Ponca State Park: Address, Phone Number, Ponca State Park Reviews: 4.5/5
Ponca State Park
Ponca State Park
4.5
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
75 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
23
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Chet C
Las Vegas, NV29 contributions
Solo
Beautiful, beautiful state park along the Missouri River. The hiking is easy and peaceful, the staff extremely friendly and the park very well kept.
What surprised me most, however, were the number of activities available even during the week, many of which are child friendly.
Camping along the river (with electric only) is non-reservable but in my experience not even remotely crowded during the week. Do no let the lack of trees in this campground keep you away as it falls into shade quickly thanks to the backdrop bluffs. There is a more modern campground further into the park if you prefer.
To sum it up, one of the most peaceful, engaging state parks I have ever visited.
What surprised me most, however, were the number of activities available even during the week, many of which are child friendly.
Camping along the river (with electric only) is non-reservable but in my experience not even remotely crowded during the week. Do no let the lack of trees in this campground keep you away as it falls into shade quickly thanks to the backdrop bluffs. There is a more modern campground further into the park if you prefer.
To sum it up, one of the most peaceful, engaging state parks I have ever visited.
Written July 12, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
HJHM
Cedarburg, WI138 contributions
Family
We just recently held a family reunion at Ponca State Park and had a great time. There’s something for everyone from hiking to fishing to shooting ranges (guns, archery and slingshots) plus a nature center, classes and horseback riding. The swimming pool is very nice and when the river isn’t flooded they offer kayaking too. Some of our party stayed in the mini lodges with 4 bedrooms and 2 bathes plus full kitchens. They were perfect for having meals together. Others camped in the campground. Great weekend.
Written July 23, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
firefly331
South Dakota67 contributions
Family
We stayed at the rustic cabins on a hill. Even though it was very hot out, we were cool with all the trees. It is a very nice park that is not to over developed. You can ride horses or swim in there nice, new swimming pool. It is a good place to come and decompress after a long work week.
Written July 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Dianna S
Titusville, FL2 contributions
Solo
Beautiful campground. It got a 3 because we brought our motor home in towing a vehicle with a total of 3 people and they charged us a state park fee for both the motor home and truck. Did not find that fair as we had paid for 3 nights at the campground and it’s not like we would be driving the RV in and out of the campground. The travel trailers don’t get charged why on earth would they charge for our RV?
Had we not paid in advance we would have left.
As far as who was with our party it was myself, spouse and elderly mother.
Had we not paid in advance we would have left.
As far as who was with our party it was myself, spouse and elderly mother.
Written July 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Huskr
Lincoln, NE44 contributions
Couples
Ponca State Park facilities have been upgraded and made more family friendly. You can still rent a rustic cabin (with pretty complete kitchens and air conditioning) but you can also rent new lodges that are lovely with a home-in-the-woods feel. New swimming pool, shooting range, the Missouri River, lots of nature programs for kids, and not far from Vermilion, SD and Sioux City, IA. GREAT WEEKEND GET AWAY.
Written September 8, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
R T
Omaha, NE1 contribution
Family
We made Trip to Ponca State Park this Easter weekend. We had the best weekend getaway ever.
It starts from the new lodge they had. It has 4 bed rooms with kitchen (with everything you needed), 2 bath rooms, back end decks; both wood and gas grill stations and daily supply of towels.
There is a kid’s park, trout fishing lake at walking distance from lodge. Lake must have a lot of trout; even 8 years old kid caught some fishes.
They have bike trails, running trail and even a 9 holes full golf course. Within a mile of drive, you get to catch the bank of Missouri river and have picnic, and do river fishing.
They do have swimming pool too, but, it was too early to open up during Easter time.
They had bunch of kid’s activities for Easter, all free of charge. They showed kids how to make egg baskets, gave away birds houses and bird food trays. Staffs were excellent and very interactive and knowledgeable and finally, show of the day egg Hunt. Kids really enjoyed it!!!!
In about a mile and ½ drives back to Ponca City, there is a small food mart place. You pretty much find anything, from beer, wood logs and even birthday cake!!!
