TRAVEL

Fort Niobrara Wilderness

Rolling sand hills, roaming bison, prairie and wooded valleys

August 3, 2014

Fort Niobrara Wilderness Courtesy of Wilderness Institute

The Niobrara River in autumn Courtesy of Wilderness Institute

The Niobrara River coursing through Fort Niobrara Wilderness Courtesy of Eric Adamshick via Flickr

A bison roaming Fort Niobrara Wilderness Courtesy of USFWS/Ben Edwards via Flickr

Location: Nebraska
Size: 4,635 acres
Year Designated: 1976
Fast Fact: Critical sanctuary for bison as well as the threatened bald eagle.

Named after the frontier fort that once stood on the land in northern Nebraska, the Fort Niobrara Wilderness now offers protection to bison, bald eagle, prairie dogs, mule deer and river otters. The latter reside in the Niobrara River, which flows for nine miles through the area.