Smith Falls State Park
Sparks, NE
Nebraska’s highest waterfall, reached over a footbridge across the Niobrara and a boardwalk through a cool, fern-lined canyon. A popular take-out for river floaters.
Smith Falls State Park is a small state park in Cherry County in northern Nebraska, about 12 miles (roughly 19 km) east-northeast of Valentine and 3 miles southwest of Sparks. The main attraction is Smith Falls, which at 63 feet (19 m) counts as the tallest waterfall in Nebraska. It lies on the south side of the Niobrara River, where a short spring-fed creek plunges into a canyon. The park was established in 1992 and is managed by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission.
Access is part of the charm: from the north side of the park a pedestrian bridge crosses the Niobrara River. The 160-foot (about 49 m) iron truss bridge was restored, comes from Verdigre, Nebraska, and was re-erected here in 1996.
Check access, parking and the condition of the bridge and paths in advance.
- Nearest town
- Sparks, NE
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 42.8878, -100.3158
- Editor's pick
- ★
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in August and October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
© U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters · Public domainFort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
Photo by Julie Barber on UnsplashSnake River Falls
© Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center · Public domainNebraska National Forest, Bessey District
© Cancillería Ecuador · CC BY-SA 2.0Dignity
Campsites nearby
- Fishberry CampgroundCampsite13 mi from Smith Falls State Park
All campsites in Nebraska · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Smith Falls State Park?
Smith Falls State Park is in Sparks, NE, at GPS 42.8878, -100.3158. It is about 12 mi from Valentine.
Can you camp near Smith Falls State Park?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Fishberry Campground, about 13 mi away; within 25 mi there are 1 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Smith Falls State Park?
Smith Falls State Park is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Niobrara River: waterfalls and fossil rhinos.
What is there to see near Smith Falls State Park?
Places worth a stop nearby: Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge (8 mi), Snake River Falls (30 mi), Nebraska National Forest, Bessey District (68 mi) and Dignity (78 mi).
When is the best time to visit Smith Falls State Park?
The most pleasant months are usually May–June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in August and October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)