Sometimes, you find the best things where you may least expect them. In the middle of the Great Plains, amid the waving golden prairie grasses of the Nebraska Sandhills, winds the Niobrara National Scenic River. An oasis in a dry landscape, the sight of the river is a dramatic change.

A ribbon of green trees filled with warblers flitting through the branches and dotted with wildflowers lines the banks. River otters slip quietly into the cool water, while turtles bask in the sun. Hundreds of waterfalls pour from the bluffs, or can be found hidden in the river's tributaries. The natural beauty of the Niobrara National Scenic River is an irresistible draw. If you visit once, you may be hooked. Many visitors return every summer. Read more

The National Park Getaways series helps people find new places to connect with nature, history, family, and friends. This month's Getaway featuring Niobrara National Scenic River is the 260th installment in the series.