Nebraska Game and Parks Outdoor Calendar
Game and Parks Events
Mondays in August, you are invited to join in an evening of archery FOR women, taught by women. Choose from a four-week intro class or 'next-level' advice section, depending on your comfort with the material. The intro section features a lesson and time on the archery range practicing with a bow each week. Class goes from 5:30 […]
Mondays in August, you are invited to join in an evening of firearm education FOR women, taught by women. Choose from a four-week intro pistol class or a 'next-level' weekly practice and skill-building section, depending on your comfort with the material. The intro class features a lesson and time on the firearm range practicing with a pistol […]
Take a trip back in time, right here in Nebraska. “Adventures in History: Discovering Nebraska’s State Historical Parks” is a new documentary from Nebraska Public Media and Nebraska Game and Parks that takes viewers on an epic road trip. Join program host and narrator Stephanie Arne as she explores each of our nine State Historical […]
Looking for a good way to introduce your child to the lifelong habits of safe gun handling and the basic concepts of marksmanship? Whether your child is interested in recreation, competition, or hunting, this class is where they need to be! Explore Rifle is a 4-week course designed for youth ages 8-10, but open to […]
Join a Ponca State Park naturalist on the Corps. Of Discovery Trail as we explore the night sky and learn about the August Blue Moon. Red headlamp or flashlight recommended. Moderate - Difficult Trail. Approx. 1.5 miles. Meet at the Riverfront Playground. Free.
Take your first shots with us! The biggest challenge for new shooters is getting started. First Shots makes getting started in shooting very easy – and, thanks to NSSF partnership*, it’s only $10! At a First Shots seminar, you’ll receive: -An educational introduction to the safe and recreational use of firearms -Individual and group training […]
This basic USA Archery class is open to students who are new to Junior Olympic Archery Development and are looking for archery instruction before the next quarter of level 1 classes is available to new students. Explore Archery is a recommended prerequisite but not required. This class section is always open to new students and […]
Celebrate Labor Day weekend by joining us for Living History at Fort Kearny State Historical Park! Schedule There will be a cannon firing at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with a special night firing on Sunday at sunset. Daily living history demonstrations will occur from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with special living history activities […]
Join us at E.T. Mahoney State Park for Fishing For Younger Friends! This program is designed to get our early outdoorsy types into fishing. Children ages 3-5 years will learn the names of some common Nebraska fish, make a fish print and learn to cast by playing Backyard Bass. Following the program, those who want […]
The fun of the Harvest Celebration lasts all fall season at Arbor Day Farm. Plan now to visit the Tree Adventure, Apple House Market, and Arbor Lodge Mansion for autumn-inspired activities, including: U-pick Apples and Pumpkins (beginning mid-Sept.) at the Tree Adventure Living History Weekends at Arbor Lodge Two Weekends of the AppleJack Festival (Sept. 16-17 & 23-24) Wine & Hard […]
Join us at Fort Atkinson for a Living History Weekend on September 2 & 3! SCHEDULE: SATURDAY & SUNDAY (Military Timeline) 10 a.m. - The Troop: roll call, inspection, raise colors and morning gun (Flag pole/parade ground) 10:15 a.m. - Prepare for Inspection 11 a.m. - Archeology at Ft. Atkinson with guest speaker, Nolan Johnson […]
Celebrate Labor Day weekend by joining us for Living History at Fort Kearny State Historical Park! Schedule There will be a cannon firing at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with a special night firing on Sunday at sunset. Daily living history demonstrations will occur from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with special living history activities […]
Ever wanted to learn how to shoot? Want to learn a little bit about rifles? Not sure where to begin? Try Rifle is your place to start! This safe and first-time friendly program covers basic safety rules, handling demonstrations, and starter techniques. Participants get to shoot on the range as part of this one-hour class! […]
Join us at Fort Atkinson for a Living History Weekend on September 2 & 3! SCHEDULE: SATURDAY & SUNDAY (Military Timeline) 10 a.m. - The Troop: roll call, inspection, raise colors and morning gun (Flag pole/parade ground) 10:15 a.m. - Prepare for Inspection 11 a.m. - Archeology at Ft. Atkinson with guest speaker, Nolan Johnson […]
Celebrate Labor Day weekend by joining us for Living History at Fort Kearny State Historical Park! Schedule There will be a cannon firing at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Monday with a special night firing on Sunday at sunset. Daily living history demonstrations will occur from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. with special living history activities […]
October is Nebraska Reptile Month! To celebrate Nebraska Game and Parks is hosting their annual K-12 art contest. Nebraska students in grades K-12 may submit their original work of a Nebraska native reptile anytime from September 5- October 18, 2023 to https://outdoornebraska.gov/.../reptile-awareness-month/ Students can use any medium to create their art, but then must scan, […]