Amazingly, the park happens to be the migratory rest area for many different kinds of birds and you get to see colorful birds near bird feeding area.
From Omaha, Nebraska, it is only 2 hours drive, if you take I-29. If you want a good weekend getaway, don’t miss the fun and visit Ponca!!!
It starts from the new lodge they had. It has 4 bed rooms with kitchen (with everything you needed), 2 bath rooms, back end decks; both wood and gas grill stations and daily supply of towels.
There is a kid’s park, trout fishing lake at walking distance from lodge. Lake must have a lot of trout; even 8 years old kid caught some fishes.
They have bike trails, running trail and even a 9 holes full golf course. Within a mile of drive, you get to catch the bank of Missouri river and have picnic, and do river fishing.
They do have swimming pool too, but, it was too early to open up during Easter time.
They had bunch of kid’s activities for Easter, all free of charge. They showed kids how to make egg baskets, gave away birds houses and bird food trays. Staffs were excellent and very interactive and knowledgeable and finally, show of the day egg Hunt. Kids really enjoyed it!!!!
In about a mile and ½ drives back to Ponca City, there is a small food mart place. You pretty much find anything, from beer, wood logs and even birthday cake!!!
Amazingly, the park happens to be the migratory rest area for many different kinds of birds and you get to see colorful birds near bird feeding area.
From Omaha, Nebraska, it is only 2 hours drive, if you take I-29. If you want a good weekend getaway, don’t miss the fun and visit Ponca!!!
Written April 6, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Drew T
Milwaukee, WI37 contributions
Family
Every summer my family extended family gathers for a long weekend at Ponca State Park. We reserve and stay in the Retreat cabins. What amazing facilities these are! Clean, modern and very comfortable.
Only negative is availability and reservations. You can only make reservations 364 days in advance and with high demand its very difficult to book multiple cabins for a weekend.
Only negative is availability and reservations. You can only make reservations 364 days in advance and with high demand its very difficult to book multiple cabins for a weekend.
Written December 12, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
LMilly
Lincoln, NE52 contributions
Family
We rent a cabin at a State Park every year for Thanksgiving. We park up the cars, kids, dogs and turkey and go relax for 5 days. This year - we tried out Ponca, which we had never been before. We rented Whitetail, a mini lodge.
First things first, the mini lodge is amazing! Open layout, super clean, well decorated, comfortable furniture. Modern amenities, with rustic charm. There is 4 separate bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Each bedroom has it's own sink in it. Which I thought was kind of odd, but then turned out to be pretty handy.
There is a grill, lots of pots and pans, sheets, towels, trash bags... all things you need. We have stayed at other state parks and not all those things have been provided. There is coffee and filters (very important for me!) If you'd like more sheets and coffee, just set them outside your door the night before and the next morning they will deliver new ones to you.
Staff was super helpful and friendly. We forgot a bike pump and they called maintenance and had them come fill our tires. There is a fun gift shop a museum thing in the lodge. Really nice park for the kiddos. Lots of hiking trials and nature to see as well.
LOTS of activities if you go during the summer season, but we didn't get to do any of that, so I can't really tell you about them, but they looked fun.
First things first, the mini lodge is amazing! Open layout, super clean, well decorated, comfortable furniture. Modern amenities, with rustic charm. There is 4 separate bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Each bedroom has it's own sink in it. Which I thought was kind of odd, but then turned out to be pretty handy.
There is a grill, lots of pots and pans, sheets, towels, trash bags... all things you need. We have stayed at other state parks and not all those things have been provided. There is coffee and filters (very important for me!) If you'd like more sheets and coffee, just set them outside your door the night before and the next morning they will deliver new ones to you.
Staff was super helpful and friendly. We forgot a bike pump and they called maintenance and had them come fill our tires. There is a fun gift shop a museum thing in the lodge. Really nice park for the kiddos. Lots of hiking trials and nature to see as well.
LOTS of activities if you go during the summer season, but we didn't get to do any of that, so I can't really tell you about them, but they looked fun.
