Paddling near Sparks, NE

Sparks sits in Cherry County along the National Scenic Niobrara River, a stretch widely ranked among the top ten rivers to float in the United States. The river draws tens of thousands of paddlers each season through canyon scenery, multiple waterfalls including Smith Falls — Nebraska's tallest — and six distinct ecosystems. Canoes and kayaks are the primary craft, with local outfitters operating directly out of town.