Join us at E.T. Mahoney State Park every Tuesday for Beginner Birding! Explore the world of birding and hike the park looking for birds with a Naturalist. Meet at the Owen Marina. *** Programs are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Please […]
Early childhood education is critical to developing well-rounded adults with good critical thinking skills. Research has shown that quality early childhood education has a lasting impact on a child’s entire life – let Growing Up WILD be a part of your early childhood student’s day. Growing up WILD provides an early foundation for developing positive […]
Do you have a little one who loves animals, nature, and the outdoors? Are you looking for opportunities to explore the outdoors together with your children? Join us for Little Saplings, Schramm Education Center’s early childhood nature discovery program. The program is designed for children ages 2 – 5 and their adult caregiver and will […]
Do you have a little one who loves animals, nature, and the outdoors? Are you looking for opportunities to explore the outdoors together with your children? Join us for Little Saplings, Schramm Education Center’s early childhood nature discovery program. The program is designed for children ages 2 – 5 and their adult caregiver and will […]
Are you interested in learning how to hunt or just want to be comfortable handling a shotgun safely? Maybe you want to brush up on your shotgun skills with a patient instructor? Our certified instructors are hitting the road this fall to put together a "Just for the Ladies" series of shotgun skill workshops - […]
Join us for Just For the Ladies Shotgun Shooting! Our certified instructors are hitting the road this fall to put together a "Just for the Ladies" series of shotgun skill workshops - just in time for the hunting season. They will each consist of an instructional and safety portion, followed by a hands-on shooting skill […]
Take your first shots with us! The biggest challenge for new shooters is getting started. First Shots makes getting started in shooting very easy – and, thanks to NSSF partnership*, it’s only $10! At a First Shots seminar, you’ll receive: -An educational introduction to the safe and recreational use of firearms -Individual and group training […]
Join natural resource experts and community volunteers as we discover the biodiversity of the Chadron State Park! A BioBlitz is a 24-hour inventory of all the species in a specific area! This FREE event is designed for the whole family! A Nebraska State Park Entry Permit is required for this event! Please register for this […]
Join us at Ash Hollow Historical Park for the 3rd Annual Ash Hollow Rendezvous! The rendezvous will allow park visitors to absorb themselves in pre-1840 history, unique culture and educate themselves of an era gone by. Rendezvous were historically held in the fall between fur traders and local Native American tribes and were a time […]
Check in begins at 8 am / ends at 8:45 am; practice and scoring begin at 9 am. MEMBERSHIP The tournament is open to all USA Archery members as well as archers with no affiliation. Eligible USA Archery members can earn qualifying pin scores (pins are to be physically awarded by your home club - […]
Join us at Ash Hollow Historical Park for the 3rd Annual Ash Hollow Rendezvous! The rendezvous will allow park visitors to absorb themselves in pre-1840 history, unique culture and educate themselves of an era gone by. Rendezvous were historically held in the fall between fur traders and local Native American tribes and were a time […]
Experience living history at Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park on Sept. 9 and 10 for a weekend of Fall Muster! Activities will include: Reveille, Assembly and Post Colors Orders of the Day Soldier drills on the parade ground Blacksmithing Candle-making (Saturday) Cannon-firing (Saturday) Soap-making (Sunday) Other historical reenactments of duties at the fort Hours: Sept. […]
Join us at Ash Hollow Historical Park for the 3rd Annual Ash Hollow Rendezvous! The rendezvous will allow park visitors to absorb themselves in pre-1840 history, unique culture and educate themselves of an era gone by. Rendezvous were historically held in the fall between fur traders and local Native American tribes and were a time […]
Experience living history at Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park on Sept. 9 and 10 for a weekend of Fall Muster! Activities will include: Reveille, Assembly and Post Colors Orders of the Day Soldier drills on the parade ground Blacksmithing Candle-making (Saturday) Cannon-firing (Saturday) Soap-making (Sunday) Other historical reenactments of duties at the fort Hours: Sept. […]
Sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, events will be held at venues across the state. Look for the Family Fishing Trailer, where loaner rods and reels, bait and fishing instruction are available free to participants. This is the perfect opportunity for people of all ages who have never been fishing or haven’t fished […]
Mondays in September, you are invited to join in an evening of firearm education FOR women, taught by women. Choose from a three-week intro pistol class or a 'next-level' weekly practice and skill-building section, depending on your comfort with the material. The intro class features a lesson and time on the firearm range practicing with a pistol […]
Mondays in September, you are invited to join in an evening of archery FOR women, taught by women. Choose from a three-week intro class or 'next-level' advice section, depending on your comfort with the material. The intro section features a lesson and time on the archery range practicing with a bow each week. Class goes from 5:30 […]