Written December 2, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Rachel K
15 contributions
Family
We love all the cabin additions, the scupltures, the resort pool and exploration center, staff was so kind. We will be back more this year!! Dont miss!
Written July 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
John A
Dakota City, NE3 contributions
Family
The Ponca State Park is nestled in the extreme NE. corner of Nebraska where the Missouri River borders South Dakota Iowa and Nebraska.
They recently opened a new aquatics center, as I have not seen it but I hear its really nice.
The have a yearly Expo in late summer, info can be found on Nebraska parks. gov.
They recently opened a new aquatics center, as I have not seen it but I hear its really nice.
The have a yearly Expo in late summer, info can be found on Nebraska parks. gov.
Written June 20, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Fromcarterlake
43 contributions
How likely am I to get a tent site on a Saturday in July? Thanks!
WahooNKS
omaha, ne11 contributions
Any photos of the newer 2-bedroom cabins in Scout Hill Loop? Can't find anything on the site or the web.
I9046FKnancyg
Omaha, NE2 contributions
Very nice. Described as cottages once you get here. Full kitchen-stocked with cooking items. Deck with grill. Nice finishes inside. Two full bedrooms with double beds in each.
Samira F
Fresno, CA
I cant find a place where the daily fee for this park or any other State Parks are listed. Can someone lemme know where to find them or how much it will be to visit some of them?? Thank you
Daily fee for Nebraska state parks, for non-residents, is $8 per day. It is $46 for an annual permit. See:
ngpc-home.ne.gov and then and select "Park Permits". The larger state parks have offices in which you can buy a permit, and you can buy them on-line.
Sandywyo
Sheridan, WY100 contributions
Pool $
Wanting to come with my 5 kids and sister with her 5 kids to camp in cabin\ lodge summer 2018. My concern is pool $. Read here 10$ per kid each day? So despite paying hundreds of $ for cabin each night I would also have to pay 50$ a day to swim? Is there a family pass?
Twobeeks
Omaha, NE5 contributions
$7 for adults and $5 for children ages 5-12. Went today and it was worth it. Water slide and sun included in admission. It costs a bit to maintain quality facilities, and this pool, though small, is nice.
EnjoyThis
Lincoln, NE54 contributions
Does This Park have a restaurant/Lodge or some type of Food option available? Thinking of going up for the day. Just want to compare this park to the Platte River one.
fjward
Omaha, NE25 contributions
No restaurant in the park but the town of Ponca has grocery stores and restaurants
firefly331
South Dakota67 contributions
Hello, I know they have a nice pool there, but why isn`t there a swim beach there? Thankyou!
Margaret C
North Kansas City, MO16 contributions
Are there pictures of the 'rustic cabins' and the modern ones on this site?
Angelo T
Bellingham, WA36 contributions
I know they have the modern ones on there, didn't notice the rustic ones on there. They're planning to rebuild some of them.
would like to know if there are any activities going on in the month of December 2015 specifically the weekend of the 26-28th.
Senia M
Lincoln, NE
Is there any place nearby or between Lincoln and Ponca where you can rent canoes? We really want to canoe with our kids at the park, but it looks like the park itself does not offer rentals. Anything on our drive up or within reasonable distance from the park would be helpful to know. Thanks!
Angelo T
Bellingham, WA36 contributions
I know Ponca has a kayaking tour that they rent the kayaks for but only for the tour.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ponca State Park
- Hotels near Ponca State Park:
- (2.14 mi) Trails Inn
- (6.80 mi) Home Towne Inn
- (6.58 mi) Prairie Bed & Breakfast
- (2.24 mi) Oak Trail Inn
- (6.59 mi) Dakota Prairie Ranch Bed and Breakfast
- Restaurants near Ponca State Park:
- (2.21 mi) Outlaw Pizza
- (6.64 mi) Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant Bar & Casino
- (6.55 mi) Spink Cafe
- (8.41 mi) Bob's Bar & Grill
- (5.40 mi) Rivertime Resort