📷 Photo by Julie Barber on UnsplashSnake River Falls
Valentine, NE
One of Nebraska’s largest waterfalls by volume, dropping into a sandstone canyon south-west of Valentine. A short path leads to viewpoints above the falls.
Snake River Falls is a waterfall in the Sandhills of northern Nebraska, immediately north of Merritt Reservoir, in the Valentine area. By volume of water it counts as the state's largest waterfall; Nebraska's tallest waterfall is Smith Falls instead. The Snake River plunges into a canyon here and is a tributary of the Niobrara River.
Important for planning: the falls are on private land owned by the Snake River Preservation Group. You can only view them from two roped-off viewpoints; hiking, swimming, fishing and camping are not allowed. According to Visit Nebraska it is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., but the owner can close access at any time and for any reason. The visit costs about 1 US dollar per person, paid into drop boxes on site.
There is no drinking water and there are no public restrooms on site. Plan for a short stop only, and check access and opening in advance.
- Nearest town
- Valentine, NE
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 42.7080, -100.8560
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
© Blaze Wolf · CC BY-SA 4.0Smith Falls State Park
© Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center · Public domainNebraska National Forest, Bessey District
© Andrew Parlette from Elkridge,MD, US · CC BY 2.0Cedar Pass Campground
Campsites nearby
- Merritt Trading PostCampsite5 mi from Snake River Falls
- Steer Creek CampgroundCampsite15 mi from Snake River Falls
- Fishberry CampgroundCampsite21 mi from Snake River Falls
All campsites in Nebraska · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Snake River Falls?
Snake River Falls is in Valentine, NE, at GPS 42.7080, -100.8560. It is about 47 mi from Mullen.
Can you camp near Snake River Falls?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Merritt Trading Post, about 5 mi away; within 25 mi there are 3 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Snake River Falls?
Snake River Falls is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Niobrara River: waterfalls and fossil rhinos.
What is there to see near Snake River Falls?
Places worth a stop nearby: Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge (23 mi), Smith Falls State Park (30 mi), Nebraska National Forest, Bessey District (63 mi) and Cedar Pass Campground (91 mi).
When is the best time to visit Snake River Falls?
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)