Join us at E.T. Mahoney State Park every Tuesday for Beginner Birding! Explore the world of birding and hike the park looking for birds with a Naturalist. Meet at the Owen Marina. *** Programs are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Please […]
The Wildcat Hills preschool programs will meet once a month at 10am MT at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center. Certified staff will lead various programs that include a story, hands-on activities and themed lesson. Activities will focus hands-on learning and observations, specifically targeted for early learners’ ages 2-6 years. These programs will be conducted rain […]
Registration for the Outdoor Education Center's GSSF Indoor League Series - Match 1 on September 12 -or- 16, 2023. For this series, each match will be offered on two dates - attend on whichever day works best for your schedule (Tuesday or Saturday). This is the FIRST match for this series. Competitors must shoot in two out of the three available […]
The Wildcat Hills homeschool programs will meet once a month at 10am MT at the Wildcat Hills Nature Center. Certified staff will lead various programs each month that will showcase a different theme; focusing on ecosystems, animals, adaptations, and habitats found only in western Nebraska. Activities will focus hands-on learning and observations, targeted to your […]
Take your first shots with us! The biggest challenge for new shooters is getting started. First Shots makes getting started in shooting very easy – and, thanks to NSSF partnership*, it’s only $10! At a First Shots seminar, you’ll receive: -An educational introduction to the safe and recreational use of firearms -Individual and group training […]
This basic USA Archery class is open to students who are new to Junior Olympic Archery Development and are looking for archery instruction before the next quarter of level 1 classes is available to new students. Explore Archery is a recommended prerequisite but not required. This class section is always open to new students and […]
Registration for the Outdoor Education Center's GSSF Indoor League Series - Match 1 on September 12 -or- 16, 2023. For this series, each match will be offered on two dates - attend on whichever day works best for your schedule (Tuesday or Saturday). This is the FIRST match for this series. Competitors must shoot in two out of the three available […]
NOTE: This is the OPTION A class. This is a full 6-hour classroom course. NOTE: $10 registration fee to be paid by cash or check at class. Pre-registration is required. Please bring a sack lunch, snack and a drink. NOTE: Vessel exams will be offered after class. Please advise when registering for the class if […]
Join us for the 18th annual Missouri River Outdoor Expo at Ponca State Park this September 16 & 17, 2023! The annual Ponca Expo encourages people to get outdoors and connect with nature. Activities will include kayaking, shooting sports, fishing, rock climbing, butterfly tagging, bird banding, petting zoo, log rolling, ropes obstacle course and much […]
Join Naturalist and Geologist Leah Stirrup at the geological outcrop in the park to learn about rocks and fossils. Conduct chemistry experiments on rocks, learn the significance of the rock cycle in Nebraska and more! The outcrop is located at the park’s east entrance across from the canoe launch. *** Programs are subject to […]
Mondays in September, you are invited to join in an evening of firearm education FOR women, taught by women. Choose from a three-week intro pistol class or a 'next-level' weekly practice and skill-building section, depending on your comfort with the material. The intro class features a lesson and time on the firearm range practicing with a pistol […]
Mondays in September, you are invited to join in an evening of archery FOR women, taught by women. Choose from a three-week intro class or 'next-level' advice section, depending on your comfort with the material. The intro section features a lesson and time on the archery range practicing with a bow each week. Class goes from 5:30 […]
Join us at E.T. Mahoney State Park every Tuesday for Beginner Birding! Explore the world of birding and hike the park looking for birds with a Naturalist. Meet at the Owen Marina. *** Programs are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Please […]
Homeschool Hikes is a monthly nature exploration program hosted by the Schramm Education Center geared towards homeschool families. Each month, families can join a naturalist for a guided hike on the Schramm Park State Recreation Area hiking trails. During the program, participants will ask questions, draw, observe, and make discoveries in nature. Participants will have […]
Homeschool Hikes is a monthly nature exploration program hosted by the Schramm Education Center geared towards homeschool families. Each month, families can join a naturalist for a guided hike on the Schramm Park State Recreation Area hiking trails. During the program, participants will ask questions, draw, observe, and make discoveries in nature. Participants will have […]
Second Shots Pistol is designed to build on the handgun skills introduced in our FIRST SHOTS course. It’s also a good refresher for those who are years out of practice. Students learn more about ammunition, loading a magazine, clearing a pistol and locking the slide back, and handling malfunctions. Plus, students get the practical experience […]
Attention Nature Nerds! Come join Nebraska Game and Parks as we host a Nebraska Nature Nerd Trivia Night Thursday September 21 from 7:00-9:00pm. Nature is cool and there is a lot of questions to ask, so get your fellow nature nerds together for a team (no more than 5) and compete to win some nerdy […]
