Pets allowed
Allowed with Restrictions
Guided tours
Yes
Backcountry camping
No
Lodging
No
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

Indian Cave State Park is home to more than 3,000 acres overlooking the Missouri River. It is named after an impressive sandstone cave containing awe-inspiring petroglyphs. These petroglyphs are prehistoric Native American depictions of life from a time nearly forgotten. Buffalo and hunters are some of the images that can be deciphered in the sandstone.

The cave and petroglyphs are the main attraction to the park, but it also boasts an impressive network of hiking and biking trails that overlook the Missouri River, hardwood forests, and secluded areas. Indian Cave State Park also holds annual events and contains a plethora of history including the old river town of St. Deroin. Living history weekends and seasonal events make this a destination point for travelers and locals alike.

The hiking and biking trails total more than 22 miles, and there are 16 miles of equestrian trails. Benches and shelters are located periodically along the trail, and visitors are encouraged to pick up a hiking map at the main entrance. Wildlife such as deer, turkey, beavers, racoon, and endless numbers of birds can be witnessed along the trails. Naturalist programs and birding tours are available year round. Two concrete ramps give outdoor enthusiasts access to the Missouri River; wrangler guided horseback trail rides are available during summer and fall, and several shelters are available to reserve for events and celebrations.

Campgrounds offer primitive and RV options. There are 134 RV units with electrical hookups, and the primitive campground is open year round. Showers, laundry facilities, picnic tables, and grills are all located within the camping areas. For those who bring their horses to the park, there is even a group equestrian campground area.

Indian Cave State Park offers several great amenities and options for those wishing to explore the great outdoors, and it should be on the travel list for anyone venturing through the Midwest.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Spring
Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Park entrance fee

Open Year-round

Yes

Pros

Something for everyone.

Cons

None.

Features

ADA accessible
Vault toilet
Near lake or river
Family friendly
Guided tours
Potable water
Historically significant
Wildlife
Fishing
Horseback riding
Bird watching
Wildflowers
Native artifacts
Cave
Geologically significant
Shelters

Permit self-issue on site

No

Location

Comments

I've been to this State Park four times and it's one of my least favorite state parks in Nebraska. It does have a good RV park. The best time to visit is in October when they decorate the park and the fall colors against the Missouri River. Other than that, the trails aren't well maintained AND the "cave" is more like an cliff wall with modern graffiti covering the petroglyphs.
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