early September is prime float-and-swim season on the Niobrara, and the park visitor center is open daily from May to September. Summer weekends are the busiest for tubers and paddlers.
- Access difficulty
- Easy to moderate. The park is off Smith Falls Road east of Valentine along the nationally designated scenic stretch of the Niobrara; a footbridge crosses the river and an accessible boardwalk leads to the falls.
- Restrooms
- Yes
- Lifeguard
- Present (seasonal)
- Camping
- Tent-oriented basic campgrounds with restrooms and pay showers.
- Land manager
- State park / recreation agency
- Activities
- Swimming, tubing, canoeing, kayaking, camping, hiking
- Facilities
- Tent-oriented basic campgrounds with restrooms and pay showers, a seasonal visitor center with concessions, picnic areas, a footbridge over the river, and an accessible boardwalk to the falls.
- Last verified
- July 13, 2026
The experience
- Best time to visit Late May through early September is prime float-and-swim season on the Niobrara, and the park visitor center is open daily from May to September. Summer weekends are the busiest for tubers and paddlers.
- Access Easy to moderate. The park is off Smith Falls Road east of Valentine along the nationally designated scenic stretch of the Niobrara; a footbridge crosses the river and an accessible boardwalk leads to the falls.
- Facilities Tent-oriented basic campgrounds with restrooms and pay showers, a seasonal visitor center with concessions, picnic areas, a footbridge over the river, and an accessible boardwalk to the falls.
- Camping nearby Tent-oriented basic campgrounds with restrooms and pay showers.
Highlights & features
- Nebraska’s tallest waterfall (60+ feet)
- Swim and tube a National Scenic River
- Accessible boardwalk to the falls
Access & fees
Verified against outdoornebraska.gov (checked July 2026). Rules and fees can change; confirm with the land manager before you go.
Top picks for this trip
Hydro Flask Wide Mouth Bottle
A do-everything bottle that holds ice through a full hot day at the water.
Check price on
Willit Rashguard Swim Shirt UPF 50+
The best all-around sun shirt for swimming holes — light enough to swim in, dry enough to hike out in.
Check price onDisclosure: Gear links may earn a commission as an Amazon Associate — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
What to pack for Smith Falls S. P.
Gear we compare side by side for river swims like this one — water access, sun, and the hike in.
Disclosure: Gear links may earn a commission as an Amazon Associate — at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Frequently asked questions
Can you swim at Smith Falls State Park?
River swimming and wading in the Niobrara is a popular visitor activity here rather than a designated beach — the current is real and there are no lifeguards, so use judgment and keep children close. Many visitors combine a wade with a tube or canoe float.
How tall is Smith Falls?
Smith Falls is Nebraska’s highest waterfall at more than 60 feet. It is named for Frederic Smith, who filed the first homestead patent on the land, and the site became a state park in 1992.
Explore more nearby swimming guides
Sources & updates
Official land managers cited on this page
Always confirm current rules, closures, and fees on the agency site before visiting.
Spotted outdated access, fees, or safety info? Send a correction with the page URL — we review every submission.