Join us at E.T. Mahoney State Park for Fishing For Younger Friends! This program is designed to get our early outdoorsy types into fishing. Children ages 3-5 years will learn the names of some common Nebraska fish, make a fish print and learn to cast by playing Backyard Bass. Following the program, those who want […]
Join us this summer for some stargazing at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park! Powerful telescopes will be set up at the park’s golf shack for a glimpse of night sky spectaculars. The event is free to the public, but you will need a valid Nebraska park entry permit for your vehicle. Stargazing will begin at […]
Join us for a unique Poker Run experience on horseback at 10 a.m. Mountain Time at Ash Hollow State Historical Park! Bring your favorite horse and visit five stations to collect one of five playing cards as you explore the rugged beauty of Ash Hollow State Historical Park. The top three hands win a cash […]
Ever wanted to learn how to shoot? Want to learn a little bit about rifles? Not sure where to begin? Try Rifle is your place to start! This safe and first-time friendly program covers basic safety rules, handling demonstrations, and starter techniques. Participants get to shoot on the range as part of this one-hour class! […]
Step back in time to see historic trades, talents, and other demonstrations come alive inside Arbor Lodge Mansion and out on the beautiful grounds during Living History Weekends at Arbor Day Farm. On September 27, 1923, the Morton family officially gifted Arbor Lodge to the State of Nebraska, making it Nebraska's first state historic park. Join […]
Step back in time to see historic trades, talents, and other demonstrations come alive inside Arbor Lodge Mansion and out on the beautiful grounds during Living History Weekends at Arbor Day Farm. On September 27, 1923, the Morton family officially gifted Arbor Lodge to the State of Nebraska, making it Nebraska's first state historic park. Join […]
Mondays in September, you are invited to join in an evening of firearm education FOR women, taught by women. Choose from a three-week intro pistol class or a 'next-level' weekly practice and skill-building section, depending on your comfort with the material. The intro class features a lesson and time on the firearm range practicing with a pistol […]
Mondays in September, you are invited to join in an evening of archery FOR women, taught by women. Choose from a three-week intro class or 'next-level' advice section, depending on your comfort with the material. The intro section features a lesson and time on the archery range practicing with a bow each week. Class goes from 5:30 […]
Explore Archery is a fun and perfect fit for beginners of any ability wanting to get started in the sport of archery. If a student is fairly new to archery and looking for a full introductory program, Explore Archery has everything you need - bows, arrows, and enthusiastic instructors! You'll learn range safety, fundamentals of […]
Join us at E.T. Mahoney State Park every Tuesday for Beginner Birding! Explore the world of birding and hike the park looking for birds with a Naturalist. Meet at the Owen Marina. *** Programs are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Youth must be accompanied by an adult. Please […]
Have you ever wanted to create prints using the natural items found right outside your door? Join Nebraska Game and Parks educators as we walk you through several different printing methods for capturing the beauty of Nebraska’s plant species. In this workshop we’ll use the power of the sun to capture plant silhouettes through cyanotype […]
Join us at the Pawnee State Recreation Area classroom for this small game processing workshop! This event is targeted towards new and novice hunters or those who want to start small game hunting but don't know how to process their harvested animal. Processing will be done on squirrels and pheasant. Attendees will be able to […]
Take your first shots with us! The biggest challenge for new shooters is getting started. First Shots makes getting started in shooting very easy – and, thanks to NSSF partnership*, it’s only $10! At a First Shots seminar, you’ll receive: -An educational introduction to the safe and recreational use of firearms -Individual and group training […]
Join us for some spooky, thrill-seeking adventures during our Frights at Height weekends Go Ape Zipline & Adventure Park at Eugene T. Mahoney State Park! Guests will find zombies, ghosts, and ghouls hiding around dark corners of the Treetop Journey zipline and ropes course. The 1-hour adventure is only $37.95/person. Time slots vary based on […]
The 2023 Nebraska Youth Smallbore Silhouette Invitational will be September 30, 2023 at the Pressey Wildlife Management Area (located 17 miles south of Broken Bow). This is a FREE competition, open to all youth age 11 or older who have successfully completed Hunter Education and who have not yet graduated from high school. Proof of […]
Join Nebraska Game and Parks and partners at the Ohiya Casino and Resort for the Deer and Turkey Woodland Habitat Convention. The convention will focus on speakers and field trips highlighting deer habitat needs, wild turkey updates, as well as management advice for healthy woodlands and productive hunting properties. Keynote speakers include Will Gulsby, of […]
Saddle up your horses and join us for the annual Enders Trail Ride on Saturday, Sept. 30 at Enders SRA! The trail ride will be about two hours of riding through the state recreation area where visitors will be able to view wildlife and beautiful scenery from the beach and through the wooded areas of […]