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Highway 12: Valentine to Niobrara, Niobrara Valley, Nebraska
Photo: Chris M Morris · CC BY 2.0 · cropped

Drives Nebraska Kansas and Nebraska

Highway 12: Valentine to Niobrara

N 12 · Valentine → Niobrara

Leisurely147 mi2 hr 20 min2,800 ft climbHigh point ≈ 2,700 ftOne way
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The drive

This is Nebraska 12, the Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway, running east from Valentine across northern Nebraska to Niobrara on the Missouri River. The road leaves Valentine at US 83, heads northeast through the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge, then turns east. At Sparks it turns southeast toward Springview. The route is 146.7 miles and takes about 2 hr 22 min.

Highway 12 is the easiest way to reach Smith Falls State Park. Farther east it passes around the edge of Niobrara State Park, crosses the Niobrara River and enters the village of Niobrara, where it meets Nebraska 14. The road stays within about 10 miles of the South Dakota border.

It is a long, quiet drive with sandhills, bluffs and ranch country.

Along the way

  1. Valentine
  2. Niobrara
Elevation
2,800 ft of climbing · high point ≈ 2,700 ft
ValentineNiobrara
Curves
Mostly gentle curves
ValentineNiobrara
GentleHairpins

Good to know

  • Towns are small and far apart, so fuel up in Valentine.
  • Allow a full day if you plan to stop at the parks along the way.
  • The highway passes through the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge.

Open all year, weather permitting. Roads close for snow, fire, storms and repairs: before you set off, check Nebraska 511.

Questions about this drive

How long is Nebraska Highway 12 from Valentine to Niobrara?

The drive is 146.7 miles and takes about 2 hr 22 min.

What is the Outlaw Trail Scenic Byway?

It is the scenic byway designation for Nebraska Highway 12 across northern Nebraska.

How do you get to Smith Falls State Park?

Nebraska Highway 12 is the easiest route to Smith Falls State Park.

What you get in the app

Turn by turn, on this roadSpoken directions along the exact route. Carve never reroutes you onto a faster one.
Preview it in 3DFly the whole drive over satellite and terrain before you go.
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Distance, time, elevation, curves and intensity are from Carve's route. Checked 2026-10-28.

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Map of Highway 12: Valentine to Niobrara, from Valentine to Niobrara