A 40-mile trip from start to finish, you can find the Dismal River in the Sandhills of Nebraska. It can challenge you as a dangerous river at certain times of the year and become an easier kayaking trip during others. Kayaking during the spring tends to run more dangerous than summertime, when many dangers and obstructions have been cleared away either by increased water flow or by man. Many sights along the Dismal River will attract your attention, such as a 125-foot sinkhole created by a spring, and various wildlife and natural scenery.
A two- or three-hour trip, depending on river conditions and the time of year, the Platte River ranks high along Nebraska's kayaking trips. The river is famous for being very wide but also very shallow in places; take care to not drag your kayak on a sandbar unexpectedly. Generally an easier river to float, the Platte is also popular along bird-watchers, where annually a half-million sandhill cranes stop along their migration on the riverbanks to feed in the croplands nearby.
The Niobrara remains a popular destination for kayakers, but the novice should not take it lightly. Possessing Class II rapids and many obstacles that require portage, the novice kayaker could find himself in trouble if unprepared. Fortunately, shorter stretches exist where the water flows easily for the less-experienced kayakers. Temperatures vary from below zero in the winter to the high 90s in summertime, and steady winds often flow. A national scenic river, the Niobrara River possesses stunning views but remains a potentially dangerous trip if unprepared.
You'll find the best water flow on the Elkhorn River from March through early June, though you should take care to avoid flooded areas. Springtime flooding damages the Elkhorn's shores more than any other river in Nebraska, so you should research and plan your trip ahead of time to avoid these dangerous areas. Possessing a deeper channel in places, many potential dangers should command your attention, such as submerged sandbars, logs and lower water levels after June. The river possesses many twists and turns, and you will pass by hills, ridges and forests on your kayaking trip.
